Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Late-night comment was out of line

By Chelsea Fiddyment | Apr. 2, 2008

I don't watch much television, especially late-night shows. Conan, Letterman, the whole bunch - I just don't find them funny. But worse than all the others, in my mind, is Jay Leno. Though I shiver at the thought, I could sit through a Fall Out Boy concert in its entirety before I could do the same for "The Tonight Show." To top it off, Leno is so lacking in wit that his only apparent back-up is bigotry.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Taxpayer money bails out corporations

Apr. 1, 2008

The failure of government to properly regulate the economy has directly lead to the subprime mortgage mess that is now the proverbial millstone hanging around the neck of the nation's economy, threatening to plunge us into a Great Depression redux.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Stopping abstinence-only curriculum makes sense

By the Editorial Board | Apr. 1, 2008

Earlier last month, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the findings from a groundbreaking study on sexual activity among American teens, and the news was not good.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

'State colleges' wouldn't help Florida's universities

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 31, 2008

As the greater need for access to higher education becomes more apparent, some lawmakers have come up with a seemingly straightforward solution.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Accurate facts are available

By Gregory Jones | Mar. 31, 2008

I am writing in response to Friday's letter submitted by Mr. Jianlin Li regarding the Chinese occupation of Tibet. It is a shame to see individuals, such as Mr. Li, not taking advantage of the opportunity to access and review uncensored news and historical publications.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Homeless crimes relevant to debate

By Ed Braddy | Mar. 31, 2008

They say "ignorance is bliss," but I had no idea it was the Alligator's editorial policy. In criticizing my records request for criminal activity involving the homeless in the March 26 editorial, the editors suggest citizens are better served by the absence of information. I know the Alligator's readership consists primarily of young men and women with high cognitive abilities who are sharpening their reasoning skills through rigorous course work. Alligator editorials, by contrast, serve as intellectual "Spring Break."

OPINION | COLUMNS

Diversity, obscure classes offer value

By GERALD LILES | Mar. 31, 2008

About 30 years ago, the Sabine tribe of Mount Elgon in Uganda was approached by the country's government. They were asking if the Sabine could move outside of the new boundaries of the national park. It was a little surprising, as the Ugandan officials were the first human beings they had ever seen other than themselves. The tribe had been isolated so long they literally thought they were the only people on the planet.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF markets misleading campus image

By VINCENT MASSARO | Mar. 30, 2008

I heart advertising. To name a few of my favorites: billboards, online pop-ups, subliminal messages.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Marketing schemes unfairly target students

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 30, 2008

Thousands of students lined up this week to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime chance to prove there is such thing as a free lunch, thanks to an advertising mistake by a marketing firm involving the venerable Gainesville institution Burrito Bros.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Each candidate had equal opportunity

By Joseph Regalado | Mar. 30, 2008

As a member at large on the Replacement and Agenda Committee, I want to take this opportunity to clear an unjust blemish on the respected reputation of the committee.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Offenses were fabricated, invalid

By Shire Patel | Mar. 30, 2008

The Orange and Blue Party's mistaken accusations that Florida Sunshine Laws were violated during Replacement and Agenda interviews this weekend are not only completely invalid, but also aimed at their own party leader.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Column's premise was not accurate

By Matt Martz | Mar. 30, 2008

The premise that Mr. Young based his entire guest column on - that the Bush administration "targeted Iraq because it was the candidate for immediate democratization" - is completely wrong. The Bush administration invaded Iraq on false claims of WMDs , and once proved wrong they turned to democratizing Iraq as their rationale for war.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Empty seats needed to be filled

By Naadira Renfroe | Mar. 30, 2008

On March 21 and March 23, the Student Senate Replacement and Agenda Committee held interviews in order to fill Senate and committee vacancies. Applicants and committee members were informed well ahead of time when the interviews would be held. When asked if any accommodations were needed, not a single person approached Senate President Pro-Tempore MaryGrace Bell with concerns.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reparation money needed elsewhere

By CYNTHIA DESPRES | Mar. 27, 2008

While I agree with the state's apology for slavery, I question Gov. Charlie Crist's decision to not rule out reparations for the descendents of slaves. It would take years for the Legislature to consider such a proposal, but the principle is wrong.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chinese improved conditions in Tibet

By Jianlin Li | Mar. 27, 2008

In Monday's guest column, the author asserted that Tibet and China are separate nations. That's not true. There is not a single country or government in the world that disagrees that Tibet is part of China. From the second half of the 13th century, Tibet has experienced the merging of religious and temporal power in a peculiar type of theocracy.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Science of love reveals some truths

By CARLY HALLAM | Mar. 27, 2008

Since it's officially spring and love is in the air, I've started researching the "science" behind romance. While this information is worth sharing, it cannot begin to explain a concept more complex than the human eye and more confusing than the movie "Vanilla Sky."

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 27, 2008

The watery, bloodshot eyes. The sore throats. The inability to stay awake in class. There seem to be some sure signs that Gainesville is developing a very big problem lately. But it has nothing to do with those impossibly cheap drink specials at Gator City. The culprit? Evil, evil pollen. So if you're popping that Benadryl and trying to make it to the weekend through a bleary-eyed haze, we know the feeling. Go inside, take a deep, air-conditioned breath, and get ready for this week's edition of…

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Apology for slavery late, but we support it

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 26, 2008

On Wednesday, more than 140 years after the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, the state Legislature passed a resolution apologizing for Florida's role in slavery.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Private Party

By the Editorial Board | Mar. 26, 2008

Congrats, Gator Party.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Affordable Pill not a priority

By Michael O'Malley | Mar. 26, 2008

I wish to contend several points that Laura Moore raised Monday in her letter about affordable birth control. First, I understand that a student may have to live from paycheck to paycheck. However, if at the end of her budget calculation (and an actual budget was certainly implied in the letter) she finds that such dire straits have arisen that a choice must be made between dispensing money to either health care or utilities, I would suggest she revises her budget to exclude several trips for sushi. I don't mean to stereotype, but the validity of such an ultimatum is difficult to believe and there are many ways to free up money in the budget: Ride a bike, don't eat out, grow your own vegetables, get your movies from the library, etc.