Machen's endorsement troubling
By Charles Bittner | Jan. 24, 2008UF President Bernie Machen is in no way obligated to keep his politics to himself.
UF President Bernie Machen is in no way obligated to keep his politics to himself.
Despite its placating claims, the editorial board clearly does not understand that Bernie Machen retains his right to political expression.
UF President Bernie Machen's decision to endorse John McCain is an unusual move for a university president. The job of the university president is to serve as an impartial representative of UF, not a partisan politico.
I might vomit if I see another popup window advertising links to images of Britney Spears' crotch. Unless that thing is housing a population about to vote in a presidential primary, I don't think it is important.
Wednesday's letter from Wayne Jespersen is disheartening in its apologies for a failed administration. The way Jespersen characterizes the presidency was the way it was intended when the Constitution was written. Reality could not be further from the truth, however.
As a private citizen, President Machen has every right to express his opinion about political candidates and should be able to endorse whomever he wishes. But Machen should not be able to utilize his title as UF president to support a presidential candidate.
When it first launched in 2004, Facebook swept across college campuses and became forever embedded in our popular culture.
Tuesday's letter from Kaitlyn Hastings regarding Carly Hallam's Friday column was unnerving. How could someone imply that higher education is solely for those that will pursue their careers?
"Taxes are the price we pay for civilization." That's what my macroeconomics professor would always say. As profound as it is obvious, this maxim relates a timeless, commonsense principle. But I must admit, it's a principle that I hadn't really thought about in great detail until hearing it in class.
I suspect Mr. Machen does not possess a very strong respect for the intellect of the UF student body or faculty.
While it may not have been as glamorous or as influential as Oprah Winfrey's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama - and certainly didn't receive as much media attention - UF President Bernie Machen's unusual public announcement that he would endorse Sen. John McCain for president this week did raise more than a few questions across campus.
I was disappointed in Ms. Hastings' response to Carly Hallam's Friday column, as it is evident that she attacked Ms. Hallam as a result of her own misunderstanding.
Tuesday's editorial cited President Bush as the cause of many ills, when in fact, it is Congress that passed those bills. The president, after all, has little authority. Mostly, he can start and stop wars. In the end, it's the legislature that introduces and passes bills, and they can override the president's veto.
On behalf of Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and the people of our community, I thank you for supporting the food bank by publicizing the need for emergency food supplies during the holiday season.
I'm writing in regard to Carly Hallam's Friday column. Her ambition to become a mom and loving wife is picturesque and endearing. But I have to ask, is UF merely a holding station until she finds a suitable husband destined for suburbia?
I am writing to say I was disappointed with Bryan Jones' column about how the UF-University of Kentucky men's basketball rivalry was now "just another SEC game."
In response to Friday's letter by Marshall Printy, the author seems to feel that the intent of the educational system is to "teach students to find the correct answer" on a standardized test. Reality and the world around us do not consist of a single set of questions that every person must answer. Some sixth and eighth graders who performed poorly in their last standardized test are now, by state law, only taught reading, math and science each day.
I couldn't believe what I read in the Friday issue of the Alligator. A panhandler making $40 to $50 a day? That's amazing!
Sunday marked an important landmark in the long reign of George W. Bush - he officially has one year left.
Having a rough day? Well, look on the bright side: At least you didn't find out that your new wife or husband is your twin, thus making your romance about as incestuous as is incestuously possible. Say that three times fast. I know that's ridiculous, but it also happens to be horrifyingly based on fact.