opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Media outlets focus too much on Iran

June 29, 2009

Like a bad version of "The Blair Witch Project," amateur video of riots and protests in Iran fill CNN's airwaves. Covering the turmoil in Iran has become en vogue, and publicly declaring one's alignment with Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the emblematic opposition candidate who lost in the last Iranian rigged election three weeks ago, has become as culturally trendy for some as a Free Tibet bumper sticker.

Sports

Window Of Opportunity Factor changes fans' expectations

June 17, 2009

One of the biggest factors in sports will never show up on a stat sheet.

Opinion

Darts & Laurels

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 17, 2009

With the unforgiving humidity of a Gainesville summer sucking the life out of you like a disgruntled ex-boyfriend, the Department of Darts & Laurels encourages you to relax and crack open an ice-cold Zima.

Opinion

Fans need to keep themselves in check

By MATTHEW MELTZER | June 17, 2009

I went to the NBA Finals in Orlando this past weekend, and a fistfight almost erupted in my section after a group of rowdy, young Magic fans bombarded the Lakers fans in front of me with an endless chant of "LA sucks!" First of all, Orlando fans, people who live in prefab, cookie-cutter houses, should not throw stones. But more importantly, where on earth do you get the idea that your basketball team being up 10 points has anything to do with your city being any better than anyone else's?

Sports

NBA Draft not what it used to be

By ADAM BERRY | June 17, 2009

The NBA Draft used to be like a holiday to me.

Opinion

Failing economies shouldn't put pressure on friendships

June 17, 2009

One of the more ignored side effects of a recession is the toll it takes on friendships.

Opinion

Government employees earn too much

By JOHNATHAN LOTT | June 17, 2009

Every summer we realize that another year has passed. We inch closer and closer to that terrible moment when we have to move beyond UF and figure out something to do with our lives.

Sports

Magic, Rays stories eerily similar after tough defeats

By ADAM BERRY | June 15, 2009

On Oct. 22, I was at Tropicana Field for the Tampa Bay Rays' first-ever World Series game. My friend, who generously offered his family's extra ticket to me, still pokes fun at me for the stupid grin I had on my face for the first eight innings of the game.

Sports

Sports fans face lull in calendar during rest of summer

June 15, 2009

As the final seconds of Game 5 ticked off the clock, it was a bittersweet moment.

Opinion

Murder-suicide not the answer to financial woes

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 14, 2009

Tragedy struck suburban Orlando on Monday with news of a murder-suicide claiming the lives of a Heathrow family.

Opinion

Web site helps build on a hunch

By The Alligator Editorial Board | June 14, 2009

While wondering what midtown bar you should visit on Friday evening remains a bigger Gainesville no-brainer than taking an online course, pondering where to move post-college could be deemed almost unanswerable.

Opinion

Value of college education depends on wealth, intelligence

By JACOB LEVIN | June 14, 2009

It seems like every year, when the graduation fanfare has subsided and the confetti has reached the floor, graduates turn their eyes to the piece of paper standing in for four years of trial and tuition and ask the rather pressing question, "What did I just put myself through?"

Opinion

Iranian youth rely on Twitter to inform world about elections

June 14, 2009

Abdul-Azim Mohammed was providing a play-by-play of the Iran Election early Sunday morning. Azim first reported that local police stations had been forced to burn ballot boxes filled with votes for Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidential challenger. A few minutes later, Azim declared that Internet access and phone lines had been cut off. Later, Azim's reports of people filling the streets of Tehran were verified with BBC footage showing legions of angry young Iranians chanting "Death to the Dictator" in the streets.

Opinion