opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

True patriots question country’s path

Feb. 26, 2008

Americans have little to cheer about or believe in these days. The list of reasons to have lost faith in our republic is inordinately long and spectacularly depressing. Whether it's the incomprehensible incompetence of the government's response to Katrina, contentious elections rendering dubious results, complete disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law, the denigration of the environment, the use of torture on "enemy combatants" (whatever that means), the exponential increase of wealth disparity, steroids in baseball, "Spygate" in football or the quicksand quagmire that is Iraq - the American people have good reason to be despondent.

Opinion

Hiring sends UF staff disturbing message

By Jessica Clackum Herman | Feb. 26, 2008

First, it was President Machen's bonus on the eve of a budget crisis that angered those of us who have put in many years of hard work into this university.

Opinion

Students should vote 'no’ on Iraq question

By the Editorial Board | Feb. 26, 2008

The students that actually took the time to cast their ballots on the first day of the Student Government elections were met with some confusing and seemingly out-of-nowhere questions in the form of referenda and a constitutional amendment.

Opinion

Haridopolos overpaid, under-qualified

By BRANDON SACK | Feb. 26, 2008

As a UF alumnus and current graduate student, I was angered at the news of the hiring of state Sen. Mike Haridopolos. That anger turned to rage as I read the "Inside UF" section with a little epithet from our friend Bernie about the looming budget crisis and $47 million shortfall expected next year. His plan for everyone else is to ask every college to make 6 percent "general" cuts to its departments, not "across-the-board reductions." However, he is personally taking action by drawing a $300,000 bonus for himself and overpaying an under-qualified professor to teach political science while he works on his Ph.D. part time.

Opinion

SG should be left to students, not admin

By Dave Chauncey | Feb. 25, 2008

As a UF student, I have been interested in the controversy with online voting that has unfolded in recent weeks. I sympathize with both sides and see valid points all around concerning the issue.

Opinion

Politician's appointment presents conflict

By the Editorial Board | Feb. 25, 2008

Apparently, state Sen. Mike Haridopolos is such a riveting lecturer that UF couldn't let a silly thing like an appearance of conflict of interest get in the way of offering him a position - even if he is poised to become the Senate president in 2010.

Opinion

American dream is still alive and well

By GERALD LILES | Feb. 25, 2008

Has an authority figure ever forced you to try something you were almost positive you couldn't do?

Sports

Top 10 sports movies of all time

Feb. 24, 2008

With college basketball talking brackets, baseball season preparing to get into full swing and college football's spring practice looming, it's about as good a time as any to take a break from the sports world.

Opinion

Satellite destruction shows U.S. might

By VINCENT MASSARO | Feb. 24, 2008

We did it!

Opinion

Serbian conflict not religious in nature

By Dardan Tigani | Feb. 24, 2008

As a Kosovan-Albanian who has lived through the horrors of the Serbian occupation of Kosovo in the '90s, I am very disappointed that Mr. Jurich misled the Gainesville community Friday by suggesting that the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Germany and other western countries are sponsoring terrorism by supporting Kosovo's independence.

Opinion

New science standards are step forward

By Brent Henderson | Feb. 24, 2008

The Alligator threw a dart to the State Board of Education Friday regarding its decision to amend proposed state science standards to include the qualifier "scientific theory of" before the term evolution.

Opinion

We back most of the Orange and Blue ticket

By the Editorial Board | Feb. 24, 2008

In case you haven't already guessed based on all those flier-pushers lined up across campus, it's that time of year again - the always entertaining, sometimes irritating Student Government elections.

Opinion

Abortion is not the same as genocide

By Jonathan Mann | Feb. 21, 2008

The pro-life display this week on campus was the most insensitive thing I have ever witnessed. As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, I am deeply offended by the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform and Pro-Life Alliance's attempt to compare the Holocaust with abortion.

Opinion

Pageant winners chosen by appearances

By Lori Finkel | Feb. 21, 2008

I was saddened to read Matt Meltzer's response to the Alligator's take on the Miss UF pageant in yesterday's paper. How does "well-rounded" mean hot? Look, it's great that these girls are judged on more than just beauty - but that's the whole point. It doesn't matter if you've solved the energy crisis or can give a lecture on string theory. If you aren't pretty, no one cares. You don't qualify, you aren't a good role model and you don't get any money.

Opinion

Workouts must come with lifestyle change

By CARLY HALLAM | Feb. 21, 2008

I have discouraging news.

Opinion

U.S. should not have recognized Kosovo

By Christopher Jurich | Feb. 21, 2008

I am Serbian-American, but I speak as an American, not as a Serb, when I say America and other Western nations have made a grave mistake supporting the independence of Kosovo. Not only is Kosovo illegal under international law, but the U.S. is also helping establish a dangerous Islamic state in the heart of Europe as we fight the war on terror.

Opinion

Display allowed students to see truth

By Jenna Kilic | Feb. 21, 2008

In Thursday's editorial, the author wrote that the anti-abortion display set up by the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform "was, at best, insensitive and tasteless." Is it the display or the result depicted that is insensitive? How does this author have the audacity to call this group insensitive? They are giving a voice to those who can't speak.

Opinion

Darts & Laurels

By the Editorial Board | Feb. 21, 2008

We hate to say it, but it's sometimes just easier to blame it all on the moon. Here at Darts & Laurels headquarters, we're seriously thinking that the lunar eclipse this Wednesday may be the only way to explain some of the crazy things happening here in Gainesville and halfway across the world. So if you're ready to leave this week behind,and you've braved the rain once again to make it to campus, we reward you with another week's edition of…

Opinion

Christians confused over use of 'theory'

By Sterling Davenport | Feb. 20, 2008

The debate over the semantics of evolution is time-consuming and wasteful.

Opinion

Scare tactic murals won't change minds

By the Editorial Board | Feb. 20, 2008

Everyone strolling through the Plaza of the Americas Wednesday was treated to a graphic display by a seemingly scientific organization known as The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform.