opinion - The Independent Florida Alligator

Opinion

Bureaucracy would be bad for Accent

By ANDREW BROWN | Sep. 13, 2007

Never before have I been so against a proposal from the Student Senate and so supportive of an editorial from the Alligator. Accent's success lies not only in the experience, professionalism and dedication of its staff, but in its independence from Student Government's legislative branch. The Accent chairperson must be free to act quickly to respond to offers from speakers and be able to act even quicker to research and bid on potential speakers. Requiring the Accent chairperson to report to the Student Senate and ask for approval would strangle Accent's success.

Opinion

Unfair protection for University of Miami in budget

By E. T. YORK | Sep. 13, 2007

As a result of the decline in Florida's economy, a special session of the Legislature this fall will consider an expected 4 percent to 10 percent reduction in the statewide budget. This would result in the State University System losing between ,100 million and ,232 million.

Opinion

UF's focus on health, fitness a downer

By COLLEEN SHEA | Sep. 13, 2007

UF students can't escape the pressure of being healthy because there are reminders lurking in the shadows everywhere we turn.

Opinion

Clotheslines not big safety issue

By JANE NUNNALLY | Sep. 13, 2007

I am writing in response to Wednesday's letter "Clotheslines a hazard for children." I loved the tongue-in-cheek letter about rogue clotheslines. I could imagine those heinous downed nylon wires lurking in the shadows just waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting victim, the clothespin springs beckoning the innocent, and the ruthless sheets laying in wait to cause those "zooming" children to fall off their trikes.

Opinion

Red Scare

By Editorial Staff | Sep. 12, 2007

They move around, barely visible to the naked eye. In silence, they attack their victims and leave us in agonizing pain when all we want to do is get to class. No, not terrorists. We're talking about the newest sadistic wave taking over Gainesville.

Opinion

Florida must maintain Bright Futures Scholarship Program

By DANIEL BURROUGHS | Sep. 12, 2007

To all you Florida residents, please take a valuable lesson from your neighbor to the north: Don't let your legislators change anything about Bright Futures.

Sports

Offensive linemen deserve more credit

Sep. 12, 2007

Everyone is starting to wonder how the wide receiver corps is going to react without its leader, Andre Caldwell.

Opinion

Low tuition, UF's size go hand in hand

By Warren Rhea | Sep. 12, 2007

It's outrageous to hear people who go to this university talking about shutting the door on those who haven't had the chance to experience it yet.

Opinion

Silenced, Student Senate shouldn't censor Accent

By Editorial Staff | Sep. 12, 2007

We hate to say it, but one Student Government organization is actually doing something right. Not everything, mind you, but we'll give credit where credit's due.

Opinion

By CONOR MANCONE, UF graduate student

Sep. 12, 2007

An editorial in Wednesday's Alligator talked about the increased prices of soda, which is intended to encourage Gators to be healthier. Unfortunately, it missed the most important problem with this policy: It is not in any way the job of UF to encourage people to be healthier.

Opinion

Separation of church and television

Sep. 12, 2007

I want everyone to know that Jesus had absolutely nothing to do with my success as a writer.

Opinion

Accent's free speakers relevant

By IAN SHTULMAN | Sep. 11, 2007

I'm writing in response to Vincent Massaro's bashing of Accent in Monday's column. Vincent claimed he was on Accent staff three years ago. I have one question: Bitter? His issue with Accent Speaker's Bureau must be personal because I can't believe any person would take the time or energy to complain about a U.S. senator coming to speak for free.

Opinion

Wear blue for Saturday's game

By JAMES HOFFMAN | Sep. 11, 2007

As the Gators football team prepares for this weekend's contest against Tennessee, I ask for your help in doing what we can as Gators fans to be equally prepared on game day. Since the Volunteers will be sporting an "orange" that is almost as faded as their success on the football field, Gators fans should make them feel as unwelcome as possible by wearing blue to Saturday's game.

Opinion

Clotheslines a hazard for children

By TIMOTHY | Sep. 11, 2007

In a recent Alligator story, one graduate housing resident expressed his view that a university ban on clotheslines represented a lack of environmental friendliness. But readers deserve to know that when this same clothesline suggestion was proposed at a Tanglewood Village community meeting, it gathered little support among residents. Why? Because Tanglewood is mainly family housing.

Opinion

Proposed cuts hurt UF employees, too

By ED SALSBERRY | Sep. 11, 2007

A CEO announces 10,000 jobs are being cut to make up for a revenue shortfall. He then goes home to his ,2.5 million mansion where his private chef prepares him a meal that would cost hundreds of dollars in a restaurant. Life is rough at the top.

Opinion

Faculty leadership training worth cost

Sep. 11, 2007

UF is already more than ,30 million in debt. Gov. Charlie Crist might cut some State University System funding. The Tuition Differential Program might not provide enough funding for both measures.

Sports

QB's young career to come full circle Saturday

Sep. 11, 2007

Tim Tebow laid the foundation for his legacy with a 2-yard plow.

Opinion

Out of Sight

Sep. 11, 2007

Commission pushes homeless off the streets

Opinion

How should Gainesville deal with its homelessness issue?

Sep. 11, 2007

Responses cannot be longer than 20 words. Responses may be edited for length, grammar, style, libel and clarity.

Opinion

UF should admit fewer students

By RON MURAM | Sep. 11, 2007

I am responding to Anuradha Pandey's column in Tuesday's Alligator. She has the perfect idea of what this school should do: If we want lower faculty-student ratios and shorter lines for academic advising, we should admit fewer students. Why is it UF's responsibility to accept everyone who is qualified and jam-pack our classes so no one gets a quality education?