Opinions - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Darts & Laurels: August 26, 2016

Aug. 25, 2016

Here we are, dear readers: the end of the first week of school. It feels like only a few short hours ago we were packing our bags and kissing our families goodbye as we ventured into the abyss of collegiate life. Time flies when you’re adding and dropping classes like there’s no tomorrow. For all of our new readers out there, welcome to the Friday version of our paper, where we survey the what’s going on in the world and either praise a story with a “laurel” or banish one forever with a “dart.” So get ready for our epic roast, our salty attitude gone wild, our Fall debut of…

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: UF should extend the drop/add period for classes

Aug. 25, 2016

Riddle me this. Classes began Aug. 22, and by Aug. 26, only four days later, UF students are expected to have decided whether they want to drop their course. If not, they have to pay for it anyway.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: A strain between Iran and Russia, What does it mean?

Aug. 25, 2016

Last week, Iran and Russia reached a historic agreement that allowed Russia to launch military strikes from Iranian bases in order to “fight terrorism” and continue propping up the Assad regime. Considering no foreign military has operated from Iran since World War II, this was a considerable step forward for Russia and, as I see it, a considerable step backward for the millions of Syrians on the ground who feel firsthand the brunt of Assad’s regime. A Russia more involved in Iran and Syria is bad for everyone.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

A serious talk about masturbation humor

Aug. 24, 2016

Hey, Florida, we did it. For the first time in forever (Any “Frozen” fans out there?), something crazy and nationally humiliating happened, and it wasn’t in our state. Here, here: Drinks on us, everyone. According to the local Channel 8 News, police arrested a man they found publicly masturbating and “acting like (a) gorilla” at Giant Eagle Plaza in Warren, Ohio.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Why the NBC broadcast has failed the Olympic message

Aug. 24, 2016

Don’t get me wrong: Michael Phelps is, indeed, one of the greatest athletes of our time. The man has pushed the limits of his sport, and as a former swimmer from a family of swimmers, I have the utmost respect for his contribution to the sport. That being said, it is time for Americans to stop turning the Olympics — an event created to celebrate all countries and their contributions to athleticism — into the Michael-Phelps-and-America Show.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Reflections on my final days with my father

Aug. 24, 2016

I’m not an overly emotional person. This is obvious to those who know me well. But as I sit at my desk writing this column — my first for the Alligator — I can’t keep the tears from slowly streaming down my face and splashing onto my keyboard. Two weeks ago, my father passed away after a long fight with cancer. He was 53.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Lost in a sea of Trump #2K16

Aug. 23, 2016

The media needs to relax its relentless Trump coverage. It’s already caused a lot of damage, and it will only continue to get worse.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Undocumented is a better term than ‘illegal’

Aug. 23, 2016

Illegal parkers, illegal drinkers and illegal immigrants: What do they have in common?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Less remakes, more original movies

Aug. 23, 2016

At the end of the “Something Wall-Mart This Way Comes” episode of “South Park,” Stan and Kyle are face-to-face with the evil force behind the town of South Park’s addiction to consumption: “Wall-Mart,” in the flesh. The town has been colonized with the irresistibly low prices and bargain deals of the “Wall-Mart.” The local community is disintegrating, because no one shops anywhere else. Stan’s father, Randy, is the town’s most helpless victim: a man who forsakes his job to work at "Wall-Mart" for the minute employee discount. In an absurd sequence of events — it’s “South Park” we’re talking about — the boys find themselves at the heart of South Park’s problems, as usual.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Conquer Fall 2016 with less stress

Aug. 23, 2016

Most of the time, students find themselves engaging in activities that help them cope with the stress of college. Some of these include overeating, getting emotional or trying new relaxing experiences. Sadly, some of the students start to get involved with harmful activities that dissociate them from their anxiety.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: The bathroom battle and the need for an honest conversation

Aug. 22, 2016

Well, congratulations, Gator Nation, we made it through a successful first day together. Hopefully you now feel comfortable looking toward the rest of the semester. And even if you’re still feeling kinda “meh” about returning, consider yourself lucky — at least you got to pee in peace.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Let’s fight the good fight with some clear heads

Aug. 22, 2016

Hello, everyone. To those of you who don’t know me, my name is Zachary Lee. To those of you who do know me and enjoy the column, I sincerely thank you for your time, and I’m glad you’ll be joining me again this Fall. To those of you who do know me and don’t like my column, thanks for reading it anyway. I’m grateful you read the column the way I watch Fox News: to hear the other side of the conversation.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Lessons from ‘Open Mike’: how to handle improv and open-mic nights

Aug. 22, 2016

No one calls me “Open Mike.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Two years late, Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’ teaches patience in the digital age

Aug. 22, 2016

Frank Ocean’s name will forever be linked to my languid, quiet Gainesville summers and feelings of intense disappointment. With so little to do in this collegiate ghost town, any word of the neo-soul artist’s elusive and highly anticipated second studio album was guaranteed to make my day. Ocean’s acclaimed debut studio album “Channel Orange” was the soundtrack of my waning high-school years and my personal introduction to how alternative rhythm and blues could sound and feel. “Pyramids” constantly streamed out of my car’s stereo, mixing with the sounds of teenage prattle and late nights on the interstate. So when the hype surrounding his next album began to reach a fever pitch, I was undoubtedly invested.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Not in Kansas anymore, Alligator pro-tips for Fall

Aug. 21, 2016

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, a displaced Midwesterner on a crazy acid trip turned to her dog-in-hand and said, “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF President Fuchs: Welcoming the semester with excitement, pride

Aug. 21, 2016

I am exhausted from the emotions of the past few days.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Welcome from your Student Body president

Aug. 21, 2016

Hello Gator Nation,

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Do your part to prevent the spread of the Zika virus

Aug. 21, 2016

The beginning of the new school year is an opportunity for all students to help curb the spread of the Zika virus by practicing good habits, which include using mosquito repellent, spilling standing water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding and taking measures to reduce the chances of sexual transmission.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: A reflection on SG, the Supreme Court and online voting

Aug. 4, 2016

Governance can be difficult. There are many different competing interests to bear in mind. So, what’s the best way to maintain all of this? Transparency.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Opinion: Bidding farewell to Gainesville, UF and all y’all

Aug. 3, 2016

Over the past two years I’ve learned a lot, and it has been an immense privilege to be able to share my opinion with all of you once a week. I had my first opinion piece published in a newspaper when I was thirteen, and since then it has always been a thrill to see my writing in print, but also somewhat terrifying!