The most-read opinions of 2011

A countdown of The Post’s most popular opinion pieces, as measured by page views.

5 Seconds

00:00

10. Five myths about gas prices

In the first of six "Five myths" franchise pieces to make the most-popular list, Robert Rapier, the chief technology officer of a renewable energy company, dispelled misconceptions about what's behind increasing gas prices and what can be done about it.
Read "Five myths about gas prices"

KAREN BLEIER / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

9. The Herman Cain crackup

Post columnist Dana Milbank reported on a melee that broke out between the Herman Cain campaign and reporters on November 2. "Cain's loss of control is a reminder of why he's never going to be president, no matter how high he rises in GOP primary polls," Milbank wrote. Cain dropped out of the race a month later.
Read "The Herman Cain crackup"

Chip Somodevilla / GETTY IMAGES

8. Call Obama's bluff

Post columnist Charles Krauthammer questioned President Obama's stance in the summer debate over the federal budget. "All of a sudden he's a born-again budget balancer prepared to bravely take on his own party by making deep cuts in entitlements. Really?"
Read "Call Obama's bluff"

Joshua Roberts / BLOOMBERG

7. Five myths about Mormonism

While "The Book of Mormon" was playing on Broadway, and two Mormons were running for the Republican nomination, religion writer and Mormon Joanna Brooks took on some of the most common myths about the religion, including "Mormons aren't Christians" and "most Mormons are white."
Read "Five myths about Mormonism"

Charles Krupa / AP

6. Why do Americans still dislike atheists?

"Stunning anti-atheist discrimination," argued Gregory Paul and Phil Zuckerman, is as strong as ever in American society and politics. Such "knee-jerk dislike of atheists" is entirely unwarranted, and should be replaced with respect.
Read "Why do Americans still dislike atheists?"

Kyle Robertson / AP

5. Five myths about Ronald Reagan

The 40th president wasn't a campaign Christian or an "amiable dunce." But "the sentimental colossus his acolytes are trying to erect today," wrote Reagan's authorized biographer Edmund Morris, "bears no resemblance to the man I knew."
Read "Five myths about Ronald Reagan"

Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library, Michael Evans / COURTESY RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY, MICHAEL EVANS

4. Five myths about the American flag

"The iconography and history of the American flag, especially its early history, are infused with myth and misrepresentation," wrote flag biographer Marc Leepson. For example, it turns out the there is "no credible historical evidence" that Betsy Ross "either made or had a hand in designing" the flag.
Read "Five myths about the American flag"

DENIS POROY / REUTERS

3. Five myths about Abraham Lincoln

"No American hero, with the possible exception of George 'I Cannot Tell a Lie' Washington, has been more encrusted with myth than Abraham Lincoln," wrote Harold Holzer, co-chairman of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
Read "Five myths about Abraham Lincoln"

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

2. Why Glenn Beck lost it

Post columnist Dana Milbank analyzed how the Fox News host went from attracting 3 million viewers a night to becoming a fringe figure. "He gradually faded from relevance as his angry themes lost their hold on Americans and his anti-Semitism became more pronounced."
Read "Why Glenn Beck lost it"

NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

1. Five myths about why the South seceded

As part of The Post’s special coverage of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, sociologist James Loewen wrote about the ongoing battle over Civil War history. “I’ve polled thousands of high school history teachers and spoken about the war to audiences across the country, and there is little agreement even about why the South seceded. Was it over slaves? States’rights? Tariffs and taxes? Read the most-viewed opinion of 2011:
"Five myths about why the South seceded"

Christopher Furlong / GETTY IMAGES

Featured Photo Galleries

Chip Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti of Scotland (L) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of teammate Scott Dixon of New Zealand and KV Racing Technology driver Tony Kanaan of Brazil during the Indianapolis 500 autorace at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 27, 2012. REUTERS/John Sommers II(UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT)

Dario Franchitti wins the Indianapolis 500

Dario Franchitti wins his third Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 27: Christian Slayton, 12 prays to a fallen soldiers memorial as motorcycles from the Rolling Thunder event pass by in Washington, DC on May 27, 2012. Slayton, who is from Raleigh, NC ran out to the makeshift memorial to say a prayer of thanks for all the veterans living and fallen. He said he wanted to thank them for letting us be free and able to have the rights that some countries never had. Riders from across the nation come together every year to ride from the Pentagon over to the National Mall as a rememberance those POW and MIAs in the Vietnam War. (Photo by Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Rolling Thunder descends on Washington

Motorcyclists take part in the annual parade ahead of Memorial Day.

Visitors stop to read the names on the Vietnam Memorial at sunrise on the fist day of the Memorial Day weekend in Washington Saturday, May 24, 2008. (AP Photo/J. David Ake)

Honoring the Vietnam War’s fallen

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 24: Aaron Rubinstein, center, with fellow students, lights candles before the annual Mass for family members of the cadavers used in anatomy studies on May, 24, 2012 in Washington, DC. At right are Steven Kazuska and Meghan Kuska. (Photo by Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Students express gratitude for cadavers

Georgetown University students thank the families who allowed the use of cadavers for study.

Cambodian Grilled Corn is basted with a mix of coconut milk and sugar, then grilled until caramelized. Recipe by grilling expert Steven Raichlen, for a Chef on Call lesson. (Michael Temchine for The Washington Post) Freelance Photo imported to Merlin on Fri May 16 15:10:05 2008

Memorial Day recipes

Here are some favorite burgers, entrees and desserts from our Recipe Finder database.

FAIRFAX, VA - MAY 23: US Army Veteran Sandra Strickland embraces her daughter, Heaven, 8, after dinner Wednesday May 23, 2012 in Fairfax, VA. After losing her job, custody of her children and being evicted from her apartment, Strickland moved into a home for homeless female veterans provided by Final Salute, Inc. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Fairfax shelter becomes a lifeline for homeless female veterans

A former Army captain opened the shelter with last fall.

Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Volodymyr Litvin (Bottom) looks on as deputies of the Ukrainian opposition fight with deputies of the pro-presidential majority during a session of parliament in Kiev, as opposition parties protest a bill proposed by the ruling party which would make Russian an official state language along with Ukrainian. AFP PHOTO/STRINGERSTR/AFP/GettyImages

Ukrainian parliament fight, SpaceX cargo craft, Mars rover Opportunity and more in the day in photos

Ukrainian parliament fight, SpaceX cargo craft, Mars rover Opportunity and more.

Red Panda Bears sleep in the Panda Bear enclosure at the Beijing Zoo on May 22, 2012. The zoo grounds were originally a Ming Dynasty imperial palace and finally opened to the public in 1908. The zoo's history states that during the WWII, most of the zoo's animals died of starvation with only 13 monkeys and one old emu surviving the war. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/GettyImages

Barn owls, pit bulls, red pandas, cheetah cubs and more in animal views

Barn owls, pit bulls, red pandas, cheetah cubs and more.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Opinions

The most-read opinions of 2011

A countdown of The Post’s most popular opinion pieces, as measured by page views.

Featured Photo Galleries