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The most-read opinions of 2011 A countdown of The Post’s most popular opinion pieces, as measured by page views.
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
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AFP/GETTY IMAGES
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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GETTY IMAGES
FEATURED PHOTO GALLERIES
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