Friday Follies

Let's talk it out

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:44:01 -0500

The nation let out a collective gasp yesterday at the news that Oprah Winfrey plans to end her daytime talk show at the end of its 25th season. Take a moment to envision an Oprah-less future. What do you see?

An apple? No thanks.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:44:34 -0500

Carried Away?

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:41:21 -0500

Americans were transfixed yesterday as media outlets blared that a 6-year-old boy was trapped in a balloon screaming across the Colorado skies. It was great television. But it wasn't true. Now that we have the benefit of the full story, let's critique the media's coverage of the early moments.

A Right Turn in Virginia?

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:58:44 -0500

A new Washington Post poll shows Republican Robert F. McDonnell extending his lead to 9 points over R. Creigh Deeds in the race for governor of Virginia.

Tipping Point

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:20:28 -0500

No matter how high your tolerance to alcohol is, at some point we all become too impaired to drive. What's your limit?

Going Nuts Over ACORN

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:22:56 -0500

The community activist group ACORN has been scrambling to repair its reputation this week after videos were released showing its employees offering unethical advice to two people posing as a prostitute and a pimp. ACORN has long been an irritant for some conservatives who accuse the group of fostering a permanent underclass and engaging in voter registration fraud. Defenders say the organization provides vital services to low and moderate income people.

A Slide in Civility?

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:42:19 -0500

Rowdy town halls and president-interrupting congressmen have led some to fret over a perceived decline in American civility. But are Republicans to blame? Some would say the tone of anti-GOP commentary was hardly less vitriolic during George W. Bush's eight years in office. What's your take?

Fleecing the Fans

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:54:07 -0500

Post readers reacted with dismay this week to news that the Washington Redskins has sued dozens of fans who backed out of ticket contracts, and sold thousands of seats to ticket brokers. For many supporters, the team-fan relationship is a covenant, a deeper bond than exists between other buyers and sellers, and one the team appears to be slighting.

Something to Chew Over

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:52:02 -0500

A woman in South Carolina recently won a $2 million verdict after a dental clinic mistakenly pulled her entire row of upper teeth. She had gone in to get just three teeth removed. Which raises the question: Is the amount fair? How much are your teeth worth to you? Suppose you were offered a giant sum of money to trade them in, and that the exchange was perfectly legal. It may seem unpalatable at first, but chew it over.

A Second Act

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:55:24 -0500

Post reporter Annie Gowen writes Friday about former New York Times plagiarist Jayson Blair's effort to reinvent himself as a life coach in Centreville.

What's All the Fuss?

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:19:41 -0500

The outbursts of protesters at health care town halls this week have been described by some as legitimate expressions of frustration, and by others as just 'un-American.'

The This or That Game

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:51:21 -0500

What if you had to surrender one of life's pleasures -- forever? Below are five polls. Select the option in each pair that you would give up if you had to choose one or the other. (And, offer your own poll in the comments).

Keeping It Light

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:14:59 -0500

During the 'beer summit' held yesterday to cool racial tensions between a Harvard professor and the police officer who arrested him, President Obama chose to drink a (Belgian-owned) Bud Light.

The 'Birther' Brouhaha

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 08:59:13 -0500

Speculation about the true citizenship of President Obama has resurfaced in recent days, in part thanks to this viral video. Despite a widely circulated copy of his certificate of live birth, notices in two Honolulu newspapers, and other evidence, some won't let the issue die. Fanning the flame are commentators Lou Dobbs and Rush Limbaugh, who have both suggested the question remains unresolved, and 10 House Republicans, who have co-sponsored a bill that would require presidential candidates to provide a copy of their original birth certificate.

Voting With Your Feet

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:58:31 -0500

Staff writer Ylan Q. Mui reported this week that Crocs, the colorful foam clogs that swept the nation, could go the way of the platform and jelly shoe. Last year, the company lost $185.1 million and cut about 2,000 jobs.