This week, Stan learns how to fly to the “occupied Palestinian territory.” Or is that Israel? Comments (2).

Our readers take a minute to cheer, then jeer, our Britisher’s View column. Comments (1).

This week, the Screecher cheers a wonderful young lady. Comment.

There aren’t enough ticker tape parades in the world to thank our freedom fighters — but a few would at least let them know their efforts weren’t in vain. Comment.

A century ago, Brooklyn had the largest and most popular resort in the world. Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island attracted millions every summer. Coney Island boasted three amusement parks, Dreamland (1904–1911), Luna Park (1903–1944) and Steeplechase Park (1897–1964). Astroland opened in 1962 and closed after the 2009 season. Comment.

The Parachute Jump is a unique structure that deserves the landmark status it was granted in 1988. However, when funds are in short supply, they should be used to address the most pressing needs first. Rather than spending an additional $2 million, beyond the 1.4 million already spent, on making the lighting on the Parachute Jump brighter — a superficial concern — these funds should be spent addressing Coney Island’s most important and immediate need: preserving its iconic, world-famous wooden Boardwalk. Comments (2).

This week, our national issues reporter haggles with a sales rep over iPhone insurance. Comments (3).

This week, our columnist says the People’s Playground — and other parts of New York — should have made gambling legal years ago. Comment.

Ever hear of chutzpah? This week, our columnist defines it for you through the actions of those who have it. Comments (2).

Our columnist has people talking — and writing letters. Comments (4).

This week, the Big Screecher lauds “Couple of the Year” Salema and Don Marbury. Comment.

Muslim New Yorkers should celebrate “The Third Jihad” as a critical weapon in oiur counter-terrorism arsenal, our columnist says. Comments (4).

Albany Republicans released a redistricting map on Jan. 27 that would change Brooklyn’s political landscape, giving state Sen. Marty Golden a lot more real estate, creating an “Orthodox district” in Midwood and Borough Park, and ripping disgraced state Sen. Carl Kruger’s district off the map. Republicans claim that the new lines make sense, but Democrats say that the entire map has to be thrown out and redrawn in a non-partisan way. We asked the two candidates vying for Kruger’s district to weigh in: Comment.

And they wonder why people are so cynical about politics and politicians. Comments (1).

A lot of noise has been made about the redistricting proposal submitted last week by the State Legislature. And, of course, most of the noise comes from people who have a problem with the plan. Comment.

Our national affairs columnist gives her top-10 Super Bowl spots. Comment.

… and those hidden things are new taxes! Comment.

This week, our beloved columnist gets ready for his annual awards dinner. Comment.

The “men with green faces” are second to none when it comes to rescuing Americans in danger while protecting U.S. interests across the globe. Comments (1).

The creation of a Downtown Brooklyn Skyscraper Historic District is unwarranted, and would add burdensome costs for local property owners and retail tenants. Comments (2).

This week, our 92-year-old columnist says its time to bring gambling — and all its benefits — to the People’s Playground. Comments (1).

This week, our columnist goes off — again — on tenure for teachers. Comments (1).

This week, our beloved columnist fills you in on his fear of blood-sucking creatures. Comments (3).

There is no room for self-deprecation in the War on Terror, writes our columnist, and here’s why! Comments (6).

It’s winter now, and Coney Island’s amusement parks are in winter hibernation, some wrapped in plastic tarps to protect their intricate machinery from the cold salty elements while they sleep. Comment.

Change can be a bad thing, but in the case of the Cyclone, change can only be a good thing. It will assist in making the ride a more enjoyable experience for locals, and for the thousands who ride it from around the world. Comment.

This week, our columnist delves into the pies being thrown by the food world’s biggest stars. Comments (11).

This week, Stan fills you in on his notes to himself. Comments (3).

This week, we take you back to the days when gambling and graft were business as usual on Coney Island. Comment.

This week, Carmine realizes that everything old is new again — much to his chagrin. Comment.

It’s time for the former crack dealer to become a man. Comments (11).

Long-time residents of Boerum Hill have always known that the House of Detention would re-open one day, and now that day is imminent. To be sure, it will be a challenge to integrate our returning neighbor into a more densely residential environment. Comment.

The Brooklyn House of Detention, capacity 759 inmates, was built in 1957. Located in downtown Brooklyn, on Atlantic Avenue, the 11-story facility housed inmates steadily for nearly half a century before the city closed the building temporarily in 2003. This facility wasn’t the borough’s first city jail; there has been a city jail in Brooklyn since 1686, but performs crucial services that are critical to law enforcement and criminal justice. Comment.

Mayor Bloomberg is back in Joanna’s good graces — and it only took three terms. Comments (1).

This week, Stan breaks down America one digit at a time. Comments (2).

This week, Carmine goes off on how much the city has changed since they put in that wacky-looking museum! Comments (1).

A rogue regime courts a nuclear showdown. Comment.

This week, our columnist gets ink on her hands. Well, other people’s hands. Comment.

This week, Lou waxes poetically about the neighborhood’s four-headed leadership. Comments (3).

This week, our columnist reminds you that things aren’t always what they seem. Comment.

Start the New Year the right way — by reading the offerings of some of Brookjlyn’s best spouters on our “Letters to the Editor” page! Comments (2).

This week, the Screecher wonders why he doesn’t get any toys anymore. Comment.

Law enforcers do themselves an injustice when they take the “sting” out of an undercover operation by deliberately targeting unsuspicious — and unsuspecting — civilians. Comment.

As recently reported, New Yorkers again saw a decrease in crime in 2011 throughout New York City, and for that, we must commend the work of the New York City Police Department. Kudos to Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly for their continued efforts and diligence in keeping New York City the safest big city in America. It was not too long ago that New Yorkers could only dream of their city earning such honors. Comments (5).

I read with interest the recent news stories of the NYPD sting against fencing operations involving stolen electronic equipment. While the goal is laudatory, especially in light of the increase in grand larcenies this year, the news articles I read led me to believe that this police operation was focused on the merchants selling the stolen goods, i.e. bodegas, newsstands, barbershops, etc. Indeed, one of the articles quoted you as saying, ̶ Comment.

This week, our columnist vows to get over her fear of the merengue! Comment.

The title above of my column is It’s Only My Opinion, and last week I offered my opinion on some of the best quotes of last year. In the interest of space, I pared my list down. But now I am looking at several bonus quotes that are informative, entertaining, and sure to stimulate conversation when it slows down at your next cocktail party Comments (1).