Cartoon gallery
By Mike Keefe, The Denver Post, Cagle Cartoons
By Mike Keefe, The Denver Post, Cagle Cartoons
CAPTION

Op Quiz

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian pro-government protesters carry a giant national flag during a rally in support of the reform program in the border town of Quneitra, about 65 kilometers (40 miles) south of Damascus, Syria, Monday, July 18, 2011. The discovery of three mutilated corpses set off a wave of sectarian bloodshed that killed up to 30 people over the weekend in central Syria, a dangerous escalation in violence stemming from the country's four-month-old uprising, activists said Monday.
How much do you remember from this week in Opinion?
This week in Opinion, we covered, among other things, the debt ceiling deal, cellphone "cramming" and Syria.
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Punchlines: A comic spin on the news

Jimmy Fallon
“President Obama celebrated his 50th birthday in Chicago. Obama cut the cake, and then Republicans cut everything else.”
Jay Leno
“President Obama signed that new debt bill into law. But you know it doesn’t really solve the problem. Economists say in 10 years the deficit will be $27 trillion. But you know what? In 10 years, that’ll be President Bieber’s problem.”
Jimmy Kimmel
“It’s been interesting to see the Tea Party go from a small group of people that everyone thinks is crazy … to a large group of people that everyone thinks is crazy.”

Your opinion

On Religion

What monks could teach our politicians
For models of humility and discipline, politicians should study the lives of medieval Irish monastics, suggests Henry Brinton.
More

Opinion on video

Tweet corner: On stocks, economy

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National connections

Views across the USA
Read more: Tap into the nation's conversation, state by state
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Chat with columnists and newsmakers
You asked. They answered. Newsmakers and columnists chat with our readers. Global warming. Education. War. Religion. It’s all here.
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On the Opinion podcast
Karen Ignagni, CEO and president of America's Health Insurance Plans, spoke to USA TODAY's Editorial Board recently about the effects that the new health care law has already had on insurance and care. Ignagni also talked about future changes as aspects of the law phase in over the next several years. Periodically check the podcast for updates and the new conversation.

Opinion multimedia

Video: Holiday messages sent to the troops
Photo gallery: A 9/11 tale from writer Carie Lemack as she remembers her mom
Photo gallery: Immigration stories from everyday Americans

America speaks out

What gives you confidence?
What is the one item in your closet you can't live without?
Where were you the morning of 9/11?

Debates and editorials

editorials |  | 
Two-a-day football practices still exist. Why?
Football players from Plains High School work through a conditioning drill Monday in Plains, Texas.
editorials |  | 
Like father, like son in Syria
Bashar Assad became president in 2000 after his father died.
editorials |  | 
Phone companies profit from 'cramming'
John W. Murray of Dallas noticed some mysterious charges on his AT&T phone bill, and he started investigating.

The Forum

COLUMNISTS' VOICES
forum |  | 
By Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
'Conditional' thanks to Congress, Obama
By Al Neuharth, USA TODAY Founder
But president and Congress are responsible for deciding what spending is necessary, and what is not.
forum |  | 
By Paul Sancya, AP
Debt deal won't help close wealth gap
By Julianne Malveaux
Congressional accord shreds the safety net even as minorities fall further behind.
forum |  | 
Done deal: President Obama discusses the debt agreement Tuesday at the White House.
By Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images
Debt ceiling accord: Problems remain
Opinionline: What people are saying about end of congressional stalemate
forum |  | 
Jack Gargan in 2000.
By Doug Koontz, AP
Remember anti-debt prophet Jack Gargan?
By Chuck Raasch
He moved to Thailand in 2005 because he saw the incoming budget crisis, and the debt-ceiling deal doesn't make him want to return one bit.
forum |  | 
AP
Unlike GOP, Democrats will focus on jobs
By Nancy Pelosi
Any plan to reduce our deficit must be centered on economic growth, the House minority leader writes.
forum |  | 
By Karl Gelles, USA TODAY
Don't compare gay rights, civil rights
By Ellis Cose
Sure, these two epic struggles have their similarities, and gays certainly do face obstacles. But then there is the weight of history.
forum |  | 
By Jack Gruber, USA TODAY
Q&A with NIH chief: Medicine's future is here
Francis Collins reports on stunning scientific progress that is already changing the world.
forum |  | 
AP
Will debt-ceiling debacle provide 3rd-party opening?
By Paul Goldman and Mark J. Rozell
Those who tend to lean left, and who are hurting economically, might determine that President Obama is on the wrong side of this compromise.
forum |  | 
By Astrid Riecken, Getty Images
A debt deal, but we're still disaster-bound
By Jonah Goldberg
Though it seems the debt crisis may have been averted, the Tea Party 'victory' is not confetti-worthy.
forum |  | 
Douglass: "Outrage upon the soul."
Library of Congress
GOP's disrespect of Obama goes beyond debt fight
By DeWayne Wickham
The disdain for this country's first black president has been on a low boil virtually since the day he took office.
forum |  | 
By Alejandro Gonzalez, USA TODAY
As atheists know, you can be good without God
By Jerry A. Coyne
Human morality is instinctual and fits into the evolutionary paradigm. In fact, morality without faith might be the best option of all.
forum |  | 
By Carolyn Kaster, AP
Obama, Congress make own case for term limits
By Scott S. Powell
Neither Congress nor the president are willing to balance American's checkbook. So let's make them ... and then send them home.
forum |  | 
By Ahn Young-joon, AP
Cut the debt, but don't undercut our military
By J. Randy Forbes
U.S. armed services have already taken hits in this budding era of austerity. Further cuts could undermine our national security.
READERS' VOICES
letters |  | 
President Obama speaks about the the debt ceiling vote at the White House on Tuesday.
By Alex Wong, Getty Images
Who got the better end of the debt deal?
Followers on Twitter shared their thoughts on the compromise between President Obama and Congress.
letters |  | 
Clash of ideals, not racism, spurs GOP criticism of Obama
DeWayne Wickham seeks to diminish the conservative perspective with unfounded yet very serious accusations.
letters |  | 
Roundup: NIH reaps practical benefits for taxpayers
Also a view on morality without God
letters |  | 
By H. Darr Beiser, USA TODAY
Read biblical passages in context for full meaning
When taking issue with Scripture, do at least basic research to understand the literary forms in which the message is being communicated.
letters |  | 
Roundup: Speaking out today requires courage
Also views on Congress, Tea Party
letters |  | 
By Karen Bleier, AFP/Getty Images
Congress again delays making tough choices
The debt deal does nothing to reinstate confidence in the economy or Congress.
letters |  | 
Roundup: Focus more on drunken drivers
Also views on the broken jail system, TV viewing habits
letters |  | 
By Richard Drew, AP
Most education funds rightly spent at local level
Some would use more federal funds on schools, but with that comes the tangle of regulations that tie the hands of capable teachers.
letters |  | 
Roundup: Military mentors program too costly
Also views on foster parents, instant replay in baseball
OTHER USA TODAY VOICES
brennan |  | 
New chapter in Tiger mystery to unfold
By Christine Brennan, USA TODAY
Tiger Woods has made some changes, but will they make a difference in his game?
lopresti |  | 
Take heart: Eagles, Brewers show perseverance
By Mike Lopresti, Gannett
The stars are aligning for the Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Eagles. Why? We'll get back to them in a minute.