Topical Issues

New York City and Washington, D.C., are each hosting parades to celebrate the end of the Persian Gulf war. We'd like to know what you think of the celebrations.To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight. After you hear the greeting, you'll be asked to punch in a four-digit code on your touch-tone phone. Punch 4600 and you'll be connected with "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.Look for the results in tomorrow's Evening Sun.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties are analyzing the growing strength of Dallas billionaire Ross Perot as a presidential candidate. Strategists in the campaigns of Democratic front-runner Bill Clinton and President Bush are trying the address the impact of an independent campaign by Mr. Perot.The Evening Sun would like to know what you think. Would a Perot candidacy have the most impact on the Democrats or Republicans? Could Mr. Perot be elected as an independent? Do you feel he or Mr. Clinton would be the stronger Democratic candidate?

Dan Rodricks raises an appealing question in his column.The Evening Sun would like your opinion. Would a live organist playing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards help or hinder your appreciation of the game?To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight. You'll be connected with "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.Look for the results in tomorrow's Evening Sun.

Presidential candidate Bill Clinton got a lot of media attention earlier this week for switching the focus of his campaign from his Democratic Party opposition to the Bush administration. He served notice that he'll be campaigning vigorously, using what one adviser referred to as "smash-mouth politics -- right in your face." The Bush campaign, most political observers say, is no slouch when it comes to rough, often negative politicking.The Evening Sun would like your opinion. Does the practice of national politicians attacking one another "smash-mouth" style generate the kind of information voters need to make informed choices?

Protesters have no place in the woods disrupting hunters, said two out of three respondents to "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.Sixty-eight percent of the callers (584 of 854) "did not approve" of protesters following hunters to disrupt deer hunting. Another 270 respondents (32 percent) did not object to the activists' anti-hunting techniques."It's Your Call" represents a sampling of opinions from certain segments of the community, but it is not balanced demographically, as would be done in a scientific public opinion poll.

Private pension plans are generally performing well, according to respondents to "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's telephone survey on topical issues.Of 138 respondents, 57 or 43 percent said they are satisfied with the performance of their pension plans. Seventy-nine or 57 percent said they have doubts about the performance of their plans."It's Your Call" represents a sampling of opinions from certain segments of the community, but it is not balanced demographically, as would be done in a scientific public opinion poll.

Some scientists say the Monday blahs may be rooted in the human biological clock. Is Monday morning a difficult time for you? Are you less productive on Mondays than on other days of the week?To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 286-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight. It's a free call. After you hear the greeting, you'll be asked to punch in a four-digit code on your touch-tone phone. Punch 4600 and you'll be connected with ''It's Your Call,'' The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.

Amid tough economic times, more Americans find themselves in need of services provided by charities such as United Way. Yet, many Americans, who would otherwise give willingly, find themselves in a financial bind.Did you give to charity in 1991? Did you give more, less, or the same as you did in past years?To respond to our telephone survey, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight. After you hear the greeting, you'll be asked to punch in a four-digit code on your Touch-Tone phone.

Some friends want you to be their guest at dinner. Would you prefer to go out to a fine restaurant or would you prefer to go to their house for a well-prepared meal?To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL, the Baltimore Sun's free directory of telephone information services at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today until midnight.After you hear the greeting, you'll be asked to punch in a four-digit code on your touch-tone phone. Punch 4600 and you'll be connected with "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's survey on topical issues.

Georgia Tech should be No. 1, but the NCAA should do away with such confusion and have a national football playoff, according to an overwhelming number of respondents to "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey of topical issues.Remaining firmly behind the ACC representative, 481 of the 655 respondents (73.5 percent) agreed with United Press International's poll that Tech should be No. 1 over Colorado, the Associated Press poll victor.The support for a national playoff was almost as strong, with 459 of 675 callers (68 percent)

Dan Rodricks raises an appealing question in his column.The Evening Sun would like your opinion. Would a live organist playing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards help or hinder your appreciation of the game?To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today through midnight. You'll be connected with "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.Look for the results in tomorrow's Evening Sun.

The Maryland Court of Appeals has approved new rules for print, radio and television advertising by lawyers. When the rules go into effect July 1, celebrity endorsements by non-lawyers will not be allowed, attorneys will not be able to mention their won-lost records, and ads saying clients won't have to pay if their lawyer loses the case will be prohibited.The Evening Sun would like to know what you think. Are the new rules fair? Or, should lawyers be free to advertise without any restrictions?

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate are announcing retirements from national politics in what could be record numbers. So far, 44 members of the House, which has been hit recently with scandals in its bank and post office, say they are not running for re-election and another 11 members already have lost in primaries. Seven retirements have been announced in the Senate. Among reasons cited are media criticism, public scorn, expensive election campaigns and legislative gridlock.

With a new stadium and the eternal optimism of spring, the Orioles hope to improve their standing in the Eastern Division of the American League in 1992. Except a second place in 1989, the team has not finished higher than fourth since winning the World Series in 1983.The Evening Sun would like to know where you think the Orioles will finish in 1992: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh? Which team do you feel will win the division: Toronto, Boston, Detroit, Milwaukee, New York, Baltimore or Cleveland?

Former tennis star Arthur Ashe said Wednesday he had known since 1988 he was infected with the AIDS virus, but went public only after a USA Today reporter asked if he had AIDS. He said the newspaper violated his right to privacy and there was no "compelling medical or physical necessity to go public with my medical condition." USA Today defended its action by saying Mr. Ashe was a public figure and his illness was news.The Evening Sun would like to know what you think. Did the newspaper act properly in pursuing the story?

In the New York Democratic primary, former California Gov. Jerry Brown caused an uproar in the Jewish community by saying that if nominated he would choose as his running mate the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who made a "Hymietown" comment about New York in the 1984 campaign.The Evening Sun would like to know what you think. Has Mr. Brown hurt his chances to defeat Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton in New York, where the Jewish vote is strong? If Mr. Brown becomes the party's nominee, do you think Mr. Jackson should be the candidate for vice president?

Nevada-Las Vegas probably will meet up with North Carolina, but here in ACC country, there also is a lot of sentiment for a Duke-Carolina national championship game, according to respondents to "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's phone survey on topical issues.Of 392 respondents, 148 (38 percent) said North Carolina would beat Kansas and UNLV would again oust Duke in Saturday's NCAA basketball semifinals. Twenty-eight percent (108) predicted a Duke-North Carolina showdown, with 21 percent (82)

As a result of a second train wreck in Chase involving AMTRAK and CONRAIL trains, The Evening Sun would like to know if you are now more concerned about rail safety in our region.To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL, the Baltimore Sun's directory of telephone information services, at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County) today until midnight.After you hear the greeting, you'll be asked to punch in a four-digit code on your touch-tone phone. Punch 4600 and you'll be connected with "It's Your Call," The Evening Sun's survey on topical issues.

Last week's callers to SUNDIAL, The Evening Sun telephone survey of topical issues, chose four of the six top categories that won the Oscars last night: best actor, best actress, best supporting actor and best director. Callers liked Anthony Hopkins for his chilling portrayal in ''The Silence of the Lambs" and Jack Palace for his crusty Curly in ''City Slickers.'' And they chose Jodie Foster as best actress, as did the Academy.They also correctly chose Jonathan Demme as best director for "Silence of the Lambs.

President Bush has been selected to throw out the first ball April 6 for the opening day game at the new Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Some have said Gov. William Donald Schaefer should have received the honor because he pushed the stadium proposal through the state legislature during his first year as governor.The Evening Sun would like to know who you feel is most deserving of throwing out the first ball at the new stadium: President Bush or Governor Schaefer?To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County)