Topical Issues

This week's acquisition of entertainment giant MCA by Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and the previous purchase of Columbia Pictures by Sony Corp. have raised some concerns about the future of the entertainment industry.The Evening Sun would like to know whether you believe foreign ownership of powerful entertainment companies will change the content of what we will see on TV and at the movies in the near future.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)

George Foreman showed Friday night, even at age 42, that he could match the heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield nearly punch for punch. Now that he's had the shot at regaining the title he held 18 years ago, should he:1) Take his $12.5 million back to his family and church in Houston, where he gave his usual Sunday sermon yesterday, and retire; or2) Continue to fight, hoping to regain another shot at the title he made such a valiant attempt at Friday.To register your opinion, call SUNDIAL at 783-1800 (or 268-7736 in Anne Arundel County)

Today's Accent on Health cover story describes the proper manner for home storage of medicines and health supplies. To tTC that end, we have some questions about the way prescription medicines are handled in your home.First, do you store your prescriptions in the bathroom or in a cooler, drier place in the house?Second, do you keep prescription medicine even if you know it has expired?Third, do you always explicitly follow directions on the prescription bottle or do you "bend the rules?"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)

Democrats in Congress want to extend jobless benefits for many of the 2.3 million people whose coverage has expired. A Senate bill would extend benefits for up to 20 weeks for people who have exhausted the standard 26 weeks of unemployment coverage. The Bush administration says it won't go along with the plan unless there are spending cuts to pay for it.The Evening Sun would like your opinion. Should jobless benefits be lengthened whether or not Congress cuts spending to pay for the extension?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Who had the best baseball team of the past two decades? Technical problems prevented us from publishing the weekend results of this question today and we have extended our survey for another day. So if you didn't get a chance to call in over the weekend, you have until midnight tonight to vote. The lineup:1. The Baltimore Orioles of 1969, '70 and '71, led by Frank and Brooks Robinson.2. The Oakland A's of 1972, '73 and '74, led by Catfish Hunter and Rollie Fingers.3. The Cincinnati Reds of 1975 and '76, led by Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan.

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?