It's always fun to look back on the year's most popular stories, the ones that truly resonated with you, our readers. Tampabay.com's top 10 from 2010 offer a mix of hot topics, including foreclosures, airport body scanners, the Gulf oil spill and a touching tribute to a St. Petersburg dishwasher who died in a hit-run accident.

See the stories and some of the top-rated comments from the story discussions:

1. Army welcomes older recruits looking for stability

"I was in for 28 years, retired with great benefits...and yes, a disability. If I had a chance to do it all over, you better bet your butt I would." ~ Zipitydodah

2. Bank of America forecloses on house that couple had paid cash for

What everyone needs to note here is that the REAL criminal negligence is on part of the government that did blindly ACCEPTED the foreclosure.  The only really legitimate function of government is to protect private property rights, including overseeing contractual transactions: Where were they, in this case? It should have been no more possible for Bank of America to get away with this, lacking a government record of the imaginary debt, than to grow wings and fly away like a bird." ~ kazvorpal

3. Crist shifts view on Cuban travel restrictions

"Easy headline to print for next 4 1/2 months; "Crist shifts view on _________." ~ tj77 ... Read more

Here's a look at tampabay.com's 10 most popular stories from the weekend. The top stories included a bizarre tale of a fight over Conway Twitty's sexual orientation, the increasing use of power chairs and a crash killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

See the stories and some of the top-rated comments from the discussions: 

1. Question about a country singer's sexual orientation leads to a fight

"Obviously, these guys had WAY too much time on their hands!" ~ Nspc

2. Power chairs: older and fatter Americans are on the move

"Some people have legitimate reasons to own and use a chair. Once you get used to using a chair, your health declines to the point where you have to have and use a chair. Obesity is a disease that is out of control in our country." ~DontTouchMyJunk

3. Sheriff's employee charged with leaving scene of crash

"Would it be too much to demand his firing? Anywhere else it would have been automatic." ~ Sunshiney ... Read more

With Election Day behind us, here's a look at which tampabay.com stories were most discussed in the past week. Mostly politics stories, of course, but a couple other hot topics rose to the top, including the fatal DUI case involving a Tampa dentist and the debate over a boy's racy backpack in Pasco.

I've included some of the highest-rated comments from the stories. A special thanks to backpack mom and kermit, who described themselves as the parents of the boy whose backpack was banned. Readers had some harsh words for the parents, and I appreciate their willingness to join the discussion and defend their son.

1. Gov.-elect Rick Scott declares: 'Let's get to work'

"Welcome to Florida. Please check your brain at the door. We like people that are like us, ignorant." ~ Surrealist

2. Marco Rubio elected to U.S. Senate

"Okay, Marco. You're in. Now it's time for you to actually do something for Florida instead of just talk."~ Tannhauser

3. Riverview dentist charged in Harbour Island fatalities posts bail

"The deceased man and woman aren't free on bail, why should he be?" ~ empsnewclozh ... Read more

Here's a look at what tampabay.com readers were discussing on our site today. Our top 5 most commented stories included coverage of last night's debate between Rick Scott and Alex Sink, the Hiccup Girl murder case and Tampa's plans for high-speed rail.

1. Anger, contempt flare in final Scott and Sink debate in Florida governor's race

"Urghhh. Neither candidate was prepared for this debate." ~ olandoyle

2. Cousin: Slain man in 'Hiccup Girl' case was just getting life back after Hurricane Katrina

"Nobody is ever responsible for anything they do anymore." ~ Mr.Fabulous ... Read more