Now that we have safely made it to 2012 and you’ve had a chance to read other lists from 2011, it’s time to take a look back at the top columns (called posts on blogs) here at The Western Word.

It was a record-breaking year here at TWW – with more readers stopping by than ever before – and several columns being linked to or posted on newspaper websites around the country.

Here are the top five columns from 2011:

5.  Montana Senate 2012: Battleground Areas

This column was one in which I took a comprehensive look at the 2012 U.S. Senate race in Montana and wrote about the “battleground” areas for the probable race between Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Denny Rehberg.

One of my political friends told me that campaign consultants, campaign managers, and even the media across Montana would probably print or bookmark this column so they can refer to it and use it…

They may use it for something else, too…

4.  ESPN3

This column was about ESPN deciding not to show the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats playoff games on regular ESPN channels, but on an internet-based channel that was not widely available across Montana.  Ultimately, ESPN caved a little and showed the game on pay-per-view.

3.  May 21, 2011 – Are you ready?

Remember when the world was going to end on May 21?  This column was widely read and fortunately “The Apocalypse” did not happen.  Now all we have to worry about is December 21, 2012…

Just in case the world does end do you know where you are going?

2.  The Killing at Poplar River

Back in 2008, I watched the Dateline NBC show about Barry Beach.  I wrote this column about it saying at the end, “There are more questions than answers in this case. I believe he should get a new trial.”

The column continues to get views and with Barry Beach being granted a new trial this past year, the visits increased enough to make it the #2 most viewed column of 2011.

Drumroll….and the most viewed column of 2011 is….

1.  Politics 2012: 10 Most Vulnerable Senators

This column has been updated three times with all three columns getting plenty of attention and being linked to by several newspapers and blogs.

The first column was written back in November 2010.  It was updated in March 2011 and in September 2011.

Note to the faithful readers:

2012 is going to be a big year in politics – and I plan on being there and writing about it, plus writing about sports, the media, and current events!  I am also hoping to find employment somewhere that may take me away from the computer some…

You really should be following me on Twitter @TheWesternWord.