Finder-Alphabetical File Problem: Lion

In finder, in column, list and coverflow views, depending upon the "Favorite" I am viewing, I am unable to adjust the order of the files being shown. The default seems to be reverse alphabetical.

The favorites in which this occurs are "All My Files", my computer name area and "Documents." When viewing these, the top row with the column titles appears as a solid white row (with line below it to separate it from the actual file listings) with the names of the columns I chose to view, e.g., Name, Date Created, Size, Kind, etc. It acts like a header row in numbers by staying visible as the files pass under it, and it is slighly "transparent."

When I look at "Desktop" or "Applications" as well as any of the folders contained in "All My Files," my computer name area and "Documents," the top row changes appearance to the "bowed out shaded light on top/darker on bottom" graphic, and a little triangle appears at the right side of each of the columns. Clicking on the little arrow rearranges the files properly. This "header row" is not slightly "transparent."

The question (bug?) is: Why doesn't the "All My Files", my computer name area and "Documents" "header row" not allow changing orders of file display? And, why, if it can't be fixed, is the default reverse alphabetic?

Thank you.

Dave