Tuesday, January 10, 2006

The Miseducation of America

So, it was just on Saturday that I posted on the way misinformation and lies are used to manipulate the people and the public discussion on important issues. And lo and behold, controversy erupted over a Rasmussen poll regarding the NSA 3-way calling program. The poll suggested that 64% of Americans support Bush's warrantless program, and this poll was touted by multiple conservative pundits, including Pat Buchanan, Charles Krauthammer, and Michael Reagan.

But here's the rub. Here's the question that Rasmussen asked:
Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conversations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?

Now, who would say no to that? The positive response should be 100%. The controversy is not about whether or not there should be surveillance. It's about the oversight of law enforcement by the courts.

The only way these people can win is to misinform the public.

Media Matters: Media conservatives cited faulty poll

2 Comments:

At 3:54 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think I'd feel safer if the National Security Agency intercepted telephone conversations between anyone in the White House.

 
At 4:05 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

1/12/06 In Todays Daily Item Letter to the Editor:
Patriotic acts
I'd like to respond to the letter "Unpatriotic Acts."
The writer says President Bush "Has is own party upset, as well as many Democrats, as well as the American people." Rasmussen Reports asked this poll question of 1,000 adults on Dec. 26, and Dec. 27, "Should the National Security Agency be allowed to intercept telephone conservations between terrorism suspects in other countries and people living in the United States?" 64 percent said yes and 23 percent said no. A further breakdown was 81 percent of Republicans, 57 percent of independents, and 51 percent Democrats said yes. Yes, Democrats are upset because they can't win elections, and have no plan on any national issue except shrill, hate-Bush rhetoric.
The writer talks about Bush infringing on our civil liberties and disregarding the Fourth Amendment. He also says there's no reason to have an open line on you and me. There has not been one instance of abuse of either the Patriot Act or the NSA program. Even the ACLU admitted this about the Patriot Act. So whose civil liberties have been violated? The Fourth Amendment only applies to law enforcement. This is a war, not a drug bust! Presidents have not only the right but the duty to gather foreign intelligence.
If terrorists in the U.S. are talking to terrorist overseas, should we hang up when eavesdropping can prevent the deaths of thousands or even millions of Americans? Remember this was started on our soil on Sept. 11. It's likely there are other Al-Queda cells in our country planning attacks. Tapping their lines is only common sense. The only way it's an open line on you and me is if you're a terrorist.
Tell your congressmen and senators to keep their hands off the NSA program and to reauthorize the Patriot Act four more years.
Paul Gharett,
Milton

 

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