Britons Say Iraq Support Left Country Vulnerable (72%)

[Barrett808]

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in Britain believe their government’s backing of the coalition effort may have made their country a target, according to a poll by YouGov published in the Daily Telegraph. 72 per cent of respondents believe Britain’s role in Iraq made the country more vulnerable to attack by Islamic terrorists.

On Jul. 7, four blasts in London killed at least 52 people and injured 700 more in an apparent terrorist attack. Investigators say the explosions at three underground stations occurred "almost simultaneously," suggesting that timing devices may have been used. A fourth bomb exploded inside a double-decker bus.

On Jul. 9 in a BBC Radio 4 interview, British prime minister Tony Blair rejected suggestions that the attacks were a response to Britain’s presence in Iraq, saying, "September the 11th happened before Iraq, before Afghanistan, before any of these issues, and that was the worst terrorist atrocity of all. (...) I think this type of terrorism has very deep roots. It’s only when you start to pull it out by the roots that you would deal with it." 52 per cent of respondents believe Britain should retain its close alliance with the United States in the war on terror, an eight per cent increase since March 2004.

Britain currently has 8,500 soldiers participating in the U.S.-led military effort in Iraq. There have been 1,941 coalition deaths since the conflict began in March 2003, including 90 British citizens. 48 per cent of respondents believe British troops should remain in Iraq as long as they are needed, while 45 per cent of respondents would bring the soldiers home within the next 12 months.

A leaked British government memorandum—published by the Mail on Sunday and deemed authentic—suggests the current administration might scale back its troop presence in Iraq to 3,000 by mid-2006.

(more)

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/8031

[madeline_con]

1. Did you see the guy...

on CNN?

It was cool, Christianne Amanpour and Richard Quest were in the street doing a news report, and this guy runs up behind them and says, (paraphrasing) "Tell them the real reason they did it. Fifty dead in Iraq. Tell them the truth!"

So, what does Amanpour do? She says he's drunk and angry. Like she's dismissing him and his "crazy" idea! I wish she'd just let it be.

[wookie294]

2. Yes, I saw that

Amanpour was an ass for suggesting the guy was drunk. Reporters are so afraid of the radical right that occupies the White House.

[madeline_con]

4. ".... so afraid of the radical right ..."

I dunno what got into her, she used to be pretty cool. Now, she's got a daughter to support, though. ??

[daleo]

3. 72% of the British population agrees with Galloway

I guess they need to be insulted by the British political establishment as well.

[1932]

5. Ironically, the UK also did in Iraq the one thing that will stop terrorism

After the first week or two, the UK turned over political control of Iraq to Iraqis who had been waiting for years for the end of the Baath party and had been building up a network.

They were prepared to govern, so the UK turned government over to them imediately.

This angered the US.

[jmatthan]

6. Plant has roots and seeds

Bush and Blair are busy pulling at the "roots" but have forgotten in the process they are scattering "thousands of seeds" from every root they are tugging at!!

Jacob Matthan
http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com
Oulu, Finland

[Jacobin]

7. Brits 22% more informed than Murkins

[Barrett808]

9. What's up with that? n/t

[Cha]

8. More proof that tony blair is

in deep denial or/and a lying bastard.

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. "The world is safer without saddam in power"

No more rape rooms ya see.

[NNN0LHI]

11. ..."may" have made their country a target... WTF? n/t

[confludemocrat]

12. So what are they going to do about it?

My guess: nothing. Blair provides for their priorities: a center government, distancing from the EU while benefiting from it, good consumerism, intellectually they don't like the war, but they are too comfortable to care beyond that. Armchair liberals. Parlor and café and cocktail party progressives.

Anyway 24% (!) said it made no difference, now that's seriously being in denial.