Americans say president shouldn't lift rights (to fight terrorism) -poll

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N10274804.htm

Americans say president shouldn't lift rights -poll


CHICAGO, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Most Americans do not believe a president should be allowed to suspend constitutional guarantees to fight terrorism, according to a poll released on Friday.

The poll, taken for the American Bar Association in the wake of the controversy generated by U.S. President George W. Bush's domestic spying program, found the public divided over whether government eavesdropping on personal communications could ever be justified.

...

The Harris Interactive telephone survey of 1,045 adults taken Feb. 3-6 found that 77 percent have reservations about the fundamental issues raised by the eavesdropping controversy, the ABA said in releasing the survey.

Of that group, 52 percent agreed that a president should never be able to "suspend the constitutional freedoms of people like you." Another 25 percent said constitutional freedoms should never be suspended unless authorized by a court or the U.S. Congress.

[Deep13]

1. 77% of USA = extreme left wing per Fux whores. nt

[fooj]

2. Tell that to the rat bastards that want to extend the Patriot Act.

While you're at it...make sure that Frist doesn't rig the fricking bill after it passes. Rat bastards! All of them.

Peace.

[Lerkfish]

3. Here's my feeling: I don't care if 100% of americans want to give up their

rights....it doesn't make it prudent or the right thing to do.

I therefore reject polling on questions like this: its not a popularity contest on whether its ok to piss on the constitution.

[flordehinojos]

4. most importantly, I, do not want my rights taken away at all !!!

[Divine Discontent]

5. give em hell lerkfish!

straight on!

hearing that makes me generally happy to hear it, BUT, it makes me know for certain there are at least 23% of the population that do not believe in civil rights of all Americans guaranteed under our constitutional law and bill of rights.

what is WRONG with them??? Should be 100%

[Deep13]

6. True, thought it is encouraging that people still value the Constitution.

Does it matter if Bush spied on us because he really thought it was necessary to protect the country as opposed to spying on his political enemies? Shit no. Motive is irrelevant if he did what the law says he shalt not.

[alarcojon]

7. Of course it doesn't

but these results can and should be thrown back in Bushco's face.

[Lerkfish]

8. agreed. but I'm saying I don't think its wise to even pose the question.

If I go up to a group of people and say "ok If I shoot you in the head right now, right between the eyes and kick you over this ravine?"
statistically, I might find one or two people to say "sure". But that would seem to give me permission to do so, might make me think its the right thing to do, as long as I could get more people to agree.

[alarcojon]

12. I understand what you're saying

we simply disagree. I think that the Dems need to keep saying things like "the American people have serious qualms about what this administration is doing" and cite these poll numbers. The media needs to report them. We as activists need to disseminate them.

I agree in theory that we shouldn't need to ask this question. But it HAS been asked, and will continue to be asked, so we should be happy that the results are positive (though, of course, they should be 100%) and use them.

[loudsue]

15. That's the BEST point anybody has made so far regarding this issue!!

Thank you VERY much for saying it. The constitution isn't designed for a reality show popularity contest...it's designed to be the rule of law that governs the land. We don't just change the damned constitution because of some "poll". We abide by the laws.

EVERYBODY is supposed to abide by the laws....even the frikkin' freak in the white house, and his republican foot-soldiers who have taken over our government.

:kick:

[jean]

9. Bush Republicans are wimps - they flinch in the face of a threat - as

Sen Kennedy pointed out the other day, in the 70's we had a nuclear threat, much more immediate and tangible, and yet the government didn't flinch, did not cave in and suspend the Constitution.

[RaRa]

10. No shit

unless China were to send over a billion people to invade us, this country is not under a threat. Individual lives in the event of a terrorist attack are. But this country isn't going anywhere and its existence can only be threatened from within. Gee, maybe we are under attack....

[FogerRox]

11. KNR

Gee, maybe we are under attack....

YUP

77% is heart warming.

[mitchum]

13. They are indeed the Party of Bedwetters

[alarcojon]

17. Yeah, good point

If you read "Bush on the Couch," you really see him as a scared little child. Not that that evokes any sympathy from me, since in order to not appear scared and vulnerable, he struts around like a macho idiot and pushes for draconian policies devoid of any concern for others.

[jean]

19. I read the book and wondered if, all his life, he's been trying to get

someone to care enough about him to set limits on his excesses.

[rodeodance]

14. 52%--we have a MANDATE

[loudsue]

16. LOL!! Good one, rodeodance!

If it was good enough for the chimp's (supposed) mandate, it's sure good enough for me!

:kick:

[bettyellen]

18. yet the DLC thinks this is a Lefty issue.....

are they are part of that 23% who doesn't care or what?