CNN and Gallup polls on investigating torture

[ProSense]

Slim Majority Wants Bush-Era Interrogations Investigated




Most Americans oppose probe of Bush officials on torture: poll (CNN)

<...>

Another 46 percent were opposed and three percent had no opinion, according to the results of the survey of 2,019 adult Americans, which was conducted April 23-26, 2009.

When asked "regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of the use of those procedures, do you think any of those procedures were a form of torture, or don't you think so?," 60 percent said that indeed they were.

Thirty-six percent answered "no" while three percent had no opinion, the poll said.

But as to whether Congress should investigate, as some lawmakers are urging, most of those surveyed -- 57 percent-- said "no." Another 42 percent said yes, and one percent had no opinion, the poll found.

Asked if an independent panel should investigate, 55 percent said "no", 42 percent "yes", and two percent had no opinion.

America to the world: We torture


On edit: These polls remind me of the polls leading up to the illegal invasion of Iraq and the search for imaginary WMD.

[Fresh_Start]

1. Its probably not a matter of if there is an investigation

its a matter of who.

Either we do it, or it will happen by a non-US entity

If the question is whether the American public would prefer to investigate themselves or have a world court do it, I'm pretty sure we'd opt for doing it ourselves

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. And.... we torture for no gd effin good reason too.... that's the part

that puts me over the edge.

[rucky]

3. WTF?

"Following the story very closely..." on FOX?

[ShortnFiery]

4. Our MORAL COMPASS and standing as a great nation is not determined "by polls" but what is JUST.

:shrug:

[beachmom]

7. Excuse me -- our standing as a great nation is determined by

its citizens. And it's not looking good tonight.

[ShortnFiery]

9. NO, our country's leaders who "justified the unjustifiable" must be held accountable ...

lest "us citizens" share in the atrocity that was torture and murder by OUR Nation. :thumbsdown:

[beachmom]

11. The poll shows "us citizens" are against it. More approved of torture than disapproved.

I mean I am with you 100%. It's the country that is not with us enough.

[ProSense]

13. What these polls can't convey

is how much people's responses are based on what they believe will happen. Some likely believe that the government doesn't have the will to hold lawbreakers accountable.

Torture is illegal. It violates international law. It is a war crime.

I simply don't understand where polling to determine which laws need to be respected.




edited to strike extra word.

[ShortnFiery]

14. OK, but if we don't become heard ... we must not keep silent. Lest "welcome to 1935 Germany."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_for_the_Protection_of_German_Blood_and_Honor

[Clio the Leo]

5. That's what I thought .....

... thank you for this because I'd been waiting to see something like this for weeks.

Doesn't matter what the public thinks, I understand that, but just further shows what a huge mess this thing is.

[beachmom]

6. Saw it. Did you read the analysis on The Fix?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/white-house/polling-the-torture-debate.html

The White House isn't going to do anything with numbers like those. I fear the Right has won this round. Unless we can change minds. I'm not sure how.

[ShortnFiery]

10. If the White House doesn't do ANYTHING then they are part of the conspiracy

in the cover-up of A WAR CRIME. :thumbsdown:

[Spazito]

8. The CNN poll question is very misleading, imo...

"But as to whether Congress should investigate, as some lawmakers are urging, most of those surveyed -- 57 percent-- said "no." Another 42 percent said yes, and one percent had no opinion, the poll found."

It ONLY refers to Congress as the investigating body, makes NO reference to the DOJ as a choice as well. The Gallup poll did give options and the poll numbers were more accurate due to that, imo.

Edited to add:

Even the Gallup poll numbers are very low which is why, imo, President Obama is building his case for the jury (in this case, the American public) exhibit by exhibit, each one more horrifying than the previous one. The photos are going to be released later this month, they will hit home more than any words on paper (the torture memos) ever could.

[ProSense]

12. Maybe Logic Can Help

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Maybe Logic Can Help

Brian Tamanaha

1. "Waterboarding is torture" (President Obama statement a week ago, world opinion)

2. "We waterboarded three prisoners" (statements by CIA, Cheney, Yoo, etc.)

3. "We did not torture prisoners." (statements by Bush, Rice, etc.)

No one disputes number 2, so number 1 is wrong or number 3 is wrong. You decide.