Most US adults in the dark about world politics--poll. Would a topic forum "Foreign" help?

[Flabbergasted]

(Recommend me if you'd like a "Foreign Affairs" Forum!!!)

Most US adults in the dark about world politics--poll

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 12:50pm (Mla time) 08/22/2007

WASHINGTON -- Two-thirds of US adults admit to being in the dark about political issues outside the United States, and only a third are well-versed in US politics, the results of a poll published Tuesday showed.

Candidates in the US presidential primaries "may have their work cut out for them as they work to get people interested in the election," wrote the Harris Poll group, which surveyed 2,225 adults between July 6 and 13 for the poll.

A separate survey gave New York Senator Hillary Clinton a healthy lead over her main rival Barack Obama for the Democratic primary race.

More than 40 percent of those who would vote in a Democratic primary or caucus would vote for Clinton while 27 percent said they would vote for Obama, the poll showed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view_article.php?article_id=84033

[etherealtruth]

1. Most US adults ...

I do believe this to be true; however, I do not believe most DUer's are in the dark about events beyond our border.

These topics generate a lot of discussion in GD and GD politics (I think)

[Flabbergasted]

3. I've found this to be untrue.

For the most part political climates and events outside the US are rarely discussed in depth except as a way to Bash Bush in some way. It seems DU reflects society at large in our ethnocentric ways.

[aquart]

4. I dunno. I didn't know Afghanistan had kidnapping alerts.

Or that UN personnel were under lockdown because of the kidnapping red alert. I didn't know urban Afghanistan is having electricity blackouts.

I didn't see any of that on the news. It came in an email from a friend who's there.

[etherealtruth]

6. Would you know this if it was discussed in a designated forum ...?

Yes a lot of international stories drop like a rock in GD (in juxtaposition to say a pornography, smoking...post) ... I just really wonder how much attention a foreign affairs forum will get.

There are tons of things that I am not aware of ... that's why I come to DU, I just see GD as the best place to discuss international political affairs.

[Flabbergasted]

10. I would post regularly and happily. It is one thing I would appreciate.

[etherealtruth]

11. If people actually posted in the forum it WOULD be a great idea

I question whether the forum would actually get any traffic. If it did not generate posts and responses it would serve little use and these topics would be better served in GD.

[maddezmom]

2. I think it's a great idea

Living as an expat a few times really helped me see how important it is to know what is going on beyond our own borders.

Another forum being floated around is a Latin America forum.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1622868

[NancyBreen]

7. I agree we don't get the real world news in America unless it

comes from CBUT or BBC America.

[Flabbergasted]

8. Alot of filtering between here and there.

And once it gets here there is always the spin if it detrimental to a political faction.


OH BTW


Welcome to DU

:)

[NancyBreen]

9. thank you for your welcome

:hi:
At least the filtering gets corrected by the real journalists here on DU and I'm so thankful for this community. What a diverse group you are!

[porphyrian]

5. I'm always for having access to more information. Do it.

I'd be willing to bet that most Americans could not name three current leaders of foreign countries (DUers not necessarily included).