An ABC News/Washington Post Poll conducted Thursday night found a more positive evaluation when asking this question: "It's been reported that the National Security Agency has been collecting the phone call records of tens of millions of Americans. It then analyzes calling patterns in an effort to identify possible terrorism suspects, without listening to or recording the conversations. Would you consider this an acceptable or unacceptable way for the federal government to investigate terrorism?" In that poll, 63% of respondents said the program was acceptable and 35% unacceptable.
It is not entirely clear why the ABC News/Washington Post one-night poll showed a larger percentage of positive responses, although the question stated that the collected phone data were analyzed "in an effort to identify possible terrorism suspects."
Because these questions are designed to measure public opinion in an area that involves two competing principles, fighting terrorism and protecting citizens' privacy, it may not be surprising that specific phrases or nuances of wording in survey questions could cause different response patterns.
Notably, the Gallup Poll finds even stronger opposition among those who are following the story very closely, with 41% approving and 58% disapproving.
--MORE--
1 comment:
.....I don't know about you, but I do all my phone communications via Verizon's network, both wireless and land line.
I had thought that there was some security there. Apparently not, Verizon just debunked that theroy. Verizon has also been caught selling customer information to other companies. So why wouldn't they turn my records over to the government. I don't agree with it, nor do I support it. It's just another example of the current White House Administrations arrogance that they can thumb their noses at due process in the name of fighting terrorism.
The administration brags that it must be working, as we haven't been attacked since 9-11.
Damn good thing, because the domestic emergency response agency assigned to respond isn't ready.
Doesn't make much sense, but there it is.
L8TR
Chris
Post a Comment