US public beliefs on Iraq and Presidential Election 22/4

[dudeness]

INTRODUCTION

Much has changed in the year or more since the US began its military action in Iraq. But one thing has changed very little: the beliefs in the American public that just before the war, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was providing substantial support to al Qaeda and had weapons of mass destruction. These beliefs have been evidenced in numerous polls conducted by other organizations, as well as by PIPA/Knowledge Networks. Given that neither of these beliefs has been borne out by long and costly investigations into the activities of the fallen regime, and given the assessments challenging these views by high-profile figures like David Kay (former head of the US government’s Iraq Survey Group), Hans Blix (head of UNMOVIC, the UN weapons inspectors in Iraq before the war), or Richard Clarke (a previous national coordinator for counterterrorism and then White House advisor on the subject), it would seem that this might be a moment when these beliefs would begin to change. To the extent that they have not changed, this raises the question of “why?” Is it because people’s political biases are so strong that they do not receive new information? Is it because they are not aware of what most experts are saying? Do they perceive administration figures as confirming these beliefs? Perhaps most significant, if these perceptions changed, is it likely that Americans would modify their beliefs or their attitudes about the decision to go to war?

more.. www.pipa.org

[Liberal Gramma]

1. It's because they get their news from Fox

and Rush. There was a survey recently that confirmed that people, but conservatives in particular, would prefer to hear news that is in line with their beliefs rather than to hear unpleasant truth or even both sides presently fairly. Fox, Hannity, Coulter, Savage, Limbaugh and the other scumbags give 'em what they want.

[dudeness]

2. sad but true..LG..welcome to DU..

:)

[BeFree]

3. If true...

How would we really know if so many really feel that way, or even if they ever did? Could be that polls are rigged to give the answers that are desired.

But then looking at the reaction to the events on 9/11, and seeing how most people won't even begin to think "it didn't really happen that way" then maybe the two are so closely associated that the fear kinda snowballed?

Well, maybe the movie will help.....