Should we DU online polls? Or let the opposition have them to

[blondeatlast]

Poll question: Should we DU online polls? Or let the opposition have them to

themselves, perhaps giving them a sense of overconfidence?

IMHO, even though I frequently do do this, I have no idea if it has any effect on anything besides adding hits to the sites. They aren't scientific, nobody is setting strategy by them.

So I wonder if it might be smarter to just ignore them? What do you think?

Edit: It would be interesting to hear what others' rationale behind DU ing them is.

[Vincardog]

1. YES Why? Because it feels good

[NV Whino]

2. No. Waste of time.

Those polls mean nothing.

[crispini]

3. Yes. Public perception is why.

Some people, both online and offline, are not aware of the way these polls get swayed by online activists. CNN for one frequently broadcasts their online poll results. Even with the disclamer, people see it and give it some credence.

[blondeatlast]

5. That's a good point, but I wonder if we DIDN'T respond,

would that show what a crock they are?

Of course, it would have to be organized with other liberal/progressive sites.

Whenever CNN offers one up as "news," I shake my head sadly and explain to anyone around me why they are such a crock.

Just a few thoughts--it's dye day, so may brain may be a bit fogged!

Edit: for now, I'm still DUing them.

[George_S]

4. The Freepers

Attack everyone who disagrees with them on every front. They gained power by fooling many people into thinking they are right. They throw logic to the wind and use only propaganda.

We have to counter attack wherever we see them, including on line polls, on-line book stores, everywhere.

Otherwise, the voter overly concerned with being "normal" may think the neocons are normal and may look at the neocon philosophy less critically.

It shouldn't make any difference, but it has.

[bigwillq]

6. We should DU those polls

We need to let our voices, beliefs and opinions be heard.

[Cha]

7. I definetly think we should DU as

many polls as we can..as one poster said..because it "feels good" ..and the others who said it is a matter of perception, and don't give 'em a inch..they have faux, limpbaugh, et al..we have the internet!

[C_U_L8R]

8. Shine The Light of Truth on The Freepers

Every time I hear about a "freepered" poll, I write a nice note to the site's editor.
I tell them that that their poll has been "freeped" by a small but vocal group of
right wing extremists and I cut n paste in the evidence of the offending "freeper alert".
Then I suggest to the editor that a bigger/better story might be an expose on
the "brownshirt" tactics that this thuggish group is using in their desperate
attempt to sway public opinion.

I don't know if this is effective.... but I'm determined to persistantly
shine the bright light of truth on this facist bunch of numbnuts.
If we don't shame em back into their caves... no one will. Nuff said.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi C_U_L8R!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[napi21]

9. It depends on who's polling!

If it's CNN, MSNBC, FOX, or one of the majors, I say yes! Because quite a few people see them. If it's the Toledo Star, or Tampa Bay web site, it probably doesn't matter!

[TwentyFive]

10. Good idea - online polls should not be right wing propaganda tools.

Online polls usually get hacked by right wing whackos. If we sit back and do nothing, people start to think the country is even more right wing than it is already.

Average citizens will think it's ok to destroy the environment, discriminate against gays, give tax breaks to millionaires, forced prayer in school, etc.

[VOX]

12. Yes! It is a form of activism, and taking action is the first step...

toward shifting the balance of power back toward something resembling "sane."

[annabanana]

13. DU them All....every day in every way

Because the freeped ones get trotted out on TV as some kind of a "pulse of the common man" BS

AND it's fun.