The ABC/WashingtonPost Poll on terrorism is a fraud.

[kentuck]

As in most cases, it has to do with the wording in the question. For example, on the issue of torture, most folks would agree to torture of another person if the life of a loved one was at stake. ABC/WashPost asks, "...or do you think there are cases in which the United States should consider torture against terrorism suspects?" Why is this important?

Because this is an important issue and should not be manipulated or trivialized by the media to make it appear that half of the American people support "torture". It is simply not true. If it were true, we are sunk as a nation. It is nothing but political propaganda to frame a question in such a way.

==================================

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_042609.html?hpid=topnews

<snip>
29. Obama has ordered the release of previously secret records of Bush administration policies on the interrogation of terrorism suspects. Do you support or oppose Obama's decision to release these records? Do you support/oppose this strongly or somewhat?

-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
4/24/09 53 35 18 44 12 32 3

30. Obama has said that under his administration the United States will not use torture as part of the U.S. campaign against terrorism, no matter what the circumstance. Do you support this position not to use torture, or do you think there are cases in which the United States should consider torture against terrorism suspects?

Support not There are cases
using torture to consider torture No opinion
4/24/09 49 48 2
1/16/09 58 40 2

31. Do you think the Obama administration should or should not investigate whether any laws were broken in the way terrorism suspects were treated under the Bush administration?

Should Should not No opinion
4/24/09 51 47 2
1/16/09 50 47 2

[Captain Hilts]

1. The phrase "or do you think there are cases...." helps balance the question, actually.

If you ask a question with just "do you oppose of the use of torture" or "do you support the use of torture" the question is not 'balanced'.

To balance the question, you need to use the phrase, 'or' with another option, or at least just an 'or not'.

People have a tendency to agree with any statement without an 'or' at the end or choice of views.

[kentuck]

3. It is hard to balance a question about "torture"...

I would agree. If we were to substitute the word "torture" with "murder", would there be a fair way to "balance" that question?

[Captain Hilts]

4. No, survey questions need a positive and a negative element in every single question. nt

[jody]

2. Agree, people with money and an agenda fund ostensibly credible polls but dictate questions so

answers tilt in a predetermined direction.

Others then take those biased poll results and report them endlessly such that biased conclusions take on the aura of sanctimonious truth.

One such example is the Joyce Foundation that funded the prestigious General Social Survey (GSS) conducted by National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago (NORC) specifically "To add a selection of gun-related questions to its 2006 General Social Survey."

More about Joyce's deception at DU thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=189139