Reply #2: When you torture people all over the globe, lie at home and behave like [View All]

[autorank]

a complete ninny whenever something civil is happening, or worse, like a callous autocrat when people need help, the general public begins to think that there might be something seriously wrong with you. This is particularly true when you claim to be their elected representative.

When someone comes along and asks 1018 of you what you think about the election, you stop, think and say, nah, the guys a bum and select either "not confident at all" or only "somewhat" ("slightly", Webster's) confident. Either means you doubt the legitimacy of the 2004 election - all 52% of you likely voters.

When the Greg Palast anointed "consiglieri of truth" (Land Shark) came up with the idea for a Zogby Poll, mere mortal that I am, autorank/Michael Collins, decided to buy a vowel. It turned out to be this question.

The notion of legitimacy is one that cuts several ways. You can govern with a low level of legitimacy. You cannot govern effectively with a very low level of legitimacy on THE most fundamental process in a democracy...elections.

You either think someone was elected without any doubts or you don't. We chose to use the middle category "somewhat" to capture those who didn't want to call * a total crook. But somewhat means "slightly" and that doesn't cut it. Thus 32% who are not at all confident and the 20% who are only "somewhat" represent the erosion of effectiveness in governance...52%. The "not sures" cold be grouped there to for a rokken 55%, if you like.

So that's the story...It will get worse.

I simply can't imagine a national leader justifying torture as a policy, telling the nation, and they twisting arms to get is party to endorse that. What a long, strange, endless nightmare it is.

Thanks Wlms...