US Majority Still Believe in Iraq's WMD, al-Qaeda Ties

[DaveSZ]

The corporate media has done us all in:

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0422-09.htm

Published on Thursday, April 22, 2004 by Inter Press Service
US Majority Still Believe in Iraq's WMD, al-Qaeda Ties
by Jim Lobe

WASHINGTON - U.S. public perceptions about former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's alleged ties to al-Qaeda and stocks of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) continues to lag far behind the testimony of experts, boosting chances that President George W Bush will be re-elected, according to a survey and analysis released Thursday.



The latest PIPA study is remarkable because it shows that public perceptions about Iraq, or at least about the threat it posed before the U.S. invasion, are lagging far behind what acknowledged experts have themselves concluded and whose findings have been reported in the mass media.


Despite statements by such officials as the Bush administration's former chief weapons inspector, David Kay; its former anti-terrorism chief, Richard Clarke; former chief United Nations weapons inspector Hans Blix, as well as admissions by senior administration officials themselves, a majority of the public still believes Iraq was closely tied to the al-Qaeda terrorist group and had WMD stocks or programs before U.S. troops invaded the country 13 months ago.

''The public is not getting a clear message about what the experts are saying about Iraqi links to al-Qaeda and its WMD program'', said Steven Kull, director of the Program'' on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland, which conducted the survey.

-more-

[AnnitaR]

1. Land of the dumb fucks!

Glad to know that most folks in this country are walking around with their heads up their asses! Real comforting thought!

I give up!

[Philestine]

2. living in hope

I imagine a lot of people are just hoping that some explanation for all the shit that has hit the proverbial fan.

At least if it was discovered there was a genuine threat to begin with all these lives that are being lost might seem little more palatable. The alternative is probably too much for a lot of people to stomach.

[Disturbed]

3. Pathetic

The brainwashing of the NeoFascists along with the Media took
hold and won't let go.

Amerika is doomed!

[Mike Daniels]

30. Huh?

I absorb most of my information from mainstream media and I've witnessed both televised newscasts and print news run several headlines that indicated that experts were refuting the claims of WMD and the links to terrorism.

You have the occasional government figure come out and say they still believe there's a connection so perhaps that's what people are latching onto but most articles in the paper usually refer to the claims and that no evidence has been brought forth to support them at this time.

[buddy22600]

5. I agree

I do believe he had WMD's and I have no idea what happened to them.

But there is no way in fucking hell he had ties to bin laden. Hell bin laden hated hussein

anyway my $.02

[frankly_fedup2]

40. Well, we know at one point in time he had

biological and chemical because we gave them to him. Rumsfield knows it. As far as nuclear, who knows. Also, Saddam was not a religious fanatic like Osama is proclaimed to be. Osama probably would have killed Saddam in time if Bush could have waited for his revenge for his poppy.

I heard someone say that at everyone of Kerry's functions, debates, whatever, that picture should be hanging behind him. I think it's a good idea!

[dusty64]

16. I'm afraid you're

right, a nation of the ignorant.

[keithyboy]

31. Remember, the US literacy rate is well behind that of Iraq.

Just like we have more wealth than most countries...we have more ignorance thanks to our media.

[NewHampshireDem]

4. I'm brushing up on my Canadian National Anthem ...

while I weep for America. :cry:

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

[Barkley]

45. Wish they all could beat California...

... polls

OK the Arnold thing wasn't too wise but hey Inglewood stopped WAL*MART, the biggest company in the world.


Bush Hits Low in State
By Michael Finnegan
LA TIMES POLL: Handling of Iraq and economy get poor marks.

Overall, the survey found 54% of California voters dissapporved of the way Bush is handling his job; 53% disapprove of Bush's handling of the economy

When asked: "Do you think the outcome of the war in Iraq has been worth the cost in military lives?" 62% said "no".

When asked: "Do you think the outcome of the war in Iraq has been worth the financial cost to the U.S. 58% said "no".

When aksed: "If the November election were being held today for whom would you vote?"

Response:
Kerry - 49%
Bush - 39%
Nader - 6%

[gottaB]

6. Village Spared From Deadly Storm

Billy:Now, have a look, what do you see?



Billy: Tell me the headline.
Quoyle: Horizon Fills With Dark Clouds?
Billy: Imminent Storm Threatens Village.
Quoyle:But what if no storm comes?
Billy: Village Spared From Deadly Storm.

**

Journalists betrayed us and their profession in order to sell eyeballs. Propagandists exploited their venality. That's all it is. Is anybody truly surprised that the public is confused about which threats are real, and which are imaginary?

[xchrom]

9. please take into account that americans are lazy

when it comes to certain things.
we do not like to consider complex questions. we expect pills that will make it all better.
we believe in our inherent rightness and have no desire to question it.
the media's failure is the failure of the citizenry to get a clue -- any clue about their own history past and present.

[July]

10. You are so right.

How easy it would be for the media to report this and clear it up, with photos and everything (sarcasm). A few clips with Bush, Powell et al. admitting that there's no connection between Iraq and al Qaeda, and that there are no WMDs. It's all out there, and yet the American people are unaware of it. Go figure.

This poll is the biggest indictment of "journalists" in America that we've seen during the war.

[oblivious]

7. There is something we can/must do to counter this

subtle form of propaganda the media is using to reinforce these perceptions. Every time my local paper posts a misleading headline unsupported by any evidence in the article, I email them, pointing out that the headline is a lie and that they are contributing to dangerous misunderstandings.

The most common one is something like "Al-queda linked to kidnappings", when in the article not a lick of evidence is provided -- only wild conjecture on the part of some unnamed official. Anyone in a hurry, scanning headlines without reading the article, would be left believing that Al-qaeda was indeed responsible for the kidnappings.

If the papers are not called on this, they will continue their propaganda role. But if they know that people are wise to their malice and are ALWAYS watching, and if they get bombarded with accusations each time they abuse their readers, hopefully they will start acting more like journalists than propagandists.

If we put up with this any longer, we are simply no good. We have no right to complain. We must do something, and we must be unrelenting in our vigilance. Do not give the vile propagandists a moment of peace. (thus ends my first rant in your most excellent forum)

[gottaB]

8. Welcome to Du, oblivious

Nice rant

:hi:

[oblivious]

12. Thanks gottaB. Happy to be here.

What an interesting place! It's a pleasure to be among intelligent, well-informed, like-minded people.

[wabeewoman]

36. It goes way beyong this...

I don't know if it is all coordinated but I suspect a lot of it is. There are emails going around that are suble but poopaganda(intentional mispell)promoting bush, the war, god. I heard a DJ on the radio talking about bush and then asking listeners to call in and relay their story about doing the same thing(think it was falling or something) which reinforced how much like him they are. Country music has a record by Daryl Worley that is STILL being playing tying Iraq to 9-11. I'm sure fundie churches are promoting everything bush. My fundie brother sent me an email about how much he respected and admired bush and how the muslims were trying to conquer the world. IMHO its all a campaign to get people to relate and trust bush even while their brains (if they are engaged) tell them otherwise. I am afraid for this election-I think the dems should win in a landslide and then I see how easily manipulated the american people are...

[saigon68]

11. SHEEP--- There is no other word for it.

These SHEEP are about to have their children DRAFTED and KILLED in an oily War for profits for President Cheney's Corporation.

They care not one whit about the men and women dying in the "Bush Oil War" (BOW)

They care only about Kobe, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Brittany, Michael Savage, Hannity, Rush and watching the brain numbing, AMERIKAN IDOL


THEY ARE SHEEP, and they LOVE the Bush Criminals and their henchmen because they are CHRISTIANS.

[Windy]

14. You are so right...

and its such a sad testament to the mentality of our fellow citizens. That's why the world feels like they do about us. \
Many of us (DU excluded) are brain dead! If I hear one more person saying that they are going to vote for Bush because hes a "christian"? I'm going to explode. You try to reason with these people. Its impossible. They are closed minded. Frankly, its frightening!

[Veggie Meathead]

13. One of the facts we at DU ignore is that Muslim/Arab nations

themselves have insisted that there is no difference among Muslims.Whether one is a Saudi, Iraqi, Iranian, Chchen or Pakistani, they are all as one when waging war against the infidels.This is why it is possible for the Pakistanis to claim that their Nuclear weapon is an Islamic Bomb available to all Muslims.Their entire program received funding from several rich Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia, Lbya and Iran. Similarly, Chechen and Arab fighters go to
Afghanistan, Iraq or India to fight against the infidels.

I think Bush has recognized that when it comes to Terrorism, national
boundaries do not matter; he has managed to make Americans understand this fact.Even though I do not agree with this entirely, I think,
that as a tactic it is likely to have a great impact on Muslim nations.They cannot, with impunity, provide the fighters the weapons and moral support to wage war against infidel countries and provide
sanctuaries to avoid retribution at the same time.

These are the facts on the ground so to speak that the Democratic Party is up against. If you ask any Israeli or Indian they will support Bush's policies one hundred percent.

[0007]

20. Wow!! So you believe junior is intelligence and has it right...

"These are the facts on the ground so to speak that the Democratic Party is up against." ROFLMAO

I could talk non-stop for ten straight hours on why India doesn't support junior 100% - Who do you expect to fool?

[Veggie Meathead]

41. I want to differentiate between the Government of India, Israel

and the people of these countries. You may find that the governments may not agree with the Bush administration one hundred percent of the time,but the people of these countries who have been exposed to Muslim/Arab terrorism certainly believe that President Bush is
doing the right thing by not sticking to legal fine points.This is why it is important for us to recognize why Iraq has become important
in the fight against terrorism even though Iraq was not overtly involved in terrorism. When the Muslim/Arab countries recognize that the long arm of the U.S. will not stand on ceremony when dealing with Muslim inspired terror, a major taboo has been broken.This is what Americans support, IMHO. As Democrats we must respect the opinions of the people like Israelis and Indians who have been targets of terror
for a long time.

[0007]

42. Your logic is sounding more like propagada more and more...

Hast la Vista

[gottaB]

43. That's wildly inconsistent

Inconsistent.

a. You make no distinction between Muslims, Islamic states, Islamsists, the foreign policy of Arab nations, etc.

b. You make a distinction between the citizens of Israel and India on the one hand, and the official positions of their governments on the other.

That's inconsistent. Wild is the total fabrication of unanimity behind President Bush. That's not even in the ballpark of the real.

[tom_paine]

44. I think you should enlist

Go get 'em, Tiger!

This USAF Veteran would be proud of you if you had the balls to back it up with some ACTION.

Perhaps the military is a little scary for you right now. I know how it is with Chickenhawks.

My sympathies.

And, HEY! Let us know when your Enlisted and Going to Iraq Going-Away-Party is.

I'll send some poseys along.

[Bridget Burke]

23. You've swallowed the whole thing.....

Without a burp.

When are you signing up for the Crusade against the Islamic Menace?

[oblivious]

34. Hey Veg, how can you fall for that war on terror/crusade crap?

Even my young teenage son can see through that propaganda. 100% of Indians and Israelis support Bush policies? Huh???? "All Muslims" (in Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Nigeria too, I suppose) waging way on infidel countries as one? Huh??? You live in a world I can't begin to understand.

[Veggie Meathead]

46. Oblivious/Bridget: I am not saying that I endorse everything

this Administration is doing in Iraq or other ME countries. My point is that the continued belief of most Americans that Bush's War on Iraq is part of the war on terrorism is probably rooted in the ideas I have spelt out in my previous posts. This and the strong support for Bush's policies among the affected Non-Muslim nations of India and Israel provides the proof why Bush is still popular.

[Mari333]

15. Makes me hide from the US citizenry even more then before

and I thought I was a hermit now. The only thing that will wake them up is a draft, Im afraid.
Once it affects them, then they will be up in arms. I thought the economy in the tank would do it, but they seem to prefer propoganda .

[oblivious]

18. I hear ya, but it's not completely their fault.

They're victims of brainwashing. Almost the entire media is complicit in this.

[Just Me]

39. I tend to agree with you, "oblivious".

Welcome to DU!! :hi:

I remember "waking up" from the brainwashing. I had a sense something was wrong when the Iraq war propaganda was being generated and began my independent trip into a world I did not know existed. It was so shocking that,...it took me some time to regain some sense of center. I was especially affected by my discovery of PNAC, the scariest plan of empire since Hitler pursued his empire.

I don't buy that the American people are generally a lazy or stupid or even ignorant population. However, the American people are vulnerable as a result of their own need to trust their government and the media. I don't believe they intentionally allow their loyalty and trust to be betrayed. After all, betrayal only occurs through successful deceit.

Moreover, as the American people start receiving revelations about reality,...most will do that human thing of denial and rationalization to avoid the pain of betrayal and the shock associated with that betrayal.

I really appreciated your suggestion that we work to correct the media when it is being inaccurate or manipulative (whether it does so intentionally or not).

[0007]

17. This only go to show how strong those whore networks have become

When in reality CNN MSNBC FAUX are strictly entertainment only without very little validity. The people that are hooked on this type of "Fast Food News" very seldom seeks a good meal elsewhere.

So it is not indeed surprising to me!

[oblivious]

19. Are we right to use propaganda in return?

I mean, if a person has the opportunity to reach a large number of people, is it right to take advantage of that to use the same techniques the right wing uses to counter their message of everlasting war, social injustice and naked prejudice? Is there anything wrong with that?

[G_j]

21. this up we're up against

Bush knows quite well how to perpetuate the lies and
the media obviously prefers more Bush and less democracy.

<snip>
Confusion over what the experts are saying, according to Kull, could be due to a number of factors, including the repetition by Bush (most recently in his press conference last week) and other senior officials, such as Vice President Dick Cheney, that Iraq had once used WMD, and the fact that in the electronic mass media, in particular, Iraq is still discussed in the context of the ''war on terror''.

In another misperception, 59 percent of the public believed that world public opinion either favored Washington going to war (21 percent) or believed that global views were ''evenly balanced'' (38 percent). Only 41 percent appeared aware that a majority of world public opinion opposed the U.S.-led war.

Those who were aware or made aware that world opinion opposed the war were more likely to think the decision to attack Iraq was wrong and less likely to support Bush. Those who believed, on the other hand, that world opinion supported the war were substantially more likely to support Bush and think that going to war was correct.
:puke:

[PATRICK]

22. Communication level is not a cause for despair

In fact, it means that once the crude reality somehow DOES dispel the fairy tales, Bush will be crushed.

The notion was communicated in broad headline terms and by studied, constant innuendo backed up by idiot pundits lying daily. There are no retractions on right wing radio, from the WH, or the subservient dupes of the main media.

Instead what you are getting in this country is piecemeal rebuttals and revelations, themselves far too nuanced or voiced off the main conduits or from the left who were brazenly ignored in the first place. Clarke begins to bridge the gap but these are partial limited, partial points earned under a hail of personal criticism against Clarke(off the point) by the ones who deceived the gullible in the first place.

This is not exactly comforting news for Bush, that the veneer has not cracked despite that the proof is slowly coming out. The venues whereby the masses came to their weird, unfounded opinions in the first place are not turning clearly on this issue, but blowing smoke like a wounded warship.

The problem is not the perception but HOW the people get their opinions in the first place. In order to weather the attack of raw truth they go back to the sources of the lie and drink in the comfort, however the message twists, spins, deflects, that you must trust the Right and scorn the left.

911 broke through all boundaries temporarily and the Right as usual simply seized the bloody ground. Democrats are looking for the models of the lone whistleblowers, facts, investigative reporting and real life learning. This is still small potatoes for a people who simply cannot be reached in broad national forums under the total sway of a single ideology.

Yet truth is truth and more potent than a billion lies. Lies can bury the truth only by burying a lot of the living- if not all of us by totally irrational behavior.

[Nihil]

27. Re-read 1984 to see how serious the comms issue is.

> ... once the crude reality somehow DOES dispel the fairy tales, ...

The key is in the "once/somehow".

I believe that the US is currently in PEAK of information availability,
not a trough. This peak has been largely brought about by the growth
and availability of the internet combined with the large number of
non-USA media channels available (e.g., BBC via satellite).

I fear that this peak will start to decline later this year as more
draconian "communications" control starts to take effect. Once this
constriction starts, it will enhance the damage done by the education
system and reinforce the power of the controlled mass media machine.

When a population can only receive Fox, CNN, CBS, etc., when it cannot
access foreign newsites, when actions contrary to the state are deemed
"extremist", that is when the truth is buried.

It is fast approaching the time when the brainwashed mob will fight
for the State not only out of choice but out of sheer ignorance:
they will have swallowed the official story hook, line and sinker.
Any who stand against that version of events are traitors who
"obviously" owe their allegiance to the enemy.

Nihil

[deutsey]

24. Most Americans would still believe the Spanish blew up the Maine

if they even knew what the hell I was talking about here.

"What...them socialist Spainians blew one of our states?!"

:eyes:

[sniffa]

25. they want to beLieve

my mother wants to beLieve. we had an arguement one day about how you're never, ever supposed to criticize the president, especiaLLy in a time of war. when i toLd her how against the iraq war, and angry i was, she said, "what about 9-11?".

i informed her that iraq had nothing to do with it. she said "weLL they must have, saddam and osama are in cahoots". when i informed her that they're actuaLLy sworn enemies (tried to expLain the secuLar saddam as infideL), she yeLLed, "i don't care! i know he had to have something to do with it, whether it was giving him money or something."

they want to beLieve.

they aLso want bLoody revenge for 9-11 and they don't care who it comes from.

[saigon68]

26. ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS MARCHING OFF TO WAR

WITH THE CROSS OF JESUS GOING ON BEFORE.

</SARCASM>

[Nihil]

28. Sarcasm or not, it is sadly true

I was going to wish people a happy St.George's Day earlier but then
realised that the image of a red cross on a white background would
probably cause too much confusion in the current climate.

[saigon68]

32. I was taught it had to do with the marking of spring

Where I grew up in Canada

[LDS Jock]

29. You hit the nail on the head

There are some people, and we all know a few, who no matter how conclusive a case you present to them about this will continue to believe what they want. Its easier that way than to actually research on your own, think, and form an opinion. These people who don't wish to think on their own are the same who eat up the crap Fox news spits out. It gives them what they want to hear, verifying the opinions they have already formed.

[Lorien]

33. Beat the dog syndrome

Boss yells at the impotent, impotent comes home and beats his dog for the humiliation. Americans can't abide feeling frightened or humiliated; many of them need a dog to beat. :-(

[Hobarticus]

35. Well then, f*ck the majority...

If they're that stupid, then they deserve the government they get. I'm moving to Canada.

[Raster]

37. sorry, don't believe it... it's more of the same meme...

"..keep repeating it, we can pass it off as fact... stay on the message... stay on the message... stay on the message..."

[Flagg]

38. These people are beyond help

fuck them but you'd better not drag the world down with you.