Depressing Poll Numbers

In a new study released by the Washington Times, it shows that 50% of Americans believe that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction when we invaded in 2003. That number is up from 36% just a year ago. While I am confused about these results, considering poll results released today claim that 56% of Americans believe the Iraq war was a mistake, they're still quite depressing. The poll also showed 72% of Americans believe the Iraqi people are better off now than when Saddam was in charge (down from 76% two years ago). 64% believe Saddam to hold "strong links" to al-Qaeda. (up from 62% two years ago). 55% also said that history will give the U.S. credit for bringing democracy to Iraq. Yet, at the same time, only 37% (up from 32% about a year ago) believe Iraq will be able to succeed in having a stable democracy. 61% also believe that the war will motivated Islamic terrorists to attack the U.S. That and this next number make no sense, because another 41% believe the Iraq war has reduced the chance of another terrorist attack on U.S. soil (61 + 41 = 102). 56% of Americans believe that the huge spending on the war equates to less money to spend on Americans at home (51% in '04 and 62% last year). 68% of Americans don't believe the war has gained us any respect from those overseas.

Allright, so let me get this straight. Iraq is better off now with a civil war on their hands than they were before. Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden couldn't stand one another, but Saddam definitely had ties to al-Qaeda. The war has made us more prone to being victim to another attack, and yet has made us less prone to one. If Iraq's "democracy" succeeds, the U.S. will get the credit, but the chances of the Iraqi "democracy" actually succeeding is not very likely. The billions and billions of dollars spent on the war is only partially affecting the money spent here at home. Those overseas are not respecting us for our invasion and one in two believe that Iraq had WMDs when we invaded in '03. Ah-ha.

The only weapons found were from the first Gulf War, so, back in the '80s. That was going on 20 years ago. Republican leaders have tried claiming that they didn't make any guidelines on these weapons. But, I can distinctly remember the president stating that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction with the ability to wreak havoc on the U.S. In other words, these weapons weren't 15-20 years old that had been used in the first Gulf War. None of those weapons have been found. Yet, one in two believe they have been. What, does one in two people watch Fox News regularly? Listen to the Rush Limbaugh Show? Read Ann Coulter books and columns? Watch Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity on the before-mentioned Fox News Channel?

I think the number that irritates me most of all is the fact that 41% believe the war will make us less susceptible to attacks. What, do these people live in cages? Do they really believe that? In baseball, if a pitcher hits a good player on the opposing team, does that make his team less susceptible of having a key player hit by a pitch? Yeah, and my name is Prancer.

Link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060724-110410-8309r.htm