American Opinion: Should Saddam Be Worried? by Ben Klima, Contributing Editor GALLUP TUESDAY BRIEFING As the intensity of the military campaign in Afghanistan diminishes, public policy-makers and private sector leaders are anxiously waiting to see the extent to which America's war on terror will dominate the headlines in 2002, driving public policy decisions and influencing the global economic climate. The Bush administration has the support to extend the campaign. When Americans are asked in December* whether the U.S. should end its military actions if Osama bin Laden is captured or killed and his network in Afghanistan is destroyed, two-thirds (67%) said the war should be continued against other countries that harbor terrorists. A similar percentage (66%) felt that if the U.S. goes to war in Iraq, it would be as successful as the efforts in Afghanistan have been. Although the Bush administration has not implicated Iraq as a current target, it is a likely choice. Richard Perle, a former Pentagon aide with ties to the Bush administration, recently told CNN that he was unaware of any current U.S. intentions to militarily remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power. However, given Saddam's alleged possession of chemical and biological weapons and his ongoing refusal to cooperate with U.N. arms inspectors, Iraq remains a primary concern of Bush's national security team. A senior American envoy to the Middle East recently told Newsweek, "The question is not if the United States is going to hit Iraq; the question is when." Nearly three-quarters of Americans (74%) currently favor sending troops into Iraq to oust Saddam from power. Despite a lack of concrete evidence tying the Iraqi president's regime to terrorism worldwide or specifically to the Sept. 11 attacks, support for his overthrow increased 22 percentage points from its most recent pre-Sept. 11 level of 52% (see trend line at top of page). At least a majority of Americans have supported any kind of military action against Iraq since the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War. In fact, the level of current public support for a strike against Saddam is similar to that seen shortly after the Gulf War ended (70% in June 1993). However, a majority of Americans (52%) believe that the U.S. should wait until hostilities in Afghanistan cease to go after Saddam, suggesting that the public sees the need to finish the war in one theater before undertaking a potentially much larger second campaign. Key Points Assuming it happens soon, the polls suggest Americans wouldn't require hard evidence of connection to al Qaeda to support a strike against Iraq. While the symbolic "face" of terrorism has become bin Laden's, the American public remains wary of its old Gulf War adversary. http://www.gallup.com/poll/tb/goverPubli/20020115.asp Note – you may have to get a guest pass to view this article. But there’s a line graph there for those of you who may have difficulty understanding what the article is about… Needless to say, I am not surprised at the results of the survey. Somehow I had a feeling that glynch’s feelings on the subject weren’t really the majority view…
treeman: Have you ever started a thread other than something about getting rid of Sadaam or cutting ties with the Middle East or something of that nature? Ever heard the phrase "variety is the spice of life?" Might consider checking it out.
I think I've started a couple of non-Saddam related articles. A couple... What's the matter, you don't like my anti-Saddam crusade?
I think treeman should start a girlfriend or kitten advice thread. Didn't you know? You're not officially a member of the Ultra Secret Hangout Forum Junkies Club unless you've done so at least once...
I said I gave up ON THE ROCKETS, not the whole board. Besides, I rescinded that in the same thread later. Go read it and you'll understand. Just for the record, treeman has posted a couple articles not about the WTC, the war, Sadaam, etc. In fact, 2 EXACTLY: <i>Poll: Ashcroft is: (a fascist, not a fascist, etc) New Word Contest</i> As for the others... <i>Gallup Poll: Americans want Saddam gone Iraq: the WMD threat... Abu Sayyaf (Philippines) is next up on the BBQ Senator wants us to withdraw from Saudi Article: Next Year in Baghdad Next Up: Saddam Another Iraq Article... Why they hate us U.S. Seeks Safe Border With Mexico Article: White House will deal with Iraq Walker not to be charged with treason U.S. Again Placing Focus on Ousting Hussein Kandahar to surrender The foreign Taliban have been defeated This doesn't sound good... (article about bio-weapons infecting Afghan refugees) The Marines have landed Taliban animation Iraq again... Iraq Poll #2 Want to be a martyr? (boy, Q8, etc - read this) Osama's friend Saddam Osama & war jokes Our friends the Saudis Iraq Poll One for the anti-war guys The 411 on what we're sending to war... Pop Quiz: What do crop dusters have to do with this? Something big is about to go down This is absolutely tasteless, but I have to share it... (WTC funny)</i>
See? I knew I'd posted a couple... I don't have a kitten, and I'm single right now, so... I'm not a football or baseball fan. I don't like golf either. I'm not religious. I'm not really politically oriented towards the right or left, either. I am not big on starting threads about trivial time-fillers (what's your favorite color?)... And I go elsewhere when I need personal advice. I guess I could start more joke threads? I actually get quite a few in my email... You must admit that I'm pretty good at starting Saddam threads, though
Hmmm...you're a pretty consistent hawk's hawk (not that there's anything wrong with that). That would normally orient you toward the right, unless you believe in high taxes and large social programs at home? Do tell....
Like most people, I'm to the left on some issues and to the right on others. Obviously, I'm to the right on defense issues... I'm also a gun owner, so... But I'm also pro-choice, I oppose cutting most spending (although I do think the NEA should be abolished), I'm not inherently anti-affirmative action, I supported Clinton in the Lewinsky scandal, and I'm not religious. The far right bothers me just as much as the far left does. I'm all over the place. No.
Though Treeman and I don't necessarily agree on all issues, I feel his knowledge about the military and his stern opinions on the issues of the last year add some spice to this BBS. If I see a thread in which I can add something relevant, many financial analysis/Enron threads, I will do so but refrain from simply posting snazzy "free post" and one-liners. More power to you Treeman!
