--- Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 22:49:38 +0200 Subject: Americans historically trade liberties for security, pollsters say From: Micha Schellingerhout <m.schellingerhoutat_private> To: <declanat_private> Americans historically trade liberties for security, pollsters say http://www.nandotimes.com/nation/story/406681p-3240764c.html By WILL LESTER, Associated Press ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (May 19, 2002 2:05 p.m. EDT) - When feeling threatened, Americans have been willing to give up some personal freedoms over the past half century, public opinion researchers suggest, and that has carried over during the current terrorism threat. The Bush administration is trying to encourage people to return to their normal lives, while also warning about possible terrorist attacks. On Sunday, Vice President Dick Cheney said that the chance of more al-Qaida attacks against U.S. targets is "almost a certainty," and he advised Americans to stay vigilant. Michael Traugott, a researcher with the University of Michigan, said his work has shown that Americans have not regained their sense of security since Sept. 11. "That's going to take a long time, and this is a difficult thing for the administration, trying to do two conflicting things at the same time," he said. "They're trying to help Americans feel better and they are continually talking about the need for vigilance and staying on alert." This "is a confusing and confounding message for the American people," said Traugott, who is among the researchers attending the annual meeting of the American Association for Public Opinion Research over the weekend. [...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like Politech? Make a donation here: http://www.politechbot.com/donate/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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