Are 43% of Americans stupid?

Question

43% of Americans in a CNN poll believe Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the 9/11 attacks according to http://pollingreport.com/iraq.htm

The 9/11 Commission concluded there was no operative relationship between Iraq and Al-qaeda. Bush himself has rejected it. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3118262.stm)

Are Americans uninformed or simply mindwashed?

85% of military personnel in Iraq share this view according to a Zogby poll:

"85% said the U.S. mission is mainly 'to retaliate for Saddam’s role in the 9-11 attacks'

http://www.zogby.com/NEWS/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

Corrected Bush rejecting claim link:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3118262.stm

"Being uninformed is in no way related to stupidity or mindwashing."

This is true.

"But did you look at how many people were surveyed?"

Yes 1004 randomly selected people nationwide
http://pollingreport.com/iraq.htm

"I sure didn't get the chance to answer that question."

Other people like you did, regardless of your beliefs. This isn't conjecture, it is proven stastical law. You can argue with mathematical fact if you want, but you're fighting an uphill battle.

"Is that even a valid survey? Don't judge when you believe crap like this."

It might not be, everything has a margin of error. The poll might have been conducted incorrectly, but other polls find similar numbers so it isn't that hard to believe.

"What is your answer to your own question? Are you American?"

I am and my answer is 'some'. Some of those people are stupid or easily influenced, but I think most Americans are too lazy and individualistic to be mindwashed by the media. For whatever reason, the 40% of the country supports the Iraq war right now WANTS to believe Saddam Hussein was responsible. They want to think we did the right thing. People will believe whatever they want to.

In the series of questions, their political beliefs are challenged. So they answer the question accordingly. Do they really believe Saddam did 9/11? Probably not, they are just answering the question that way because they fervently support the war. If the question was 'Was Saddam Hussein personally involved in ongoing violence in Iraq?' the answers would be pretty much the same.

Answer 1

Hows that number stack up against those that believe in conspiracy theories, the Boogie Man, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy?

Look what it was in 2003 http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-09-06-poll-iraq_x.htm

Most Americans also believe in ghosts. http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general533.html

71% believe in Hell. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/wat/archive/wat042400.htm

Answer 2

Being uninformed is in no way related to stupidity or mindwashing. But did you look at how many people were surveyed? I sure didn't get the chance to answer that question. Yea, so 43 out of 100 people in one area thought that. Is that even a valid survey? Don't judge when you believe crap like this.

Answer 3

I beleive each person IS different...I see them as "uninformed" and/or "mindwashed" only as individuals.

I also believe that most Americans..most human beings, actually...would have a lot to say IF people wouldn't be so judgemental!

Another thing, where did they get their data,,,not ALL people could possiblly be involved in taking those polls!

What is your answer to your own question? Are you American?

sierrababy44 at yahoo dot com

Answer 4

What is 43 pochent?

Americans believe that Saddam was behind (/11 because they haven't been given the facts in a coherent manner. Bin Laden and Al Queda would have tried to topple Saddam for the fact that he was unfaithful to Mohammed and was a puppet first of Ussr (remember them!) and then the US(war against Iran). Saddam in his right mind would not allow something as volitile as Muslim extremist into Iraq because it would destabilize hugew parts of his population.
Bush had his eye on Iraq the day he was sworn in. You can imagine hime sitting in that elementary school library, not contemplating human cost and suffering, but his own greed and getting his hands on Iraqi oil for Haliburton.

Answer 5

The Administration wants to lump all things Iraq into the War on Terrorism and does little to correct the misunderstanding.

Fox News is notorious for producing not only biased "reporting," but persisting in reporting as "fact" assertions long proven false, as long as they support the company line.

It's a real good idea to sample various sources to get informed about world events. Anybody interested in a little yellow cake, under the table?

Answer 6

The media plays a big role on the influence of one's opinion. It sort of got stuck in people's mind that iraq or any of it's occupants had anything to do with the twin towers.

Damn, I really don't know. That's a good one. I guess media propaganda can have devestating effects on the outcome of one's thought process. After that, your mindwash theory comes into play. PEACE!

Answer 7

here's a simple one for you. Australian tourism in the US conducted a survey this year and asked 9,500 AMERICANS radomly to find Australia on a world map, 20% found it and the 80% that had no idea where the 220+ year old country was, were looking in the northern hemisphere despite being given the clue "the land downunder" and "great southern land" - very sad considering we have supported the US and fought many war along side of them.

Answer 8

I have observed an extreme difference in the news of the US as presented by different countries. If most Americans read or heard the news about their country as it is presented in almost any other country, then there would probably be a civil uprising against both the government and the media!

Answer 9

Americans mostly believe what other people say instead of thinking for themselves, and developing an intelligent opinion. If on the news they keep saying that Saddam was personally involved in the attacks (without a shred of evidence) many Americans just believe it. It's sad, but true.

Answer 10

I think 85% of the population is ignorant and closed mind. They believe in the American dream and the U.S. government can do no wrong. If, a travesty were to occur in your neighborhood. Then, believe your local, county or state government has a big hand in it. When you attempt to seek a reprieve from your Federal government. You will learn you are a nobody.
Whether Saddam, Osama,etc. The U.S. government did have knowledge of this attempt.

Answer 11

I have never met a sole that believes Saddam had anything to do with 9/11, but I don't meet that many people. It wouldn't surprise me if the CNN poll called people in mental institutions they're that ridiculous.