Poll shows bias
Furthering the Emerald’s tradition of independent journalism (read: independent of conservative thought), the author of the Oct. 9 column (“Where’s the dissent for war on Iraq?”) stated:
“A Vietnamesque murkiness surrounds the issue as reflected in a recent poll that found public support for military action has cooled in recent weeks.”
Neither the source of this information nor the raw numbers are cited, leaving the average reader perplexed. As such, one can only assume that the author is referring to a recent poll conducted by The New York Times. The first question of this report was slanted, asking voters whether they would be more likely to vote for a congressional candidate because of their positions on the economy or foreign policy.
When confronted by a vacuous term such as “foreign policy,” I’m sure that the average liberal is dumbstruck; most reasonable people are, too.
The Times further asked voters if they approved of U.S. military action in Iraq; 67 percent responded affirmatively. Dissatisfied with this result, the paper of record asked its group whether they would still approve of military action if there were substantial military casualties or substantial Iraqi civilian casualties. Only then did support for military action cool.
I would direct readers to a recent Fox News-Opinion Dynamics poll conducted among 900 (as opposed to 564 for the Times poll) registered voters which resulted in a good 66 percent of voters favoring military action.
Scott J. Kane
sophomore
pre-journalism
College Republicans member
Jarrett White
junior
business
College Republicans member
Grassroots birthday party
Senator Wayne Morse (1900-1974) believed in the power of people and democracy. Join us on Sunday, Oct. 20, to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of his birth.
Re-ignite the senator’s fiery spirit by demonstrating what you are doing to carry on his legacy. The Wayne Morse Youth Program, is hosting this all-ages event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wayne Morse Park at 595 Crest Drive. We will sing “Happy Birthday” at 1 p.m. and invite you and your family to join us.
We will provide spaces for free speech, music, as well as card tables and bulletin boards for people and organizations to display their materials. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., we will be taping a video directory of grassroots people and organizations entitled “GRASS ROOTS: The Real Homeland Security!”
In addition, we will set up a small studio in the senator’s office to videotape people with personal stories about the senator. So join us; bring the kids, old folks and dogs. The Willamette Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will host an open house, and there will be plenty of room for the dogs to run off leash in the meadow.
Email [email protected] or call the Glenwood Clubhouse at 741-0209 with your questions or suggestions. Remember, as Morse would remind us, “Free Speech — use it or lose it!” “Dissent is patriotic,” and “‘We the people’ means it’s up to us.”
Eileen Erdelt
program director
Wayne Morse Youth Program