NEARLY HALF OF IRAQIS POLLED SUPPORT ATTACKS ON U.S. TROOPS

[Army]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/montereyherald/news/nation/13754369.htm?source=rss&channel=montereyherald_nation


A new poll found that nearly half of Iraqis approve of attacks on U.S.-led forces, and most favor setting a timetable for American troops to leave.
The poll also found that 80 percent of Iraqis think the United States plans to maintain permanent bases in the country even if the newly elected Iraqi government asks American forces to leave. Researchers found a link between support for attacks and the belief among Iraqis that the United States intends to keep a permanent military presence in the country.


Y'all may have already hashed this out. Nice to know. Pretty perceptive as far as the permanent base goes.

[salin]

1. *warning snarky response*

Guess that Karen Hughes's efforts and beliefs that all that was needed was better PR response just aren't going so well.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself - it is so serious, such a mess that it is hard to respond. I don't know anything about the organization who sponsored the poll - so hard to know how accurate or whether their is bias or not (I have come to be skeptical, for example there is an item today from UPI claiming a majority of folks don't want a national system of healthcare - but scrutiny of the group doing the poll found it linked the organization to a far right network of think tanks). That said, assuming these numbers are reflective of reality on the ground - striking is the growing numbers of Shiites who have shifted their view on the attacks (a significant increase now from 2003); also striking is the sense of mire - while the numbers are high supporting the attacks there are also high numbers stating a need for troops to stay for stability for a period of time (differing numbers for 6 months and for up to 2 years.) Thus - a sense of needing the troops but accepting violence against them - bodes very dangerous mix of sentiments greeting those we have sent to Iraq. *sad sigh*

[maddezmom]

2. duplicate topic

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2075376