poll
Gallup: 80% disillusioned
According to a new Gallup poll, a whopping 80% of the American people are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the U.S. at this time. Only 19% answered the opposite, the lowest rating registered since January of 1992 (the start of the final year of George Bush Sr.'s term in office). The only time the poll has ever found a lower number was in 1979 (tail end of the Carter years, during the Iranian Hostage Crisis, soaring gas prices), when a 14% rating occurred.
You might be thinking, "hey, why's the number gotten so low now.... I've been dissatisfied with the direction of the country for awhile". But see, all that means is you've been paying attention for the last five years... The extreme number of 19% has only been reached because Republicans have finally turned. Yeah, that's right, even the GOP is uncomfortable now! Gallup sayeth:
Since January 2007, U.S. satisfaction has dropped by nearly half, from 35% to 19%. However, it has dropped much more among Republicans (from 60% to 33%) than among Democrats (from 16% to 7%).
The 33% of Republicans satisfied with the country today is the lowest Gallup has found for members of President Bush's party since he took office in 2001.
Gen. David Petraeus vs. 72% of Iraqis
As you know by now, the debate over the war has reached its height. General David Petreaus, commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, testified before Congress the other day to recommend we stay.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The 30,000 additional troops deployed to Iraq in January could come home by next July, but further American withdrawals would be "premature," the U.S. commander there told a fractious congressional hearing Monday.
So, basically, we get nothing. In any event, 130,000 troops are stuck there for another year. They’ll continue to be targets of and fuel for the insurgency.
The Iraqi government is going to be denied the chance to stand on its own, free and independent of the U.S., which is simply a permanent noose around their neck, as the will of the Iraqi people testifies. What’s the will of the Iraqi people, you ask? Great question! Here’s the answer, from a brand new IRAQI opinion poll (released this week) on the surge.
Barely a quarter of Iraqis say their security has improved in the past six months, a negative assessment of the surge in U.S. forces that reflects worsening public attitudes across a range of measures, even as authorities report some progress curtailing violence. snip More Iraqis say security in their local area has gotten worse in the last six months than say it's gotten better, 31 percent to 24 percent, with the rest reporting no change. Far more, six in 10, say security in the country overall has worsened since the surge began, while just one in 10 sees improvement.
More directly assessing the surge itself -- a measure that necessarily includes views of the United States, which are highly negative -- 65 to 70 percent of Iraqis say it's worsened rather than improved security, political stability and the pace of redevelopment alike.
(more statistics below the page break)
Is America going in the right direction or is it on the wrong track?
Right direction: 19%
Wrong direction: 75%
The poll found a record number of Americans, 75 percent, believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. Only 19 percent think the U.S. is on the right track — the lowest number since CBS News first asked the question in 1983.
Stale houseguests
Withdrawing the 150,000 U.S. troops occupying Iraq means removing 150,000 things for the insurgents to shoot at. That’s 150,000 fewer targets for roadside bombs, RPGs, small arms, mortars, etc.
How would you feel if there were Hummers all over the road, everywhere you drove, and every time you were close to one, there’s a chance you could get shot, either by the people in the Hummer or people shooting at the Hummer? How would you feel about the people in the Hummers? Would you want to be driving next to one? Would you want one to drive by your house?
You’d want them the HELL out of your country. Unless you feared the people shooting at the Hummers more than the people driving the Hummers.
But they don’t. Don’t take my word for it ---- ask the Iraqis.
Tuesday Open Thread
Downing Street distanced itself yesterday from an attack by Hilary Benn on the Bush administration's strategy for the "war on terror", in which he claimed military force alone would not defeat al-Qa'ida.
The International Development Secretary called, during a visit to New York, for the strategy to be redirected at winning the trust and support of communities where the terrorists prospered. He said he would not use the phrase "war on terror" - a favourite expression of President George Bush - because it helped to unite fragmented terrorist groups under one banner.