CBS Poll: 28% of Republicans Say Anti-Gov't Violence Justified

[tishaLA]

It's in their poll about the reasons behind the Tucson shootings ("Were Laughner's Political Views a Factor in the Shootings: 45% Probably Yes; 33 Probably Not; 22% Don't Know). But the more interesting thing is this:

The poll also shows that while three in four Americans say violence against the government is never justified, 16 percent say it can be justified -- the same percentage that said as much in April. Twenty-eight percent of Republicans said such violence can be justified, compared with 11 percent of Democrats and independents. CBS News

The message is clear: no matter how much they tell us they abhor violence, poll after poll suggests otherwise.

[sakabatou]

1. Scary

[Gman]

2. There's the 30% again

they are consistent. That's also about what W's approval rating was when he left office. Only the core of the nuts supported him.

[azul]

3. Close enough for government work.

28% 30%

[Historic NY]

4. I get it your the minority and if you don't get your way..its okay,sounds like bullying

[Arugula Latte]

5. Absolutely disgusting.

I am sorry we have to share this country with these creeps.

[MilesColtrane]

6. Reprehensible, but not surprising.

[Pooka Fey]

7. 28% ??? WTF ???!!! n/t

[Enthusiast]

10. We can rely on 28%

of the U.S. population to be completely batshit. The Bush base.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. And it was almost half the number of Democrats questioned!

Total respondants: 673
Republicans: 182
Democrats: 259
Independants: 232

28% of 182 is 50.96 (respondants)
11% of 259 is 28.49 (respondants)

Almost twice as many Democrats were questioned, yet the number who felt violence was acceptable was a little more than half less than Republicans! This is FUCKED UP!

[ProdigalJunkMail]

8. i want to see the text of the question and the poll link isn't giving me anything right now

but depending on the phrasing of the question violence may be justified. Violence against the government started this country. Violence against the gov't unseated many tyrannic leaders. Hell, even France in its current incarnation was born of violence against the gov't at the time.

so...the poll page won't load. would love to see how the question is worded.

sP

[Behind the Aegis]

9. It finally loaded for me.

The question was:

Do you think it is ever justified for citizens to take violent action against the government, or is it never justified?

Justified: Total: 16%, R: 28%, D: 11%, I: 11% APR10: 16%
Never: Total: 76%, R: 64%, D: 81%, I: 81% APR10: 79%
DK/NA: Total: 8%, R: 8%, D: 8%, I: 8% APR10: 5%


Total respondants: 673
Republicans: 182
Democrats: 259
Independants: 232

Edit: sorry for the formatting.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

15. well then I would have to say, to that standalone question

that violence IS justified sometimes...if it weren't we'd all still be serfs or peasants or what-have-you. and, to be honest, i am sad to see such a low number of people believing that it is NEVER justified.

sP

[Poboy]

20. I am in agreement with you there. The word 'never' should be stricken.

Our founding fathers were correct in their actions. Are we to now deny they were right and to be honored?

[vim876]

23. Right.

I gotta say, if the Nazis (the actual ones, with concentration camps and everything) ran the government, violence would be pretty freakin' justified. Don't know that I could personally engage in it, but it would be justified.

[JoePhilly]

12. Not a big surprise.

[southmost]

13. just 6 years ago, i bet this same 28% accused anyone who

voiced disagreement with the government as treasonous and unpatriotic...

[MaeScott]

14. Correct, Southmost. nt

[woo me with science]

16. The way that poll was worded, I would hope 100 percent would say it's justified.

The poll asks if violence against the government is EVER justified.

Well, ask some Germans in the 1930's and 1940's.

That's different from saying it's justified now.

[Dr. Strange]

22. Yep.

[Poboy]

17. I keep saying this over and over. These people are hateful SOBs to the core.

And they will absolutely bully and browbeat ANYONE in their way. We must FIGHT BACK against these ignorant dumb fucks, or be ruled by them.

[spanone]

18. the palinites

[hobbit709]

19. Would that 28% feel the same way if their party was in power?

I bet they'd switch opinions in a heartbeat.

[melm00se]

21. the question opens the door to a "yes" answer

"Is Violent Action Against the Government Ever Justified?"

I can (and so can most people) think of situations were violence aimed at the government would be justified. this question and the way it is worded ("ever") opens up the door for people to ask "what if" and if the "what if" situation occurs would violence be justified?

Ask yourself: is there ANY situation that would cause you to take to the streets and riot? If you can think of even 1, then you would almost have to answer "yes".

Polls are so easy to load the questions to invoke a certain visceral or emotional response. It's too easy to forget that and get hooked.

[Avalux]

24. We've always known about 30% of population is stupid and crazy.

Nothing much has changed in that aspect over the course of this country's history. Now when that number moves towards 50%, we're in serious trouble.