Ignore the pundits

Interesting bit buried in the NYT times article about domestic wiretapping. Maybe some activist Democrats need to get a grip and take a chill pill with all their handwringing

The poll also signaled concern for Republicans as they prepare to defend their control of the House and the Senate in midterm elections this November. Investigations into Congressional corruption are taking a toll as the elections approach: 61 percent of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of Congress, the highest in 10 years.

This finding holds particular peril for Republicans as the party that has been in charge. More than half of the respondents said they believed that most members of Congress would exchange votes for money or favors.

Republicans were seen as more likely to be unduly influenced by lobbyists. And the Republican Party is now viewed unfavorably by 51 percent of the nation, its worst rating since Mr. Bush took office. By contrast, 53 percent said they held a favorable view of Democrats.

So it seems to me that the American people are not viewing Democrats and Republicans the same. It sounds like they are hearing what Democrats have to say. And, contrary to what the pundits (and some Dems) would have us believe, the Democratic meme of the culture of corruption, in some small way, and against all odds, is breaching the levee that is the corporate media.

On the other hand...can we send some of these Americans back to school for a refresher in US Constitution 101? This part of the poll disturbed me. Of course, even this proves that poll results are shaped in how you ask the question.

The poll found that 53 percent of Americans approved of Mr. Bush's authorizing eavesdropping without prior court approval "in order to reduce the threat of terrorism"; 46 percent disapproved. When the question was asked stripped of any mention of terrorism, 46 percent of those respondents approved, and 50 percent said they disapproved.

Do not these people GET that if the government is "suspicious" of someone, all they have to do is go to the FISA court and make their case, get a warrant and happily spy away? It's not like the bar is all that high. The FISA court has approved nearly all requests for wiretaps. (Sigh).

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