Sign of fascism #3: Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause:
Nearly half of all Americans believe the U.S. government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim Americans, according to a nationwide poll.
---
The survey found 44 percent favored at least some restrictions on the civil liberties of Muslim Americans.
I have given up disbelief for a few months now, but this is truly scary. What are we becoming? Who could believe this?
The survey conducted by Cornell University also found that Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were more apt to support curtailing Muslims' civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.
Researchers also found that respondents who paid more attention to television news were more likely to fear terrorist attacks and support limiting the rights of Muslim Americans.
Shocking, no?
The survey showed that 27 percent of respondents supported requiring all Muslim Americans to register where they lived with the federal government.
Wonder if they are going to make them wear a crescent on their clothing as well?
The good news:
Forty-eight percent said liberties should not be restricted in any way.
I bet I know who those folks didn't vote for in November.
The understatement of the week:
While researchers said they were not surprised by the overall level of support for curtailing civil liberties, they were startled by the correlation with religion and exposure to television news.
"We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding," Shanahan said.