If You Freep NewsMax, Does It Count?

Newsmax is trolling for more grist for their mill.  They say they'll be providing the results of this poll to major media, and they go on to say, "Additionally, NewsMax's results will be shared with every major radio talk show host in America."  (No surprise there.)

So here's the URL:

http://www.newsmax.com/...

...they ask for an e-mail address, so be forewarned.

Poll questions and analysis after the break...

And here's how they frame their questions:

1) Do you believe U.S. efforts to contain Iran's nuclear weapons program are working? (Choices: Working, Not Working)

The question presupposes that the US should, unilaterally, act as the world's policeman - by answering this question, you accept that basic supposition.  It's an "Are you still beating your wife?" sort of question.

2) Should the U.S. rely solely on the U.N. to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program? (Choices: Yes, No)

Why is this even a question?  Oh, right - the UN exists at our pleasure, apparently.

3) Do you believe Iran poses a greater threat than Saddam Hussein did before the Iraq War? (Choices: Yes, greater threat; No, a lesser threat)

Hm, tricky for wingnuts - if they still believe that Iraq was poised to strike in 45 minutes, Iran isn't anywhere near that, even in Wingnut News Land.  But since Iraq really wasn't a threat, I suppose Iran's more of a threat...kind of like how in my kitchen, the margarine's as much of a threat as the butter.

4) Should the U.S. undertake military action against Iran to stop their program? (Choices: Yes; No)

I suppose we could use our spare military.  Should we check the couches for funding?

5) Who should undertake military action against Iran first? (Choices: U.S.; Israel; Neither country)

Because apparently SOMEONE'S GOTTA!  This is the long game at work, folks - keep pounding in that someone's got to do something and eventually the general public will believe it.

6) Who did you vote for in the 2004 election? (Choices: Bush; Kerry; Other)

Also known as the "should we count your response or toss it" question.

I have little doubt that this poll will show overwhelming support for NewsMax's positions.  But we might as well have some fun, hey?

•  I love your interpretations

  Thanks for them. It's so nice to have the subtleties of the trickery they try to pull so openly exposed. I'll keep these methods in mind the next time I take a real poll. I won't vote in this poll, though. I see no reason to inflate their web traffic statistics.

  by tergenev on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 08:06:09 AM PDT

•  barhah!

  >>>>>2) Should the U.S. rely solely on the U.N. to stop Iran's nuclear weapons program? (Choices: Yes, No)<<<<<

  This also presupposes that we should stop Iran's nuclear weapons program.

  by Pope Guilty on Fri Feb 10, 2006 at 08:11:21 AM PDT