Retro Poll: Correct answers and citations related to April 2004 Poll

Answers for September-October 2002 Poll

Answers for April 2002 Poll

Answers for November 2003 Poll

Answers for September 2004 Poll

Answers for April-May 2004 Poll

Correct Answers and Citations to April-May 2004Poll

My name is _____________. I'm calling for Retro Poll.
This is not a sales call; we do public opinion polling, and your number was chosen at random for a brief interview. May I ask your first name?
_____________would you be able to take a few minutes of your time to respond to our poll on current U.S. government policies? (It takes about 10 minutes.)
Are you 16 or over?
Thank you

1. In your personal opinion which statement best describes the impact of the U.S. Government's War on Terrorism:
a) It prevents terrorism
b) It has had little impact on terrorism
c) It tends to create terrorists
d) none of the above/ not sure

In the rest of this poll, you will notice that the first half asks for factual information and the second half asks for your opinions. In the first part it is better to say you don't know than to guess the answer to any question. Few people will know all the answers so don't feel bad about saying you don't know. But please try and be honest and complete the poll. We'll tell you where to find the right answers to the factual questions later. Ok?

2. President Bill Clinton was impeached by Congress-but not removed from office--for lying about a sexual affair with a White House intern. (true or false) (t/f/d)

Correct answer: True

William Clinton was impeached on the basis of two articles passed by the house December 19, 1998 for giving false and misleading testimony regarding the Paula Jones case and his relationship with Monica Lewinsky (#1) and for cover-up of evidence related to the Paula Jones case (#2). Clinton was impeached, but was acquitted on February 13, 1999.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/clinton.htm

3. President Richard Nixon quit because of the Watergate scandal, involving the White House in breaking into offices and stealing files; and because he would have been impeached? (t/f/d).

Correct answer: True

Because Richard Nixon was deeply involved in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in June 17, 1972 and other illegal activities, he resigned from office August 9, 1974 rather than face certain impeachment.
http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/impeachments/nixon.htm

The Bill of Rights, passed in 1791, includes the first 10 amendments to the Constitution and provides for most of our civil rights. Which of the following are part of the Bill of Rights:

4. Guarantees accused persons the right to a speedy and public trial. (y/n/d)

Correct answer: Yes

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
(See The Bill of Rights)

5. Provides that accused persons shall not be coerced into testifying against themselves. (y/n/d)

Correct answer: Yes

Amendment V

"No person ... shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself...."
(See The Bill of Rights)

6. Authorizes the Government to detain suspects indefinitely and punish them as it sees fit. (y/n/d)

Correct answer: No

Amendment VI

There is no amendment authorizing the government to detain suspects indefinitely. Article I, section 9 of the constitutions forbids congress to suspend the right to a writ of habeas corpus except in the cases of rebellion or invasion. Habeas corpus is the right to be freed unless convicted and sentenced to prison. Authorization for indefinite detention has been absent from U.S. law for over 200 years until 2001 when President George W. Bush issued an executive order permitting indefinite detentions of suspects without a requirement that they be charged, tried in a court, found guilty or innocent and sentenced. Though heinous, the crimes of September 11, 2001 do not constitute either a rebellion or an invasion. Indefinite detention also violates Amendment VIII of the bill of rights, which states: "excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted."
(See The Bill of Rights)

Hundreds of people, largely Middle Eastern men, have been detained in the past 2 years and none has been charged with or tried for terrorist acts.
http://www.truthout.com/docs_02/03.14F.Arabs.Detained.htm

7. Protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures by the Government in our private lives and homes. (y/n/d)

Correct answer: Yes

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
(See The Bill of Rights)

8. Is there evidence that Saddam Hussein worked with the 9-11 terrorists? (y/n/d)

Correct answer: No

No link to 9/11 has been declared or found. Although comments by the President and his top people sometimes make it seem otherwise, neither the President, members of his administration, nor anyone else has provided any credible evidence or facts that Hussein worked with the 9/11 terrorists. There are many websites and books documenting the lies of Bush and other members of his administration:
http://www.bushlies.net/pages/1/

The hijackers came from many different countries, but mostly from Saudi Arabia:

9. Is there evidence that Saddam Hussein worked with Al Qaeda? (y/n/d)

Correct answer: No

For analysis showing the lack of contact between Iraq and Al Qaeda,
(See: FPIF: Seven Reasons to Oppose a U.S. Invasion of Iraq)

For more recent comments see:
http://www.bushlies.net/pages/1/
http://www.pipeline.com/~rgibson/powelladmits.html

10. Since the death penalty was restored in the U.S. how many convicted murderers awaiting execution have been later proven innocent and set free. a) 7 b) 49 c) 112 d) don't know

Correct answer: 112

Largely through the work of students (e.g., Center for Wrongful Convictions) rather than officers of the judicial system itself, more than 100 persons convicted of murder have been set free.

http://www.law.northwestern.edu/depts/clinic/wrongful/mission.htm
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/usa/document.do?id=0075c73ba7fc661485256e240061927e
http://www.deathpenalty.org/

Please answer whether the following statements are true, false or don't know regarding the war on terrorism and the Patriot Act:

11. The FBI uses national security letters to obtain our financial and other records from travel agents, car dealers, banks, the U. S. Postal Service, and other businesses, without a warrant? (t/f/d)

Correct answer: True

http://reclaimdemocracy.org/articles_2004/national_security_letters.html
http://www.globalpolicy.org/wtc/liberties/2003/0324surveillance.htm

12. Attorney General Ashcroft has instructed federal agencies that they may make available public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act regarding thousands of people arrested after 9/11. (t/f/d)

Correct answer: False

In a memo to all federal agencies, Attorney General Ashcroft urged these agencies to resist most FOIA requests.

http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/foiapost/2001foiapost19.htm

Passed in 1974, FOIA is our federal sunshine law that forces federal agencies to disclose their public records and documents. Ashcroft quashed the FOIA and assured the agencies that the justice department would defend their actions in court.

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0108-04.htm

13. Attorney General Ashcroft approved increased FBI surveillance of religious and political organizations and authorized the FBI to monitor many groups without a warrant or any evidence of wrongdoing. (t/ f/d)

Correct answer: True

http://www.abpnews.com/abpnews/story.cfm?newsId=1834

14. Over 250 cities and towns and 3 states have passed resolutions concerning the USA Patriot Act. Do these resolutions a) call for vigorous law enforcement of the Act b) ask that it be strengthened c) call for the removal of key provisions because they violate our democratic rights d) don't know

Correct answer: C

Since the poll was conducted, 283 cites and towns and 4 states now demand removal of key provisions of the USAPA because they violate our democratic rights.

See: http://www.bordc.org/

15. The exemptions of SUVs and other large vehicles from certain taxes and earlier laws requiring higher gas mileage standards causes more rapid depletion of the world's energy supplies (t/ f/ d)

Correct answer: True

The following websites document the impact of SUVs:

http://www.citizen.org/autosafety/fuelecon/
http://www.columbia.edu/~eag115/Ethan/Web-pages/Political_Dynamics.html
http://www.columbia.edu/%7Eeag115/Ethan/Web-pages/Vehichle_Efficiency.html

16. These exemptions lead to increased air pollution in U.S. cities (t/f/d)

Correct answer: True

For the effect of these exemptions on air pollution, see:

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/cars_and_suvs/page.cfm?pageID=231
http://irishcar.com/envir/fuelsuv060501.htm

The following questions ask for your personal opinion. If you have no opinion or your opinion is not among the choices, please so state.

17. Should the U.S. have invaded Iraq? (y/n/d)

For a review of the misstatements on Iraq by President Bush and other members of his administration, see the minority staff report of the Committee on Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives:
http://www.house.gov/reform/min/features/iraq_on_the_record/

18. A legal review in California showed 76 system problems in death penalty procedures (similar to 85 problems found in Illinois) that led to unjust convictions. Should other states do as Illinois has done and put a moratorium on executions until unfairness in application of the death penalty has been addressed? (y/n/d)

The legal review of the California system

19. In your opinion is the USA Patriot Act a) having no impact on our civil rights b) protecting our right to dissent and strengthening civil rights c) removing important rights and Constitutional guarantees d) not sure

If you wish to review the Patriot Act, and commentary about the impact of the Patriot Act, see:
http://www.bordc.org/

20. U.S. forces were recently involved in the removal by force of Haiti's president Aristide. Do you favor an independent investigation of our government's role in removing a democratically elected president from office? (y/n/d).

For recent history of Haiti, see:
http://haitisupport.gn.apc.org/
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO402D.html
http://www.haitiaction.net/index.html

21. Do you support or oppose the U.S.A. Patriot Act provision requiring the cooperation of local business people and professionals to turn over records of their clients and customers to federal agents and be sworn to silence about their actions? (s/o/d)

22. The Federal Bureau of Prisons issued an emergency surveillance order permitting conversations between prisoners and their lawyers to be recorded without a warrant. Do you support or oppose this removal of confidentiality rights? (s/o/d)

23. Do you support or oppose the USA Patriot Act authorizing government agents to enter your home and otherwise investigate you without cause, recording and copying any materials they wish to, and never telling you? (s/o/d)

24. In the next question, pick the answer that you believe is the best. In your opinion why has the U.S. government exempted SUVs and other large-vehicle makers from earlier laws requiring higher gas mileage? a) it improves the quality of our lives b) it leads to larger profits for automakers and oil corporations c) it encourages public support for U.S. control of oil rich nations d) don't know/or none of the above.

25. When you have to decide between two presidential candidates in a primary race where one is closer to your beliefs but the other is said by media experts to be more likely to win, how likely are you to choose the one that the media say can win? a) very likely b) somewhat likely c) not likely d) don't know

26. President Bush misled the public and Congress by saying that Saddam's Iraq was an imminent threat to launch chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare against us. Do you think that misleading the public and Congress in this way in order to take the country to war is grounds for impeachment? (y/ n/ d)

Do you support or oppose that the following policies be carried out by the U.S. government:

27. Creation of a national health fund providing total health care coverage for every American at all medical institutions, with the elimination of health insurance company profits and out of pocket patient costs. (s/o/d)

28. The U.S. should support international attempts to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. (s/o/d)

29. Lengthy detention for anyone whom the U.S. government decides to arrest without their providing any criminal charges, proofs or trials. (s/o/d)

30. The use, by the United States, of torture. (s/ o/ d)

31. A requirement that the U.S. government must publicly provide proof that a nation has or is about to attack the U.S. before initiating warfare. (s/ o/ d)

Please provide your
Age(32)______
Sex(33)_______
City (34)______________
State(35)_____________
Ethnicity(36)___________(NA=Native American, AP=Asian/Pacific Islander, AA=African American, LA=Latin American, CA=European-American, DS=Decline to State, BR=Biracial)

Thank you so much for participating in our poll and for caring enough to share your views. For answers and links to the factual questions please check our web site at www.retropoll.org. Final poll results will be posted on May 11, 2004.