One In Four Americans Would Use Nukes Against Terrorists, Gallup Finds

Editor&Publisher ^ | March 01, 2005 | Greg Mitchell

[MisterRepublican]

NEW YORK More than one in four Americans would go so far as to utilize nuclear bombs if need be in the fight against terrorism, according to a national survey reported today by The Gallup Organization.

Gallup asked Americans whether they would be willing or not willing “to have the U.S. government do each of the following” and then listed an array of options.

For example, “assassinate known terrorists” drew the support of 65% of all adults. “Torture known terrorists if they know details about future terrorist attacks in the U.S.” won the backing of 39%.

Finally, the option of using “nuclear weapons to attack terrorist facilities” drew the support of 27% of adults, with 72% opposing, which would shatter the taboo on using these weapons militarily since the attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

[Wormwood]

Nukes against terrorist? Sounds rather inefficient to me.

Eactly. There's no way to nuke the New York Times building without damaging nearby real-estate.

[jocon307]

"Their poll is flawed."

Yeah, they should have called me! I'm on a roll tonight, I want to execute terrorists, eco-terrorists, 18 yr old and younger murderers, spammers, and some other group that eludes me at this moment.

As I said to hubby before: it's just good I'm not in charge!

[Wormwood]

As I said to hubby before: it's just good I'm not in charge!

I know what you mean. The way things are going tonight, the Earth would look like a charcoal briquette if I were in charge.

That usually means it's past my bedtime.

[PISANO]

Torture known terrorists if they know details about future terrorist attacks in the U.S.” won the backing of 39%.

This is startling!! 6 out of 10 Americans would allow a Nuke attack that would potentially kill MILLIONS of Americans and destroy our economy rather than TORTURE [ie panty head] the terrorists???

This is almost unbelievable!!!

[Rytwyng]

Only one in four?

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

This is startling!! 6 out of 10 Americans would allow a Nuke attack that would potentially kill MILLIONS of Americans and destroy our economy rather than TORTURE [ie panty head] the terrorists???

This is almost unbelievable!!!

The majority of Americans are ignorant.

I thought the minority of us knew that.

[benjaminjjones]

Dang!

Did I lose that last comment post, or is it still under the 15 minute taped delay? LOL

Heck, I almost sprained my brain on that post, thought I had some good on-topic questions in it.

If you pulled it, that's OK, it may have Ben too much for FR.

I really do appreciate it when you pull some of my comment posts that I'd later regret.

At least working on it clarified a few thoughts running around in my head, I just wished I'd saved it before hitting the Post button.

[rdcorso]

Maybe these are the same pollsters who had Kerry winning the election in a landslide.I would guess that about 75 percent of the people I know would nuke a terrorist country like Iran if an attack from them was imminent.

[MarMema]

39% is far too low.

Hey I agree with you!

[dogbowl]

1 in 4 spooks ought to be in the field.
Memo to CIA: assassination is okay!

I think people can tell between tactical nukes and city levelers, but the poll makes no distinction. Perhaps some responders were thinking of the mini nukes? Still, I send a MOAB. Nukes would be a PR nightmare.

[Logic n' Reason]

DAMN!

I finally made the top 25% of something!

I knew I could do it!

[TheDon]

LOL!