Free Republic

As the decision in Kentucky to bring charges against only one of three police officers involved in a raid that killed Breonna Taylor sparks renewed protests nationwide, a new survey finds support has fallen for demonstrations against systemic racism. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 44% of Americans disapprove of protests in response to police violence against Black Americans, while 39% approve. In June, 54% approved. The new survey was conducted Sept. 11-14, before Wednesday's announcement that a lone Louisville police officer would be charged in the Taylor case, but not for her...

For marijuana advocates, the last 12 months have been a period of unprecedented success as Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize recreational use of marijuana. And now for the first time, a clear majority of Americans (58%) say the drug should be legalized. This is in sharp contrast to the time Gallup first asked the question in 1969, when only 12% favored legalization. Public support for legalization more than doubled in the 1970s, growing to 28%. It then plateaued during the 1980s and 1990s before inching steadily higher since 2000, reaching 50% in 2011. A sizable percentage...

Polls show that President Obama's Libya intervention has the lowest public support of any US military action in three decades. That's not surprising, because Obama seems ambivalent about the enterprise himself. Whatever he says tonight to rationalize it, Americans are learning a sober truth. America's chief executive isn't simply one step behind events in Libya; he seems determined to miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the free world in the Mideast. From Tunisia to Iran, the region is in the midst of a democratic seismic shift as autocracies old and new, friend and foe, rock on their foundations. Like most earthquakes,...

Three out of Four Americans Support a Federal Reserve Audit Filed Under: Government and Legislation With yesterday’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Preska that ordered the Federal Reserve to hand over records regarding the lending of taxpayer money to various financial institution, there’s renewed interest in keeping the federal government accountable for their financial practices—especially when it comes to bailouts and monetary policy. There are currently two pieces of legislation in Congress, HR 1207, which has 282 co-sponsors (101 of which are Democrats) and S 604 which has 23 co-sponsors that would bring new accountability to the Federal...

It's a Zogby poll so a little skepticism is required. But even Zogby - a Democratic pollster - isn't off by much more than the others. And Rasmussen has been showing a steady decline in the president's job approval as well. We're a 50-50 nation again - maybe: Some polls show Obama coasting with a 65 percent job approval, but not in Zogby’s tally. “The numbers are going down,” Zogby told the Herald. “It’s not because of the gaffes, but a combination of high expectations and that things aren’t moving fast enough with the economy.” As for the president’s love...

Troops surprised, touched by gestures of generosity By Faye Fiore Los Angeles Times There's a diner called Peggy Sue's about eight miles outside of Barstow, Calif., and as hard as Lt. Col. Kenneth Parks tries, he never can seem to pay his bill. He orders a burger and a chocolate shake. Before he's finished, though, the waitress informs him that the tab has been taken care of by yet another stranger who prefers to remain anonymous, but who wants to do something for a soldier in uniform. Many Americans have conflicted feelings about the Iraq war, but not about the...

SACRAMENTO -- Californians aren't much interested in the upcoming special election and don't support most of the initiatives they'll be voting on, according to new poll results from the Public Policy Institute of California. The three main initiatives sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are all in sorry shape, as are dueling measures to provide low-income Californians with cheap prescription drugs. The governor's approval ratings remain dismal as well: The survey found that only 38 percent of likely voters think Schwarzenegger is doing a good job. This is the lowest such rating he has yet received. Poll director Mark Baldassare said...

Iraq crisis: Does Tony Blair have your support? YesNo