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Based on several nationwide surveys it conducted with California-based Knowledge Networks since June, as well as the results of other polls, PIPA found that 48 percent of the public believe US troops found evidence of close pre-war links between Iraq and the al-Qaeda terrorist group; 22 percent thought troops found weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq; and 25 percent believed that world public opinion favored Washington's going to war with Iraq. All three are misperceptions.

How can this purport to be a serious study when the questions are so obviously flawed? These are not misperceptions. To take them one at a time.

48 percent of the public believe US troops found evidence of close pre-war links between Iraq and the al-Qaeda terrorist group

Links between Iraq and al-Qaeda have been demonstrated, time and time again. Iraq hosted training camps, supplied weapons and expertise, and offered sanctuary to al-Qaeda fugitives over a period of at least ten years. The weasel words in this question are "US Troops" and "close". The links between al-Qaeda and Iraq were not discovered by "US Troops", and we could argue from now 'till doomsday about what constitutes "close".

22 percent thought troops found weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq

The Kay report documents a massive and ongoing WMD program in Iraq, which was ample cause for war. This is not a misperception. Before the war, nobody argued that Saddam had WMD actually on-hand as a cause for war, but rather that he was trying continually to acquire or produce them. By asking a question so deceptive and off-the-point, it is predictable that at least 22% of the people would get it wrong.

and 25 percent believed that world public opinion favored Washington's going to war with Iraq.

That really depends on how you define world public opinion, doesn't it. The consensus of European politicians and Third-World tyrants was against the war, but does that mean that "world public opinion" was against the war? I am aware of no data on this point. Polls do show that Iraqi public opinion was and is in favor of the war. Isn't that more relevant?

All three are misperceptions.

All three are at odds with the accepted dogma in US academia. But that does not mean that they are misperceptions.

First of all, I think "misperceptions" can also simply be made by the technic of asking and by putting such questions into a certain context. So those things should have also been mentioned at the report,at least as a foot-note. and 25 percent believed that world public opinion favored Washington's going to war with Iraq. That really depends on how you define world public opinion, doesn't it. The consensus of European politicians and Third-World tyrants was against the war, but does that mean that "world public opinion" was against the war? I am aware of no data on this point. Polls do show that Iraqi public opinion was and is in favor of the war. Isn't that more relevant? Hmm, I'm from Denmark and here in Europe in all countries (only except Poland, I think) the vast majority of the population was AGAINST the war, on February 15. more than 11 Million people were marching on the streets in peaceful protest, something that hasn't been fully covered by most american news channels, just see here for some reports: http://peacenowar.net/Iraq/News/Feb%2015%2003--News.htm (Barcelona/Spain alone had between 1 and 2 Millions demonstrants!) Those were by far the largest protests the world has seen on a single day so far, even the Vietnam-protests looked neat compared with this wordlwide movement. About the Iraqis: do you have any sources about this poll,who did make it and who has paid for it? I've heard of two polls before and after the war, and they were very varying from each other, but I don't have any links about his anymore :o|

22 percent thought troops found weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq.

Posted on 10/01/2003 3:37 PM EDT by Pete

KUWAIT CITY (AP)--Kuwaiti security authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle $60 million worth of chemical weapons and biological warheads from Iraq to an unnamed European country, a Kuwaiti newspaper said Wednesday.

The pro-government Al-Siyassah, quoting an unnamed security source, said the suspects had been watched by security since they arrived in Kuwait and were arrested "in due time." It didn't say when or how the smugglers entered Kuwait or when they were arrested.

The paper said the smugglers might have had accomplices inside Kuwait. It said Interior Minister Sheik Nawwaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah would hand over the smuggled weapons to an FBI agent at a news conference, but didn't say when.

Government officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Iraqi Interior Minister Nouri Al-Badran met Tuesday with Sheik Nawwaf and discussed cooperation between the two countries in security matters. His visit is the first by an Iraqi interior minister to Kuwait since 1990.

Found here.