# Cornell poll: 44% of Americans believe that Muslims should not have civil rights. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 18, 2004, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497 "2004-12-18T06:10:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/161 "2004-12-20T17:13:25Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > Hence the word “especially” over “exclusively.” I stand by my post. The red states civil liberties less than blue states, and their notion of civil liberties is restricted to the right to infuse their government ans schools with Christian symbolism and the right to bear arms. The rest can fuck all. The height of my metaphorical horse has nothing do with it. There is no such thing as a red state. There is no such thing as a blue state. They’re all purple, to varying degrees. I really think it’s time to stop the whole meme where we characterize states by who the majority of their electoral votes went to, because it really doesn’t tell us anything about the PEOPLE of that state. One state, two state, red state, blue state…who the hell cares anymore? It’s done. Four more years and then we start over again. Give it a rest. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/162 "2004-12-20T17:16:36Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > There is no such thing as a red state. There is no such thing as a blue state. They’re all purple, to varying degrees. I really think it’s time to stop the whole meme where we characterize states by who the majority of their electoral votes went to, because it really doesn’t tell us anything about the PEOPLE of that state. > > One state, two state, > red state, blue state…who the hell cares anymore? It’s done. Four more years and then we start over again. Give it a rest. Fine. Let’s divide as we should – into thoughtful, educated people and superstitious morons. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/163 "2004-12-20T17:20:46Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > Fine. Let’s divide as we should – into thoughtful, educated people and superstitious morons. Well, yeah…all I’m saying is that just because Ohio went to Bush doesn’t mean that ALL Ohioans (or even a large majority) are superstitious morons. Similarly, just because (say) Wisconsin went for Kerry, doesn’t mean that all Cheeseheads are thoughtful, educated people. Not to mention that all Kerry voters are certainly not thoughtful, educated people and all Bush voters are not superstitious morons. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/164 "2004-12-20T17:25:44Z")
Indeed. One must not forget the thoughtful, educated cynics who exploit the superstitious morons. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/165 "2004-12-20T17:37:59Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, yeah…all I’m saying is that just because Ohio went to Bush doesn’t mean that ALL Ohioans (or even a large majority) are superstitious morons. Similarly, just because (say) Wisconsin went for Kerry, doesn’t mean that all Cheeseheads are thoughtful, educated people. > > Not to mention that all Kerry voters are certainly not thoughtful, educated people and all Bush voters are not superstitious morons. I know thoughtful, educated people who voted for Bush, but they seem not to be thoughtful ON THAT ISSUE, rather gettting defensive and angry when pressed for information on why America is stronger, safer, or happier through war and debt. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/166 "2004-12-20T17:44:25Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Indeed. One must not forget the thoughtful, educated cynics who exploit the superstitious morons. Or the superstitious morons who voted for Kerry AND against gay marriage. Or the superstitious morons who ARE gay and voted for Bush. You can’t divide 'em down the middle. The categories are not mutually exclusive, no matter how it’s spun. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/167 "2004-12-20T19:33:48Z")
Forgive me if this has already been posted. I just read through the whole thread and didn’t see anybody calling out **Diogenes** on his bullshit OP! > [@Diogenes](#): > > Cornell poll: 44% of Americans believe that Muslims should not have civil rights. The poll does not say this. The poll does say: > [@](#): > > Overall, nearly half of all respondents (44%) supported one of the possible restrictions on Muslim American civil liberties, with twenty-nine percent of all respondents supporting two or more types of restrictions. Saying that _some curtailment_ of civil liberties is necessary is not the same thing as saying they should not have civil rights. Here is the list of restrictions: 1. All Muslim Americans should be required to register their wherabouts with the federal government. 2. Mosques should be closely monitored and surveilled by US law enforcement agencies. 3. US government agencies should profile citizens as potential threats based on being Muslim or having Middle Easter heritage. 4. Muslim civic and volunteer organizations should be infiltrated by undercover law enforcement agents to keep watch on their activities and fundraising. Points two and four are very reasonable. I would agree with them. Point three is debatable, depending on how you interpret it. I wouldn’t agree with it unless it was re-worded. Point one I don’t agree with, but it’s not extremely unreasonable. The federal government knows where everyone lives anyways. So, if 44% of Americans said that Muslims should have no civil rights I would be joining **Diogenes** in his outrage. However, if you actually look at the data this is not what the study found. Instead, it’s just the usual hysterical rantings of the less and less sane **Diogenes** as he seeks out more and new ways to call his countrymen idiots because they mostly disagree with him. That he needs to lie and distort to do this isn’t surprising, given his posting history. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/168 "2004-12-20T19:58:39Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > 1. All Muslim Americans should be required to register their wherabouts with the federal government. > > 2. Mosques should be closely monitored and surveilled by US law enforcement agencies. > > 3. US government agencies should profile citizens as potential threats based on being Muslim or having Middle Easter heritage. > > 4. Muslim civic and volunteer organizations should be infiltrated by undercover law enforcement agents to keep watch on their activities and fundraising. > > Points two and four are very reasonable. I would agree with them. Then of course you wouldn’t have any issue with your own church being under surveillance, and working alongside undercover agents in your own charitable organizations. Why not? You agree they’re reasonable. > [@](#): > > Point three is debatable, depending on how you interpret it. I wouldn’t agree with it unless it was re-worded. Don’t leave us hanging. Re-word it in a way you \*would \* find “very reasonable”, please. > [@](#): > > Point one I don’t agree with, but it’s not extremely unreasonable. The federal government knows where everyone lives anyways. :snort: Everyone? They do, huh? Stop and reconsider that for a moment, friend. > [@](#): > > Instead, it’s just the usual hysterical rantings of the less and less sane **Diogenes** as he seeks out more and new ways to call his countrymen idiots because they mostly disagree with him. That he needs to lie and distort to do this isn’t surprising, given his posting history. Yawn … when come back, bring argument. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/169 "2004-12-20T20:06:18Z")
Of course! No reason for outrage, they’re not taking a big ol’ bite, just a nibble. A little taste of civil rights, you won’t even miss it. Especially if you are a real, loyal American, then you won’t miss anything at all. Any time you want to express your loyalty and approval for American policy, why, you will be entirely free to do so! I mean, if you can’t trust the FBI to protect your civil rights, really, who _can_ you trust! Look how they protected MLK and the Freedom Marchers from the KKK! Made a movie about it, and everything! Its all about human intelligence, trusting Muslims to police themselves, to take responsibility and accountability for their neighbors and relatives. To keep an eye out for suspicious types, radical types. Sure, they claim to be loyal Americans, of course they do. Claim to be making legitimate criticisms of foreign policy, and no doubt some of the innocent dupes believe just that, but that doesn’t make anything less dangerous! And here’s where we can gain some real value from GeeDubya’s friendship with Vladimir Putin. His KGB experience could prove real useful in fostering an environment of freedom and security for loyal, right-thinking Americans! Like **Debaser**. Who has nothing to worry about. Yet. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497/170 "2004-12-21T14:57:44Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Does the absence of shock value make it any less worth noticing? Will the assault on our liberties go away if we simply refuse to acknowledge it? I don’t think so. Um, in case you didn’t notice, there is a tone of surprise. Maybe we don’t have to be so fucking surprised. Let’s bitch about racism, cause that’ll help. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cornell-poll-44-of-americans-believe-that-muslims-should-not-have-civil-rights/280497.md?page=8)