MYOB, sez America

According to a new Zogby poll: The President's vigorous defense of an anti-terror surveillance program may be a hard sell to a public obsessed with privacy and civil liberties, a new Zogby Interactive poll suggests. The survey of 13,456 likely voters finds Americans largely unwilling to surrender civil liberties -- even if it's to prevent terrorists from carrying out attacks -- a significant departure from their views in the months immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks. Even routine security measures, like random searches of bags, purses, and other packages, were opposed by half (50%) of respondents in the survey. Other measures fared worse. Just 37% would be willing to allow random searches of their cars -- a dramatic drop in support compared to a survey conducted by Zogby International in December, 2001. Support for regular roadblocks to facilitate such searches was even lower, with just one-third of voters (33%) in favor. Four years ago, 59% backed such measures. Two sensitive privacy issues associated with the President's communications surveillance program, however, scored worst of all. Just 28% are willing to allow their telephone conversations to be monitored, and 25% favor allowing random searches of mail.