Quo Vadis?

Poll results from Oct 3

What our unscientific opinion poll shows is that the study group is generally uniform in current opinions on these issues, though there are, of course, some differences. That should prove good in terms of maintaining peace within our ranks, but it may not be too useful in terms of generating meaningful discussions. I’m afraid it puts a special weight on those in the minority to articulate their views and being in the minority they may not feel too comfortable doing this. So it should go without saying that there is a special responsibility on those holding the majority view point to encourage and respect opposing positions.

That said, we have 17 respondents, most are unhappy with current American foreign policy and the foreign policy issues they think are most important involve Israel/Palestine, the environment, the UN, food, nuclear disarmament.

Not all issues have a vote total of 17. In some instances people didn’t feel they knew enough to have an opinion – and in some cases people who felt this way choose “neutral.” A large “neutral” tally for a particular question may reflect a general lack of knowledge of that topic area.

As usual, there is a comment form at the bottom of this entry where you can express your opinion about the poll results, or my summary of them.

With those observations, here are the results:

1. President’s handling of Foreign Policy

13 Strongly disapprove
2 disapprove
neutral
2 approve
strongly approve

2. War on Iraq

13 Strongly disapprove
2 disapprove
neutral
2 approve
strongly approve

3. President’s handling of War on Terror

9 Strongly disapprove
3 disapprove
1 neutral
3 approve
strongly approve

4. Current handling of Afghanistan

6 Strongly disapprove
5 disapprove
4 neutral
1 approve
1 strongly approve

5. Current US Policy towards Saudi Arabia

3 Strongly disapprove
7 disapprove
6 neutral
1 approve
strongly approve

6. Current US Policy Towards Nigeria

Strongly disapprove
2 disapprove
12 neutral
approve
strongly approve

7. The use of genetically modified food crops.

4 Strongly disapprove
5 disapprove
3 neutral
2 approve
strongly approve

8. How would you feel about a US policy designed to create a stable, militarily strong, China.

2 Strongly disapprove
3 disapprove
8 neutral
3 approve
strongly approve

9. How would you feel about a US policy designed to make us a partner (as opposed to rival) of the European Union?

Strongly disapprove
disapprove
2 neutral
9 approve
6 strongly approve

10. Women’s rights issues should be promoted throughout the world as part of US Foreign policy regardless of cultural differences.

Strongly disapprove
disapprove
3 neutral
7 approve
6 strongly approve

11. Rank what you feel are the top 5 foreign policy issues in priority order using the following list. Simply put numbers before your choices with Number 1 being the highest priority. Choose only 5.

Note: First number is total number of respondents who choose this issue. Second number is average ranking. The lower the average ranking, the higher the priority give the issue. The five issues with the most "votes" are in bold.

3/3 Global Struggle for Women’s Rights

3/2.7 War on Terror

3/3.3 Rebuilding of Iraq

10/2.7 Strengthening the UN

12/2.25 Resolving the dispute between Israel and Palestine

2/5 Rebuilding of Afghanistan

4/4 Strengthening ties with the European Union

9/2 Creating a level-playing field, world wide, for production and trade of food

6/2.5 Resolving the dispute with North Korea

11/3.1 Strengthening world environmental agreements

2/3.5 Building a stronger relationship with China

0/0 Building a stronger relationship with Nigeria

2/5 Building a stronger relationship with Saudi Arabia

8/3.6 Moving towards world wide nuclear disarmament

12. Is there a foreign policy issue or issues more important than any of the above – or that would belong in your top five concerns? If so, please add it here: (Here's are the three ideas submitted.)

Developing parity in scientific/technological education world wide.

Peaceful co-existence.

Not a foreign policy issue - but greater voter participation in their own government.