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Subscribe to RSSThe Pew Center has come out with a new poll asking Americans about the crisis in Egypt, and it's clear they're not thinking about it a great deal.
About half of Americans — 52 percent — report having heard little or nothing about the demonstrations, according to the poll of 1,385 adults, which was conducted Wednesday through Monday.
Clear majorities of Democrats (69 percent) and independents (57 percent) say President Barack Obama administration has handled the situation about right. By contrast, only 43 percent of Republicans say the same, and they're just about split on whether he's showing too much support for the protesters (19 percent) or too little (15 percent).
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The demonstrations in Egypt that has been going on for more than 2 WEEKS straight is something that all news networks all around the world are talking about, as well as many more internet websites, Twitter, YOUTUBE, Facebook are full with such news.
It's a bit weird for more than 50% did not know anything about it, it shows that the American population is not so aware or interested in global news.
That's the problem. News networks covering riots, protests, Iraq/Afghanistan wars, kidnappings, and everything negative around the world 24/7. After a while people get numb to it and don't want to care. I sure don't care about Eygpt.
I agree with you Yasmine! But people can have their eyes open and still not see....The hard part is that the media is supposed to be objective but instead their companies are owned by people with political views. So telling the truth and making a situation easily understood is not always the goal. Too bad. Kinda have to read between the lines and spend a lot more time than most people have to get at the truth. Besides, I believe that many Americans are not raised like you to see the importance of world events. We have a lot of ostriches in this country- they think if they stick their heads in the sand, the unpleasantess wil go away. That is a luxury that this somewhat spoiled country can no longer afford....
Margie, Yes I know
I wish the media were more precise and exact with their news.......
but that's not its like unfortunately...........
No, it shows that the 1,385 adults surveyed aren't interested in global news. The Pew Center certainly never contacted me, anyone I know, or a statistically feasible percentage of the U.S. adult population.
I think we would all like to believe theese protests are for the better good of the people, however i cant help to think that its being fueled by radicals. We all know if that is the case this planet could become that much more at risk.
So long as he is using only rhetoric and not considering military intervention, this Republican will say he is handling the situation just right.
So those that are concerned about the World keep informed and those that are isolationist remain so and could care less!
One of the common links of difference in my repub and dem friends --are those that have a passport and have traveled and those that do not! Same goes for the plait of the people of the World and understanding of cultures as opposed to fear of 'other'!
Reagan, I agree completely. Well stated.
I call BULL! Where did these people come from? You have not been able to turn on a tv and not hit coverage of Egypt for 2 weeks. If people have not heard about the protests it is by choice or ridiculous storms. The gallup poll is much more in line with reality. Propaganda!
Sheesh
Fray - I do admit it might be surprising in some ways. I think it is surprising to people who do keep up with current events. They tend to hang with others who do also. But I don't find it surprising in some ways, as I do run into people who say the usual "I don't watch news" etc. I hardly think it can be considered propaganda. Propaganda for whom?
Yes! I do not think its a propaganda at all!
Who's gain is it?
my grandfather always stated and pushed us to read and be aware of as much news as we can. Even if we had to only read the headlines, and if something intrigues our interest, then you can read the whole article.
Its a matter of keeping yourself open-minded and aware of things as a whole and not stick to one interest.
I agree. Did you see this gallup poll?
www gallup.com/poll/145979/Americans-Sympathetic-Egyptian-Protesters.aspx
Is it any wonder America is decaying from within?
There are many Americans who are following the events in Egypt. Not all of us are concerned about how it will effect American interests. Some of us just want the Egyptian people to have the same chance we had when forming our own constitution, ending British rule. It seems that a lot of U.S. media coverage has become about us and less about the Egyptian people i.e. how it will change our military and business interests in the Middle East. Or whether the new Egyptian leadership will be Muslim! That Iran and Egypt are different. It is, therefore, not surprising that the media is surprised by events and "under the radar." George Bush talked about democracy as he tried to shove it down the throats of countless people. That is a contradiction in terms and his efforts failed. The Egyptian youth and people are smart enuff to realize that. They want Mubarak gone becuz he is acting in the interests of himself and the American gov't who fed him well, AT THE EXPENSE of the Egyptian people. If he stays, then so does his secret police whose very existence cancels out any dream of democracy. The best thing we can do is get out of the way. The media needs to just report the facts, answering questions like: Where did all the billions of dollars the U.S. sent to Egypt go? Why is Mubarak so wealthy? Why is it that the people who built those magnificent pyramids should STILL live in their shadows? When do they get their spot in the sun?
I wish the media was like that......
stating the fact and not over doing it..
making it worse and scaring people down there in Egypt
Those that are aware and informed to the degree that is available thru "news" probably are interested. The problem is that most "news" is 40% news and 60% opinion or at least is pushing some agenda.
There also is much to misunderstand about the possible outcomes as well as just what the issues behind the forming of our country. Like the news History is taught in many cases with an agenda other than fact.
I'm not surprised whatsoever by this news. I work with someone who has never heard of Somalia and didn't even know where Egypt is located. The West (U.S. and Canada) are full of ignorant masses who are passive and oppose dissent.
What's stunning to me is that 58% are responding that the protests will have little effect on the U.S. No matter what happens, the effect will be profound. (A) If the regime persists, either under Mubarak or Sulieman, and crushes the dissenters (one-by-one as the weeks go by) then the US will be seen as complicit and a whole new generation of potential terrorists will have cause to lash back. (B) If the regime falls and a largley anti-Israel, anti-US govenment emerges, then the problems are profound. (C) If a "new Egypt" emerges, one that is far more open and democratic, then the chances of long-term stability and peace are greatly enhanced not just in Egypt but throughout the Arab world and the Middle East.
In any case, what this episode is enforcing to the world is that we (USA) support some very repressive, very brutal dictatorships (and have for long time) in the name of "protecting our interests" no matter how repugnant those regimes may be and no matter how at odds they may be with the principles of freedom and liberty for which we claim to stand. Americans wonder, "Why do they hate us? We're the good guys!" Well, in many areas of the world, we aren't. Egypt's rebellion is a huge opportunity to change that, and few here seems to care to even try to understand the situation one way or another. As long as we the people drift along in our own universe of popular distractions, we run all the risks of remaining detacted from the world.
amen.
What? It is news that people in the US don't care what is happening in Egypt? They Don't... They also don't care what is happening in Tibet, Zimbabwe, the Philippines and just about everywhere else that doesn't touch a US border (except for the upcoming Royal wedding... now that is news). Welcome to the United States. Y'all need to wake up and stop acting surprised by it with a holier than now elitist attitude. As for the news coverage... wake up there too. All the coverage is only because they are hoping to capture some Tienanmen style massacre... in fact, if they were told everything would be peaceful, they would all skip town and the whole thing would be a footnote on 60 Minutes.
I will proudly say that I don't really care about the plight of Egypts people. More power to them.. whatever the outcome, just don't let it interrupt the local news... like that ridiculous rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at the super bowl. Now that is interesting news....
The reason behind that is that American people are dumb and think that the world turns arround the US only but be ware there was no nation in history that was mighty and did not stumble at the end and I hope that I will live long enough to see that... and belive me when I say I will be laughing my ass off then> and I am proud to say that I am an ARAB so when you mention arabs you better put your hand on your head but oh you wouldnt understand that would you?
The reason americans especially republicans see Egypt as another Iran as well as having other misconceptions about the middle east, is because of this ignorant attitude; they can't be bothered to pay attention to other countries and what goes on until one day they are confronted with a question about "muslims" and they think "terrorists" right off the bat. But I don't care about what americans think as long as they don't make someone like Sarah Palin president.
"You who’re depraved enough to believe that you could adjust yourself to a mystic’s dictatorship and could please him by obeying his orders– there is no way to please him; when you obey , he will reverse his orders; he seeks obedience for the sake of obedience and destruction for the sake of destruction. You who are craven enough to believe that you can make terms with a mystic by giving in to his extortions-there is no way to buy him off, the bribe he wants is your life, as slowly or as fast as you are willing to give it in–and the monster he seeks to bribe is the hidden blank-out in his mind, which drives him to kill in order not to learn that the death he desires is his own.”~Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
VIVA THE REVOLUTION OF THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT. FREEDOM is OUR Birthright!
For those posting comments from overseas in relation to "all Americans are this or that"; please refrain from being so nieve (same goes for US citizens doing the same). Polls of 1300 people in a country the size of the US with 300 million are worthless; and absurd to even report as NEWS. They dont represent ALL Americans' views on what is taking place in your countries, yet with 'freedom of the press' comes misinformation unfortunately.
I'm confident millions of my fellow Americans 'are in fact watching whats happening in Egypt' and want to see the people of that country succeed in gaining the freedoms they are striving for. What we have to go on as far as NEWS in your country is footage of 200,000 protesting in Tahir Square so it would be equally unfair for us to be so judgemental as to suggest 'all Egyptians are this or that'; since we have no clear understanding of what the other 80 million Egyptians' want.
Its clear no poll will ever give us the answer, only a fair democratic election. Here's hoping you succeed.
I love that The Egyptian revolution was started on Facebook and Twitter, with no participation by organized groups.I love that Muslims and Christians and Atheists, are working together there.I love that they're calling themselves The Republic of Tahrir, I hope they get to be The Republic of Egypt.I hope they don't wind up with anymore martyrs.More and more Egyptians are gaining courage from the realization that they are not alone.Strikes and protests are spreading throughout Egypt.Mubarak needs to step down.
I talk to a wide variety of people at work, and most of them are aware of the protest, and support the Egyptian people.I don't think the poll is accurate.