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Even CNN can’t deny: Poll finds majority says government a threat to citizens’ rights
CNN, “CNN Poll: Majority says government a threat to citizens’ rights”
by Paul Steinhauser
A majority of Americans think the federal government poses a threat to rights of Americans, according to a new national poll.
Fifty-six percent of people questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday say they think the federal government’s become so large and powerful that it poses an immediate threat to the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens. Forty-four percent of those polled disagree.
The survey indicates a partisan divide on the question: only 37 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Independents and nearly 7 in 10 Republicans say the federal government poses a threat to the rights of Americans.
CNN article continues here.
Romney can’t let go of McCain, loses my respect
CNN, “Romney endorses McCain for re-election”
by Jeff Simon
Mitt Romney endorsed Sen. John McCain, one of the former Massachussetts governor’s main competitors for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, for re-election to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
“Senator McCain’s record of service and sacrifice for America is honored by all,” Romney said in a statement. “But I believe that it is his core values of courage, faith and honor – forged in battle and confirmed by a lifetime of service to America – that make Senator McCain’s leadership in the United States Senate so necessary in these perilous times.”
Romney said it is “hard to imagine the United States Senate without John McCain.”
CNN article continues here.
CNN poll: 52% say Obama doesn’t deserve reelection in 2012
The Hill, “CNN poll: 52% say Obama doesn’t deserve reelection in 2012”
by Michael O’Brien
52 percent of Americans said President Barack Obama doesn’t deserve reelection in 2012, according to a new poll.
44 percent of all Americans said they would vote to reelect the president in two and a half years, less than the slight majority who said they would prefer to elect someone else.
Obama faces a 44-52 deficit among both all Americans and registered voters, according to a CNN/Opinion Research poll released Tuesday. Four percent had no opinion.
The reelection numbers are slightly more sour than Obama’s approval ratings, which are basically tied. 49 percent of people told CNN that they approve of the way Obama is handling his job, while 50 percent disapprove.
The Hill article continues here.
Iran: “Telling blow to global powers on Feb. 11″
CNN, “Iran opposition leaders call for protests”
Meanwhile, state-run Press TV quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday as saying that the nation will deliver a harsh blow to “global arrogance” on February 11.
Press TV offered no details on or explanation of the statement.
CNN article continues here.
Obama calls for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal
CNN, “Obama calls for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal”
President Obama said Wednesday night he will work with Congress and the military to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces.
Obama made the remark in his first State of the Union speech during a short litany of civil rights issues, which included his successful hate crimes bill, a move to “crack down on equal-pay laws” and improvement of the immigration system.
“We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it,” he said.
CNN article continues here.
Body scanners can store, send images, group says
CNN, “Body scanners can store, send images, group says”
by Jeanne Meserve and Mike M. Ahlers
“I don’t think the TSA has been forthcoming with the American public about the true capability of these devices,” EPIC’s Rotenberg said. “They’ve done a bunch of very slick promotions where they show people — including journalists — going through the devices. And then they reassure people, based on the images that have been produced, that there’s not any privacy concerns.
“But if you look at the actual technical specifications and you read the vendor contracts, you come to understand that these machines are capable of doing far more than the TSA has let on,” he said.
The TSA should suspend further deployment of the machines until privacy and security questions are resolved, Rotenberg said.
TSA officials say they have taken sufficient measures to protect privacy.
CNN article continues here.
Avatar depressing some fans
CNN, “Audiences experience ‘Avatar’ blues”
by Jo Piazza
James Cameron’s completely immersive spectacle “Avatar” may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.
On the fan forum site “Avatar Forums,” a topic thread entitled “Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible,” has received more than 1,000 posts from people experiencing depression and fans trying to help them cope. The topic became so popular last month that forum administrator Philippe Baghdassarian had to create a second thread so people could continue to post their confused feelings about the movie.
“I wasn’t depressed myself. In fact the movie made me happy ,” Baghdassarian said. “But I can understand why it made people depressed. The movie was so beautiful and it showed something we don’t have here on Earth. I think people saw we could be living in a completely different world and that caused them to be depressed.”
CNN article continues here.