Answers Quote by William Blum
“The questions they ask usually in the polls is: do you support the President's attempt to overthrow the government of Saddam Hussein? ... If you ask a question like: do you support the dropping of powerful explosives upon the heads of totally innocent men, women and children, demolishing their homes and their schools and their hospitals, are you in favour of that? That would change the answers, I think, quite a bit.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: William Blum, “Killing Hope”, 1995
Poll wording shapes public opinion; framing violent actions as “support” reveals bias.
In simple terms: How questions affect answers.
Key Takeaway
Use neutral language in surveys.
Themes
politics
media
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- election polling
- policy debates
- media analysis
Key Concepts
framing effect
public opinion
Questions to Reflect On
- What impact does framing have on truth?
- How to design unbiased polls?
A Different Perspective
People may answer honestly if threats are removed.
