Michelle Malkin takes issue with an AP headline that downplays some frightening numbers in a new poll of Muslim attitudes towards suicide bombing. (updates posted below)
"Most U.S. Muslims reject suicide bombings," AP reports.
Here's what should be headlined from the article about a new Pew poll (which you can find here):
Headline:"One in four younger U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances..."
Headline:While nearly 80 percent of U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings of civilians to defend Islam can not be justified, 13 percent say they can be, at least rarely.
That sentiment is strongest among those younger than 30. Two percent of them say it can often be justified, 13 percent say sometimes and 11 percent say rarely.
"It is a hair-raising number," said Radwan Masmoudi, president of the Washington-based Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, which promotes the compatibility of Islam with democracy.
Substitute "Christian" for "Muslim" and "suicide bombing" for "abortion clinic bombing" and you can imagine the headlines would not be so bland.
Update (12:53 EDT): The headline in the first story Malkin links to, "Most U.S. Muslims..." now reads "Some US Muslims justify suicide attacks." As I'm writing this the posting time stamped at top of the AP article says "50 minutes ago or 12:03 EDT. Malkin blogged her item at 11:42 EDT.
Update 2 (15:04 EDT): Noel Sheppard has a followup item about the evolving headline. He also links to Little Green Footballs, which is also tracking the story.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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Well obviously the first he
May 22, 2007 - 12:02 ET by balboaWell obviously the first headline didn't induce enough people to crap their pants. I hope Malkin's happy.
The complaint is that the MSM
May 22, 2007 - 12:10 ET by mattmThe complaint is that the MSM sugar-coats its portrayal of Islam, which may prevent people from crapping their pants, but will also give them a false sense of security...
Hey Bal, just like you said
May 22, 2007 - 12:11 ET by sarcasmoHey Bal, just like you said Mika yesterday, Michelle was just trying to put some personality into the story! What's the big deal? Heh heh heh. Now you're supposed to not-care just as much as with Mika, right?? I had no idea it would be less than 24 hours before I got to do this to you! :)
JMR
I don't know if Malkin's tr
May 22, 2007 - 12:13 ET by balboaI don't know if Malkin's trying to inject some personality as much as cry "WOLF!" constantly until she actually does so for a worthy reason.
But I was expecting "t
May 22, 2007 - 12:14 ET by sarcasmoBut I was expecting "the same lack of concern" as with Mika, like you promised! What gives??
JMR
I'm not so much concerned a
May 22, 2007 - 12:40 ET by balboaI'm not so much concerned as I'm just generally annoyed. :-)
I sure wouldn't write an article about it on my anti-Newsbusters diar-- blog, I meant blog.
What scare tactics?
May 22, 2007 - 13:49 ET by EllisWyattI don't see what basis you have to attack Malkin here.
This is the opening paragraph of the AP article:
"WASHINGTON - One in four younger U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances, though most Muslim Americans overwhelmingly reject the tactic and are critical of Islamic extremism and al-Qaida ... "
"Some US Muslims justify suicide attacks" is a much more accurate portrayal of the substance of the article than "Most U.S. Muslims reject suicide bombings".
Malkin didn't take any quotes out of context to make those quoted in the article appear worse than they are. I don't see her using any scare tactics in her article.
If you're not outraged at the media, you haven't been paying attention.
I'm not saying she took any
May 22, 2007 - 13:54 ET by balboaI'm not saying she took anything out of context. I just think she likes to play up the more extreme nature of any story, in an attempt to freak people out.
"in an attempt to freak
May 22, 2007 - 15:36 ET by general company"in an attempt to freak people out".
Ya mean like Al? Let me ask you a question, do you ever listen to what the Jihadist say? Seems to me the last time we ignored them, it cost us 4 plane loads of innocent people and 2 and a piece of right nice buildings full of more innocent folks. It's not like the Dems or MSM are talking about it. Quite the contrary.
The point, balboa, is that
May 22, 2007 - 16:09 ET by motherbeltThe point, balboa, is that the media can take the same number, and make it sound like a great proportion or small. For instance, if the headline says "One in Four Muslims OK Suicide Attacks" , it gives the impression that that is a significant amount. However, if the headline says "Most Muslims Against Suicide Attacks" and the story says "however, one if four sanction suicide attacks..." it makes the one in four seem like a real minority.
I once read a story about cancer, and it said "a cancer so serious that one in five people who get it will die." Now a cancer with an 80% survival rate sounds much better, don't you think? But saying "serious" and "one in five will die" makes that proportion sound more serious.
I realize the differences are subtle, but they're meant to be.
The point, balboa, is that th
May 22, 2007 - 17:37 ET by balboaThe point, balboa, is that the media can take the same number, and make it sound like a great proportion or small.
Ditto for Malkin.
The dumbing of a society..
May 22, 2007 - 12:15 ET by Gary HallThe dumbing of a society... These results in the Pew poll, I find extremely disheartening.
OK, OK. It was probably the Norwegians.
.
Those sneaky Vikings!Help a w
May 22, 2007 - 12:19 ET by Clear thinkerThose sneaky Vikings!
Help a wounded soldier here...
http://newsbusters.org/node/12877
Shhhhh...you guys know that w
May 22, 2007 - 12:42 ET by jpatchShhhhh...you guys know that we can't talk about Muslims blowing people up!! It's totally un-PC, and it belies the religion of peace. Beside, I never heard about any Muslims killing anyone in the name of religion. Don't you guys ever watch "The View?" 9/11 was the work of the CIA. Get a clue people.
Here's a stat that I wish were true: 100% of Americans polled believe that radical Islam is the single-biggest threat to global peace, and that there isn't enough outcry from the moderate Muslims against jihad.
Hmmmm, I wonder why there's a lack of outcry against jihad...Muslims think it's justified!!! WOW.
Tell it like it is!
May 22, 2007 - 12:32 ET by Six String Spiff"No rules of engagement,this enemy hides
Amongst women and children
And to beat violence, you must ignore the focus groups
You must send in the Mossad, turn of the BBC,CNN
And don't look back
Rest assured there'll be no more Middle Eastern crisis,hell!
There'll be no more Middle East!
These are your people Lady Liberty
Pull up your dress today
And tattooed is "property of The USA
A subsidiary of Halliburton"
Surprise?!
But a roaring lion is about to be unleashed on earth.
Hey,Jihad Joe? Guess what? We're coming to get you!"
Well said Dave.. Well said
Islam should have it's religious status revoked until it can prove it's not a hate group.
"One in four younger U.S
May 22, 2007 - 12:55 ET by general company"One in four younger U.S. Muslims say suicide bombings to defend their religion are acceptable at least in some circumstances..."
By all means "defend your religion" (blow yourselves up). Just leave us out of it.Good point and ideal recommen
May 22, 2007 - 14:13 ET by Gat New YorkGood point and ideal recommendation.