Malkin: AP Buries Head(line) in the Sand

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.