On reading my blog below about Afghanistan and the opinion polls, a friend pointed me to the following clip from Yes Minister:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yhN1IDLQjo
Proving that there are lies, damned lies and statistics (or something like that Winston Churchill said).
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Afghanistan
We heard a few days ago about another of those public opinion polls - this time about the war in Afghanistan, done for the BBC's Politics Show. It was taken as the public's support for the war is declining. But then I had a look at the questions asked.
It was one of those "Do you agree or disagree with the statement" type of surveys. The first one was, I feel I have a good understanding of the purpose of Britain's mission in Afghanistan. 42% disagreed, which means they admit to not understanding the purpose of the mission. However, 64% agreed with, The war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. But how can that many say that when 42% don't understand the mission in the first place?
Another statement was, All British forces should be withdrawn from Afghanistan as quickly as possible and 63% agreed. But surely isn't that what everyone should want, whether or not they agree with the war? I can't see that says anything about whether people 'support' the war or not.
The lesson for me, Don't just listen to the 'spin'!
It was one of those "Do you agree or disagree with the statement" type of surveys. The first one was, I feel I have a good understanding of the purpose of Britain's mission in Afghanistan. 42% disagreed, which means they admit to not understanding the purpose of the mission. However, 64% agreed with, The war in Afghanistan is unwinnable. But how can that many say that when 42% don't understand the mission in the first place?
Another statement was, All British forces should be withdrawn from Afghanistan as quickly as possible and 63% agreed. But surely isn't that what everyone should want, whether or not they agree with the war? I can't see that says anything about whether people 'support' the war or not.
The lesson for me, Don't just listen to the 'spin'!
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