3% of Americans are Psycho

Not that I should be surprised at the results, but World Public Opinion.org reports that recent polls taken around the world show that in 14 of 18 countries, the public opposes “taking sides” in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the public in three countries — Egypt, Iran and Turkey — favors supporting the Palestinians, and the public in one — India — is evenly divided.

The numbers for America, where we should know better, were especially depressing. 71% of those polled opposed taking sides. 21% favored support for Israel, and 3% favored support for the Palestinians. I suppose I can see not wanting to take sides for practical (as opposed to moral) reasons, and I sure hope that was the rationale of most of that 71%. If most opposed taking sides because they view the protagonists as morally equivalent, we are in worse trouble than I thought.

At least in the USA, I can console myself that Israel beat the Palestinians 7-to-1 among those who expressed a preference. In most of the European countries polled, they proved that their moral compasses remain severely out of whack, with France, the U.K., and Spain all registering hefty majoprtities for the Palestinians among those registering a preference. Russia and Ukraine’s preference-staters were evenly divided.

One of the subheads in the article reads, “Publics Support Even-Handed Approach to Conflict.” Sure. I’ve got to think that supporters of an “even-handed approach” would favor the same approach if we were able to bring Hitler and Mother Theresa back and have them go at it.

I have to wonder a little about the methodology. The numbers in some countries add up to far less than 100%.

Hat tip: Hot Air.