Reply #17: This is a TERRIBLE poll...look at how they framed the question.

[keopeli]

First, they discuss 'feeling' rather than right and wrong.
Second, no follow-up demonstrating that information obtained by torture is often innacurate and unreliable.
Finally, the answer choices given are an odd number. That typically, if you want to remain "neutral" you can choose the middle option. Good polls use even numbers so the respondent has to choose sides.

In this case, the choices are

1. Often justified
2. Sometimes justified
3. Rarely justified
4. Never justified
5. Not sure.

With these options, the respondent has 4 chances to endorse some kind of torture or stay neutral, while there is only ONE chance to oppose torture (no. 4). Not surprisingly, the largest single percentage of respondents said torture is NEVER justified. But, someone who is uncertain has many different possible ways to alleviate their guilt or incertainty. They can say often, sometimes, rarely, or not sure.

God, I hate pollsters. They take good science and distort it deliberately.