Using POLLS to create news

Has anyone noticed how the news media is using polls to create news? It's becoming more and more prominent as a way to create news AND to influence public opinion.

The first lie I saw today on a morning show was that because of gas prices, 50% of people have cancelled their plans for summer vacation. Who did they poll and why would anyone cancel summer trips they are planning to take in July and August in May? IT'S A LIE. What would be the purpose? I am not sure, but could it be a swipe at the gas companies? Republicans? President Bush? I'm sure they could not have polled enough people to be able to come to that conclusion.

If it's a swipe at high gas prices, then who is to blame? Media reports that Democrats are saying that it's because of the failed policy of the current administration. How? Democrats' pals, the environmentalists won't let us drill anywhere or build new refineries. Plus liberal policies have added a tax burden of over 50 cents a gallon in most states. Then we have all the gasoline blends the refineries need to produce to meet the emmission standards in each state. That has got to add to the cost. So how is this Bush's fault? Because he didn't repeal all the laws the Democrats have passed over the years (as if he could)? I blame extreme environmentalists for the high gas prices and so should you. Who are their pals? Republicans or Democrats? I'd bet they vote Democrat more than they vote Republican. But losers fix the blame, winners fix what caused the problems. So what's the solution? REPEAL THE GAS TAX, STANDARDIZE THE GASOLINE BLENDS, OPEN ANWR TO DRILLING and BUILD SOME NEW REFINERIES (lift the restrictions).

Then there's the endless polls about the war... who are the people they are polling and what is their expertise on running a war? And who cares? I want the US to win peace in the middle east. Don't you? I'll do more on this later, I'm sure. But I need to pack for a trip. NO, we haven't cancelled our plans because of high gas prices!!!

Mick O.