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January 2003 Poll #2
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January 2003 Poll #1
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Are the two US pilots charged with mistakenly killing Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan being treated fairly?
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Yes
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41%
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No
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42%
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Undecided
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17%
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Total votes: 152
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Should unmanned vehicles replace manned aircraft in combat?
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Yes
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29%
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No
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65%
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Undecided
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7%
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Total votes: 214
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Comment: The pilots feel that they are being railroaded out of deference to our Canadian allies, and
there is probably some truth to that claim. Nevertheless, the evidence that has come out seems to indicate
that they completely overreacted to the situation.
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Comment: Though unmanned aircraft may never be suitable for air-to-air combat, their potential
to attack ground targets with great precision will likely revolutionize air warfare over the next
decade.
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December 2002 Poll #2
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December 2002 Poll #1
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Should commercial aircraft be equipped to defend against portable surface-to-air missiles?
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Yes
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78%
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No
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16%
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Undecided
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6%
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Total votes: 174
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Should the US Navy continue building large aircraft carriers, smaller, less expensive carriers, or none at all?
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Large Carriers
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69%
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Small Carriers
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15%
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None
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13%
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Undecided
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3%
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Total votes: 144
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Comment: Although the prospect of terrorists armed with shoulder-launched missiles is a frightening
one, equipping airliners with countermeasures would probably be so ineffective that one could hardly
justify the enormous expense. Providing sufficient ground security in the immediate vicinity of airports
is really the only viable solution to this potential problem.
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Comment: While smaller aircraft carriers would offer advantages in cost, larger carriers have proven
time and again to be more survivable, more flexible, and more effective in providing the firepower needed
to sway the outcome of battle. Even the British, who made such effective use of
Harriers on smaller carriers during the Falklands War, have
concluded that larger carriers are far more preferable.
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November 2002 Poll #2
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November 2002 Poll #1
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If the US goes to war with Iraq, will US air power be more or less effective than it was in 1991?
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More
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66%
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Less
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21%
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No different
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9%
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Undecided
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3%
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Total votes: 149
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The Czech Republic is deciding on which new multi-role fighter to purchase. Which do you think they should select?
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Gripen
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51%
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F-16
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48%
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No opinion
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1%
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Total votes: 162
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Comment: Iraq has certainly had plenty of time to observe American combat tactics and develop
deceptive means to hide its equipment. However, the newer generation of US bombers equipped with
GPS-buided bombs and supported by advanced reconnaissance aircraft should be far more capable in making
precision strikes than was possible during the Gulf War.
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Comment: This one was a bit curious to watch. The F-16 started out with a massive lead, but was
eventually overtaken by the Gripen as voting drew to a close. Regardless, the F-16 would probably be the
more cost effective option given the nation's recent economic troubles.
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