Poll: Many Americans Feel Less Safe

Five Years After 9/11, Many Feel Terror Threat Has Grown

(CBS)  Do Americans feel safer now than before 9/11? For many, the answer is no, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll.

Fifty-four percent of Americans say they generally feel safe, but 46 percent say they feel somewhat uneasy or in danger.

Compared with five years ago, 39 percent of Americans say they feel less safe now, compared with only 14 percent who say they feel safer. Forty-six percent say they feel the same.

More also say the threat of terrorism has grown since 9/11 than said so a year ago. Forty-one percent say the threat has increased since the attacks, an 11 percent jump from last year. Just 14 percent say the threat has decreased, while 43 percent say the threat has not changed.

How safe do you feel compared to five years ago?

More Safe
14%
Less Safe
39%
Same
46%

Also, by a four-to-one margin (48 percent to 12 percent), Americans think the war in Iraq has made the threat of terrorism against the United States worse rather than better.

Five years after 9/11, most Americans say life has returned to the way it was before the attacks, at least in part. However, some behavior has changed: One in four Americans say they are less likely to fly now, and one in five are less likely to attend large events with thousands of people.

Has life in America returned to what it was before the 9/11 attacks?

Mostly Returned
28%
Somewhat Returned
48%
Has Not Returned
23%

Nearly one in four people say they still feel nervous and edgy. Women are more likely than men to say their behavior has been affected.

Both the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan are viewed as having created breeding grounds for terrorists. Fifty-four percent say the wars have created more terrorists, while just 15 percent say they've eliminated terrorists.

There's also increased pessimism about the overall war on terrorism, with 21 percent — the highest number ever — saying the terrorists are winning. Thirty-six percent say the United States is winning and 38 percent say neither side is winning.

Fewer than half of Americans are confident the United States will capture Osama bin Laden, the man believed responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

Still, a majority of Americans, 55 percent, say they approve of how President Bush is handling the war on terror — his highest rating in more than a year, but a sharp decrease from December 2001, when 90 percent approved.

About half of those polled say Bush administration policies have made America safer, but one in four say they've made the United States less safe. A similar number say they've had no effect.

One explanation for that skepticism may be that nearly half of Americans don’t think terrorism is a problem a president can do much about.

Americans are split on how prepared the United States is to deal with another terrorist attack: 49 percent think the country is prepared, 43 percent think it is not. Americans are especially worried about a potential biological or chemical attack — 73 percent say the United States is not prepared for that.

The number of Americans who say another attack on the United States is likely has dropped to 59 percent, down from a high of 78 percent in the weeks after 9/11. People in the Northeast, where the attacks on the World Trade Center occurred, are the most concerned that their area will be targeted, while those in the Midwest are the least concerned.

Nearly six in 10 say the government has not done all it could to make the country safe from future attacks.

For detailed information on how CBS News conducts public opinion surveys, click here.

The poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 1206 adults, interviewed by telephone August 17-21, 2006. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus three percentage points for results based on the complete sample.

[vallygreaser]

60% do not think terror threat has grown. This despite the constant propganda. Very encouraging news when you look past the spin and decipher it.

[cbsisdoodoo]

Who in the USA feels more safe now than BEFORE 9/11/01 (Back when we didn't even feel threatened)? And almost half feel the same as before 9/11/01..? whatever

I, aspiring for TRUTH, would have trashed these stats after reading that.

And so this carries on the CBS tradition of slanted reporting... any chance that will change, ever?

Bubear is right on - hear him hear him!

One of the conclusions of your poll is that women are more likely than men to say their behavior has been affected.

Please provide what percentage of poll respondents were women.

[gregsalamon4]

where are the actual poll results? why can't they put a link up? 48% think iraq has made it worse, they never mention 40% think it's the same or even put it in bar format...lame

[sunsta]

No wonder everyone calls you "See BS".

[dipperdap]

I love to see CBS make up news!!!! It like they still have ole Dan in the back cranking out "facts" as fast as he can Type!!!! It's just more of the same.....

[joshualander]

Ah, yes, dissent. Isn't it fabulous? This is why I love America. Of course, ABC isn't such a fan of our country, or the freedoms we enjoy here: when Americans began dissenting against ABC's new mockumentary on the network's blog, they deleted it %u2014 along with the comments! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/9/4/225524/4582

[mediabias]

What a worthless poll - OF COURSE we all felt safer before 9/11 - WE WERE IGNORANT of the THREAT. The difference is whether you now believe the Democratic Left Wing wackos like Michael Moore who plainly stated during the 2004 election "THERE IS NO TERRORIST THREAT". Even though any sane person would honestly feel less safe today - the best defense is a good offense. Hunting down and killing as many of these islamofascists as President Bush is doing may not be as easy as trying to pretend the threat is gone, but it IS the best course of action for our country. There is nothing we have done that we should have to apologize for to these thugs, and nothing short of grinding them down over the next few years will ever make us truly safe again. CBS and the "Blame America" crowd they run with just do not get it.

[jonahemery-2009]

I believe the results of this poll. Everytime I fly I feel anxious about whether some terrorist is going to end my life so he can live out some fundamentalist religious delusion. It's not enough anxiety to stop me from living, but it's in the back of my mind.

[petzlclimber]

I feel somewhat unsafe when flying, but I think thats why we need to do the same thing as Tel Aviv and profile people. Besides that how can you feel safe in cities around the US when we let anybody and everybody in?

[jruncie]

Should it be any surprise that CBS and New York Times would come out with a poll reflecting negatively on our nation? Everyone knows that CBS and the New York times are joined at the hip in a treasoneous attempt to bring the downfall of the United States as we now know it. I think it is time for an investigation into the anti-U.S. collusion that exist today in the TV and print media.

[qcdpjp]

Poll numbers, like statistics can be manipulated to say what you want. Your headline that more Americans feel less safe belies the numbers.

More Safe
14%
Less Safe
39%
Same
46%

Feeling safe = 46 +14 = 60% Less safe 39%.
The headline should have read 'Most Americans feel safe...'
That some are nervous, that the threat of terror in the US has increased is all part of fighting a war. We should be wary and nervous because attempts are being made to kill us. The Iraq war fended off much of the threat. Imagine the polls without the Iraq war!!!!
A pity CBS and other media outlets are wanting to cause fear and trepidation among he people by their misleading headlines and warped outlook. No attacks since 9/11. CBS never uses this as a headline. I wonder why? Perhaps it does not increase ratings?

[habook]

you and your liberal views. the poll is bs I know I feel safer with republicans and less safe with democrats. I feel that the liberal media is willing to hurt american interest just to hurt Bush. Shame on you thats why you guys are losing everything. keep trying

[habook]

LOL at you company going out of business. Go ahead and aid our enemy like the NYT. I believe in nothing that you guys write . So go ahead and lie american freedom dies. Osama binliberal

[perrygt-2009]

Of course people feel less safe than before 911. Before 911 terroism was a nuisance for most Americans who generally felt secure. 911 caused a everyone to wake up to the real threat and subsequently now people feel less safe because they realize the kind of destruction terroism can bring to everyday Americans. It has nothing to do with this administration's safeguards, its simply that people have to worry about things they did not worry about before 911.

[plratlanta]

Today it seems every TV report about the 5th anniversary of 9/11 incites a "political" debate & argument. Immediately following that we have all the polls & surveys thrown in our face. Why are we at war with each other over 9/11 and any mention of the "war on terrorism?"

Why does the media have so little respect for the Amerian people? I believe the "divisions" are their addiction and they are stuck on exploiting & reporting them as though we are in a constant political campaign.

My adult children & grandchildren gathered on a large sectional sofa in my daughter's family room the afternoon of 9/11/01. We carefully watched the TV coverage and for the first time the adults were more afraid than the children.

We were very careful what we said because because the children were listening. In our big American family why do we not care that the children are
listening to our name calling and shouting?

I saw the U.S. Congressmen & women sing "God Bless America" on the steps of the Capitol building. Because everyone loved each other on that day & the few days to follow I believed we were in good hands.

My mother (80) has been brainwashed by the news & political pundits whom she agrees with. She recently told me "we not really attacked on 9/11 - not the entire country - they bombed one of those buildings when Clinton was president."

[roger92156]

Is it any wonder that the respondents of this poll are negative? When all that most of these people have been fed for so long are negative views of the war and the brutally biased and abusive news coverage of George W. Bush? The mission of the left is nothing short of the total destruction of George W. Bush, period. National security be damned- they despise this man so much that they would welcome another 9/11 if it made W look bad. The Democratic Party and left wing media in this country are a national disgrace and one day history will judge them accordingly. I only hope and pray it will not be too late when this happens.
So the original question- Are we safer? Let's see. Obviously heightened awareness among the general public is a good thing. The blissful pre-9/11 ignorance is, or should be gone. We now have air marshals, secured cockpit doors, increased surveillance of potential terrorist activity (much to the chagrin of the ACLU and the Clintonistas). Need I go on? Of course we are safer now.

Now stop stacking the deck to achieve anti-Bush poll results and face the reality of this post 9/11 world. Leadership in a time of crisis is what we need. Not the appeasement of the 1960's flower child mentality (I was one, by the way). We all want peace but be realistic for Christ's sake!

[graduate06]

39% of Americans is NOT the majority and should not be reported as if it is. To title this article "Many Americans feel less safe" is a lie and the article should be about the majority of Americans feeling safe. Liberal views are not what reprting news is about. It's about reporting the truth. Stick to the news and leave making opinions to the public.

[haaker123]

Who did CBS poll all democrats and Minorities? This is another pure BS story/poll made up by make believe media . No one in their right mind would think a cut and and run surrender monkey 1969 party of the democrats will protect this country, this is 2006 and the media and the Dem's are in 1969 smoking dope calling cops pigs, and spitting on our soldiers returning from war! CBS is pure BS, in Nov you loose 20 seats in the house and 4-5 seats in the senate including Lieberman who wins by 10% of yuppie scum Lamont, You can't make things up and think that people will trust you! Katie Couric is a joke, 1 week her numbers go so low she will be lower than MSNBC! Liberalism is dead, that's why demo craps will loose election after election! CBS CNN ABC NBC all are on DNC talking points, and it is not cutting it on TV! One question what do democrats have as a plan, and what do the stand for? Is Dean as stupid as he apears?

[tmoscynskijr-2009]

Does anyone feel safer after 9/11? They shouldn't. While I feel the government does a much better job than prior to that fateful day, it may be years before I feel "safe". If, I ever do. I do know that as long as these IslamoFascists are coddled by the appeasers and the fearful, the entire world will not be safe. Fascist is a perfect description by the way, look it up.

[j-whitman]

Why should we feel safer? Our borders are still wide open,, our ports not secure,, Katrina still not resolved,, Our 9/11 Hero's are dying with little government aid,, a half a stick of dynamite got through on our airlines in the baggage,, our airport puffers pulled out of action,, the entire Middle-East in chaos,, our Nation's people losing thier homes & health care,,
Get The Picture?

[sauxier]

Do I feel safer? No...Do I feel more expendible? Yes...and actually, that's a good feeling. Whoda thunk it?

[davecatbone]

Acknowledge that Islamic Jihadism seeks world domination at the least, the end of the world at the most, and we should be afraid. But I'm more afraid of the enemies within our country. Liberalism would destroy our way of life.

[toneii]

The Bush apologists are concerned with one thing - defending their personality cult leader from critical examination.

The rest of us are concerned the state of our nation and our world.

[toneii]

"Liberalism would destroy our way of life"

This is the most laughable lie that Bush cult members have been fed.

Did the Liberalism of Jesus destroy our way of life?

[doylebevis]

CBS,Why cant you just tell the truth,The title of this article should read "MOST PEOPLE FEEL SAFER"Here you go again "NICE TRY"

[notbuynit]

Bush is a charlatan. He pulls his puppet boogeyman (UBL) out of the bag only when he needs a lift for his party or poll numbers.

Just a couple years ago he said he did not know where UBL is and really didn't spend that much time on him. We have all seen that video.

Americans are not all the idiots that the Republicans think we are. This cry wolf act is getting really old at this point. If Bush really cared about Bin Laden, he would have been dead a long time ago. Bush needs Bin Laden, he is nothing at all without him.

[qwerty996]

How dare you compare the "liberalism" of Christ to today's liberalism. The 1st commandment of today's liberalism is to hate Christianity.

Toneii, you are the most foolish of fools...

On a side note, this article is misleading.

It says "feel safer than BEFORE 9/11". Of course no one feels safer than BEFORE 9/11.

The question should be do we feel safer now then we did in October 2001.

We were all snuggled up in our comfortable beds of decadence back during the Clinton years. For those of us with eyes (conservatives), 9/11 was a wake up call. Time to climb out of bed with Monica, straighten up, stand up tall, and strap on your peacemaker.

Too bad B.J. Clinton was too busy hiding Monica under his desk to go after Bin Laden when he had the chance.

[plebney]

Another misleading "Are we safer than before 9/11" poll, premised on the idea that terrorism is a steady state, on or off phenomenon, rather than the growing and spreading worldwide cancer we all see in front of us. The correct way to ask this question is "Are we safer than WE WOULD HAVE BEEN" had Bush's anti-terror program not been implemented.

[joepat6]

what makes me feel unsafe is CBS biased news reporting hurting the USA .

[ratman617]

I feel just as "safe" now as I did before 9/11. If someone wants me dead badly enough, there is a good chance that I will die. Until that time arrives, if ever, I choose to walk in freedom without seeing a potential terrorist in every shadow. My core beliefs are not "safety first," but rather "live free or die." While we should of course maintain reasonable vigilance it's time that all of us stop taking our freedom for granted. I would much rather live in freedom than exist in some cowering "security." Apparently I am in the minority. More is the pity.

[tshockey2]

You want me to believe a CBS/NYTIMES POLL ???
You must be insane===liberals will one day destroy this country and of course blame the Bush
administration. What a pathetic bunch of morons

[patrick462]

Considering the source of this poll, it is not surprising that the results support the defeatist, anti-American views of the pollsters. CBS and the New York Times are more concerned with selling air time and newsprint than they are with supporting their country in our war against islamofascism. But the American people are conducting their own poll vis a vis CBS and the New York Times. An example: CBS has desperately jazzed up its news coverage by interjecting Katie Couric into its nightly dog-and-pony show. But less viewers are watching CBS network news than five years ago and even less are buying the New York Times newspaper. People simply are sick and tired of the anti-American defeatism portrayed by CBS and the New York Times.

[avgeno]

I love it....all these right wing fools out there today bashing the left. They must come out of their caves on Thursdays. We should take joy in their presence...it shows they are scared of whats coming....scared of what Novembers going to bring to their like. Let them rant on...it's fear thats talking.....now the rules are going to change and all the lies, corruption and gamesmenship are going to be exposed for what it really is. They are afraid, and it's about time.

[foobarbaz-2009]

Your bias shows in your headline.

Many Americans feel less safe.

By the data posted, 60% feel as safe or safer compared to 5 years ago.

Only 39 % feel less safe.

Your headline leads one to believe the opposite of the truth, presented by your own data...

[trewblusue]

We,the world population, should feel less safe 5 years after 9/11. Have we all not been terrorized by the terrorists. It doesn't matter who is President of this country, or any other country, for that matter...terrorism is a worldwide problem. Until, and unless, the world powers join forces and eliminate terrorist cells, we, the world, will never be safe. This is like no other war any country has ever fought. Patriotism from every country, instead of politics, sure would go a long way to help thwart terrorism. That would include our American press. I'm embarrassed by their lack of patriotism.

[onanite]

Oh brother the neo-Nazi right wing is out in force this morning. Too bad they are unable to read a headline. "Many Americans feels less safe."

Unlike Faux News, CBS has a balanced report here, simple arithmetic. Low IQ folks just don't get it. They will be really confused this November.

[tpsaw]

Look who conducted the poll. CBS. Enough said.

[caslonbold]

@bubear (and others) - Your logic is flawed. Just because 46% of Americans feel the same now doesn't mean they all felt safe five years ago. It only means their sense of security hasn't changed.

Within that sub-group of people who answered "same," if as few as 28% of them felt unsafe five years ago then it would be true that MOST Americans feel less secure now.

However, the polling question was framed precluded deducing the composition of the group who answered "same." So really we cannot determine from this poll whether *most* Americans feel safe or *most* Americans feel less safe. We can only note the trend, and the trend is toward less safe.

[mbreal]

I feel unsafe only because of the New York Times reporting stories about how we are tracking the terrorists!
And what the hell is avgeno talking about? Bashing the left? It's bashing the media... and if they are the left so be it

[geemichael]

Less Safe???? I think not, more in tune with the fragility of life, more aware of our vulnerability, more conscious of how rough life is, yes! I had a dear friend whos mother caught on fire and was severely burned and near death, this moreso than any war event made me aware of how fragile life is. I've slowed down on my driving, I've less pollyanna and more protective of my own life. But we should all be that way anyway for a split second can be the difference between life and death. No time not to be on guard, but plenty of time for regret if we aren't watchful. Fear no, respect for life and health, you bet.

[drsellers1]

More people feel safe than not but thats not the headline. Just like many Americans feel the Dems are going to take power back. DREAM ON!

[millitzer]

HEADLINE ---- 5,000 KILLED ON TUESDAY --- I don't want that headline --- personally I like success.

The US is safer than 5 years ago. There have been ZERO attacks on US soil. The government is doing a great job. The problem is secrecy (which by the way I think is good not bad). The government needs to keep secrets, does not need to telegraph its knowledge to our enemies. I really doubt that America needs to know the play by play action of the many successes that have occurred. Success, and the secrets of success in many ways makes one think nothing is being done.

[bullwyf]

As Americans we have lived safely under the blanket of freedom and protection provided by the sacrifices of those who served and those who serve today in our military. The fight in Iraq is currently being used by the Democrats as an anti-war battle cry, this is an attrocity. The war is not only necessary it's effective. We have managed to lead all the terrorist nut jobs into one fairly central location and are doing a pretty *** good job of emliminating them on foreign soil.
Look they came over here and killed 3,000 of our people for what? For being Americans or for believeing the way we believe. What the Democrats would have us do is simply point our fingers at them, have worthless, meaningless negotiations and depend upon an obviously crooked UN to create a solution. We are winning the war on terror and will do so, we will also become safer with every passing day, although sooner or later a terrorist will make it through. After all they are willing to die to kill us and the Democrats aren't even willing to use force to try and stop them?

[mldetch]

It amazes me how the results of this poll are framed. Why not say that more than 75 % feel that things have gone back to before 9/11, which the poll reveals. No we all have to be captive to the 25% and the Polster's bias. No wonder CBS is losing viewer ship at an unprecedented rate. WAKE UP AND TELL THE TRUTH THAT YOUR OWN POLLS SHOW!!!

[ccmm002]

It's a total trick question. Of course people are going to feel less secure AFTER 9/11. It's like asking someone "do you feel more or less at risk of getting aids back in the 50's? Before the aids virus even cam around. The rue question should be "do you feel more or less secure from 9/12 compared to today. Before 9/11 (which is what the question asked) people didn't think about terrorism much. See how pollsters work? A few hidden ajendas and boom, you have the answer you want.

[ncknight05]

CBS..you democrat puppets still wont report the news..you would rather put an anti Bush slant to it. Case in point the above article. The information in the artcile says that 54% surveyed feel safe..but you choose to use the minority 46% that dont feel safe as your headline to the article. I look forward to the day that another Dan Rather scandal exposes you for what you are....liars.

Sincerely
Ric Starnes
Concord,NC

[haltura]

One of the first things Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler did when they took power was to discredit the legitimate press (or destroy if need be), acadamia, and even past military heros who could garner respect and represent truth over blinded power.

Stalin, Mussolini and Hitler also controlled a.m. radio with propaganda 24/7. Anytime 'logic' would appear, they would launch their 'storm troopers'; these were mostly 'marshmellow thugs' who hid behind clubs and weapons (or darkness of night) and would do anybodies bidding for a meager emotional handout and a pat on the head.

Hopefully, this retro-summer of 1939 is coming to an end. Where is Edward R Morrow when we need him.

[mnvrchvy]

I agree with ccmm002. This question is silly. People SHOULD feel less safe now no matter how good our security is. Now we know what these crazies are determined to do and the sacrifices they will make to do it. I'm all for civil rights but this nation is so anal about not accepting the slightest inconvenience that we are leaving ourselves wide open. There is no way to completely assure no terrorism in the United States simply because of our good nature, and this is all that this poll reflects. I would be very concerned if a vast majority of Americans said they felt completely safe because that is the infamous "pre-911 mentality" that we hear so much about. I don't get why CBS frames this poll in the negative. Well... nevermind...

[crdrd]

What a stupid poll. Who cares how safe we "feel". The people lost in the twin towers felt safe on 9/10. Thye were wrong. The correct question is "Are we safer now than we were on 9/11?" and the answer has to be "Yes".