NEW YORK Even as surveys register Americans grieving deeply, yet girding sternly, for a War on Terror following the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, specific results need to be seen in context, according to nonpartisan, nonprofit Public Agenda's new Web resource on terrorism and public opinion. Current polling results reflect sorrow, anger and the public's effort to grasp unfamiliar issues. Public Agenda has been providing a unique overview and analysis of survey results from respected polling organizations since the attacks.

The Special Edition on Terrorism and Public Opinion at www.publicagenda.org synthesizes the latest polls and explores what they may mean, putting American reactions and policy options into context for policymakers and the general public. Polling data will be updated regularly for the foreseeable future, and the Web site provides key facts on related issues and links to organizations providing information on terrorism, aviation safety, emergency management, international relations, Afghanistan, Islam, and Arab Americans.

Profound Sorrow and Anger

The guide's public opinion section notes that 70 percent of Americans surveyed by Gallup admit to weeping over the terrorist attacks. A massive 88 percent of Americans say the U.S. should take military action against those responsible, yet 73 percent of those favoring an attack are also willing to wait until specific culprits are identified, according to Gallup/CNN/USA Today research. In a Princeton Survey Research/Newsweek poll, three-quarters say tighter airport security is the most effective strategy in preventing similar terrorist attacks here.

Clearly, Americans' grief is profound and their resolve is real, says Jean Johnson, director of programs, Public Agenda. Yet for those very reasons, policymakers should be careful about taking every survey result literally, particularly those involving proposals people may not have thought about carefully.

For example, several public opinion questions show the public's fear and frustration, with 58 percent saying Arabs should undergo special security checks before boarding planes and 49 percent saying they should carry special identification, according to Gallup/CNN/USA Today research.

Yet other polls suggest this may be a surface reaction. A Newsweek question that specifically mentioned the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II found 62 percent of Americans saying it would be a mistake to target any national group. And 90 percent in the CBS/New York Times poll said it was likely that immigrants from the Middle East will be singled out unfairly.

Critical Decisions in Context

As Americans mourn the more than 5,000 dead or missing in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, they are faced with choices that would be difficult even in better times: How can the nation protect itself? How can it pursue justice? What do we do to recover?

In its Special Edition on Terrorism and Public Opinion, Public Agenda has drawn together resources to shed light on both public opinion and policy decisions surrounding this tragedy, including:

• A regularly updated analysis of public opinion surveys from major polling organizations on key issues like support for a military strike, security and civil liberties, and attitudes toward Arabs and Muslims.
• A fact file on terrorism.
• An overview examining the nation's current crisis in context.
• Resources to find out more about terrorism, aviation safety, emergency management, international relations, Afghanistan, Islam, and Arab Americans.

Public Agenda, based in New York, joins with all Americans in expressing our deepest sympathy to the victims and their families.

Visitors to www.publicagenda.org can register for a weekly e-mail alert about special edition updates and news about other policy matters and Public Agenda publications.

Public Agenda, located in New York City, is well respected for its influential public opinion polls and its balanced citizen education materials. Founded in 1975 by Cyrus R. Vance, the former U.S. secretary of state, and Daniel Yankelovich, the social scientist and author, its mission is to inform leaders about the public's views and to inform citizens about government policy.