Blogs Talk Iraq, Rugs
One-quarter of the news links on blogs were about the war in Iraq. Nearly as many bloggers focused their attention on the new rug in the Oval Office.
Walking Away
Nearly six-in-ten Americans say it is “unacceptable” for homeowners to stop making their mortgage payments, but more than a third say the practice of “walking away” from a home mortgage is acceptable under certain circumstances. Homeowners whose home values declined during the recession and those who have spent time unemployed are more likely to say that “walking away” from a mortgage is acceptable.
Public Focused on Tensions over Islam
As the nation marked the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks last week, many in the public and the media focused more on current tensions over Islam in America.
Muslim Networks and Movements in Western Europe
The Muslim population in Western Europe has grown from less than 10 million in 1990 to approximately 17 million. A new report profiles some of the oldest, largest and most influential religious networks and movements affecting Islamic relations in Europe.
Mixed Views of GOP Proposals on Entitlements
While a majority of Americans favors allowing changes to Social Security, there is very little support for replacing Medicare with a voucher system. Also, the public continues to see no clear leader atop the GOP.
Rise of the ‘Apps Culture’
While cell phone apps are popular among a segment of the adult cell phone using population, a notable number of cell owners are not yet a part of the emerging apps culture. But those who do download and use apps do so fairly frequently. Popular apps include entertainment (games, music, etc.) as well as those that provide information (maps, weather).
Anti-Muslim Sentiment Makes News
Coverage of a pastor’s plans to burn the Koran and the controversy over the planned Islamic center completely overshadowed coverage of Sept. 11 commemorations.
A New Phase in Our Digital Lives
Some people describe it as The End of the Internet, though that is probably a misnomer. Others, at the risk of cliché, might call it News 3.0.
Americans Spending More Time Following the News
Americans are increasingly integrating new technologies into their news consumption habits. As a result, the average time spent with the news is as high as it was in the mid-1990s.
Bloggers Debate Growth of Government
Almost a third of the news links on blogs were to an article reporting that one-in-six Americans are on government assistance programs like Medicare.
