Soundings on the Right

Who could possibly quarrel with the basic freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution? Most Americans, according to a poll conducted by CBS News. A majority of the 1,136 people polled in a representative sampling of Americans in effect do not now support five of the ten protections of the Bill of Rights.

The attitudes emerged in the answers to questions that posed key provisions of the Bill of Rights in terms of contemporary issues:

> "As long as there appears to be no clear danger of violence, do you think any group, no matter how extreme, should be allowed to organize protests against the Government?" No, said 76%.

>"If a man is found innocent of a serious crime, but new evidence is uncovered later, do you think he should be tried again for the same crime?" Yes, said 58%.

> "If a person is suspected of a serious crime, do you think the police should be allowed to hold him in jail until they get enough evidence to officially charge him?" Yes, said 58%.

> "Except in time of war, do you think newspapers, radio and television should have the right to report any story, even if the Government feels it's harmful to our national interest?" No, said 55%.

> "Do you think everyone should have the right to criticize the Government, even if the criticism is damaging to our national interests?" No, said 54%.

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