I ran across the Gallup website while researching an op-ed today. If you’ve never flipped through their poll statistics, bookmark this page for the next time you want to procrastinate:

http://www.galluppoll.com/topics/

I’m amused by the various poll topics. They cover everything from abortion to Osama bin Laden to Work. It’s also striking that poll respondents named two of the hot button issues in politics — abortion and gay rights — as having “low urgency.” Note these two quotes:

“Of any issues tested, it [homosexuality] had the lowest importance for the 2004 presidential vote.”

“Abortion is not an important issue for most Americans.”

I know others have discussed this before, but it amazes me every time I hear it. The media (printed, visual, and virtual) has such power to shape the national dialogue, even when it contradicts our every day experience.

No conclusions, just that observation.