Poll finds a united U.S. Poll, finds, united

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Poll finds a united U.S.

　

America is united. Like no other event in recent history—not the bombing in Oklahoma City, the war in the Persian Gulf or even President Kennedy's assassination—last week's terrorist attacks have forged a common sense of purpose among Americans. Pollsters and psychologists say the patriotic pulling together and the willingness to sacrifice are unlike anything seen since World War II. But the attacks have also raised strong suspicions among many Americans about Arabs and Arab-Americans. That has prompted many to favor dramatic actions to monitor those ethnic groups.

　　A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll of 1,032 adults taken Friday and Saturday showed:

　　Overwhelming support for a military response even if it were to cost thousands of U.S. troops' lives, last months or years and require revival of the military draft. Tim Salan, 22, of Daytona Beach, Fla., says he would "sign up in a minute" for the draft. "Anything it takes," he says of finding those responsible and punishing them.

　　Strong support for a long war, even if it meant less spending on education, Social Security and other popular programs, an increase in taxes and a prolonged recession.Some even want to give back money to the government. "I'm willing to return my () tax refund," says C.O. Williams, 33, a registered nurse from Thurmont, Md. "Let's put it to use in ending this so my child doesn't have to worry about it in the future."

　　A deep, profound sense that the country needs to pull together and that now's the time to reach out to family, friends and neighbors. The percentages of people who say they've prayed, showed more affection to loved ones, displayed a flag and attended memorial services are sky-high.

　　Support among almost three in five, 58%, for requiring all Arabs, including U.S. citizens, to undergo special and more intense security screening before boarding planes to help prevent terrorist attacks.

　　And Americans are split when asked if Arabs and Arab-Americans should carry some form of special identification.

　　The fact that the country is pulling together has been noticed. President Bush said Sunday, "We've never seen this kind of evil before. But the evildoers have never seen the American people in action before either, and they are about to find out."