If a recent poll done by a New York state assemblyman is any indication, MMA is going to remain MM-Nay in the state. Assemblyman Bob Reilly (D) this past Friday released the results of a poll he commissioned to gauge the opinion of MMA among constituents in his district in the nation's third most populous state. 67% percent of the 468 New Yorkers surveyed said they are against legalizing the sport. Just 18% were for it.
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"The poll found overwhelming opposition to making mixed martial arts legal in New York State," Reilly stated in a press release announcing the poll results. "Of those surveyed, 67 percent said they opposed making MMA legal in New York. Just 18 percent said they supported making ultimate fighting legal."
The sample size is not large enough to be statistically significant, but that fact will be lost on many Empire State residents who learned of the results from Albany-based media.
Another interesting note from the survey is how the question was asked. Instead of posing a straightforward question, such as "Should MMA be allowed in New York?," the question was accompanied by the background information below that could have compromised the survey's objectivity.
"Ultimate fighting, or mixed martial arts, is currently banned in New York State. There is current debate whether ultimate fighting should be permitted statewide. Do you think ultimate fighting matches should be allowed in New York State?"
An independent poll may be better here. Internal polls can survey poorly with a one-dimensional sample or use leading questions in order to reinforce the poller's personal bias.
I do think, however, that 67-18 is pretty overwhelming; even if I'm dubious of the poller, it comes with a giant margin that can't be completely erased.
Last edited 2/23/09 11:27AM by lohmann Edit note/reason: n/a
Damn. To use the word "Banned" in the background info certainly would have a negative connotation and probably scare most of the people. There is no "banning" - only what's legally approved and what's not.
Last edited 2/23/09 12:07PM by scoozna Edit note/reason: n/a
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The first question I have about that poll is how was the sample taken? Did he stand outside a tea shop in Greenwich Village asking how people felt about allowing banned human cockfighting?
Last edited 2/23/09 12:20PM by ncordless Edit note/reason: n/a
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Not sure what district he represents in the state, but that's where:
among constituents in his district
_______________________________________ “Believe in yourself. Believe in your own potential for greatness. Believe that you can change the world. It is something that is within each of us.” – Evan Tanner 1971-2008
"Be better than you think you can be. Don't quit two minutes before the miracle. Believe."-Charles "Mask" Lewis
And what is "ultimate fighting"? Never heard of it.
I can hear Dana's response to this now: "That motherf*****. That guy, goes and takes a f**** poll, and he asks a f****** stupid ass question and the idiots vote f***** "NO!". Now we're f****** set back 6 months in New f****' York. I can't f****' believe it.
Last edited 2/23/09 1:12PM by scoozna Edit note/reason: n/a
_______________________________________ When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. - Thomas Jefferson
Nature has made up her mind that what cannot defend itself shall not be defended. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Its all good if NY doesn't want MMA than so be it its their loss. They are losing money in more ways than one. Its funny because NY is big sports state and they are shunning the fastest growing sport in the world.
I live in the next district over from the sample. The sample consists of Colonie, Clifton Park, and Halfmoon (Albany + Saratoga counties). These are for the most part upper middle class areas, and I believe that the age demographics are probably outside of MMA's target audience. I live in Schenectady County and will be sending letters to both assemblymen from my district (letters are more effective than email, its worth the stamp), elaborating OUR position on MMA in NY state.
I encourage all people who are literate to get together a piece of paper, an envelope, and one stamp and send a LETTER to your local assemblymen/women. Local politicians are much more sympathetic to the whims of their constituents than the upper levels of politics and their ivory towers. If the bill can gain some momentum in the assembly than it could be passed statewide.
Bombard your local assembly representative, even speak to them in person. Most will speak to any constituent if you schedule an appointment with them.
