My thoughts??  This is absolutely a violation of the Bill of Rights, which is part of the United States Constitution!  Why does such research need to be done?  All a person has to do is to pick up a paper, magazine, or turn on the television or radio to know what is or isn't being reported and how it is being treated.  Do they think we are all dummies?  I, too, have a pen and a phone and I do know how to use them.