Dissent Is American - Political Forum

CHUQ · #1 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 06:43 AM

There are many people in this country, and in this administration, who claim that those who have opposed the invasion of Iraq are unpatriotic (at best) and treasonous (at worst). Indeed, the USA PATRIOT Act, passed unanimously by Congress, stipulates penalties for criticism of the government. Patriotism, to the framers of the act, means supporting the decisions of our political leaders and that dissent is un-American. Protestors at presidential appearances have been routinely herded into “free speech zones” where their signs and slogans are only seen by the encircling cordon of police. This in spite of the fact that there is no mention in the Constitution that free speech is to be confined to a zone. Pretty soon cars will be sporting retro-sixties “America: Love it or Leave it!” bumper stickers. This attitude, however, only calls attention to one of this nation’s most conspicuous failings—pervasive historical illiteracy. We need to recognize that dissent is American, that protest is patriotic. It is, in fact, one of the fundamental traits that define us. Cold War scholar Vladislav Zubok has pointed out that it was only when the Soviet Union saw American protestors take to the streets demonstrating against the Vietnam War in the sixties that they finally overcame their distrust of the United States and began to believe in democracy.

Dissent Is American

Is dissent a good thing? Does it keep "them" honest? Your thoughts.

FRYandBENDER · #2 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 08:18 AM

Dissent is good, but it does not keep them honest. I don't know of anything that could keep them honest, except maybe a gun to their head.

CHUQ · #3 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 08:20 AM

Do not know if even thata be keep them honest only until the gun was lowered.

Slartibartfas · #4 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 08:45 AM

To stigmatize a group who forwards criticism with substance by calling it unpatriotic, is in fact highly undemocratic. As I view democracy as a key value of the US I would go so far to say that it is the thing that really is "un-American".

I never understood how people who demand that the US puts human rights about fighting terrorism could be called unpatriotic. After all its them who would be ready to pay with a more dangerous life for maintaining their principles. While those who called them unpatriotic very fine to sell the principles, their own values, just to reduce the threat on them a bit.

Hazelnut · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2007, 01:24 PM

The difference today is 9/11. A terrorist attack on American soil, something the communists never attempted. People look back to 9/11 and wonder how we can oppose the so-called war on terrorism. Attitudes are changing though. The number of people disillusioned by the Iraq war is constantly growing, hence the rout of the Republicans in the mid-term election.

Of course dissent is a good thing. People might tell us that if not for the troops we wouldn't have the freedom to protest. They're right, but what they don't realize is that if not for the dissenters, they would lose a lot of freedom themselves.

ladyt28 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2007, 07:55 PM

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.
Henry David Thoreau

CHUQ · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyt28

Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves.
Henry David Thoreau

Good post!