Square standing in front of a column of tanks? If the German population had been more vocal in their dissent, could WWII have been averted? People on this site and elsewhere seem to confuse honest dissent with treason. You can still love your country and be critical of its leaders and their policies. This is why we have a constitution, to protect these rights.
2007-02-11 17:05:52 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I think it is more of an obligation. We have the right to peaceably assemble to address our grievances to the government. With that right, comes a responsibility.
People forget, or are too lazy, to accept that responsibility. Many forget, or never learned, that the PEOPLE are the government. As such, all government actions are the result of the people.
A majority of people do not vote in all elections. I submit an even greater majority have little, if any, knowledge of what they are voting for.
Simplistic and disingenuous 30 second political ads are not the way to decide the most important duty a citizen has. But most do.
I encourage the dissent that is being directed against the President (well maybe not Jane Fonda :)) However, how many of the dissenters actually understand that it is not just the President? He has very little power with out the support of the Senate and Congress.
But, again, that requires people to think and investigate.
Love of country is just that. That is patriotism. Love, or hate, of a particular party is not.
2007-02-11 23:23:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
While I do agree with the right to disagree with the govt. and the right of freedom of the press, I ask, where do you draw the line between dissent and treason? Is it treason if by what you say emboldens the enemy to keep fighting? Is it treason if you take the side of a terrorist and call him a freedom fighter after he has bombed a school bus full of children? Where is the line drawn. With the right of dissent is also responsibility to think before you speak and look at the truth and not just go by what is told to you. And when you are proved wrong, be adult and mature enough to admit that you are wrong instead of silencing the person giving you the facts, or changing the subject by pointing out the faults of others as the far left have done. Is it treason if you speak of changing this nation to a Socialist/Communist type of country?
2007-02-12 01:56:30 · answer #2 · answered by celticwarrior7758 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heavens yes! In the US, the right to dissent and free assembly is authored into the founding doctrines. Well authored dissent, like Thoreau, Ghandi, and Martin Luther King jr are good examples of people who truly loved their country and had the courage to point out its flaws as well as its bright points. How can you hope to grow and change into a better person if no one tells you what you need to change? In that same way, how can a country grow and change for the better if noone speaks about its flaws?
2007-02-12 01:14:20 · answer #3 · answered by phiguru 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
My hunting dog is the best, he can get on dissent and track a coyote from here to Canada. Never thought about that being patriotic though...
2007-02-12 06:45:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was A touching picture.I agree with freedom of speech.I might not agree with you, but you have the right to say what you want to..Yes I think you can hate the leadership and still be a true American.I know people won't agree with me on this, but I'm a veteran and love my country.Do I hate people who burn a flag. No, they are given the right to express themselves.It's not a piece of cloth that makes this country great,but it's people and their different ideologies.If we follow our leaders blindly than this country is in big trouble.
2007-02-12 01:16:06 · answer #5 · answered by Henry B 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well my personal opinion is that I believe in organized forms of dissent, public and very messy. Something that captures peoples attention and doesnt let it go.
2007-02-12 01:25:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well spoken, sir. I think dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
2007-02-12 01:08:44 · answer #7 · answered by Omni D 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I absolutely love that footage and I get chills everytime I see it, tears in my eyes too.
I agree with all that you say a 100%...so much for dissent, eh?
Gyorzxk for President 2008! :o)
2007-02-12 01:09:18 · answer #8 · answered by ♥austingirl♥ 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
YES! YES! AT LAST ANOTHER PERSON HERE WHO THINKS DISSENT IS NOT TREASON! Thank you! Here..have cold one, fellow patriot!
2007-02-12 01:09:34 · answer #9 · answered by tranquility_base3@yahoo.com 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Right on.
2007-02-12 01:08:39 · answer #10 · answered by nomadder 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋