Why is it that making our voice heard to dissent with what we feel is wrong?

Question

Why is it that making our voice heard to dissent with what we feel is wrong is giving aid and comfort to the enemy?

Is it unpatriotic to disagree with the current Administration and it's actions? Is it UnAmerican to speak out against what we feel is a mistake of historic proportions?

If so, why? Why is it unpatriotic and UnAmerican to disagree and make ourselves heard when some of the best things to happen to this country, the rights and freedoms of every man woman and child and indeed the very existance of our country came from people dissenting and making themselves heard?

Please explain this to me.

I'm not talking about those saying that Bush orchestrated 9-11 or anything like that.

I mean people like me who are just trying to stand up and say "Hey, we think the War in Iraq is a mistake. Hey. We think that the President shouldn't be wiretapping. Hey, we disagree with what's going on."

People who simply stand up and have their say are blasted by those from the other side as being in league with the terrorists and unpatriotic.

To one poster: Of course "Mistake of historic proportions" is an opinion, hence why it was presented as "What we feel is" and not "What is definitely!"

To another: I always respect our men who are overseas, don't get me wrong. Just because I disagree with the current government and the war, it doesn't mean I'm trying to disrespect the men who are fighting and doing what they now have to. My fiance did his four year tour of duty just like so many others.

I would also like to know exactly where and when I apparently disrespected our troops overseas, as this is now the second person to reprimand me for apparently doing so.

Answer 1

It is in fact the very definition of patriotism to speak out in support of your country when you think the elected officials of your country are going against its principles. In the US, that includes actions in violation of the Constitution.

Those who try to silence the dissent have forgotten why this country was founded in the first place. They don't want anyone to question what they are doing, so they hurl insults at those who question or challenge their actions.

What they fail to grasp is that denying everyone the right to participate in the political process, and the right to speak out about what they think is best fo the country -- by trying to silence the opposition, they are abandoning the principles this country was founded upon.

So, who is being un-patriotic? The people who are exercising their constitutional rights and obligations? Or those who try to trample the constitution by silencing them?

Answer 2

"Is it unpatriotic to disagree with the current Administration and it's actions? Is it UnAmerican to speak out against what we feel is a mistake of historic proportions?"

No, it isn't.

But many take it upon themselves to say that Bush is like Hitler, we wage wars for oil, 9/11 is an inside job, the administration is just trying to kill people, American soldiers just like to kill people, etc.... This is not only unpatriotic, it is idiotic and simple minded. The first amendment grants you the freedom to express these opinions, but you need to realize that holding opinions like this are going to marginalize you and you are responsible for holding them.

I'm not accusing you specifically of doing these things, but many that dissent with the administration DO believe these types of things.

Answer 3

wingshooter, you have proven that you can parrot the president. congratulations.

and galaxie girl, how exactly are they going to "take away" our freedom of speech? throw sand at us until we stop talking?

and para legal, you have to be worthy of respect, just the title of president is not enough.

the whole idea that dissent fuels the enemy is crap. its propaganda left over from the red scare that bush found when he was digging around the basement of the white house. He dusted it off, slapped a new coat of paint on it and threw it out to the world to fester.

its designed to engender blind faith in the government so that they can do what they want without any of those pesky voters getting in the way. its the last refuge of those who truly have no even vaguely viable justification for their actions.

what amazes me is how many people swallowed that crap and still spew it on those of us with critical thinking skills.

Answer 4

To speak out is not unpatriotic...HOWEVER.....When speaking out choose your words as carefully as you choose the cause. When you dissent it is one thing but to disrespect the Man and Office of the President and to ( as I have sen done many times) spit on out troops..that's where the line is crossed and you have turned into someone giving moral support to the enemy and you will be called on it....

Answer 5

You have every right to disagree with the war, but you better d*** well respect the fact that our soldiers are over there trying to defend you from people who want to take that right away from you.

Answer 6

It's not what you say, it's how you say it, with visiousness and hatered, such as "historic proportions", which is only an opinion and not fact! Publically fighting wihtin gives hope to our enemy's and emboldens them to move forward, rather than showing a united front against them and that they have no hope, especially when this current administration is confronting them on a huge scale.

Answer 7

One of the greatest tragedies perpetuated by the Neo-Cons has been the concept that it is un-American to disagree with them and somehow anti-troops to suggest the administration should pull the troops out. They oppose dictatorship, yet want an administration with no dissent; they want a less intrusive government with the ability to intrude without warrant into every aspect of your life; they believe in individual responsibility, yet refuse to lambaste a man who took us to war over a lie; they claim to be pro-life, yet seem to want to see more American soldiers killed (or, I suppose I should say, "sacrificed"). It is rather pathetic really.

Answer 8

What makes it wrong is when you show up at a soldier's funeral and start that crap. I will defend your right to disagree, I will not defend your name calling and outright lies.