Dissent is as American as apple pie: "American citizens are torn by an ill-advised war and occupation led by leaders who, in seeking to stifle the sort of healthy debate democracy requires, do not seem to understand, indeed, who seem to shun, our nation's history."

Theodore Roosevelt, never one to shun a military solution to a crisis, was so critical of Pres. Woodrow Wilson's policies during World War I that he attacked those who claimed it was wrong to oppose a president in time of war. "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president," Roosevelt contended. "or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about anyone else."

Meanwhile, writer Randolph Bourne was a relentless critic of American policy in general. During times of war, Bourne wrote, a "herd-feeling inevitably arises. There always is a demand for 100 percent Americanism, among 100 percent of the population. The State is a jealous God and will brook no rivals. Its sovereignty must pervade everyone, and all feeling must be run into the stereotyped forms of romantic patriotic militarism which is the traditional expression of the State.... War becomes almost a sport between the hunters and the hunted. The pursuit of enemies within outweighs in psychic attractiveness the assault on the enemy without. The whole terrific force of the State is brought to bear against the heretics."

Many older Americans remember quite vividly the fervent protests against U.S. policies on racism, feminism, and war expressed by such prominent dissenters as Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Stokeley Carmichael, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Tom Hayden, Mario Savio, Angela Davis, Abbie Hoffman, Allen Ginsberg, Gloria Steinem, and countless others. All of these individuals believed they were acting in the American tradition for the American people. They were dedicated fully to the ideals of democracy and resisted all those who strove to limit it. As a consequence, they helped shape the nature of our society. Anti-war activist Carl Oglesby hit the nail squarely on the head when he stated in 1968 that "We've come to the point where 'democracy' is considered a radical idea."

Today, American citizens are torn by an ill-advised war and occupation led by leaders who, in seeking to stifle the sort of healthy debate democracy requires, do not seem to understand, indeed, who seem to siren, our nation's history. Many of those who opposed the war not only wanted to give peace a chance, but take back the Federal government, which appears to have been hijacked by ultra-rightist hawks.

Neoconservatives have taken control of a country that, historically, has prided itself on the values of peace, democracy, equality, and freedom. They systematically are eroding (if not actually demolishing) those ideals. There is nothing "conservative" about them.

A democracy depends on an educated, well-informed citizenry as well as leaders who are deeply connected and committed to cherishing, conserving, and nurturing the ideals which are supposed to set the U.S. apart from the rest of the world. Those in power, today, however, are not caretakers of the American Dream. Will they be judged by history--like the despoilers of the pharaohs' tombs--as looters who have drained all meaning from the treasures of American democracy?