Dissenters

"Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed -- and no republic can survive". John F. Kennedy

War lovers say we should not complain about the war in Iraq. To dissent means we are not supporting the troops. The war lovers say we should be quiet and compliant.

Each day of school for 12 years I was required to recite the Lord's prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. I was a good follower for years. I never dissented.

When I went to work for UA I thought I had a great job. I did not like to hear the veterans complaining. I started to realize the veterans, by dissenting, were the ones who got me a grievance procedure, private hotel rooms, etc.

During the first days of our strike I attended a union meeting of Council 34. There were about 200 members presents. One member made a motion to post the names of the scabs immediately. There was enthusiastic rah, rah, yelling and approval. During the discussion one "dissenter" stood up and advocated against the motion and gave his reasons. After further discussion the maker of the motion stood and said, "I withdraw my motion".

We know of aircraft accidents that could have been avoided if a follower had been a dissenter. Patients have died because doctors did not allow dissent. Napoleon should have allowed dissent before invading Russia. I suspect King George's followers told the rebel colonists to shut up and be good followers.

One can critique a dissenter. One cannot critique the opinions of silence.

Long live the dissenters! Now if we could just get the liberal and moderate Muslims to dissent. Ah heck. They've probably been told to keep quiet.

Bilbo Baggins