Dissent is not a virtue, its a tool. Sometimes the tool is appropriately used, sometimes not. How does one tell when its appropriate? I guess when it agrees with what one believes.

If I lived in a self-described communist paradise and I preferred to live free, I'd probably be considered a dissenter. Like Solzhenitsyn. IF I preferred open markets and I lived in a capitalist society with a out-of-control government addicted to taxes, I'd be a dissenter like Milton Friedman. Dissent need not be attached to illegal acts. Its just sexier.

Botnst