Quote Originally Posted by solypsist
i am an american citizen so while i openly criticize this country's government (and some its citizens) it is in my best interest that the u.s. remain top dog, regardless of who is right or wrong.

it is a paradox i must suffer through.
But the two aren't mutually exclusive at all.

What makes a country strong, is plurality of opinion, heated debate, a critical opinion, democracy and an open society.

It's people like you that made America top dog. And with 'people like you' I mean any well-informed, outspoken citizen. The Bush administration couldn't have been further off the mark with their regarding dissenting opinion 'unpatriotic'.