tw - well said.
i agree that what makes america (and other democracies) so potent is the ability to express views contrary to ruling party dogma.
the atmosphere that bush has fostered post sept 11 is a "if you don't support this government's stance on all things relating to security, terrorism, and civil rights you are unpatriotic", or worse, a traitor. this seems to be a straw man argument (am i using the right term here.....?)
being able to speak out in a political climate like that is very difficult. ridder has done it. there have been recent comments by gore (who admittedly may have his own agenda) criticizing bush (nice synopsis here:
http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/29/Co..._the_pre.shtml ; also some nice articles in Salon's premium section) and others.
in any case - it looks like the media, and politicians are gaining some steam in being openly critical of bush et al. maybe there will be an opposition in the US after all. . .