I certainly believe that dissent can be the most patriotic thing in the world if what you’re dissenting against is bad for the country. And vice versa. In other words, isn’t the patriotism of dissent — like the patriotism of any action — dependent almost entirely on the intent behind it? That Deep Throat guy, for example, was not being patriotic, even if liberals liked the results of his actions. As for protestors, I think you gotta go case by case. However, as I’ve suggested before, if you’re out there screaming about how America stinks and the UN is the greatest thing since hemp, you’re probably less patriotic than the average Joe.