MC: Ex-Protesters Now Censors

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, dissent was exalted as the highest form of patriotism. In those days, dissenters hurled obscene epithets at the president with impunity and brandished protest signs comparing him to Adolf Hitler. They could throw brickbats at his motorcade and physically assault the president’s supporters without fear of reprisal or even criticism. They would smash windows unfortunate enough to be on the motorcade’s route and rough up passersby. This sort of behavior was so commonplace that it often did not merit mention by the news media. Prominent politicians of that era encouraged the protestors and defended them as patriots. That was then. This is now. In this time and in this place, dissent is un-American. The speaker of the House and the House majority leader said so in a USA Today editorial/ Michael Costello , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Costello contends that protest in the Bush years was considered patriotic by some who want to limit protest today. Do you agree with his position?