Valerie Plame Quotes

If there is liberty, if there is democracy, in this country, it will stand or fall with the right of the minority to express to the full force of language its opposition in public to the policies of the government. And it will stand or fall with the courage of the minority so to express itself.

You know, when we get to a point in this country where dissent is extremism, we've turned, I think, a very dark page in our history. And I don't want us to go there. I encourage Americans and I'm - right now, to go to these town hall meetings, to - to talk to your Congressmen, the people that you elected.

Men may die, but the fabric of free institutions remain unshaken.

I am not an American who believes that questioning or criticizing my government is unpatriotic.

We have a great nation to help govern. We who are citizens of this great republic are favored children, yet we are all the time complaining; but that is one of the inalienable privileges of an American to complain about his neighbor and government-always crying for a change. But, with all of its faults, this is the best government for man on the face of the earth

Democracy's my idea. I do not agree with communists, my acts prove. Free press in Cuba - free ideas, freedom religion belief.

The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these [a national crisis] that we need more freedom of speech, a strong and critical press, and a citizenry that is not afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes.

Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, all the time.

I regard freedom of expression as the primary right without which one can not have a proper functioning democracy.

In Iran, people are free to express their views. Every day, some people criticize the policies of the government.

The freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy.

First of all, the world criticizes American foreign policy because Americans criticize American foreign policy. We shouldn't be surprised about that. Criticizing government is a God-given right - at least in democracies.

What is good about the United States is the sense that you can disagree with the government and not be seen as unpatriotic, although many in the government will try to make you seem unpatriotic.

Criticism in a time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government.

To me, I was right from the beginning, because it's my right as an American to speak up and question our president, have my point of view, have my opinion, question what I want to question, and say what I want to say about our government.

Having principled men and women in office is how you protect yourself from tyranny, and that was something I learned from when I was 2, 3, 5 years old.

In a democracy one must have the right to express oneself and that's what I do, even if it displeases.

I am especially proud of taking on issues most central to the health of our American democracy.

Americans should not have to wonder if their government is actively looking to subvert them or their political views. We live in a nation where respect for differing beliefs and a vibrant political discourse play an important role in shaping our government.

It is the right of our people to organize to oppose any law and any part of the Constitution with which they are not in sympathy.

For me, the definition of a patriot is someone who is willing to constantly question the government; that's what separates us from other countries.

In a democracy, expressing disagreement with the government’s actions does not amount to sedition or insurrection—it is, and must remain, protected speech.

Freedom of speech, freedom to criticize pillars of government, freedom to form parties and freedom of the press within the framework of the constitution are among the absolute rights of the public.

This is one of the finest expressions of U. S. democracy at work.

Democracy is much too important to be left to public opinion.