"I am sure Mel would be getting a lot more sympathy from Freepers if he hadn't trashed Bush a couple of weeks ago"
Actually, many freepers frequently call Bush as a RINO because of his failings on the immigration issue. But I understand your point. It is just that dissent on the Iraq war is not tolerated.
When a "dissenter" on the Iraq war presents a logical case for their view without becoming a raving lunatic with wild baseless accusations about this administration and our troops it will be accepted as patriotic dissent. I have yet to hear one put forward that is logical, respectful and coherent.