If standing for liberty in the world makes me a dissident, I
wear that title with pride. ~President George W. Bush

The event at which Mr. Bush was speaking and the entire theme of Mr. Bush endorsing the work of dissidents in repressive countries highlight just how absurd it is to have someone like Mr. Bush giving this speech.  This is a President who, along with his administration and its supporters, has routinely insulted, misrepresented and smeared critics and dissidents who oppose his policies.  He does not really respect dissent and has no interest in the actual arguments of those who disagree with him.  He has virtually nothing in common with political dissidents as such.