I think what you say is very thoughtful, Larry, and I generally agree with everything in your voice card, even with regards to the use of the word "dissidents."

But often, used in the context of a sentence, the word is used in a negative tone, with negative connotations. I don't want to split hairs over whether the word is appropriate or not. I was merely trying to point out that in the context of Roger's voice card in general, and in the context of the sentence in which the word appears ("Could there be any othe result than hard line crack down when a group of dissidents demand vague, drastic, changes. . ."), the word has a definite negative connotation. It is not used in such a way as to denote a healthy "airing out" of opinions and ideas.