America was born in dissent and controversy. The Pilgrims left England because they disagreed with the religious dictates of the state. Generations of immigrants have flocked to our shores because their views differed from those of their governments. Dissent has bred persecution around the world. But, America's founding principle is tolerance of different points of view, whether these are religious or political.

Well, Congressman Tom Tancredo seems not to believe in this basic American value. At a recent pro-war rally at the Colorado Capitol in Denver, he actually said of anti-war protests, "They are not anti-war rallies, they are anti-America rallies." Now, just who does Congressman Tancredo think he is to call people who disagree with him "anti-American"? He would most certainly rage at anyone who called him "anti-American" because of his views, which, themselves, aren't unanimously beloved.

As a staunch supporter of freedom of speech, I am always astonished by those who think only their views are valid, that anyone who disagrees with them is "anti-American" or "anti-Christian" or ill-informed or unintelligent. America is such a rich land of diverse opinions that there is probably no single person who speaks for all Americans, no matter what the circumstances. And, that is fine with me.

I've found, however, that many of my readers don't think it is fine if I do not reflect their beliefs. After my recent column on Nelson Mandela's speech condemning President Bush for threatening to attack Iraq without United Nations support, I heard from over 100 readers. While the responses were split about evenly between those who agreed and disagreed with my opinions, the dissenters (in this case) seem to think diversity of views is anathema.

One reader wrote, "I see by your article that you have jumped on the bash America bandwagon. Nelson Mandela should never be allowed to set foot in the United States of America again. Your hypocrisy is overwhelming." I'm not sure what hypocrisy he was referring to, but it was clear that if I disagreed with him and George Bush on war with Iraq or, in this case, American foreign policy, I was "anti-American".

Another reader, apparently thinking I don't have a life, said, "All I can say is thank god you weren't elected governor. Why don't you return to California so you can reside with your fellow rich, left leaning, America hating liberals." Now, I wonder, why is it that someone who disagrees with the President is "America hating"? I'm guessing this correspondent would not have said the same about someone who disagreed with President Clinton.

"I was appalled," wrote another emailer, "by your completely incompetent and ignorant editorial about Iraq." Because she did not like my opinion, I am not fit to express it. An equally irate commentator told me, "I don't deal with unintelligent people, so I never read your emails." He does seem to read my columns, however, because I get a blast from him almost every time I write.

Many of my respondents email me over and over again. Perhaps they think by attacking my intelligence, my character and my patriotism, they will intimidate me so that I will never again write anything they don't like. Insults and threats have never stifled debate in the United States. Intimidation has never silenced dissent. And it certainly won't now.

Americans have every right to protest policies they abhor, to take to the streets in peaceful disagreement with national policy. In fact, I believe we all have the obligation to express our points of view, to disagree with policies we find repugnant. That is part of what keeps the United States on a relatively stable course. Imagine if people in Hitler's Germany had had the same courage to dissent as we have in America.

As The Denver Post quoted one anti-war protestor, "I think it's incumbent upon people who have a strong opinion to go out and make it-whether it's for or against something." So, it's fine with me if people don't like what I think and write. I'm perfectly happy if they oppose everything I say or believe. Even if I stoutly disagree with them, I think they are being very American.