Unfortunately, it's been taboo for us too... try defending America on a college campus from a wingnut liberal professor. It can be enormously fun at times, but it is tragic how too many good folks remain silent and allow them to brainwash a class.
The key really is to not be silent.
The silence of good people is killing Europe. And it nearly killed us after eroding us since the sixties. A little- even precious little dissent can do wonders and can reinvigorate a nation. But people have to overcome their embarassment at speaking out before it is no longer a matter of embarassment keeping people silent, but fear.
The question is, was 911 a hard enough lesson?
one key will to not let the protesters take the streets unchallenged. We need to counter protest at every point.