My discussion with a Latin American revolutionary - your reflections?

1) Before the internet, I spoke with a Latin American revolutionary--who sacrificed most of his life to promoting what he thought was social justice in his country. He said, "You know, I've lived in the U.S. for 10 years, and my conclusion is that people here would not sacrifice their lives if they thought their country had reneged on its original values." I thought for a moment, and into my head popped a response, "I can tell you why," (it was just a gut feeling). Americans are raised to think we are 'special.' If you are 'special' you will let the next person sacrifice his life". He looked at me, and a lightbulb went off in his head. "Exactly!" he said, as though I had understood something profound. It wasn't. It was just a thought. Which leads me to item 2) With the internet, there is a safe way to complain--operate a so-called 'activist' blog? What a great way to seem daring and be perfectly safe. But if the stakes were higher, like in China? Who would be brave then?