Peaceful Protests in Dualistic Public Policy

I read a comment in ST recently. In it, a reader from China praised the Chinese people for holding peaceful protest against international pressure on the upcoming Olympics. Thousands of people took to the streets in acts of patriotism. He said that Singapore ought to learn and emulate them.

I don't understand, on one hand, they ban peaceful anti-government protests but when these protesting turn to support their policies, they close an eye. Does "patriotism" mean blinding supporting public policy? So when public policy fails, it becomes illegal to speak out against the government?

If that is the case, I will take no part in this dualistic approach to public policy. It disgusts me. I believe that any governance system in this world should be tested; systems that cannot be tested, have no value.