From the Times article, it doesn't sound like this was about monitoring "political dissent" but rather about seeing how the public felt about things.<p>If I post something on my blog expressing my opinion on some issue, or I tweet about it, or otherwise broadcast it to the world, I'm happy if it is read by people who are in a position to decide that issue and might influence them to make the decision I want.
A good friend did the research and filed for the documents... it's going to be in the NY Times today too: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/us/federal-security-program-monitored-public-opinion.html?_r=3" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/us/federal-security-progra...</a>