There are some pluses on this side of the pond. Here in Germany there is universal rejection of the war - but protests have been dignified and peaceful. This is in spite of Bush's announcement that he will punish us for our disobedience in not taking part.
I wonder what "The American Way" means to some people. Maybe it means that you have the right to speak your mind but that if you have a minority viewpoint everyone else has the right to smack you in the mouth. (That is covered under "robust individualism" isn't it?)
Obvously fear has a lot to do with it. People are anxious about friends and relatives exposed to danger at the front. There is doubtless also a feeling of discomfort about the fate of the civilian folk. They feel that they must bond to support their troops and "toughen" themselves up to the unpleasantries of war. Those who do not share their views are seen as traitors. There can be a very thin dividing line between a group of loyl people and a lynch mob.