This is a default position for republican 'patriots'. This was said to me once.
When Bush invaded Iraq, I voiced my opposition to it and was told by a Marine Colonel that I had no right to that or any opinion because I was not an American. I of course told him that he was wrong and that I had every right to my opinion and the right to voice it. I was part of the military community back then and it was the first time I realized that I was an outsider.
How ignorant of that Colonel; what did he think the Armed Forces were for, if not to protect freedom of speech?