“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government” was written by environmentalist Edward Abbey (1927-1989) and published in 1989. “His government” was replaced by “its government” in the films JFK (1991): “An American naturalist wrote, ‘a patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government.’” The JFK film reference is from the 1960s and is probably an anachronism.
 
Abbey’s quotation has been popular wih people who believe the government has gone wrong. The quotation was popular with tea parties in 2009-2010. “It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government” is a fake Thomas Paine quotation that was probably inspired by Abbey.
 
     
Wikipedia: Edward Abbey
Edward Paul Abbey (January 29, 1927 – March 14, 1989) was an American author and essayist noted for his advocacy of environmental issues and criticism of public land policies. His best-known works include the novel The Monkey Wrench Gang, which has been cited as an inspiration by radical environmental groups, and the non-fiction work Desert Solitaire. Writer Larry McMurtry referred to Abbey as the “Thoreau of the American West”.
   
Zazzle.com
A PATRIOT MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO DEFEND HIS COUNTRY AGAINST ITS GOVERNMENT
Edward Paul Abbey - Author/Essayist (1927-1989)
(bumper sicker)
 
Google Books
A voice crying in the wilderness = Vox clamantis in deserto:
Ntes from a secret journal
By Edward Abbey
New York, NY. Martin’s Press
1989
Pg. 19:
A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.
 
Google Books
JFK: the book of the film:
The documented screenplay
By Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar, Jim Garrison and Jim Marrs
New York, NY: Applause Books
1992
Pg. 178:
JIM An American naturalist wrote, “a patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government.”
 
26 September 1993, Chicago (IL) Tribune, Sunday Magazine, pg. 8:
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government”—Edward Abbey.
 
The Chimes (Morrisville, NY, State College)
National pride on the decline?
Shane Pastor, ‘13 | Staff Reporter
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Opinion
(...)
American author Edward Abbey once said, “a patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” Voltaire once said, “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.” Theodore Roosevelt himself said, “No people ever yet benefited by riches if their prosperity corrupted their virtues.”