> So there's absolutely nothing to the idea of freedom?

Not unless you have the political/financial leverage to use it as a cudgel for political/financial gain.
You'll notice not many of the world's wealthiest people are ever convicted of a crime. Bernard Ebbers got it, but he's serving his, likely brief, 25 years here:
http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/oad/index.jsp
He drove himself there in his Mercedes.
As for the politically powerful, it's unheard of for the leader of a 'free' country to be convicted of a crime. Especially when they have any influence on the judiciary or can pardon themselves.
Prisons are for the poor and weak.

> So why aren't war protestors executed?

The pervasiveness of television and public pressure not to do so.
That's what martial law is for, though.
Beside, plenty of war protesters are being executed, just not within the borders of your country.

> Of course these ideals are abused

On an hourly basis.

> that does not mean they have no meaning.

Only if you can afford it.