Does anyone else always side with Meredith?

Not "both side is idiot". There are no both equal sides.

But I agree with it: the Viscount end is ironic: the Templars betrayed Hawke finally and forced to exile him/her... I love this. Viscount end is the shit end. While if Hawke willingly supports the rebellion, because s/he's an apostate, or his/her sister is a prisoner of the Gallows – his/her exile is glorious. Hawke chose this way, not the Templars. Still exiled – but what a difference! Fighting for the freedom, and exiled as a hero – or protect a mad tyrant, and be betrayed and exiled as a fallen notability.

Coward? Not. It's not cowardice to leave everything he had for a good cause.
And Anders and Hawke continue their fight after Kirkwall. This is the best point. They don't hide: "But all the Circles were rising up by then. We helped a lot of them take that final step." (Hawke, in Inquisition)

The rebellion is the best part. To build an existence, and leave that for a cause. Never coward. And Hawke and co. ran away for a chance, the Templars/Seekers will pursue them, not to rush Kirkwall.
What would brave according to you?
Sadly, the Act3 is too short, and the rebellion is unfinished. Still great.
Yes, that conversation in Inquisition required Anders supportive romance. I said: the mage end is good, and the exile is glorious if Hawke chose this way. If not, then still sad – but less sad, like the Viscount end, according to me.

Not choosing a side is coward – and wrong. Not choosing a side is Elthina.

Take over the city with the City guards – against Meredith's Templars... You're kidding, aren't you? What the difference? Where's the peace? You can't force the peace, where the peace's not an option.

Elthina was idiot/malevolent – or both. 

Ah, I see... and which choice matters better than Hawkes'? This is a series, just see the Inquisition's end. I suppose our Divine choice doesn't matter more in the next part, than Hawke's rebellion.

I knew it always. But I love that still (not really the Inquisition, rather Hawke's story).

Everyone's matter – but we don't see the end game. 

It says a lot about the contents of your character if you don't get along with someone because they have differing opinions on the matter. I personally do not hold anything against you for supporting Orisino, the man that literally betrays you at the very end despite supporting him. Or the fact he let your mum be killed and turned into an abomination by turning her into a zombified version of his wife. Oh yes, Orisino knew about him and even learned how to turn into a Harvester because of him. Or the fact the mages constantly do things against you in game (like kidnapping your sister/lover), or the rapid blood mages on the streets of Kirkwall whom attack you on sight or the fact the mages aren't trustworthy in the slightest and do everything in their power to prove this too you.

Yes Meredith has her flaws, but so does Orisino too. 

Last thing read the bolded text on the top.
Second one, yes as does the blood mages towards Hawke & other innocent people on the streets of Kirkwall.
Not really, he has enough freedom to argue with Meredith about her actions.