Do you think some people take American Patriotism too far

[abaris]

Truth is, there's a lot of conditioning going on in the USA. Quite a lot more than in any other western country I know of. The pledge at school, the greeting of the flag, the overt glorification of the armed forces. Which is kind of a paradoxon, since the original idea was all about individual freedom and individualism.

I know, most people don't swing that way, but all the ingredients are rather fascist in nature and wouldn't stand the Litmus test anywhere in Europe. Also there are a lot of blockbusters sponsored by the Pentagon, which of course serve to draw youngsters into the army.

In my opinion, everything is geared towards not asking too many questions and towards not developing a critical mind when it comes to the country itself, the way it is run and the ones actually running it. Works fine, especially when it comes to not very educated, disenfranchised people, who are presented with the opportunity to still feel great by defining themselves over the flag.

Works and worked in any country, by the way. There's that old Hermann Göring quote at Nuremberg, when Gustav Gilbert interviewed him on German nationalism. A very true statement by a professional cynic out for personal gain.

All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country