As a veteran, I fully support the rights of anyone to participate or not in these organized "patriotic" rituals. The backlash against this is fucking stupid. Reverence for flags and anthems is not what patriotism is about patriotism is about doing what is right for the people of your country, and that includes dissent and peaceful civil disobedience when the government gets it wrong.
Patriotism isn't "my country right or wrong", government, policy, or gratuitous displays of jingoism.
The very idea of a mandatory "patriotic" ritual, including forcing kids or anyone else to recite an oath of allegiance is utterly anathema to the ideals that this country was founded on.
Patriotism isn't "my country right or wrong", government, policy, or gratuitous displays of jingoism.
The very idea of a mandatory "patriotic" ritual, including forcing kids or anyone else to recite an oath of allegiance is utterly anathema to the ideals that this country was founded on.