Flags

[Franzl]

Demonstrating patriotism is very important in America. You can't even attend a musical without being forced to go through the national anthem.

[Franzl]

Other countries don't have as much to be proud of.

Actually, I think it's that Americans are trained to be proud of everything, even things for which there is no reason to be proud.

[Franzl]

I never said any of those things only happened in America, but there's definiteöy a tendency to shove patriotism down everyone's throats. Note I didn't say the USA has nothing to be proud of, but rather that many things that one really shouldn't be proud of are either ignored or spun to somehow be positives.

Surely you will admit there's an unhealthy automatism to patriotism? At a concert in downtown Alton (for example) in a park, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited before any music could be played.

[Franzl]

and FTR I don't like excessive patriotism myself.  Especially when it's halfassed.  I've bitched several times about yellow magnetic ribbons on the back of cars that were everywhere a decade ago.  I still think the things right with the US outweigh the things wrong with the US.

I wouldn't disagree with that, especially in a worldwide sense.

[Franzl]

Demonstrating patriotism is very important in America. You can't even attend a musical without being forced to go through the national anthem.

What?  where....?

At the Muny amphitheater in St. Louis, for example.

[Franzl]

Demonstrating patriotism is very important in America. You can't even attend a musical without being forced to go through the national anthem.

What?  where....?

At the Muny amphitheater in St. Louis, for example.

So, like before Cats or Wicked, they play the national anthem?

Precisely. And I can't understand why it's necessary.