inignoct wrote:
] to the extent that children are exposed to pride in
] the accomplishments of american government, they may be more
] inclined to help correct those things that tarnish what is
] otherwise good.

Thats valid. I don't mean that all trappings of community and national pride be eliminated. I simply mean that repetitive reading of slogans in particular is a fairly standard programming technique. I want a patriotism that doesn't require brainwashing. While I was refusing to say the pledge I was involved with my school's JROTC.

] the cynicism of our generation is pretty
] unparalleled and i think a lot of it stems from having the
] financial stability to analyse finer grained issues which
] aren't a concern in nations trying to pay for food.

Thats a great observation. I'll spend some time thinking about that. My initial thought is that its not just financial stability, but lack of motivation. There is no great purpose that drives us, or I guess all the great purposes which we might aspire too seem hopelessly out of reach in spite of our starting point.

] as a final thought, i don't think belief in god is a religious
] one at all.

I think what is important here is that you are framing the national identity as something with is intentionally exclusive of people from eastern cultures, and secular people. Chinese ancestor worship doesn't not involve gods. Buddha is not a god. Hindu has many gods, but they aren't exactly the same thing. Even the pre-roman european religions are excluded. Only the three middle eastern faiths have a singular "god" concept. America ought to see itself as a multicultural state.

RE: Slashdot | Supreme Court Will Hear Pledge of Allegiance Case