Once upon a time as a teenager, a friend and I did not stand for the pledge in protest. The next class was dedicated to an hour's lecture on how criticizing the government in any way disrespects soldiers who died for our freedom. I wish I could tell him how very much I think of him every time I hear they do not do a pledge in other free countries, that we are perceived as brainwashing in doing so. Sometimes attempting to control the beliefs of others backfires.
@tippitiwichet Yes! Remember how they taught us that other "bad" countries brainwashed their people with "propaganda:. Our entire lives have been nothing but propaganda under the guise of patriotism.
@JusDucky Yup. Pretty soon (after I finish studying Regan's influence) I'm going to be brushing up on my cold war knowledge, I think it's time to show people the difference between loving your country and community and being blindly obedient because you're being exploited.
@tippitiwichet Be prepared to be appalled. Honestly, I rank Reagan right up there with trump as being a terrible president and damaging the country. He paved the way for trumpism. I think the GOP realized that you could put a spin on anything and people would buy it. Read up on Nancy while you're at it. She was no prize either.
@JusDucky Oh, yes. I have vague recollections of the effects of the war on drugs rattling around from school and Behind the Bastards, I'm bracing myself. Especially since I will be perusing it with the perspective of talking to money motivated people, and *sigh* trying to see their perspective so I can educate them without losing my cool. I already feel dirty.