As a Canadian abroad in America even after eight years I'm still
surprised at the degree to which Americans feel obliged to display
the flag and pledge allegiance, unless they're backpackers in a
foreign Country. Despite the much vaunted separation of church and
state even parochial schools seem to feel it necessary to include the
pledge of alliance in their day and I'm still surprised to find the
flag on display in church chancels.
Canadians, I feel, are no less patriotic in their conviction that
“they stand on guard for thee” and they're even able to sing both
National Anthems at sporting events. They're just more quiet and
understated about it. Canadian troops are world-renowned as
peace-keepers and have been accounted among the toughest troops
anywhere. The rah, rah boosterism I witness in America smacks of a
certain insecurity as if constant reassurance is necessary.
To me whether “Old Glory” hangs in every classroom in America
shouldn't matter. And of course patriotism sells in advertising. As I
travel America I am constantly saddened at the way in which people
seem determined to deface everything in sight by placing their mark
upon it either by leaving their garbage or painting it with spray
bombs or magic markers. And you can count on one hand the states that
ban highway billboards that block the view of the natural wonders
they advertise.
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