Legislating Patriotism

Arizonians came up with a bill to put flags in all Arizona school classrooms by 2007 because quite frankly, they don't think that people are patriotic enough or understand their heritage and American made flags in the classrooms will take care of that problem.

I don't know... how about teaching American history in the schools? The constitution? Nah, that's ok, you don't have to be book smart to be patriotic.

When you grew up didn't they have flags in your classrooms? Didn't you have to say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning? I went to Catholic schools and we had to pray in addition to the pledge. What a ritual... and most of us ended up being hippy pinkos (or pink hippos).

Principle of Fascism Number 1: Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism.

From the prominent displays of flags and bunting to the ubiquitous lapel pins, the fervor to show patriotic nationalism, both on the part of the regime itself and of citizens caught up in its frenzy, was always obvious. Catchy slogans, pride in the military, and demands for unity were common themes in expressing this nationalism. It was usually coupled with a suspicion of things foreign that often bordered on xenophobia.