Response to Sinsull:

I object to the teaching of patriotism by rote, sure, whether in the US, China or wherever. I object to patriotism being a featured aspect of any and every kind of public gathering. Why does it have to be reinforced constantly -- is there a fear that without reinforcement people will be less patriotic?

But my biggest objection stems from the use of the word "best." When people are taught, not that they live in a "good" country, but in the "best" country, how do they reconcile that with drive-by shootings, inner city poverty, major drug and violence problems, money spent on war that could help alleviate domestic problems? Faced with that kind of distorted reality, people must become confused at least, neurotic at most.

An example: throughout these posts and posts on other forums I follow, people constantly refer to the fact that they have the right of free speech, as though that was solely found in the US. I firmly believe that statements such as those are facile to the point of being meaningless, and are learned from rhetoric. MANY places in the world have the right of free speech, not only the US!