seeker:
I have never read that "when children in China recite things by rote in mass numbers, we call it propaganda". Actually, teaching children to repeat things as a group, like songs, poems, anthems, etc. has been used for a very long time. It's very effective. Not sinister at all. You appear to be confusing method with content.
Chanting things like "death to America" by Palestinian kids is sinister. But the Pledge of Allegience isn't evil or harmful. Only in the minds of a JW kook would that be the case. And I'm not saying you are a JW kook. I agree with you on most of the things you post. But I often get the impression that you still harbor cynisism towards the U.S. goverment. I don't know if it's residual from your days as a JW or if it's just a healthy mistrust of government. I mistrust bureacracies and politicians, but I love this country. When I reflect on what this country is, stands for, does for it's own people and others around the world, it makes me feel proud. When I think about the young men who for almost 300 years have paid the ultimate price for what we enjoy today, it makes me proud.
Is this country all good with no flaws? No, because I'm not all good with no flaws and you're not all good with no flaws. We are this country. It's our way of life that is threatened by these cowardly terrorists like bin Laden and his ilk.
I just wanted to point out the difference between the act of group recitation and the content of group recitation.