[Prudence]

I think I already went on record against the daily chant by school children. I'm also against singing the national anthem before every event. I think the mass chant becomes a rote activity devoid of meaning. How many times have you seen "funny" videos of kids misunderstanding the words of the pledge? Or people forgetting the words to the national anthem? This deprives these rituals of their full power. They should be recited/sung in situations that are appropriate to their intrinsic solemnity.

And if I may be permitted to argue in the alternative: indoctrination is appropriate for church, not for government. In history class, students wonder why people under various regimes -- pick your favorite -- didn't "do something." I don't think we should give the impression that our country is always right, or that we stand behind our country (and its symbols) come what may.