I went to Toronto last year too, amazing city.

Yeah it really is strange to me. Seeing people put flags outside their homes, sing the national anthem before games (where they aren't playing an international team!), and Obama saying things like the "Greatest nation on earth" is all so surreal to me. Do you guys actually pledge allegiance to the flag every day in shcool?

This feels like a bit of idolatry to me. And I can't help but see that type of stuff as not making a lot of people feel good about themselves. I don't feel camaraderie unless I know the person. Just sharing a fact would be unimportant. I need to know if I like them or are they nice etc.

I worry it leads to things being forgotten. Like America stealing mexico's land doesn't get as much attention as the "good" stuff.