Right message, wrong time

The patriotism of this country is showing a change in overall sentiments from its citizens. Never since World War II have the American people come together, showing fully that cynicism and apathy have not ruined the spirit of this country.\nRecently, I viewed a performance of an opera in Indianapolis where the performance began with the cast and orchestra playing and singing the "Star Spangled Banner." Also, in the middle of the opera, during a processional for war heroes coming home (the Egyptians at war with Ethiopia), Indianapolis sheriffs, policemen and firefighters came out on stage and received a standing ovation.\nThough it stirred my heart at the moment and I sang the national anthem and clapped at the processional, I couldn't help but feel violated by this forcing of patriotic ritual upon me.\nThe question for me today is twofold. I am not patriotic in the sense that I have a flag in my window or perform any other American patriotic ritual. Does this mean that I am not patriotic at all or that I do not love my country?\nNo. I pay my taxes, I highly advocate the American Civil Liberties Union because I truly believe that everyone should have the freedom to have rights, and I vote on election days. But I do not outwardly show my patriotism -- and no one should feel bad for not being as outwardly patriotic as others are.\nThe other question that I ask is at what point does patriotic ritual become nothing higher than proselytism or idolatry? \nPresident George W. Bush asked that flags return to full mast almost a month ago. While I can certainly understand singing the national anthem in Broadway theatres in New York (actually, they've more often been singing "God Bless America" or "American the Beautiful" after the performance, not before) because the tragedy is staring them in the face.\nBut we are not neck deep in this tragedy -- this is Indiana, not New York City. For an opera to not only force a singing of the national anthem at the beginning of the production but to also induce our empathy for Indianapolis safety workers (albeit they deserve our support) is nothing more than inappropriately placed patriotism, not an expression of some deeper love for the country.\nThe director said he decided to do it not for artistic reasons, but as a space filler and to get the audience back if he had lost them -- hardly patriotic to me.\nTo me, patriotism is ritualistic and needs to be decided on a personal basis -- not an enforcement of many on the few. Rituals performed idly can ruin their meaning, and when that happens, no amount of singing will well up the pride of the American people.