Flags, Icons, and Propaganda
Paraphernalia of U.S. Nationalism
The origins of nationalism or patriotism (which we could collectively describe as  'apartness') can be found in primitive tribalism, typically characterised by having common territory, common language or dialect, common customs or beliefs, and perceived common enemies. Over course of time these tribes became larger groupings which we now call 'nations'.
     (While one formerly spoke of 'tribes', the term 'ethnic group' is nowadays much more common and group identities are defined in relation to what they are not - in other words their identities are defined in relation to non-members of the group.)
     Nationalism or patriotism are concepts which in their time have created unity and strength in nations throughout the world. But this 'national identity' can also lead to divisiveness and whet appetites for political dominance and aggressivism as happened in nazi Germany and as is now happening in capitalist U.S.A.
     Every state or nation has its distinctive flag together with other icons or symbols which for most of its citizens represent the essence of that state or nation and its values. These things are a powerful force in apartness. It is largely a matter of personal opinion as to whether these symbols are the visible part of acceptable patriotism (i.e. the simple expression of national identity) or a dangerous component of ideological doctrine and weapon of propaganda.
    The flag is probably the best known symbol of apartness. Nationalist politicians aim to make people feel attached to 'the flag' and it is widely displayed and has solemn rituals (particularly militaristic rituals) built around it. Sometimes this cult of the flag becomes totally obsessive - as in Hitler's Germany, soviet Russia, and present-day America.
     Clever propaganda can sometimes force people together though they may not always be much alike. If they can be made to feel that they share common bonds they will believe that they are on the same 'side'. But remember, the only reason you are part of your nation is because you were born there - an 'accident of birth', not a 'birthright' - or chose to become a citizen. But, either way, it does not make you better than someone else.
     The symbolism involved in apartness is of a varied nature but it is the most important part of the paraphernalia of nationhood. In addition to the flag itself, other important symbols include
    National anthem and other motivating music
    Parliament or assembly
    An army and police force to subdue the population and enforce the perpetuity of the status quo
    Imposing buildings and monuments the purposes of which are to make the human individual feel diminished and subservient to 'the authorities'
    A  national mythology which can be a true or invented representation of history and tradition
    Sporting achievements, medals, and trophies
    Language, culture, and religious belief system
     We can see the relevance of symbols to apartness and to a national consciousness – consider your own involuntary feelings upon hearing your national anthem or seeing your national sportsmen and athletes win medals and trophies. To a greater or lesser extent, we are all 'conditioned' to respond appropriately. Such is the power of political propaganda.
     Another symbol of apartness is popular myth and legend. Though these stories are often exaggerated or false they are nevertheless used as a way to bind the people together.
     In an influential study of ethnic identity in the United States, Glazer and Moynihan (1963) stated that the most important point to be made about the so-called American 'melting-pot' is that it is just another of those myths. They argued that, rather than eradicating ethnic differences, modern American society has actually created a new awareness in people, a concern about roots and origins. Moreover, many Americans continue to use their ethnic networks actively when looking for jobs or a spouse. Many prefer to live in neighbourhoods dominated by people with the same origins as themselves, and they continue to regard themselves as 'Italians', 'Poles', etc., two generations or more after their ancestors left the country of origin.
 

     A strange situation has arisen in America where 'war on terrorism' and 'national security' have become euphemisms for targeted aggressivism against minorities and against other countries.
     Whereas patriotism is simply the act of loving one's country, it is shown that, in the U.S., nationalism has become an extreme devotion to unilateralism and predominance. Nationalism - as opposed to patriotism - has this one steadfast rule: The nation has to be above all others. This new American nationalism is therefore something to be very wary of.
     From an early age Americans are indoctrinated with this narrow, fervent flag-waving kind of nationalism which is mistakenly called 'patriotism'.
     They are inculcated with a sort of 'my country, right or wrong' mentality and this is an ongoing process. Americans are cocooned in the 'red, white, and blue' and 'the flag' is everywhere, ever-present just as it was in soviet Russia and Nazi Germany. They are taught that 'the American Way' - a phrase invented in old Superman comics - is always 'better'. Indeed. they have been brought up to be a sort of superious 'Americankind', transcending ordinary humankind. In short, Americans are now as 'conditioned' just as much as the Soviets and German Nazis ever were.
     Under the regime of George W. Bush, Americans are in the process of losing many of their hard-fought-for freedoms because of nationalist politicians' perceived need to perpetuate the state instead of protecting the rights of the citizen. Before the so-called Patriot Act, suspected criminals had to be charged within 48 hours or otherwise be released. That was a long-established principle of law known as Habeas Corpus. But today they may be held for up to seven days without charges and detained indefinitely if the 'authorities' consider them 'a threat to national security'.
     If you are an American, you've been told all your life that you live in a free society. So by now you probably even believe it. But it seems you are not free. You have not been free for a long time.
     And it will come as a surprise, even to most Americans, that ever since its inception in 1776 the U.S.A. has never really been at peace with the world - or with itself - for very long. And it is generally believed that the U.S.A. has largely been a peaceful country until recent times. Yet nothing could be further from the truth.
     The fact is that the U.S.A. has been engaged in militarism or aggressivism of one kind or another for most of its existence. Of all the things the U.S. can claim, it certainly has no claim to being a 'peace loving' country. Its history throughout, right from the day is was freed from under the heel of its English masters, has largely been characterised by land-grabbing, asset-stripping, and corruption. Right from the earliest days when the indigenous natives were decimated and deprived of their lands. The invasions of the oil-rich Middle East are only the latest instances in a long catalogue of aggressivism. Consider this very detailed analysis of every American year from 1776 to the present day here on this website -  American Peace.
     The American public has been discouraged from taking a genuine interest in the world outside. Furthermore, questioning the activities of the military and covert agencies is frowned upon by the authorities. This is especially a matter of great concern in a country forever claiming to be the fountain of 'freedom' and 'democracy'.
     In view of its aggressivist history it was quite predictable that in the wake of the devastating attacks on the U.S. World Trade Centre and Pentagon on 11th September 2001 the American government would straightaway jump onto a 'war on terrorism' bandwaggon (with Britain and some other countries slavishly following suit).
     Those attacks were a godsend to the more extremist elements in the U.S. political establishment and to the 'paranoia-forever' people in the Pentagon, those who read kick-arse gung-ho comics and eagerly look forward to the day when they can drop another nuclear bomb somewhere.
     The truth is that the U.S.A. was never even a truly 'democratic' country. That was simply a myth created by the powerful to placate the less fortunate. Most of the so-called 'founding fathers' for all their fine words were in reality slave owners and rogues. Even the U.S. electoral system - never subjected to proper international scrutiny - is an elaborate sham geared to the advantage of powerful organisations.
     Essentially, America is a devil-take-the-hindmost society with little heed for the elderly, the ill, the disabled, or other disadvantaged people. It is a gangster society in which the strongest and most ruthless people best survive.
     The U.S.A. is extremely inward-focused and its peoples live in a kind of 'matrix', insulated from the world at large. The tragedy of this is that they never truly get to know about the real world outside of their matrix. Its peoples are conditioned to believe that they live in 'the Land of the Free', in the 'Land of Sweet Liberty'. They are constantly told about things like 'the American Dream' and 'the American Way'. They are told that 'In God We Trust'. These myths - for that is what they truly are - ring exceeding hollow in the light of the U.S.A.'s real history.
     Indeed, the U.S.A. is a feudal land built upon and sustained by corruption and purposively-produced mythology. If a lie is repeated often enough it will begin to be perceived as truth and nowhere is this so well illustrated as in present-day America.

FURTHER READING
U.S. fanatics plunge world into new Dark Age   ClickMe
Of rogue nations and evil empires   ClickMe
U.S.A. - the biggest rogue state of all?  ClickMe
Politicians seek to destroy democracy  ClickMe