Obviously, attitudes differ place-to-place. But I found your phrase somewhat bemusing.
Obviously, attitudes differ place-to-place. But I found your phrase somewhat bemusing.
In areas where Republicans win elections (roughly non-urban America), military "service" is very often held in quite high regard. Sure, it's not like being a doctor, but I don't think parents are often ashamed of it. Parents, siblings, and grandparents are often quite proud that their family member is in the Marines, for example. People wear t-shirts advertising their current or past involvement. At American Football games they often have active duty military stand up and people clap for them.
As for some examples of military propaganda, here are some that come to mind (note I'm not the OP):
- July 4 and other holidays where the military participates prominently in parades.
- military jets flying over head of a sporting event or a parade, or an air show.
- school field trips to military bases or military museums.
- military bands performing concerts
- mentions to "brave men and women in uniform" in political speeches everywhere
- "support our troops," "my son's a Marine" signs/bumper stickers
- Hollywood videos that glorify the US military and lease military equipment/personnel
- Video games where the US military or US military weapons feature prominently. The US Army famously sponsored a very expensive game a decade ago.
- tons of advertisements on Channel One news, perhaps a couple a day, a TV station that almost all high school students were required to watch during the 90s (I don't know about now)
As you said attitudes differ place-to-place, and I don't want to generalize all Americans, I would say it's safe to assume our Hacker News audience is more likely to be Liberal and Educated then the general American populace. However as a Canadian here's some crap I came up with out my ass:
Military force as a perceived requirement or definition of 'freedom' doesn't exist at your scale elsewhere.
Glorification of war and gun violence in Hollywood, Gaming and on the News, general fear-mongering and militarization of the police.
You guys have been involved in some war or another for about as long as you've been a country..
-- Hope I didn't offend anyone, here's at least one link as support..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_e...