Seen in Atlanta airport, Dec. 18, 2013.

The Church teaches us the Way of holiness by pointing us to the truth. The government “teaches” us what the “appropriate” response to something is by spending millions of dollars on PR campaigns (i.e. via very sneaky and highly effective propaganda).

“To preclude a recurrence the Vietnam Syndrome during the GWOT, the Pentagon conducted an astonishingly vigorous and comprehensive public relations campaign that provided it with public visibility and with a familiar, readily accepted presence across a wide array of popular cultural activities.45 During the Bush administration this included a program specifically designed to encourage Americans to support US troops, and to create among US military personnel an impression that their efforts and sacrifices are valued back home and that the American public stands behind them as they continue the occupation of Iraq and the indefinite war on terror. This double-edged sword aimed at both a public and a military audience was called America Supports You (ASY).

…According to American Forces Press Service (AFPS), “The Defense Department launched [ASY] in November 2004 to showcase support for the country’s men and women in uniform from the American public as well as the corporate sector.”46 With the aid of a multimillion dollar contract with a private public relations firm, a private foundation called the America Supports You Fund, over 35 major corporate partners such as Anheuser-Busch, Wal-Mart, and Microsoft, and hundreds of local affiliate groups, ASY organized mass ‘Freedom Walks’ in dozens of cities nationwide to commemorate 9-11 and encourage patriotism and militarism as the appropriate popular responses.”

“Support the Troops”: Populist Militarism and the Cultural Reproduction of Imperial Power, Mark Rupert, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University