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Stand up! Stand up, for the Emperor!

I used to feel sorry for these people, and I do feel a lingering sympathy, but not much and it’s ebbing away quickly.

Why are these people surprised? What were they expecting?  The state is often institutionalized coercion: if they can make everyone study the same subjects, from the same textbooks, why can’t they also force their own employees to stand to attention when the national anthem is played? And if those employees don’t like it, they can leave. Wouldn’t the same thing happen in a private firm?

This does not mean I’m in favour of coercion, by any means.

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