When finally you surrender to us, it must be of your own free will. We do not destroy the heretic because he resists us: so long as he resists us we never destroy him. We convert him, we capture his inner mind, we reshape him. We burn all evil and all illusion out of him; we bring him over to our side, not in appearance, but genuinely, heart and soul. —1984

Catholic kids in Toronto will be forced to sing the national anthem, by decree of the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Trustee Angela Kennedy, who proposed the motion, said the singing of the anthem will help encourage “authentic patriotism.”

Kennedy said she has noticed a lot of people are no longer singing the anthem at public events, school activities and graduations.

“I don’t know why,” she told trustees during a lively 40-minute debate. “Something is wrong.”

Trustee Barbara Poplawski bolstered that point by citing research statistics which showed a large percentage of Canadians now don’t know the lyrics or the melody to the anthem.

“It’s really something that brings us together,” she said about singing the anthem. “We have to know the words.”

Kennedy said the singing of the anthem is also one of many ways students can affirm their allegiance to Canada. Furthermore, veterans appreciate that students sing the words from the heart, her motion added.

Being forced to sing will assuredly bring the children together, in an act of authentic patriotism that comes from the heart.

I believe I’ve seen that movie before.

This individual is missing the point entirely:

[S]tudent trustee Christine Quach said during the debate that the Kennedy motion would force students to sing.

“Where is the freedom of choice in that,” she asked.

One doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

[H/t mattt]