Allegiances are indeed challenged in a dynamic and ever changing society.

In "Fiddler on the Roof" Tevye talks about "tradition" as being the basis for the community of his small town knowing who they were, and what God wanted them to do.

And yet the theme of the show was about the changing face of society and how it is sometimes better to not have tradition carved in stone and accomodate to change.

You said, >"The Pledge of Allegiance is as much a part of our heritage as the hunt and slaughter of the Dakotas and the widespread race riots of the late 50s, the 60s, & the early 70s. As much a part of America as the Union Pacific Railroad, Dodge City, and Plymouth Rock."

If you go to Plymouth Rock today, you will see a monolith roofed over with a steel fence enclosing it. As you look down on the rock itself what you will notice is where vandals have descecrated it by painting "F*** you" on it with 3 ft high letters.

To have validity, the symbols of America live in our hearts and are put there by education. This does not not require and is not aided by any special legislation to hallow these symbols. It does require a public education that has core values being taught from sea to sea.