In response to Jeremiah's question about why some states have pledges - in this case, the pledge and the flag go together:
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/.../tx_pledge.htm
States have flags, birds, trees - symbols. Some of our states have pledges.
Think about this - companies have mission statements. If we read their mission statement, it gives us an understanding of who they are. Many teams develop mission statements as well.
A good place to ask many of these questions is in your American History classes.
(I do know how much Texans value and respect their Texas flag. We have carried Texas flags with us to Lone Star Regional and have given them as gifts. We've also taken them with us to Atlanta.)
P.S. It is always my hope that we are an inclusive society. We work together to resolve our differences, sometimes deciding mutually to agree to disagree. Our country has endured much in it's short life as a country. We still experience growing pains as a democracy. My grandmother's view of the United States began in the late 1800's and though she lived to her late 80's, she did not live to see the influence of the Internet or cell phones. She would have loved to know that we just experienced a teacher at work on Endeavour. It is important to look at where we've been in order to move forward sometimes. It is important to learn our history and use it to guide our future history that we create. It is important that we work together, learn together, improve society together - just like being on a team.