While I believe that the pledge represents our values I don't think we've reached that ideal in all aspects of our society. I think we're making progress and I believe that gay rights is one of the next needed advances. While I don't agree with the child's analysis in resistance to the pledge. He's clearly thought the issue through and taken a strong moral stand in opposition to a strong bureaucracy -- the school system. One of the key liberties we have is to exercise our right to free speech and he has exercised that right. This is not an act of juvenile delinquency. To label it such totally devalues the thought and courage to take an unpopular action.