I WAS IN THE TEACHERS LOUNGE WHEN THE MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS CAME ON. THE FOUR OTHER TEACHERS AND I ALL ROSE TO SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THERE WASN'T A FLAG IN THE ROOM. WITH OUR HANDS OVER OUR HEARTS WE ALL AIMLESSLY PICKED A DIRECTION TO FACE. I LOOKED AROUND AND REALIZED WE WERE ALL FACING THE SAME OBJECT IN THE ROOM. PERHAPS THE COLOR SCHEME MADE THE DECISION FOR US, PERHAPS IT WAS YEARS OF PROPAGANDA AND CONDITIONING, BUT WE WERE ALL PLEDGING OUR ALLEGIANCE TO THE COCA-COLA VENDING MACHINE.