CLEVELAND -- Controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance is brewing once again.

SURVEY Do you have a problem with Dr Pepper omitting "under God" from the "Pledge of Allegiance" on its pop cans? Yes. It's unpatriotic and wrong. No. It's the company's right to do so. Results  |  Disclaimer

NewsChannel5 reported that Dr Pepper released a commemorative can with the Pledge in honor of the Sept. 11 victims, but the words "under God" were excluded.

Some people believe this shows a lack of respect for the victims.

Donna Gilcher of Cleveland Heights is just one of thousands of people reacting to the commemorative can, which is complete with a picture of the Statue of Liberty and an excerpt of the Pledge of Allegiance without the words "under God."

"I don't look at it as a commemorative can," she said. "I look at it as minimizing those who lost in this terrorist act."

Complaints about the Dr Pepper can have been found all over the Internet. The e-mail traffic is so heavy that speculation is running rampant that Pepsi will create a similar can.

A representative for Pepsi said the rumors are simply untrue.

What is clear, according to Lakewood psychologist Dr. Melvin Painter, is that the Dr Pepper controversy points to growing Sept. 11 sensitivity as we approach the anniversary.

"It doesn't matter if it's a pencil, a pop can, (or) a billboard -- when it comes to 9/11, people are very touchy at this time," he said.

About 41 million of the 9/11 Dr Pepper cans were produced.

On its Web site, Dr Pepper explains why the words "under God" were left off the can label, but consumers like Gilcher believe the damage is done.

"I don't believe a person or a corporation has the right to remove the words of a patriotic document for monetary purposes," she said.

Production on the 9/11 Dr Pepper can stopped months ago.

Ironically, since it was a limited-edition can, collectors believe it will have some monetary value in the future.