Ok, I agreed with Steve on this. Flying the DP would be the safest and most logical way to depart. However, there shouldn't be any guess work. That's why IFR is so easy.
We should always know exactly what we're doing given a certain phase of flight.
So, in this situation, it can't be either or; it has to be one or the other. What I would want to know is, what is ATC expecting me to do? The tower, Center etc.
The correct answer to the question is to query ground control or the tower prior to departure and clarify what it is they're expecting you to do. The clearance I gave in the first post is too vague. Clarification must be obtained to insure uniformity. Any thoughts......................??