Airpersoj wrote:But, the tower controller issues that heading with
the expectation that the TRACON will cause it to be a
vector..eventually.

Ok, I can live with that. ;-) I take it you disagree with the blanket
statement that a heading and vector mean the same thing?

Airpersoj wrote:If the term "for radar vectors" has not been stated,
the prudent pilot should ask, "Is that heading assignment for radar
vectors?"

And if the answer were "No", would you infer that the controller
intended the heading to apply only after flying any DP or is able to
maintain his own obstruction clearance?

Airpersoj wrote: He was probably talking about a non-tower airport
in Glass G airspace.

Do you not think that departing a non-radar class D airport is an
almost identical situation as departing a class G in regards to that
initial heading assignment?