The noisy and powerful have clouded Burien's civic conversation with scare tactics over annexation, and promoted life-and-death conflict between the rich and the environment.

Meanwhile, those given charge of our future prove again and again their lack of leadership. Those who benefit from stirring controversy and division continue to steal from the unwary majority.

And, as always, the "I've got mine and to hell with you" attitude reaps rewards the unwary majority doesn't even know exist.

As an elected, one can serve those who want something; or serve those who don't want somebody to have something; or serve those who are in danger from not knowing the conversations are happening. But serving the latter doesn't get you elected.

So Burien continues to head somewhere, maybe nowhere, with a council of the self-indulgent, self-important, self-righteous, self-centered, self-promoting, short-sighted, micro-minded, and deer-in-headlights obstructionists. Sigh!

We can only place our hopes on the professional staff to do what's right for the good of all, rather than special interests.

Stephen Lamphear
Burien