In the week and days before Independence Day (July 4th), my Shorewood on the Bluff neighborhood resounded with explosions.

Being the curmudgeonly sort, I strolled the area engaging neighbors as I dared about fireworks.

My question always was: "Did you know fireworks are prohibited in Burien?" Many said the city can't tell them what to do. Yea, I'm noticing.

So, I asked about opinions on the public vote to ban fireworks. The common reply was, "Well, I didn't vote for that."

The bottom line seemed to be that "I'm gonna do what I want to and 'they' can't stop me;" or "I didn't vote for the ban so #$%@ (expletive) the city." It was an interesting survey...and a noisy few days. The debris littered the streets afterward.

One person had actually been at the city council meeting where one councilmember forced the police chief on camera to make instant public policy and carve out an exception (minors won't be cited) that isn't in the law.

As this neighbor said: "I'll just hand the rockets to my kid if the police drop by." Success-- someone who pays some attention to the city council.

Anyway, the level of law abiding in my SOB neighborhood was as minimal as Shorewood on the Sound (SOTS), Maplewild and 3 Tree Point (the Gold Coast) -- areas I can see from my deck. The poor weather did nothing to dampen patriotic enthusiasm to celebrate our Nation's Independence Day -- I'm just positive that was what they were celebrating even though a significant number don't actually vote.

Yes, Independence Day 2010 proved once again that the United States is a nation of laws -- provided I agree with those laws.

Stephen Lamphear
Burien