Normally a bleeding heart liberal like me would be all over the city of Burien and the Port of Seattle for balking at preserving affordable housing at the Lora Lake Apartments.

In this week's letters section, the Rev. Sanford Brown, executive director of the Church Council of Greater Seattle, writes that tearing down the complex "is morally unacceptable."

Commentator Ken Scram from KOMO-TV and KVI-AM awarded his dubious achievement "Schrammie" last week to the Port of Seattle for what, he said, was kicking to the curb over 200 renters.

"So, for no heart, no conscience and not one whit of decency, I'd like all you port commissioners to take a bow...," Schram declared.

Well, as I understand it, tearing down the apartments has been in Burien's comprehensive plan for 10 years without objection from the King County Housing Authority.

When the Port bought the apartments in 1998, they along with Burien and the housing authority agreed Lora Lake would close two years ago.

But when the third runway was delayed, the three parties agreed to keep the apartments open until June 2007.

Now, at the last second, the housing authority wants to go back on their long-standing contract. And the county is playing hardball to break the deal.

Burien and surrounding communities house the ever-expanding major airport for the convenience of the state's residents and international travelers.

We have not only put up with the noise but the destruction of entire neighborhoods of affordable single family homes.

After years of steady deterioration, we are rising back up through our own efforts.

Burien is planning economic enhancements for the Lora Lake area and a downtown town square.

The city of SeaTac is transforming a formerly seedy airport strip into light-rail oriented development.

Des Moines is changing crime-plagued Highway 99 and its waterfront downtown.

After years of watching revitalization change communities like Belltown, the Central Area and High Point, it is Highline's time.

Don't worry, King County, we will continue-without complaint-to provide a disproportionate share of human services, but not at Lora Lake.

As the saying goes, "Your failure to plan is not my emergency."

WHILE I DISAGREE with the minister on this particular case, I thank Rev. Brown for reminding us that taking care of the least among us is also a religious and moral issue.

I was surprised when Robert Ross of Des Moines in a previous letter wrote that the Bible tells us not to favor the poor. I missed that lesson during my Lake Burien Presbyterian Sunday School classes.

It reminds me of the Highline lawmaker who noted we shouldn't try to end homelessness because the Bible says the poor will always be with us. He attends services where the expensively dressed pastor commutes between his mega churches by helicopter.

VARIATIONS ON a fairy tale:

The little boy was shown a picture of a proposed statue of the town's founder, affectionately nicknamed "The Emperor."

"He's not wearing clothes," the tot observed.

"Well, when the Emperor first cleared the land, he toiled long hours under the hot sun so he wore very light clothing. We are representing our city's history but looking to the future through this statue," the wise town councilman explained.

"He's not wearing clothes."

"Son, you're not grasping the sophisticated symbolism of his clothing."

"He's not wearing clothes."

"When the artwork is illuminated at night, you'll see the clothes."

"He's not wearing clothes."

"You're only looking at one picture. Wait until you see the entire presentation. The artwork's creator is a good artist, but a great Power-Pointer."

"He's not wearing any clothes."

"Shut up, kid, you're not edgy enough."

Eric Mathison can be reached at ericm@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1855.