Local Secretary's Message
By DeLynn Hearn
WOW! What a National Testing Day! We tested a total of 24 prospects,
with two members of the media testing in Eureka Springs and Conway.
I'm sure that there would have been media members in Nashville,
too, except that everybody who works for the paper is kin to Danny
Graves. Bill Westerman and Joe Barda did a great job in Eureka Springs,
and we got some good publicity for our group, as well. We expect
to test another dozen people in follow-up sessions conducted by
Duke Heath, Danny Graves, and myself. Already we have newly accepted
members signing up, and I expect to increase our total membership
by around 10%.
Let's talk about liberty vs. security. [And let me put a disclaimer
in right here: I don't see what goes into the newsletter until it
arrives in my mailbox, so my comments are not directed at anyone
who has written their opinion here.] We give up conveniences, and
maybe liberties, all the time because we choose to do so as a society
and as individuals. We do this because there is some sort of pay
off. Don't get me wrong, I like the liberties we have in this country.
I want to keep them. But I choose to take a test to geta driver's
license because I want to drive myself places. If I choose not to
get the license, it wouldn't be a restriction on travel for me.
It might mean I have to travel more slowly, or the arrangements
would be more cumbersome, but I could still take off on foot to
just about anywhere I choose to go. I don't consider this a huge
infringement on my liberty, although I know some people do.
I'm glad there are people who get all riled up either way, because
they are the ones who keep me aware of what's going on and the possible
repercussions. However, my experience with most of these folks is
that they will fight to the death for you to be able to exercise
your right to make your own choices--as long as they are the same
choices they make.
You see, I want to be allowed the dignity as an adult human being
to make these choices for myself, and to accept the consequences
for my own actions. I also recognize that I have to take into account
the greatest good for the greatest number when I, as a member of
society, help make the decisions that affect us all. That helps
me accept that things don't always go the way I think they ought
to.
Enough of my rant. Let's move on to something more interesting.
Like my personal life. Since my last column, my vehicle has been
towed. Three times in twelve days. Well, actually MY vehicle only
got towed twice. The other time it was just the vehicle I was driving.
My car was in the shop for a substantial portion of September and
October. Then there is the fact that each week in November (OK,
except for Thanksgiving) I'm working a thirty-six hours shift for
a project at work. Oh, and I should be defending my master's thesis
before the next M-Ark issue. And I'm buying a house. It appears
I'll be moving around Christmas. Anyone want to help? (Don't you
need to use up that annual leave before you lose it at the end of
the year?) Anyone like to paint? (The living room is now pink --
that's got to go.) Anyone good with wood floors? I'm expecting a
barrage of positive responses to these questions. So there is no
stress in my life.
As for birding, I have nothing new to report. But there is a rumor
that a tufted duck is in the state, and, if the sighting is accepted
by the records committee, this will be the first time this species
has been found in Arkansas. I intend to see this bird before it
leaves or is shot. I'm busy, but (at least until January 1st) you
can try to contact me at delynnh@iwon.com.
DeLynn Hearn
LocSec