War as entertainment
Suddenly, a ruby-throat zooms down from his perch like Baron von Richtofen in his triplane, scattering the thirsty females and lesser hummers like pollen. While there are six feeding stations, he owns this feeder and defends his territory fiercely.
But, wait, one by one the other hummingbirds make feeble attempts to ward the ruby-throat off, only to find that the enemy hovering horizontally in front of their eyes suddenly appears behind them, looking like a menacing Fokker triplane at six o'clock with guns blazing.
The battle rages for a few seconds with each combatant performing loops, banks and flips. For a fleeting moment, this one-on-one battle resembles two boys chasing each other around a tree, as prey uses the feeder to ward off predator. But the ruby-throat is relentless and pursues his quarry up into the ether like a Sopwith Camel at full throttle.
Then, to his distress, this "redneck" hummer sees the other birds back at the feeder eagerly lapping up the sweet nectar, with only a minor skirmish here and there. His nectar. His territory! And the eons-old dance of the tiny birds begins again, with the participants seemingly using up more energy fighting and posturing than they could ever gain from the sugary nectar.
Experts say that the hummingbirds that entertain us today will soon be replaced by others of their ilk, as they follow the ancient migratory patterns of north-south and south-north. While the stakes are life and death for these marvelous aviators, it is pure theater to watch them, with a glass of red wine in one hand and your sweetie at your side.
Life is surely good in Arkansas during summer.
TOM CANDELA
Bella Vista
August rallies, scores
I was beginning to like August even before the latest spate of mild weather. Not well enough to make it my favorite month, but well enough to kick it out of last place. It is, after all, the month when the kiddos go back to school and I can resume my favorite pastime of shopping at Wal-Mart without the fear of being run over by the little munchkins.
Then, normally, my yard growth of green vegetative stuff that has to be mowed far too often begins to turn a lovely brown, or at least slows its growth due to the heat and lack of rain.
But best of all, football practice begins. That's "Football" with a capital F and a capital A as in American Football, not the silly European or South American "futbol" (soccer) that the American media is pushing. I place soccer in the same league as other silly sports such as curling and beach volleyball. I suppose it is all right for the younger set. Those who cannot or choose not to compete in real sports including horseshoes or mumblety-peg. It at least gets them out of the house and allows them to exercise their legs and necks instead of their thumbs. And I suppose it provides some exercise for participating adults as well, but as a spectator sport, unless a grandchild is playing, I'd sooner watch snails race. And if I never hear the words "World Cup" again, it will be too soon.
So there you go, August. You're not so bad after all.
JOHN McPHERSON
Searcy
Maintain civil order
When law enforcement stands by and allows the looting and destruction of property of law-abiding citizens, this is mob rule, not enforcement of the laws of the land.
Sure, "thug mugs cop" is not nearly as entertaining as "white police officer kills unarmed black teenager," but the maintenance of civil order is what I expect as a citizen.
JIM LITE
White Hall
A good place to lead
Arkansas seems to prove the adage that red states are poorer and less educated than blue states.
Our median household income is $38,758, which is third-lowest in the nation above only West Virginia (second lowest) and Mississippi (lowest). We are among the 10 worst states in the nation for high school graduation rates, at 83.8 percent. Only 20.3 percent of Arkansas adults have a bachelor's degree or higher. Only 26.1 percent of adults have at least an associate degree.
This is the second-lowest in the nation.
We were not always considered a red state. Starting with the election of Jimmy Carter in 1976, Arkansas always voted for the winning presidential candidate until 2008 and 2012. During that period, we seemed to be in tune with the nation. We are not now.
Were we voting for McCain/Palin and Romney/Ryan or were we voting against Barack Obama? Are we racist enough to vote against Obama because he is black?
There is one place where Arkansas leads the nation. It is in the percentage reduction in the uninsured before Obamacare and after Obamacare. Arkansas' uninsured rate dropped from 22.4 percent to 12.3 percent. This is an overall reduction of 45 percent. This is the best of any state in the nation.
It is great to lead the nation in something.
WILLIAM R. JOHNSTON
Pocahontas
Keep the health law
First and foremost, I am a recently retired corrections supervisor from the Arkansas Department of Correction. I ended my career after 30-plus years of service and I was able to obtain the rank of major before retiring.
At this time I want to offer my observation about the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare: I personally know of a situation where one of my former subordinate officers was able to obtain insurance coverage for himself and his family with very little if any cost for said coverage through the ACA.
Thanks to Gov. Mike Beebe for having the foresight to embrace the ACA and President Barack Obama for standing behind it and seeing it through!
Gone are the days of having some of our fellow Arkansans sit aimlessly inside a hospital emergency room for hours, waiting for treatment of a medical condition that could have easily been addressed by a primary-care provider.
ROBERT E. PLANT SR.
Little Rock
Editorial on 08/20/2014