THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury It’s an old joke from the 1990s, pulled from the files each time the Super Bowl rolls around. Late Congressman Charles Stenholm, a distinguished Christian statesman from Ericksdahl (near Stamford) popularized the yarn in Texas, claiming that it originated in Washington, D.C. It was during more civil times, when Republicans and Democrats not only talked

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury In a perfect world, coaches, parents and participants would rightly refer to sports aspirants as “student athletes.” Today, however, this often is not the case. For many–in both high school and college–reference to “student athletes” is an oxymoron, as far apart as the east is from the west.  The best coaches–at all levels–first are teachers

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My friend Rex Tackett, as community-minded as anyone I’ve ever known, is admired for always taking the high road, and–when necessary–the high wire as well. He takes life on with cheer, always confident of sunrise tomorrow, no matter how many clouds–dark as they may be–fluff up the sky today. He and his wife, Mariann, are

 THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Several years ago, a wise guy–or perhaps a wise gal–sent an email that latched on and won’t let go. It read: “In your column today, I discovered several dozen well-chosen words.” Oh, that it could have been left at that, without a second sentence: “Unfortunately, they were intermingled among 600 that weren’t.” Ouch! Such could

   THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury When this weekly piece first saw the light of day in February 2003, I promised to share stories worthy of belly laughs–or at least chuckles. I also vowed to offer occasional gems of wisdom. I wanted these “gems” to be worthy of comparison to the precious pearls of Majorca. Sadly, most more nearly resemble costume

   THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Compared to the glamour and glitz of Broadway’s “Great White Way” in New York City, two Texas venues fall a bit short. Yet, by many standards, they stand equally tall. I’m referencing Waxahachie, Texas, and Brownwood, Texas, where the Texas and Lyric Theaters, respectively, have been successfully resurrected. Each has scheduled plays early this year

   THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury At commencement exercises several decades ago, the speaker droned on about the attributes of a graduate whose mark on the school was incomparable. The crowd hung on his words, uncaring that his extended commentary would throw the ceremony off schedule. So what? A mother–unknowingly standing next to the esteemed graduate’s mom–whispered, “I’d give

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury We have eyes to see and hearts to serve, yet somehow don’t recognize the importance of both purpose and passion until we see needs up close at life’s intersections. Thankfully, such consciousness–the kind leaving lumps in our throats and guilt in our minds–results when we hear accounts from folks whose lives have changed direction through

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Two long-time friends–Sue Gressett and Gary Dyer–regularly post items that are informative, encouraging, clarifying and amusing on Facebook. When I see their items, I read them carefully, knowing I will be the better for it. In recent days, Sue provided an account that invited “been there, done that” smiles. In this post, her “high road choice” shone