IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Ray Hildebrand, who wrote and sang “Hey, Paula” with college classmate Jill Jackson in 1963, admits to being “older than dirt,” but quickly adds that he’s still “kicking up dust,” despite entering his 80th year a few weeks hence. In fact, he’s “on track” to exceed the longevity of another “Ray”– this one named
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury We’ve longbeen led to believe that we “can’t know the players without a program.” However, it’s generally agreed that they are needed for sports purists who want to identify all of the players, from the “stars to the scrubs.” At the State Fair of Texas in Dallas–where they feature three football games annually
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Coaches whotake their teams on the road to face storied football opponents usually tip-toe into town, feeling that the less said, the better. This is particularly true when they’re fortunate enough to win, and doubly so if they’re scheduled to meet the same foes the next year at “their place.” A prime example
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury As might be expected, my Uncle Mort thought he had heard every birthday-related joke in the book. At his 107th party a few weeks ago, he got a real birthday surprise. They rolled out three large gifts. When he tore away the wrapping on the first one, there was a birthday cake adorned by
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A majority of us have drawn lines in the dirt, emphasizing the point beyond which we simply will not be pushed by pesky, ever-encroaching technology. Most of us gradually fold, however. In retreat mode, we still draw lines, but they are evermore faint, each drawn with diminishing enthusiasm. I was a stubborn hold-out when
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Mickey Eddins didn’t want folks to make a “big to-do” about him or his western accessory business, but that’s simply too bad. “If he hadn’t wanted a ‘big to-do’ made about what he’s done, he shouldn’t a’done ‘em,” said one of the 400-plus guests crowded into the M&F showroom recently to honor him
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Just two decades ago, visionary Galveston leaders risked public monies, made promises they hoped they could keep, and readily shared their vision with cruise lines. They fully believed that cruising was ready to “take off.” Galvestonians–proud of their historic island city–were “in” for the long haul, and Carnival officials wanted to be. They
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A casual statement made by my Uncle Mort at his 107th birthday party recently may go a long way in explaining why he continues his relentless pursuit of get-rich-quick inventions. He said he suffered a monumental financial blow–a borderline “gut punch”–from Wall Street. Mort rues the long-ago day he put all of his available
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury The prophet Isaiah really started something when he foretold of signs to indicate the coming of the Christ child. I know. This is a scriptural reference heard mostly at Christmastime. It is noted, though, that signs were big in biblical times, and remain big now. Today, some signs with their modern-day digital technology,
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