IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury It was bound to happen, and finally, it did. I overheard the words “artificial intelligence” and “fake news” mentioned in the same sentence. Maybe we need more “real thing” topics. Coca-Cola sold gazillions of its products with its “real thing” claim years ago. During our youth, we placed great trust in mass media news,
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury A commonpractice when decision-makers arrive in Washington, D. C., is to check common sense at the door. There’s daily evidence of “bonehead” decisions that make us wonder about competencies. The other day, President Trump hit replay when citizens came unstuck with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ announcement that the federal government would no longer
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Many Texans–and no doubt some abiding outside our borders–have used the expression for years: “He’ll do to ride the river with.” We give little thought to its origin, but typically it is used to convey highest praise for others in whom we have confidence–whether we’re fording a river, or even if we don’t
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IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury They met in college at a time of comparative innocence. Father Knows Best was the rage on TV; Ken and Barbie weren’t yet a couple. The TV show and the famous dolls–one might suggest–were bookends for a real life romance that began 65 years ago on the campus of Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. A 1953 graduate
Read moreIDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury If a union organizer at a convention of robots urges “them” to unite, the rep might learn that “they” already have. Or, so it could appear. So far, robots generally have made us smile, releasing us from performing mundane chores. Now, however, they’re being utilized to “do the dirty work.” I shall opt out
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THE IDLE AMERICAN Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury One was nationally renowned, known for the spoken word–the other, for words written down. The former was radio newsman Paul Harvey; the latter–as eloquent in print as Harvey was on the airways–was William Arthur Ward. They were genuine to the core. During these days when too much is called “fake news,” these
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(Editor’s Note: Dr. Don Newbury is former president of Howard Payne University in Brownwood and is well known to many Abilenians. Newbury writes a weekly column that is syndicated in 200 newspapers. He graciously is sharing those with readers of Spirit of Abilene.) The Idle American Commentary by Dr. Don Newbury Most veterans stand proudly on annual dates they’re honored,
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