THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury To most Texans, the name “Rambo” may mean little, but to Todd Compton it evokes memories from his childhood, when kinfolk spoke of 17th century ancestors who lived in what is now Philadelphia.  Peter Gunnarson Rambo (1611-1698) was most discussed, and Compton, now 52, remembers the accounts he heard in his grandmother’s kitchen. His genealogical

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury “Spell Check” — first thought to be a handy computer feature to help us use the correct letters in the proper order for word formation–often goes haywire. Like oft-discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI is the abbreviation, despite my thinking it to be short for “Alfred” in the early going), it can be dead wrong, redden

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury I have never been a superstitious person—not until the recent Friday the Thirteenth. Truth is, I’ve chuckled at others who won’t walk under ladders, change routes when black cats crossed their trails or wear the same unwashed “lucky” garments to extend sports victory strings. Sad memories of my mid-morning calamity remain tender. But, tears

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The song has been a staple in Christian hymnals for more than a century, underscoring deeply held beliefs. “The Way of the Cross Leads Home”–written in 1906–might be in the running for Christians’ national anthem if it ever came to a vote.   Until here lately, the “way” to Branson, Missouri, has not been quite so

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Errors committed when speaking sometimes, sadly, result in word entanglements that are simply beyond repair. None of us is immune. And, getting out of verbal messes can be as difficult as sticking quills back into the goose. Some folks of national renown are known for their misspoken words, particularly when they open their mouths only

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Now that the election is over, my ancient Uncle Mort and his domino-playing buddies down in the thicket can resume their usual mostly-minutia confabs that too often lack authenticity. This reminds me of the annual extravaganza birthed in 1929 when old-timers of Burlington, Wisconsin, held their first-ever “Liars’ Contest.” They called it “harmless fibs

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Carl Sandburg–his poetry collections winning three Pulitzer Prizes–warmed the hearts of Americans with his beautiful description of how tides roll in, “on little cat feet.” He would be hard-pressed to similarly describe crowd’s arrivals at our house each year on October 31. They’re in all shapes, sizes, ages and all manner of dress–but, unlike

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The deeper dive one takes into life’s hourglass of time, the more likely it is to ponder nuggets of health news that might affect longevity.  One jumped out at me the other day when a physician’s findings gave me an additional reason to keep as close an eye on my cane as I do

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Bob Hope, beloved humanitarian, comedian and patriot, may have been America’s best ambassador of international goodwill–ever. He was able to “localize” his jokes and stories no matter where he appeared. Always on the road, this British-born icon became a naturalized American at age four. He spent some 80 of his 100 years starring in vaudeville,