THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury For the most part, handshakes, backslaps, hugs and teardrops–some joyously wept from grateful souls who achieved much, and some from others who barely sneaked by to graduate–now are part of history. In bygone years, school superintendents and university presidents considered graduation events to be successful if everyone left venues in the same state of health
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Family reunions are dwindling, going the way of the wild goose. Some, however, will hold annual gatherings soon. Littering nearby, though, are limbs of family trees that are no more. Most of us who have seen the snow of many winters remember reunion trivia from years long since gone from the calendar. Many recollections make
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury In the growing-up years of long ago, close enough was usually good enough. Precision rules now, though, and “guestimates” that were acceptable then don’t pass muster now. We commonly helped befuddled motorists, suggesting they turn on the county road after crossing three cattle guards, right after spotting a big red barn, or upon seeing a
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The old hymn declares that we are marching to higher ground. Our prevailing culture, however, suggests otherwise. Consider a joke making the rounds at the turn of the century when the internet was beginning to take hold. A couple of 10-year-olds were chatting aimlessly during summer doldrums. Something about Washington, D.C., came up. “What does
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury This is a backstory of “Touchdown Jesus” on the 50th anniversary of Notre Dame’s football faithful making the massive Hesburgh Library’s south wall mural better known than the building itself. Ever heard of the Hesburgh Library, or does “Touchdown Jesus” sound more familiar? I thought so. The artist properly centered on the depiction of Jesus,
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury With news of incivility, protests and disruption gobbling up radio and television air time and dominating front-page newspaper articles, many of us are in a state of perpetual tension. What will tomorrow bring? It’s tough to find even a sprig of a smile, but heaven knows my ancient Uncle Mort is trying his best to
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Many tourist destinations claim to be “all things to all people,” but compared to Branson, Missouri, the rest of them miss the mark by a country mile. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the laid-back community not only survived the pandemic, but has roared back with numerous new attractions to strengthen its vows to be “number
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury The Good Book’s Chapter 6 of Matthew provides challenging specifics on living the good life, but verse three seems most daunting. It concerns the importance of maintaining a chasm between the works of the left and right hands, perhaps as far as the east is from the west. In essence, God knows, and that’s what
Read moreTHE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My ancient Uncle Mort is not one to speak negatively of neighbors, unless they live at least three cattleguards away. He recently “spilled the beans” on a neighbor who lives so deep in the thicket that no one passes his house going to town. The old guy admitted to Mort recently that he had made
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Spirit Of Abilene 