THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Late in the 1500s, noted playwright William Shakespeare wrote his classic, Hamlet–his longest play that included an oft-quoted line, “The play’s the thing.”  Surely he was prophetic. Providence cannot be ruled out, but coincidence can. Whatever, two plays about King David currently spotlight the prominent biblical figure–one long-running at the Sight and Sound Theater in

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury I’ve never claimed to have the gift of prophecy, nor do I now.  Yet, it seems beyond coincidence that two of my past three columns have centered on bears, and now–lo and behold–bears are back in the news, particularly in Japan, where they are attacking people. To the few readers who may think me to

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Their numbers are dwindling, but folks figuring there’s nothing new under the sun are spending too much time in the shade and/or staring too much at the fiery object that planets circle with precision–at least so far.  Assuredly this is not the opinion of a robot, spy or AI (“artificial intelligence” for people asleep

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury I’ve pondered– likely at times when I should have been engaged in thoughts of consequence–about goings-on that seem to “fit” into one of three categories: Divine intervention, coincidence or “blind hog luck.”  The older I get, the more I believe that in most instances, what we’ve often thought to be coincidences–or the referenced “blind

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Gentle friends, if any such folks are reading, I wish to make it clear that during my 22+ years of writing this piece, I have avoided ever using “bad” words. If any sneaked in, they were mild, never thrown carelessly around like many words crossing the lips of broadcasters, particularly in the sports world. 

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury My friend–call him Barney–has jumped through hoops and negotiated mazes that are part and parcel of a long and successful professional communications career. Now, he is spending well-earned retirement years on an East Texas farm.  He’s learning to be a “yes” man to his wife and daughter, and he’s said “yes” repeatedly to

THE IDLE AMERICAN THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury If a vote were taken, Irving Berlin and Richard Rodgers likely would score landslide wins for memorable musical compositions, many of which live on.  One hit song–featured in the 1946 Broadway hit, “Annie Get Your Gun”–was unforgettable. Remember Ethel Merman belting out, “There’s No Business Like Show Business?” After 1,147 performances,

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury Only one other example of ongoing embarrassment trumps name-calling many of us faced in elementary school during the final years of the Great Depression.  And it was in the “funny papers,” for crying out loud. No “real people” were involved, unless the late Charles Schulz–creator of the popular “Peanuts” cartoon starring Charlie Brown and

THE IDLE AMERICANCommentary by Dr. Don Newbury I’d never thought of naming my laptop. Now, I’m making a u-turn, deciding that it deserves a name: “Dolly.” Hundreds of miles away from her for five full days, I can now warble with gusto, “Hello, Dolly. Well, hello, Dolly. It’s so good to have you back where you belong.” Our “separation” began around