Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Can't beat question time in the 'bear pit'
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/02/2022
» While normally steering well clear of British politics I admit to having enjoyed recent live TV sessions of the UK Parliament. The weekly Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQ) held on Wednesdays is far more entertaining than any soap opera. Witnessing the verbal jousting as the PM attempts to side-step a withering grilling is sheer theatre. It is almost like being the accused in the dock at a court hearing.
From the doghouse to the White House
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/01/2021
» When President Barack Obama first took office in 2008, the BBC observed that he would be inheriting "the in-box from Hell" -- and they were not far off the mark. However, Mr Obama's in-tray was rather like a goody-bag compared to what lies in store for President Joe Biden. You wouldn't wish this in-tray on anybody.
US president who loved the Big Mango
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/07/2019
» Last week it was the moon landing, today it's another 50th anniversary, US President Richard Nixon visiting Thailand. Just a week after congratulating the US astronauts on the lunar triumph, Mr and Mrs Nixon landed in Bangkok on July 28, 1969, on their way to embattled South Vietnam.
Sometimes you just have to walk away
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/03/2019
» The Hanoi summit may not have gone quite as smoothly as planned, but I'll leave that for the experts to dissect. One suspects the expression "sometimes you have to walk" will be widely featured in forthcoming panel discussions. Nonetheless, the summit did have its entertaining moments.
Don't judge these books by their titles
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 25/11/2018
» It is generally agreed that a snappy title helps the sales of a book, although some can be a real turnoff. With this in mind, for 40 years the English literary magazine Bookseller, has been holding an annual award for the oddest book title. Also known as the Diagram Prize, last year's winner was the enthralling The Commuter Pig Keeper which just edged out the thought-provoking Nipples on My Knee.
White House in-tray still looking a bit grim
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/01/2017
» When Barack Obama won the US presidential election more than eight years ago, the BBC commented that when he took over the White House from George W Bush a few months later, he would be inheriting "the in-box from Hell".
Which street is the Gettysburg Address?
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/10/2016
» Most Americans are aware of the Gettysburg Address, one of the most famous speeches ever given in American history, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the height of the civil war.
Forget the encyclopaedia, ask the wife
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/05/2013
» I was slightly saddened, but hardly surprised, to read recently that after 244 years Encyclopaedia Britannica will no longer publish its printed edition, although it is still available online. I suppose it was inevitable. If you want to update something or make a correction you can do it immediately online, as is the case with Wikipedia. With the printed version, you would have to wait years.
Those barking rascals are wagging their tails again
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/04/2013
» It is good to see North Korea is maintaining its flair for stirring rhetoric. Last week it likened the US to a "boiled pumpkin", which has a certain whimsical appeal. Long-time observers will appreciate that whoever came out with the pumpkin imagery is simply following a grand tradition of spokesmen from north of the DMZ.
Grim White House in-tray
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 04/11/2012
» When Barack Obama won the US presidential election four years ago, the BBC commented that when he took over from George W Bush _ a few months later he would be inheriting ''the in-tray from Hell''. It wasn't far off the mark. Certainly things haven't been a barrel of laughs for Mr President. But he can't complain: After all, he wanted the job.