• OPINION

  Commander in White House doghouse

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/10/2023

  » It was Harry Truman who reportedly advised would-be presidents: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Perhaps he should have added "as long as it doesn't bite".

• OPINION

  A medley of moonlight, stars and pines

  Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/09/2023

  » The answer to a crossword clue I recently tackled was "Vermont" which immediately triggered memories of the beautiful 1950's song Moonlight in Vermont. When I first heard the tune as a kid it created such an alluring image of moon rays amid sycamore trees I dug out the atlas to find out where Vermont was actually located. It even looked nice on the map, tucked up in the right-hand corner of the US.

• OPINION

  The curious case of the missing column

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 16/04/2023

  » Many thanks to readers who expressed concern about the non-appearance of PostScript last Sunday. Some feared Crutch might have been under the weather or had even departed for the Great Typewriter in the Sky. Others thought I had fled the scene in a bid to escape Songkran, which in retrospect would not have been a bad idea.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  A good time to chill out and be cool

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/11/2020

  » It was a strange week even by US President Donald Trump's standards. It began with him pardoning turkeys and ended in pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn. Who is next in line for a pardon one wonders?

• OPINION

  Never underestimate the dog lovers' vote

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/11/2020

  » It was Harry Truman who famously advised would-be presidents: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." President Donald Trump did not heed that advice, becoming the first US president in well over a century not to have a pet of some sort in the White House.

• OPINION

  Naval skirmishes among the soapsuds

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/08/2020

  » The current debate concerning the purchase of submarines has sparked memories of some important naval battles I experienced as a kid. Well okay, it was in the murky waters of my bath and featured plastic toy submarines, but they were still memorable confrontations.

• OPINION

  The doctor who became a wrap star

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 10/05/2020

  » It will come as no surprise that I know absolutely nothing about fashion. However I have been impressed by the stylish scarves warn by Doctor Deborah Birx in those White House coronavirus briefings. Whether draped over her shoulders like a wrap, or tied around her neck, the silk scarves are really quite attractive and look particularly suited to this elegant lady. Dr Birx's appearances have apparently prompted a considerable boost in sales of these upmarket scarves, especially the Hermes variety frequently worn by the doctor.

• OPINION

  Shake hands on it… on second thoughts

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/03/2020

  » I was at a recent gathering with friends in Bangkok where the customary handshakes were replaced by a variety of awkward fist bumps, elbow nudges, foot-shakes, waving of arms and other silly ways of saying "hello". But there were definitely no nose-to-nose greetings. Not shaking hands with your closest friends is probably the most noticeable example of how the Covid-19 crisis has affected everyday life. Even Britain's Queen Elizabeth has let it be known that she will not be shaking hands with anyone "for the foreseeable future".

• OPINION

  Thailand will always remain amazing

  News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/06/2019

  » I must admit to thinking that the "Amazing Thailand" slogan was a bit over the top when it was first introduced by the tourism authorities about two decades ago. But over the years I have grown quite fond of it in a funny sort of way, probably because it is more or less accurate.

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