Stephen Richer

If it’s true that you can tell a lot about a person by meeting his friends and family, Jon Huntsman should go far in the GOP race. (more)

In response to the administration’s recent criticism of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), John Boehner’s spokesman, Brendan Buck, said the following to USA Today: (more)

By Stephen Richer and R. Ben Sperry (more)

When I attached myself to New Orleans in 2003, I didn’t know I was signing up for the role of Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the hill. Falling crime rates in the city were replaced by Hurricane Katrina. And just as the city turned the corner on Hurricane Katrina, things got bad again—BP oil now lingers in the Gulf of Mexico, one of our principal sources of entertainment and revenue. (more)

In the past three years, I’ve anxiously awaited the release of four books: (more)

As is probably true of most aspiring writers, I’ve at times questioned the efficacy of the written word. “A lot’s being written; do people have time to read what I write? And if they read it, does it matter? Or do they just forget about it the next second?” (more)

As a curious person who likes crowds and dislikes big government, it’s only natural that I’ve made my way to a couple Tea Party rallies in the past few months. My semi-regular attendance earned me a number of pins and buttons—including one with the now-again-emblematic “don’t tread on me” slogan—and it has placed my name on the mailing list of Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks organization, one of the principal sponsors of the rallies. (more)

During her time as Prime Minister, Golda Meir appealed to Henry Kissinger for increased American support. The Prime Minister marshaled many reasons for assisting Israel—the country’s geo-strategic importance, its promotion of democracy, its attitude toward the Soviet Union, etc.—but she also appealed to Kissinger’s identity as a Jew. Unimpressed, Kissinger responded, “I would like to inform you that I’m first an American citizen, second Secretary of State, and third a Jew.” To which Meir replied, “In Israel, we read from right to left.” (more)

The Washington D.C. Shakespeare Theatre Company chose its plays wisely this year.  Just as the country is searching for skilled leadership to deal with the economic crisis, the continued violence in Iraq and Afghanistan, the massive government deficit, and the Iranian nuclear threat, the Theatre is offering its Leadership Repertoire—two months of concurrent performances of Henry V and Richard II. (more)

In a March 5, Daily Caller article, Alex Beehler argued that instead of teaching Harry Potter and other “children’s literature” to Princeton undergraduates, students “might be better educated in the responsibilities and opportunities based on a society founded on individual liberty.” (more)

Houston is one of my favorite cities—I have relatives there, one of whom is a petroleum engineer; the city has the best barbeque in the world, and some of my favorite baseball memories come from Astros games at the former Enron Field. As such, it’s no surprise that I don’t like Jeff Skilling, one of the principle culprits of the Enron collapse and the subsequent economic downturn of Houston. (more)

It’s been nearly a year since Secretary of State Clinton promised “crippling sanctions” on Iran. The U.S. House has passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA), and the Senate has passed similar legislation, but congressional leaders have failed to start a reconciliation process. President Obama—enmeshed in domestic policy debates—has done little to hasten the congressional process. (more)

It’s not very often that Utah is a topic of conversation in Washington, D.C. Only when a high-profile polygamist is on the run or when the Jazz are in the playoffs do my friends ask about my home state. (more)