By Bill Winter
LP News

A bestselling author has had a brainstorm -- and publicly declared that he
is a libertarian.

Richard Dooling, whose novel Brain Storm was named a New York Times Notable
Book in 1998, made the announcement in an interview with Christianity Today
on January 6.

When asked about his political beliefs, the Nebraska-born author said, "I'm
a libertarian. The only thing more offensive than a Trent Lott Republican is
a Bill Clinton Democrat."

This wasn't the first time Dooling had declared his affinity for
libertarianism. In 1999, he published what he called "a libertarian's take
on the Clinton mess" in the New York Times.

In the op-ed, he argued that "the root of the [Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky]
scandal lies in the surfeit of intrusive laws that would make criminals of
almost anyone the government decides to investigate."

While not defending Clinton's personal behavior, Dooling noted that Clinton
faced legal action only because of the nation's "expanded interpretations of
the sexual harassment laws.

"If we are to be a nation of laws and not men, then perhaps we should pause
before we attack yet another social malady or human weakness by passing yet
another unenforceable law," he wrote.

In 1997, Dooling published Blue Streak: Swearing, Free Speech, and Sexual
Harassment, a collection of essays about "the politics of offensive
language," speech codes, and the First Amendment.

While not yet a household name, Dooling has quietly built a reputation as a
thoughtful, entertaining, and provocative writer. In fact, Stephen King
called him "one of the finest novelists now working in America."

His 1998 novel Brain Storm was an Amazon Hot 100 bestseller, while White
Man's Grave was a 1994 National Book Award Finalist and a New York Times
Notable Book. In addition, Dooling wrote Critical Care (1996) and Bet Your
Life (2002).

An attorney and developer of "web-based legal products" for a St. Louis law
firm, he has also written for the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal,
George magazine, the National Review, and Esquire.

Dooling is currently collaborating with Stephen King on Kingdom Hospital, a
television series scheduled to air on ABC in 2003.

Books & Tapes

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