When I needed to think or was really upset, generally I climbed a tree.

Russian humor is to adapt or make some sense or nonsense out of the insanity of their lives.

Everything in Russia is made of cement - phone booths, fence posts and light bulbs.

America can enjoy a vital, fully functioning government, with all the benefits provided by Texas, while reducing Texas at the same time.

Leading economists have shown that by shrinking Texas, we can actually create more income for Texas in the long run.

A book tour is not a good opportunity to let your mind wander. You have to pay attention, remember salespeople's and interviewers' names, succinctly summarize your book in a 'selling' way, and so on.

Human connection is the way things work. It's like a patronage system. You know somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows somebody, and he knows the district governor, and it's okay.