Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman (born October 31, 1944) an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the five-party race.

Natan Sharansky (Hebrew: נתן שרנסקי‎, Russian: Натан Щаранский, born Anatoly Borisovich Shcharansky (Russian: Анатолий Борисович Щаранский) on 20 January 1948) is a notable former Soviet dissident, anticommunist, Zionist, Israeli politician and writer.