Rich Swier

Member For

1 year 10 weeks

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Contact:

Red County Editor -
Sarasota County, FL
rswier@comcast.net

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Richard M. Swier, Ed. D., LTC, US Army (Ret.)

Richard holds a Doctorate of Education from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, a Master's Degree in Management Information Systems from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Washington University, St. Louis, MO.

Richard is a 23-year Army veteran who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1990. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his years of service. Additionally, he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for Heroism in ground combat, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry while serving with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, and U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

Richard was the Founder/CEO of Sarasota Online, a high technology company that was sold to Comcast Cable in 1996. He helped start Backsoft Corporation an enterprise software development company in 1997 whose clients included Coca-Cola, Anheuser- Busch, Hyundai Electronics, Volkswagen, Moen and Goodyear. Backsoft was sold in 2001.

Richard twice chaired the Sarasota Better Business Council, sat on the Board of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and served from 2000 to 2009 on the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. He currently serves on the Sponsorship Advisory Committee to the Sarasota County School Board.

He is President of the Sarasota County Veterans Commission, an honorary member of the BRAIVE Fund, and has been elected Chairman of the Sarasota National Cemetery Advisory Committee.

Rich is the Publisher of Red County – Florida and Editor of Red County – Sarasota, www.redcounty.com, an internationally read website dedicated to center right grassroots commentary, news and politics.

COMMENTARIES

Florida’s economic, security needs for energy production

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/19/09

The below dynamic new video released today by EnergyFLA poses this question to Florida: would you rather raise taxes, or drill for oil and gas? The video illustrates the need for the new jobs, new public revenues and added energy security that energy exploration in state waters could bring to Florida and to the United States. Last week, the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation announced that 11 percent of Floridians are now... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

Area Teens Bring New Technologies to Old Town Race

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/19/09

Venice, Florida - October 20, 2009 - "Just because Venice is a nice small town, there is no reason why local politics can't be highlighted with the latest of technologies." This is the comments of 16 year old Gabrielle Doraisamy, co- founder and public relations director of the The Young Conservatives of Sarasota. These local conservative teens want to be the group that makes Venice history by being the first to... read more »

1 Comment | Related Topics »Sarasota County (FL) |

Crist using Stimulus to save government not the economy

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/18/09

Governor Crist sent a letter to the leadership of the Florida legislature and Florida's Congressional delegation. He used the letter to tout his record of spending of stimulus dollars to help Florida's failing economy. However, when you analyze his letter you find what Governor Crist is really doing is avoiding cuts in government at the expense of creating private sector jobs. Currently the official Florida unemployment rate is 10.9%. When... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

Rubio and Smith face off in first U.S. Senate debate October 20th

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/18/09

At least two Republican contenders for Florida’s Republican U.S. Senate nomination will be featured in a candidates’ forum sponsored by the West Charlotte Republican Club. Former U.S. Senator Bob Smith (Sarasota) and Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio (Miami) will face off on Tuesday, October 20, at 6:00 PM. Governor Charlie Crist, widely viewed as the RPOF leadership’s candidate, has not accepted the invitation to participate.... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

Planned Parenthood slipped up

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/18/09

Article courtesy of 40 Days for Life blog: I'm often told that abortion facilities use ultrasound to let the abortionist know how far along the pregnancy is -- it apparently makes a difference in how the abortion will be performed. But the images are for staff only -- not the mother of the child whose life is at risk. So please keep that in mind. As a 40 Days for Life prayer vigil was under way, a young woman walked towards the Planned... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »Sarasota County (FL) |

Kevin Jennings, ACT UP, GLSEN, ALSO and President Obama

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/17/09

I have been reporting on links between the Sarasota County Department of Health, Sarasota County Commission and Sarasota County School Board support of groups like GLSEN and ALSO. These groups have over the years gained access to public funds and support from our public officials in the name of "school safety" and HIV/AIDS prevention. I have pointed out time and again that their true agenda is pushing a radical gay agenda using our... read more »

1 Comment | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

America: Addicted to Abortion

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/15/09

I was shocked to read a story at Daily Mail Online titled, "American 'abortion addict' reveals she terminated 15 pregnancies in 17 years". The article is about Irene Vilar who said in her Memoir: Impossible Motherhood: Testimony of an Abortion Addict that she "had the abortions not from poverty or fear but as an extraordinary act of rebellion against her 'controlling' husband who did not want children". This led me to... read more »

4 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

U.S. Troop Morale Down - But Why?

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/14/09

Recently there have been a number of stories out of Afghanistan that have troubled me as both an American and retired Army officer. Any one of these stories would be enough to affect my morale and I believe they are doing just that with our troops. Soldiers have a sixth sense about good leadership. Leadership is key to morale. When I was commanding units in Europe and the United States you made sure your troops and their families were taken... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

Lynch's Statement on Wexler Resignation

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/14/09

I recieved the following statement from Edward Lynch who is running for the U.S. Congress, Florida District 19, about the resignation of Representative Robert Wexler: For all practical purposes, Robert Wexler quit representing his constituents and stopped carrying out the real responsibilities of a Congressman long before his resignation. Robert Wexler never carried himself like an authentic leader within the District he was given the privilege... read more »

0 Comments | Related Topics »FLORIDA |

A conversation with Joe Gruters, Chairman Republican Party of Sarasota

By Dr. Richard Swier | 10/14/09

I had a lengthy conversation with Republican Party of Sarasota (RPOS) Chairman Joe Gruters about the Statesman of the Year Dinner and Governor Crist being named "Statesman of the Year" (see my previous article). First, I want to explain that Joe and I go back many years and he has been a good friend with strong conservative values and beliefs. We both have run for office. Joe has been involved in many campaigns and understands the... read more »