In his latest Quick Take, Ian Bremmer reacts to the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and reflects on a complicated political legacy. Ian says Graham was once one of the most respected American legislators abroad, a close ally of John McCain, and a senator foreign leaders sought out for his knowledge, insight, and access. He was bright, charming, funny, and deeply engaged on international affairs. But that respect deteriorated over the past decade, especially as Graham moved in and out of alignment with President Trump. “Lindsey Graham knew exactly who Trump was,” Ian says, and still chose to stay close enough to influence him. Graham’s record was more complicated than simple praise or condemnation. He backed Ukraine when Trump was unwilling to do so, pushed to preserve some US foreign aid, and made a real difference on issues Ian believes mattered. At the same time, his hawkishness and loyalty to Trump caused damage to US alliances and America’s reputation abroad. Ian’s takeaway: Graham believed in his country, believed he was a patriot, and believed access to power was the way to matter. Whether that access was worth the cost is the question his legacy leaves behind.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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