Changes

==Biography==

==Biography==

A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in Central, graduated from D.W. Daniel High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Graham logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] lawyer. From 1984 to 1988, he was assigned overseas and served at Rhein Mein Air Force Base in Germany. Upon leaving the active-duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard where he served until his election to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] in 1994. During the first [[Gulf War]], Graham was called to active duty and served state-side at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region. His duties included briefing pilots on the law of armed conflict, preparing legal documents for deploying troops, and providing legal services for family members of the South Carolina Air National Guard. He received a commendation medal for his service at McEntire.

A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in Central, graduated from D.W. Daniel High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Graham logged six-and-a-half years of service on active duty as an [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] lawyer. From 1984 to 1988, he was assigned overseas and served at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Germany. Upon leaving the active-duty Air Force in 1989, Graham joined the South Carolina Air National Guard, where he served until his election to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] in 1994. During the first [[Gulf War]], Graham was called to active duty and served stateside at McEntire Air National Guard Base as Staff Judge Advocate, where he prepared members for deployment to the Gulf region. His duties included briefing pilots on the law of armed conflict, preparing legal documents for deploying troops, and providing legal services for family members of the South Carolina Air National Guard. He received a commendation medal for his service at McEntire.

Since 1995, Graham had continued to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and was the only U.S. Senator currently serving in the Guard or Reserves. He was a colonel and was assigned as a Senior Instructor at the Air Force JAG School.

Since 1995, Graham had continued to serve his country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and was the only U.S. Senator currently serving in the Guard or Reserves. He was a colonel and was assigned as a Senior Instructor at the Air Force JAG School.

==Political career==

==Political career==

[[File:Graham3.PNG|200px|right|thumb|Graham]]

[[File:Graham3.PNG|200px|right|thumb|Graham]]

In 1988, Graham went into private law practice and in 1992 was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 1994, he became the first Republican to represent South Carolina's Third Congressional District in Washington since 1877. He quickly became powerful as a member of the Judiciary Committee during the impeachment of then-President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1998. Graham opposed some articles, but vigorously supported others. In January and February 1999, after two impeachment articles had been passed by the full House, he was one of the managers who brought the House's case to Clinton's trial in the Senate. Though the Senate did not convict Clinton, Graham became nationally known. Lindsey Graham was elected to the Senate in 2002, winning 54% of the vote.

In 1988, Graham went into private law practice, and in 1992 was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. In 1994, he became the first Republican to represent South Carolina's Third Congressional District in Washington since 1877. He quickly became powerful as a member of the Judiciary Committee during the impeachment of then-President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1998. Graham opposed some articles, but vigorously supported others. In January and February 1999, after two impeachment articles had been passed by the full House, he was one of the managers who brought the House's case to Clinton's trial in the Senate. Though the Senate did not convict Clinton, Graham became nationally known. Lindsey Graham was elected to the Senate in 2002, winning 54% of the vote.

During the Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Judge [[Samuel Alito]] for a seat on the [[United States Supreme Court]], Graham sparked controversy. He asked Alito, "Are you really a closet bigot?" Alito answered "I'm not any kind of a bigot, I'm not." and Graham continued his statement by expressing his opinion that Alito definitely was not a bigot. Alito's wife cried and left the hearing briefly.

During the Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Judge [[Samuel Alito]] for a seat on the [[United States Supreme Court]], Graham sparked controversy. He asked Alito, "Are you really a closet bigot?" Alito answered, "I'm not any kind of a bigot, I'm not." and Graham continued his statement by expressing his opinion that Alito definitely was not a bigot. Alito's wife cried and left the hearing briefly.

On June 1, 2015, Graham announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/06/01/graham-set-to-enter-2016-race-with-focus-on-middle-east/</ref>

On June 1, 2015, Graham announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the [[2016 presidential election]].<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/06/01/graham-set-to-enter-2016-race-with-focus-on-middle-east/</ref>

"On Face The Nation today, [[South Carolina]] [[Senator]] Lindsey Graham said that the reaction to the [[Koran]] burning in [[Florida]] suggests that [[Congress]] should look into limiting some forms of speech":

"On Face The Nation today, [[South Carolina]] [[Senator]] Lindsey Graham said that the reaction to the [[Koran]] burning in [[Florida]] suggests that [[Congress]] should look into limiting some forms of speech":

Graham said, "I wish we could find a way to hold people accountable. [[Free speech]] is a great idea, but we’re in a war. During [[World War II]], we had limits on what you could say if it would inspire the enemy. So, burning a [[Koran]] is a terrible thing but it doesn't justify killing someone. Burning a [[Bible]] would be a terrible thing but it doesn't justify murder. Having said that, anytime we can push back here in [[America]] against actions like this that put our troops at risk we should do it, and I look forward to working with Senators [[John Kerry|Kerry]], and [[Harry Reid|Reid]], and others to condemn this, condemn violence all over the world based on the name of religion. But [[General Petreaus]] understand better than anybody else in America what happens when something like this is done in our country and he was right to condemn it and I think Congress would be right to reinforce what General Petreaus said."<ref>Doug Mataconis of [[Outside the Beltway]], Lindsey Graham On Koran Burning: "Freedom Of Speech Is A Great Idea But We’re In A War.", April 3, 2011 Post:  http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war Accessed December 4, 2014</ref>

Graham said, "I wish we could find a way to hold people accountable. [[Free speech]] is a great idea, but we’re in a war. During [[World War II]], we had limits on what you could say if it would inspire the enemy. So, burning a [[Koran]] is a terrible thing but it doesn't justify killing someone. Burning a [[Bible]] would be a terrible thing but it doesn't justify murder. Having said that, anytime we can push back here in [[America]] against actions like this that put our troops at risk we should do it, and I look forward to working with Senators [[John Kerry|Kerry]], and [[Harry Reid|Reid]], and others to condemn this, condemn violence all over the world based on the name of religion. But [[General Petreaus]] understand better than anybody else in America what happens when something like this is done in our country and he was right to condemn it and I think Congress would be right to reinforce what General Petreaus said."<ref>Doug Mataconis of [[Outside the Beltway]], Lindsey Graham On Koran Burning: "Freedom Of Speech Is A Great Idea But We’re In A War.", April 3, 2011 Post:  http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war Accessed December 4, 2014</ref>

Doug Mataconis of [[Outside the Beltway]] (April 3, 2011 Post - Lindsey Graham On Koran Burning: “Freedom Of Speech Is A Great Idea But We’re In A War.”) states: "Here’s your answer Senator. No, you don’t need to hold hearings and you don’t need to be looking into ways to [[First Amendment|limit the free speech]] rights of American [[citizen]]s because of the [[terrorist|insane reaction of people thousands of miles away]] who were obviously ginned up by [[demagogue]]s. War or not, [[Terry Jones]] had every right to do what he did."<ref>http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war/</ref>

Doug Mataconis of [[Outside the Beltway]] (April 3, 2011 Post - Lindsey Graham On Koran Burning: “Freedom Of Speech Is A Great Idea But We’re In A War.”) states: "Here’s your answer Senator. No, you don’t need to hold hearings and you don’t need to be looking into ways to [[First Amendment|limit the free speech]] rights of American [[citizen]]s because of the [[terrorist|insane reaction of people thousands of miles away]] who were obviously ginned up by [[demagogue]]s. War or not, [[Terry Jones]] had every right to do what he did."<ref>http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war/</ref>

====Immigration & Gang of Eight====

====Immigration & Gang of Eight====

Graham has been an adamant supporter of mass immigration, and his statements on immigration indicate that he puts a greater priority on immigrants than American citizens.<ref>Munro, Neil (January 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/12/lindsey-graham-americans-country-belongs-to-the-world/ Lindsey Graham to Americans: Your Country Belongs to the World]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 18, 2018.</ref> He supported "comprehensive [[immigration]] reform" and of S. 2611, the [[McCain]]-[[Kennedy]] Bill of 2006 as well as the equally hotly debated S. 1348 of 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Despite Graham's support, the bill failed on a key Senate vote on June 28, 2007. Graham's views on immigration have led to criticisms for [[conservative]]s. Popular [[radio]] talk show host [[Rush Limbaugh]] has referred to him as Senator "[[Grahamnesty]]."

Graham has been an adamant supporter of mass immigration, and his statements on immigration indicate that he puts a greater priority on immigrants than American citizens.<ref>Munro, Neil (January 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/12/lindsey-graham-americans-country-belongs-to-the-world/ Lindsey Graham to Americans: Your Country Belongs to the World]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 18, 2018.</ref> He supported "comprehensive [[immigration]] reform" and of S. 2611, the [[McCain]]-[[Kennedy]] Bill of 2006, as well as the equally hotly debated S. 1348 of 2007, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Despite Graham's support, the bill failed on a key Senate vote on June 28, 2007. Graham's views on immigration have led to criticisms for [[conservative]]s. Popular [[radio]] talk show host [[Rush Limbaugh]] has referred to him as Senator "[[Grahamnesty]]."

Graham was one of eight senators that participated in the [[Gang of Eight (immigration)]], a bipartisan effort to pass amnesty disguised as "immigration reform".<ref>[https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/immigration/item/14968-gang-of-8-member-graham-says-we-ve-got-a-deal “Gang of 8” Member Graham Says “We’ve Got a Deal.”]</ref>

Graham was one of eight senators who participated in the [[Gang of Eight (immigration)]], a bipartisan effort to pass amnesty disguised as "immigration reform".<ref>[https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/immigration/item/14968-gang-of-8-member-graham-says-we-ve-got-a-deal “Gang of 8” Member Graham Says “We’ve Got a Deal.”]</ref>

====Smears against Ted Cruz====

====Smears against Ted Cruz====

Lindsey Graham is known as a GOP [[establishment]] token for attacking Ted Cruz, saying: "If you kill Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, in the trials in the Senate, nobody can convict you."<ref>[https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/lindsey-graham-endorses-ted-cruz All of the Terrible Things Lindsey Graham Has Said About Ted Cruz, Whom He Just Endorsed]</ref> Note that this is the very same person who claims to be "pro-life" yet supports abortion in cases of rape, saying: "I'm going to leave that to the family, to the mother."<ref>[https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lindsey-graham-on-abortion-after-rape-im-going-to-leave-that-to-the-family Lindsey Graham on abortion after rape: ‘I’m going to leave that to the family’]</ref>

Lindsey Graham is known as a GOP [[establishment]] token for attacking Ted Cruz, saying: "If you kill Ted Cruz on the floor of the Senate, in the trials in the Senate, nobody can convict you."<ref>[https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/lindsey-graham-endorses-ted-cruz All of the Terrible Things Lindsey Graham Has Said About Ted Cruz, Whom He Just Endorsed]</ref> Note that this is the very same person who claimed to be "[[pro-life]]" and yet supported legalizing [[abortion]] in cases of rape, saying: "I'm going to leave that to the family, to the mother."<ref>[https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lindsey-graham-on-abortion-after-rape-im-going-to-leave-that-to-the-family Lindsey Graham on abortion after rape: ‘I’m going to leave that to the family’]</ref>

====Vaccines====

====Vaccines====

==Legacy==

==Legacy==

Graham is remembered as a fierce [[neocon]] [[warmonger]] and an advocate for the [[Banderite]] regime of [[Volodymyr Zelensky]]. [[Social media]] influencer [[Laura Loomer]] testified under oath that [[Trump 2.0]] officials told her Graham was [[gay]]. Fellow Republican [[Sen. John Kennedy]] of [[Louisiana]] wrote in his book, ''How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will'', "If you want to stump Lindsey, just ask him to name a country he wouldn't bomb." Then Kennedy moved on to Graham's penchant to drink: "Invite him to dinner, and you don't know if he'll sit down for an intelligent conversation or get drunk and vomit in the fish tank."  

Graham is remembered as a fierce [[neocon]] [[warmonger]] and an advocate for the [[Banderite]] regime of [[Volodymyr Zelensky]]. [[Social media]] influencer [[Laura Loomer]] testified under oath that [[Trump 2.0]] officials told her Graham was [[gay]]. Fellow Republican [[Sen. John Kennedy]] of [[Louisiana]] wrote in his book, ''How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will'', "If you want to stump Lindsey, just ask him to name a country he wouldn't bomb." Then Kennedy moved on to Graham's penchant for drinking: "Invite him to dinner, and you don't know if he'll sit down for an intelligent conversation or get drunk and vomit in the fish tank."  

Journalist [[Aaron Maté]] observed:

Journalist [[Aaron Maté]] observed:

{{Cquote|Lindsey Graham was a bloodthirsty [[warmonger]] who wanted to use [[Russiagate]], the allegation that [[Trump]] and [[Russia]] were in cahoots and that Russia interfered in the [2016] [[election]], which was a complete scam. He used that to push [[Russia sanctions|sanctions on Russia]] and to promote [[war]] because he said that Russia, by interfering in the election, committed an act of war. And he used that fear-mongering to enlist [[Democrat]]s. He tapped into their [[fear]] of Trump and their opposition to Trump to say, "Come along with me in fighting Trump and standing up to Russia" by fueling a [[NATO war in Ukraine|proxy war in Ukraine]] essentially. And Democrats went along.  

{{Cquote|Lindsey Graham was a bloodthirsty [[warmonger]] who wanted to use [[Russiagate]], the allegation that [[Trump]] and [[Russia]] were in cahoots and that Russia interfered in the [2016] [[election]], which was a complete scam. He used that to push [[Russia sanctions|sanctions on Russia]] and to promote [[war]] because he said that Russia, by interfering in the election, committed an act of war. And he used that fear-mongering to enlist [[Democrat]]s. He tapped into their [[fear]] of Trump and their opposition to Trump to say, "Come along with me in fighting Trump and standing up to Russia" by fueling a [[NATO war in Ukraine|proxy war in Ukraine]], essentially. And Democrats went along.  

So Lindsey Graham, despite his reputation as a [[Republican]] war hawk, he really represents something very, very [[bipartisan]]. And that legacy lives on because his [[Senate]] colleagues are trying to pass a measure in his honor that imposes the crippling sanctions on Russia he's been trying to push for a long time now, including secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian [[energy]].}}

So Lindsey Graham, despite his reputation as a [[Republican]] war hawk, he really represents something very, very [[bipartisan]]. And that legacy lives on because his [[Senate]] colleagues are trying to pass a measure in his honor that imposes the crippling sanctions on Russia he's been trying to push for a long time now, including secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian [[energy]].}}