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A Foreign Service Officer for fifteen years, he was in the middle of the revolution in Libya and the war in Vietnam. For three years in the mid-seventies, he was a member of NATO's top-secret Nuclear Planning Group, then served as a foreign policy advisor to Senator John Glenn. At the United Nations, he was deeply involved in U.S. initiatives in Southern Africa, South Asia and Cuba.
Since 1983 Graham has been a leader of the Giraffe Heroes Project, an international organization moving people to stick their necks out for the common good. A familiar keynote speaker, he's done TV and radio all over the world. He's the author of Outdoor Leadership and Stick Your Neck Out-A Street-smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond. His memoir, Sit Down Young Stranger, was published in January.
Graham walks his talk, including today as an international peacemaker, active in the Middle East and Africa.
He has a degree in geology from Harvard and one in engineering from Stanford, neither of which he ever expects to use
OpEd News Member for 840 week(s) and 6 day(s)
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Thursday, July 24, 2014
Ukraine: Why There is Hope The shooting down of Malaysian Flight 17 over Ukraine may open doors for peaceful resolution of the conflict there. As evidence mounts of their complicity in the disaster, Russia is now thrown on the defensive, twisting in the glare of global condemnations. This should provide both time and support for peace initiatives. Yes, Putin may invade tomorrow; but peace efforts like the one described in this article can succeed.
Thursday, July 24, 2014Ukraine: Why There is Hope The shooting down of Malaysian Flight 17 over Ukraine may open doors for peaceful resolution of the conflict there. As evidence mounts of their complicity in the disaster, Russia is now thrown on the defensive, twisting in the glare of global condemnations. This should provide both time and support for peace initiatives. Yes, Putin may invade tomorrow; but peace efforts like the one described in this article can succeed.
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Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Lethal Landslide; Common Ground I’d never heard of Oso, WA, the mountain town that was leveled by a massive mudslide--even though I live only fifty miles away, But I owe the people there an apology for my stereotypes of them—and of others living in similar small conservative communities. What they’ve done is remind me that we all share the core values of courage and community they are living out. Why should it take a disaster to make this so evident?
Wednesday, April 2, 2014Lethal Landslide; Common Ground I’d never heard of Oso, WA, the mountain town that was leveled by a massive mudslide--even though I live only fifty miles away, But I owe the people there an apology for my stereotypes of them—and of others living in similar small conservative communities. What they’ve done is remind me that we all share the core values of courage and community they are living out. Why should it take a disaster to make this so evident?
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Saturday, March 15, 2014
Ukraine and the OK Corral Ukraine spotlights the question: how should we protect and promote America’s interests in an interconnected, post Cold-War world? The views of hawks like John McCain are part of that discussion. What’s wrong is the snarky insinuation from McCain and others that the real problem we face is personal--that America, under Obama, has become the wimp on the beach, encouraging bullies like Putin to kick sand in our faces.
Saturday, March 15, 2014Ukraine and the OK Corral Ukraine spotlights the question: how should we protect and promote America’s interests in an interconnected, post Cold-War world? The views of hawks like John McCain are part of that discussion. What’s wrong is the snarky insinuation from McCain and others that the real problem we face is personal--that America, under Obama, has become the wimp on the beach, encouraging bullies like Putin to kick sand in our faces.
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Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Broken Play: Richard Sherman, Martin Luther King and a Game for the Ages What a performance! The talk swirled around a brilliant, passionate 25-year-old black man whose skill, brains and ability lifted him and his team on the Montgomery bus boycott to victory. His name was Dr. Martin Luther King. For days after a thrilling football playoff, much of America obsessed over the actions of another brilliant, passionate 25-year-old black man. His name is Richard Sherman. Unfair to compare these two men?
Wednesday, January 22, 2014Broken Play: Richard Sherman, Martin Luther King and a Game for the Ages What a performance! The talk swirled around a brilliant, passionate 25-year-old black man whose skill, brains and ability lifted him and his team on the Montgomery bus boycott to victory. His name was Dr. Martin Luther King. For days after a thrilling football playoff, much of America obsessed over the actions of another brilliant, passionate 25-year-old black man. His name is Richard Sherman. Unfair to compare these two men?
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Sunday, June 30, 2013
Egypt: A Time for Heroes I left Egypt in late May, less than 48 hours ahead of a Cairo Court arrest warrant for foreigners "promoting democracy." A month later, June 30 could end up having been the watershed moment for the new Egypt. Across the political spectrum, there seems to be little or no sense of a broader positive vision for the country, to say nothing of the will needed to make such a vision real. Yet, despite the violence, there is hope
Sunday, June 30, 2013Egypt: A Time for Heroes I left Egypt in late May, less than 48 hours ahead of a Cairo Court arrest warrant for foreigners "promoting democracy." A month later, June 30 could end up having been the watershed moment for the new Egypt. Across the political spectrum, there seems to be little or no sense of a broader positive vision for the country, to say nothing of the will needed to make such a vision real. Yet, despite the violence, there is hope
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Monday, June 3, 2013
Egypt - The Next Revolution I'm just back from Egypt. There are enormous unsolved problems here; the country is teetering on an edge. But there are also many bright, caring, courageous Egyptians, determined not to let their country implode, or slide into feudal Islam. I'd come to Egypt to help the country use stories of its own heroes to inspire people to act with the courage, vision and skill to make a difference. There is hope.
Monday, June 3, 2013Egypt - The Next Revolution I'm just back from Egypt. There are enormous unsolved problems here; the country is teetering on an edge. But there are also many bright, caring, courageous Egyptians, determined not to let their country implode, or slide into feudal Islam. I'd come to Egypt to help the country use stories of its own heroes to inspire people to act with the courage, vision and skill to make a difference. There is hope.
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Monday, June 25, 2012
India on an Edge India's "rising power" status notwithstanding, it's biggest challenge is still to provide a better life for all its 1.3 billion people. But corruption and a bloated bureaucracy are holding back economic progress and undermining public optimism and trust. I'd had come to India to help the country use stories of its own heroes to inspire people to act with the courage, vision and skill to make a difference.
Monday, June 25, 2012India on an Edge India's "rising power" status notwithstanding, it's biggest challenge is still to provide a better life for all its 1.3 billion people. But corruption and a bloated bureaucracy are holding back economic progress and undermining public optimism and trust. I'd had come to India to help the country use stories of its own heroes to inspire people to act with the courage, vision and skill to make a difference.
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Who's on Trial with Sergeant Bales? Sgt. Bales should not go into the dock alone. Many of us should be there too, charged with willful ignorance, with acting as if war was not what it is--a series of relentlessly horrific acts destroying bodies, psyches and souls. Sgt. Bales was no rogue. But to admit that warriors who snap are an inevitable product of war upsets the storyline that keeps too many of us comfortable sending generation after generation into battle.
Thursday, March 22, 2012Who's on Trial with Sergeant Bales? Sgt. Bales should not go into the dock alone. Many of us should be there too, charged with willful ignorance, with acting as if war was not what it is--a series of relentlessly horrific acts destroying bodies, psyches and souls. Sgt. Bales was no rogue. But to admit that warriors who snap are an inevitable product of war upsets the storyline that keeps too many of us comfortable sending generation after generation into battle.
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Monday, November 14, 2011
Goodbye Tibet? For ten days last month I saw first-hand what the Chinese are doing in Tibet. The reports you've heard of cultural genocide are true. China is obliterating the ideas, traditions and habits of the Tibetan people. Do we care? We'd better. China's confidence increases with each step onto the world stage. What the Chinese are doing in Tibet tells us a lot about what we can expect from them as their power grows.
Monday, November 14, 2011Goodbye Tibet? For ten days last month I saw first-hand what the Chinese are doing in Tibet. The reports you've heard of cultural genocide are true. China is obliterating the ideas, traditions and habits of the Tibetan people. Do we care? We'd better. China's confidence increases with each step onto the world stage. What the Chinese are doing in Tibet tells us a lot about what we can expect from them as their power grows.
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011
America Divided Watching the sandbox antics in Washington you donÕt know whether to laugh or cry. Why are we unable to build a future together even as the toxic consequences of our divisions become more apparent by the day? We need to change whatÕs in our minds but above all we need to change whatÕs in our hearts. Na•ve? WhatÕs na•ve is expecting that we can keep on our present bitter course and cope with the challenges bearing down on us.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011America Divided Watching the sandbox antics in Washington you donÕt know whether to laugh or cry. Why are we unable to build a future together even as the toxic consequences of our divisions become more apparent by the day? We need to change whatÕs in our minds but above all we need to change whatÕs in our hearts. Na•ve? WhatÕs na•ve is expecting that we can keep on our present bitter course and cope with the challenges bearing down on us.
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
What Will Qaddhafi Do? In September 1969, as a young diplomat in Libya, I wrote the first biographic sketch of the country's new leader, Muammar Qaddhafi. Nobody then knew who he was. Of most importance to what's going on in Libya today, however, it was clear that the man was strong-willed, charismatic and mercurial, with a deep resentment of injustice wherever he found it. If Qaddhafi goes quietly into exile, I will be very surprised. I see it as e
Wednesday, February 23, 2011What Will Qaddhafi Do? In September 1969, as a young diplomat in Libya, I wrote the first biographic sketch of the country's new leader, Muammar Qaddhafi. Nobody then knew who he was. Of most importance to what's going on in Libya today, however, it was clear that the man was strong-willed, charismatic and mercurial, with a deep resentment of injustice wherever he found it. If Qaddhafi goes quietly into exile, I will be very surprised. I see it as e
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Friday, November 12, 2010
Boys into Men John Graham went to war for the adventure of it and calls himself a fool for that. But he was hardly alone. Every war has recruited eager young men looking for adventure, seeking to prove their worth as men. And every war has left behind the wreckage that these young men did not foresee or chose to ignore. We need to find way to initiate our boys into manhood without sending them to war.
Friday, November 12, 2010Boys into Men John Graham went to war for the adventure of it and calls himself a fool for that. But he was hardly alone. Every war has recruited eager young men looking for adventure, seeking to prove their worth as men. And every war has left behind the wreckage that these young men did not foresee or chose to ignore. We need to find way to initiate our boys into manhood without sending them to war.
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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Stephen Slater, Baseball, and the Anger of America The reasons why Americans are angry are pretty obvious. What the public reaction to Steven Slater's adventure showed was just HOW angry we are. So do we just keep looking for others to take that anger out on? Where will that get us? More Tea Parties? There are other options.
Thursday, August 12, 2010Stephen Slater, Baseball, and the Anger of America The reasons why Americans are angry are pretty obvious. What the public reaction to Steven Slater's adventure showed was just HOW angry we are. So do we just keep looking for others to take that anger out on? Where will that get us? More Tea Parties? There are other options.
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
Afghanistan—Winning Lessons from Vietnam The Karzai government seems eerily reminiscent of the corrupt, incompetent regime of Nguyen van Thieu in Vietnam 40 years ago. The US must push hard for a government in Kabul that enjoys broad popular support. If that kind of government can't be found, then we should get out, focus on Pakistan and leave enough military might in the region to prevent Al-Queda from using Afghanistan/Pakistan as a base to attack us.
Sunday, October 18, 2009Afghanistan—Winning Lessons from Vietnam The Karzai government seems eerily reminiscent of the corrupt, incompetent regime of Nguyen van Thieu in Vietnam 40 years ago. The US must push hard for a government in Kabul that enjoys broad popular support. If that kind of government can't be found, then we should get out, focus on Pakistan and leave enough military might in the region to prevent Al-Queda from using Afghanistan/Pakistan as a base to attack us.
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
How Do We Be Safe? The Caux Forum for Human Security, recently concluded in Switzerland, provided important new perspectives. By emphasizing the link between personal and political change, and by broadening the definition of human security to include freedom from poverty and injustice, the Forum suggests a wise and practical template for solving public problems.
Thursday, July 30, 2009How Do We Be Safe? The Caux Forum for Human Security, recently concluded in Switzerland, provided important new perspectives. By emphasizing the link between personal and political change, and by broadening the definition of human security to include freedom from poverty and injustice, the Forum suggests a wise and practical template for solving public problems.
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Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Health Care We Deserve The country is finally beginning to address health care reform in a meaningful way, in what could well be the most important domestic policy debate since the New Deal. Here's what's at stake.
Thursday, July 9, 2009The Health Care We Deserve The country is finally beginning to address health care reform in a meaningful way, in what could well be the most important domestic policy debate since the New Deal. Here's what's at stake.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009
When the Lights Went On The events that caused this economic collapse were failures not just of politics and governance, but of culture. They were the inevitable consequences of our nation and its leadership losing any operating concept of the common good.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009When the Lights Went On The events that caused this economic collapse were failures not just of politics and governance, but of culture. They were the inevitable consequences of our nation and its leadership losing any operating concept of the common good.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pirates and Poverty Killing the Somali pirates was a short term victory, not a long term solution to the security problems that plague us in the 21st century. It's not enough to hunt down pirates (and terrorists), so long as the conditions that breed them continue to exist.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009Pirates and Poverty Killing the Somali pirates was a short term victory, not a long term solution to the security problems that plague us in the 21st century. It's not enough to hunt down pirates (and terrorists), so long as the conditions that breed them continue to exist.
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Monday, February 2, 2009
Stimulating Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the massive package now before Congress should contain short-term measures, such as tax cuts and unemployment benefits, meant to immediately pump cash into the economy. The debate is whether the package should also include longer-term job-creating investments in key sectors such as health care, energy, transportation and education.
Monday, February 2, 2009Stimulating Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the massive package now before Congress should contain short-term measures, such as tax cuts and unemployment benefits, meant to immediately pump cash into the economy. The debate is whether the package should also include longer-term job-creating investments in key sectors such as health care, energy, transportation and education.
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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Obama Rocks Abuja I was in Nigeria when CNN announced that Barack Obama had won the Presidency. The country--and indeed the entire developing world--erupted in joy, and not just because of the color of Obama's skin.
Sunday, November 16, 2008Obama Rocks Abuja I was in Nigeria when CNN announced that Barack Obama had won the Presidency. The country--and indeed the entire developing world--erupted in joy, and not just because of the color of Obama's skin.
