When Billy was searching for colleges, we thought of trying to get Irish citizenship in order to get free tuition at the University College of Dublin.

Joanne had the Irish-born grandparents on one side that could save big money in an age when exorbitant college prices were forcing such explorations. I also had Irish grandparents on one side but they were born in the U.S. In the end, the process required too much bureaucratic paperwork. Billy found a U.S. university that made him very happy. And we forgot about Irish citizenship. Until the rise of Donald Trump and American fascists made us wonder again if Irish citizenship might make sense. Then a cousin on Joanne’s side began to talk seriously about getting the citizenship … just in case.

Ironically, one of the triggers was the new radical laws against abortion in Texas. Ireland has not been especially enlightened on that front. In fact, Mexico may be much better. The Mexican Supreme Court just voted unanimously to decriminalize abortion. As Trump said during his campaign, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best.” Too bad, we could use their judges.

Still, we had traveled to Ireland and felt somewhat at home there. (Mexico too for the most part.)

I agreed with our cousin, but I suggested, maybe if it comes to that, we should stay and fight. Not that I had much fight in me, But it seems like the least the we can do?