Ray McGovern

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, the publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. In the Sixties he served as an infantry/intelligence officer and then became a CIA analyst for the next 27 years. He is on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).

John Conyers Is No Martin Luther King

What do Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan), chair of the House Committee on the Judiciary, and President George W. Bush have in common? They both think they can dis Cindy Sheehan and count on gossip columnists like the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank to trivialize an historic moment. I’ll give this to President Bush. He makes no … Continue reading “John Conyers Is No Martin Luther King”

Bush’s Wooden-Headedness Kills

President George W. Bush is convinced, in the face of all evidence to the contrary, that he is on the right course in the war in Iraq and the struggle against terrorism. He says he will not change his mind. Thus, we are at an historic moment; and we would be well advised to see … Continue reading “Bush’s Wooden-Headedness Kills”

July 14, 2003: Ill-Starred Day

For those tracking the long train of abuses and usurpations of a modern-day George who would be king and his eminence grise behind the throne, July 14 has a resonance far beyond the fireworks of Bastille Day. Four loosely related events on that same day four years ago throw revealing light on key ingredients of … Continue reading “July 14, 2003: Ill-Starred Day”

Unimpeachably Impeachable

Last week’s four-part Washington Post feature on Vice President Dick Cheney removed any doubt in my mind as to whether he and President George W. Bush have committed the kinds of high crimes and misdemeanors that warrant impeachment. While President George W. Bush bears the ultimate responsibility, the nature of the evidence against Cheney and … Continue reading “Unimpeachably Impeachable”

Poor George Tenet;
He Still Doesn’t Get It

“If you can’t say something positive about someone, don’t say anything.” This was drummed into me by my Irish grandmother and, like most of her admonishments, it has stood me in good stead. On occasion, though, it been a real bother – as when I felt called to comment on George Tenet’s apologia, In the … Continue reading “Poor George Tenet;
He Still Doesn’t Get It”

Is Cheney Right About the Democrats?

The rhetoric over recent days and this morning makes it clear that Vice President Dick Cheney is still in charge of Iraq policy. He seems supremely confident that the Democrats can be intimidated into giving the White House the only thing it really wants – enough money to stave off defeat until President George W. … Continue reading “Is Cheney Right About the Democrats?”

Brinkmanship Unwise in Uncharted Waters

MEMORANDUM FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) SUBJECT: Brinkmanship Unwise in Uncharted Waters The frenzy in America’s corporate media over Iran’s detainment of 15 British marines who may, or may not, have violated Iranian-claimed territorial waters is a flashback to the unrestrained support given the administration’s warmongering against Iraq shortly before the attack. The … Continue reading “Brinkmanship Unwise in Uncharted Waters”

Denouement on Iraq: First Stop the Bleeding

MEMORANDUM FOR: Speaker of the House Senate Majority Leader FROM: Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS) SUBJECT: Denouement on Iraq: First Stop the Bleeding In the coming weeks a Congress that is willing to assert its prerogative as a co-equal branch of government has a unique opportunity to stop the needless deaths and maiming of … Continue reading “Denouement on Iraq: First Stop the Bleeding”

There’s Still Time to Rethink Iran

More than five years have passed since President Bush labeled Iraq, Iran and North Korea the “axis of evil.” It is imperative that we try to piece together what role U.S. intelligence played in supporting the “axis” idea and the misguided policies and actions that ensued. For the “axis of evil” sobriquet morphed into axes … Continue reading “There’s Still Time to Rethink Iran”

Why Cheney Lost It When Joe Wilson Spoke Out

Testimony at the Libby trial showed a vice president obsessed with retaliating against former ambassador Joseph Wilson for writing, in the New York Times op-ed section on July 6, 2003, that intelligence had been "twisted" to justify attacking Iraq. How to explain why the normally stoic, phlegmatic Cheney went off the deep end? Vice President … Continue reading “Why Cheney Lost It When Joe Wilson Spoke Out”