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).

‘Swear Him In’

That’s all I said in the unusual silence on Monday afternoon as first aid was being administered to Gen. David Petraeus’ microphone before he spoke before the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. It had dawned on me that when House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) invited Gen. Petraeus to make his … Continue reading “‘Swear Him In’”

Are Petraeus and Westmoreland Birds of a Feather?

The killing in Hawijah, Iraq of 18-year old Corporal Jeremy Shank of Jackson, Missouri (population 12,000) merited an article in the Southeast Missourian. Cpl. Shank was killed on Sept. 6, 2006 and I was in that part of Missouri when his body came home for burial. According to the Pentagon, Shank was on a "dismounted … Continue reading “Are Petraeus and Westmoreland Birds of a Feather?”

Bush Puts Iran in Crosshairs

Not another warning about war with Iran! Well, suck it up. President George W. Bush’s speech Tuesday makes clear his plan to attack Iran, and how the intelligence, as was the case before the attack on Iraq, is being “fixed around the policy.” It’s not about putative Iranian “weapons of mass destruction” – not even … Continue reading “Bush Puts Iran in Crosshairs”

George W. Bush: A CIA Analysis

It is as though I’m back as an analyst at the CIA, trying to estimate the chances of an attack on Iran. The putative attacker, though, happens to be our own president. It is precisely the work we analysts used to do. And, while it is still a bit jarring to be turning our analytical … Continue reading “George W. Bush: A CIA Analysis”

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?”