Ex-C.I.A. analyst Ray McGovern turned 87 Tuesday. From his Bronx days, to Fordham, the U.S. Army and C.I.A., McGovern grew close to power, then became one of its fiercest critics. Watch the replay!
Guest: Ray McGovern. Host: Joe Lauria. Producer: Cathy Vogan.
A note from Joe Lauria:
“After conducting this interview, I’ve understood better than ever, that Ray McGovern is a straightforward, earnest and decent man who genuinely served what he thought was best in his country. He is crushed by what he sees has happened to it, and is speaking out — sometimes getting arrested for it. He’s not naive, he knows the operations side of the C.I.A. was long up to no good, but he believed in giving honest assessments to leaders untainted by ideology or politics, and decries the corruption of that process.
Uncorrupted, there is nothing nefarious about giving honest research to political leaders, who need to make informed decisions. The decisions ultimately made are not the analyst’s responsibility. Of course some of that research is obtained by the operational side through espionage: paid informants, infiltration by agents, intercepted mail, phone calls, electronic communications and theft of documents through hacking, etc.
Like a journalist making use of illegally leaked information, the intelligence analyst should not be responsible for the illicitly obtained material. The difference between the journalist and the intelligence analyst, however, is that the journalist shares his information with the public and an analyst only with certain members of his own government.
We are fortunate that Ray McGovern is now sharing his analysis with all of us.”
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This was a thoroughly enjoyable and very informative interview. I have been curious about Ray McGovern’s background and what motivated him to study Russian and join the CIA. Now I know that we have the study of that language in common and likewise an ambition (unrealized) to join the Agency.
I can only admire the honesty and integrity he demonstrated as an intelligence analyst and his courage in confronting those in our government who sadly lack those qualities. Happy Birthday! In those qualities I think he resembles his fellow Irishman JFK, who also profiled and demonstrated great courage in life.
NB He was taken from us on November 22, not the 23rd, the blackest of Fridays in American history.
Just finished watching.
Rey McGovern is a national treasure and a true hero.
Joe I hope at some point you fill Ray in on the Safari Club, BCCI and money laundering.
The Fouci story – See Jeff Sach’s piece here at CN. Fouci – shairng contracts with the Chinese – and CIA? There is your Deep State inaction.
Ray is the Man, have a great day Ray.
“We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort o thought.” JFK 6/11/1962
We live a life of false facts AIPAC is one aspect of the Israeli lobby. The other is revealed when we track the money moving from the U.S. government which allow the Israeli lobby to fund members of the U.S. Congress. The aid goes to Israel and returns to the bank accounts of members of the U.S.. We can see that evidence exposed by the MAGA movement and democrats who continue support the Israel cause, which includes in your face genocide.
Happy Birthday Mr. McGovern. You are what all Americans should be, honest; with the courage to demand honesty. Thank you for being you.
The CIA has never for one second of its existence been of value to the average person. Highly recommend L. Fletcher Prouty’s “JFK: The CIA, Vietnam, and the Plot to Assassinate John F. Kennedy”. Read it for free on Archive.org.
Thank you Ray McGovern, a true Irishman. Happy Birthday to Ray and Joe! Live long and prosper.
Then came the era of maximizing slam dunking the world for full spectrum dominance openly in plain sight for the whole world to see militarily, economically,culturally, and religiously including frying France and Germany a long with Iraq and Afghanistan in towfers and Iran double downs on coups by the twos.
We may have to examine all of the other Pearl Harbor like events we always remember on cue of US history as defamation of nations for strategic missions.
Thank you Ray McGovern and Joe Lauria for a very educational discussion which in essence serves as a superb fundamental history lesson. With respect to identifying those occupying or running the deep state, it feels safe to say those running the deep state can become identified via character traits described centuries ago by the famous Greek philosopher:
“The type of character produced by wealth lies on the surface for all to see. Wealthy men are insolent and arrogant; their possession of wealth affects their understanding; they feel as if they had every good thing that exists; wealth becomes a standard of value for everything else, and therefore they imagine there is nothing they cannot buy. They are luxurious and ostentatious, … ostentatious and vulgar.
“In a word, the type of character produced by wealth is that of a prosperous fool.”
– ARISTOTLE
(Ostentatious means attracting attention or admiration through excessive display, often in a way that is considered showy or pretentious. It typically describes things or behaviors that are overly elaborate or conspicuous, aimed at impressing others.)
(Vulgar language, also known as coarse language or profanity, refers to words or expressions that are considered offensive, indecent, or unrefined. It is a term used to describe language that is considered inappropriate or unacceptable in certain social, cultural, or professional settings.)
Elders are a source of wisdom, experience, and stability in a world that is constantly changing. Their insights and stories often carry valuable lessons that can guide younger generations.
Peace.
happy birthday Ray and Joe (today)
i’m an August birthday too.
a very interesting “tapestry’ life for Ray.
“Happy Birthday, Valerie!” AND, M a n y More!!! Everybody, knows, Lions (Leos), tigers (Virgos), and bears (Aquarians); Oh, Yeah, each play a critical role in our life; And, Everything is Life! Onward & Upwards!
thankyou LeoSun. time flies as we get older. (and more wiser.)
“Happy Birthday,” Gentlemen; AND, M a n y More!!!
OMG!!! “A Life of Intelligence’” aka “Lo splendore della verità” (The splendor of truth) by Ray McGovern & Joe Lauria. Gentlemen, it’s “The Bomb dot Com” aka The BEST!!!..f/Awhsome!!
TY, Ray McGovern, for sharing your love of family, friends, work, reverence for Newspapers; AND, an essential truth, “The System” worked! Ray McGovern + VIPS for President 2028!!!
Keep It Lit! TY.
Ray, can you talk about when your friend told you he/she heard a mucky muck at the CIA I think in 1981 say, “We will know we have succeeded when everything the American people believe is actually false.” ( paraphrase)
@Ann:
William Casey, then CIA director, stated it, in 1981:
“We’ll know our disinformation program is complete
when everything the American public believes is false.”
just goes to show how long “they” have been at this.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAY!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Ray!