Ray McGovern
Ray McGovern
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Raymond "Ray" McGovern is a former CIA analyst with over 30 years of experience in the field.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on August 16, 1935, Ray McGovern's birthdate marks the beginning of an extraordinary life that has seen him serve his country while questioning its actions.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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As a naturalized citizen of the United States, McGovern's nationality is deeply connected to his profession as a former CIA analyst. He worked at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1963 until 1990, serving under eight U.S. presidents.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in an Irish-Catholic household instilled in Ray McGovern a strong sense of justice and morality that would shape his future career choices. He attended Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956. After completing his graduate studies at the University of Virginia, McGovern joined the CIA as an analyst in 1963.
Major Accomplishments
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During his three decades-long tenure at the CIA, Ray McGovern worked on high-stakes projects that took him to the very heart of international espionage and counter-intelligence. He was a member of the CIA's Senior Intelligence Brief (SIB), which prepared the President's Daily Brief (PDB) for eight U.S. presidents from 1972 to 1980. His expertise in Soviet affairs earned him recognition as an expert on the subject, making his opinions highly sought after by policymakers and academics alike.
Notable Works or Actions
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Ray McGovern's most notable work was his time spent analyzing intelligence related to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He also worked closely with President Jimmy Carter during the SALT II negotiations with the Soviet Union in 1979-1980. Throughout his career, McGovern has been a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and its numerous questionable actions.
Impact and Legacy
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Ray McGovern's dedication to the truth and his willingness to challenge official narratives have made him a respected figure within the national security community. His sharp intellect and unwavering commitment to transparency have inspired countless individuals, both within and outside of government circles, to scrutinize the actions of those in power.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ray McGovern's extensive experience and keen insight into the inner workings of international politics make him a sought-after commentator on current events. His ability to critically analyze intelligence and policies has earned him recognition as an expert in his field, cementing his place among widely quoted figures in national security circles.
Today, Ray McGovern continues to share his expertise through various media outlets and public appearances, ensuring that the lessons of his illustrious career remain relevant for generations to come.
Quotes by Ray McGovern
When an administration embarks on a war justified by little or no intelligence, speaking the truth can be regarded as treachery. The country could use more of that kind of "treachery".
My view of Bradley Manning is that he's a very courageous young man who... did what I didn't have the guts to do during the Vietnam war.
This was the ethos of the intelligence analysis directorate during most of the 27 years I spent there.
I knew about some experience on the operational part of the CIA with Latin American services and so forth having to do with torture. But this was the first time that the CIA was openly advocating for permission to be able to torture. And that seemed to me so abhorrent that I wanted to disassociate myself from the CIA for the first time since 1963, because I didn't want to be associated in any way, however remotely, with an agency engaged in torture.
![When Private Bradley [aka Chelsea] Manning put his conscience ahead of his personal well-being by allegedly releasing important information to the world's public via WikiLeaks, he was put into an inhumane solitary confinement and is now facing charges that carry the possibility of him spending the rest of his life in prison.](https://lakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/quotes/quote-2085118.png)
When Private Bradley [aka Chelsea] Manning put his conscience ahead of his personal well-being by allegedly releasing important information to the world's public via WikiLeaks, he was put into an inhumane solitary confinement and is now facing charges that carry the possibility of him spending the rest of his life in prison.
You know, we may just be planting seeds for future generations, but that's okay. We can't be deterred from doing things, because we might be laughed at, because somebody might say, "What did you think you'd accomplish by turning your back on the secretary of state," or something like that.
Now the big danger is to avoid doing anything, unless you have a surety, unless you have an assurance that you'll be successful. It's not about being successful. It's about being faithful. The good is worth doing, because it's good. And who knows what the results will be?
Form a small group. Five or six people, of people who think the way you do, and are willing to meet regularly, every week, and you will be surprised at what imaginative, gutsy thought and action comes out of that synergy. Takes a while, but there's something that every little group like that can do.
We all have a responsibility, and as Rabbi Heschel, one of my prophets, has put it: "Those who condone, or are silent, in the face of injustice, are more guilty than the perpetrators." And so, to the degree we pretend to be a democracy, we have a corresponding duty to be activist enough to prevent our human rights form being infringed upon.
And the passiveness, you know, the apathy, well, that's not responsible citizenship. When I'm asked, why am I an activist, I say, well that's the rent that I pay for living on this planet, okay?