Retired CIA analyst Ray McGovern to speak on U.S. intelligence policy
Retired CIA analyst Ray McGovern will present a lecture, "Does torture work? Let's have both sides of the story," at the University of Washington Tacoma on Nov. 15, from 7-9 p.m., in Carwein Auditorium.
The speaker is a co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, an organization of former intelligence and other government operations officials formed in 2003 to contest U.S. government claims about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. He has published articles and editorials on the subject of U.S. intelligence policy with the Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor and the International Herald Tribune, among others.
McGovern's 27-year career with the CIA transpired during seven presidential administrations, between those of presidents John Kennedy and George H.W. Bush. He holds a certificate in theological studies from Georgetown University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.
The lecture is co-sponsored by the UW Tacoma Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences program, the Washington State Religious Campaign Against Torture (WSRCAT) and United for Peace Pierce County.
A facilitator with the WSRCAT, Robert Crawford, professor of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at University of Washington Tacoma, commented on the national dialogue regarding U.S. intelligence practices. "In 2009, the torture issue is more salient than ever," he said. "Defenders of torture, called by anything but its true name, continue to make claims that it was effective in keeping America safe. Critics challenge these claims.
"Moreover, the question of effectiveness is not simple; it cannot be reduced to 'Did we get useful information or not?' We must consider long-term and unanticipated consequences. Not least, effectiveness is a question that should not be divorced from morality, the rule of law and accountability."
Regarding McGovern's appearance, Crawford, who has published editorials on U.S. torture policy in the Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and commondreams.org, said, "This talk will provide a perspective about persisting issues in the so-called 'torture debate.' The speaker will challenge his audience to think morally, legally and politically about torture, the fact that it was practiced by our government between 2001 and 2008, and that those who authorized it have not been held accountable. There is still an extraordinary degree of denial about this issue and no little confusion. Ray McGovern will speak to these confusions and engage people in dialogue about them."
The event is free and open to the public, with free parking available near the library in lot P1 on C Street.
