Regis Tremblay, Ray McGovern and Scott Ritter

War and Peace

[Image: a frame from Regis’ interview with Ray. Note the shirt and books on display. I agree with his New York friends, he scrubs up alright. Though, I do miss the disheveled beard in support of Julian Assange.]

Published 2023-03-05

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The Art of the Interview

Having watched and listened to so many interviews with Ray McGovern I now tend to focus on his turn of phrase, his use of different accents, the set he has constructed behind him, his theatrics. Which book is most prominently placed just behind him on his bookshelf?

I remain astonished by his ability to recall dates. I know that Seymour Hersh trained himself to read upside down so that he could sit across someone's desk and read their material. McGovern must have paid similar attention to his ability to memorize dates.

Now, Mr. McGovern knows more about USA and Soviet (now Russian) relations than just about anyone still alive (RIP Stephen Cohen). He is, thus, informative. He is also entertaining. Did McGovern mention the Chinese Foreign Ministry publication on USA Hegemony? Hell, yeah.

Here, we return to the article on "how to interview Sy Hersh". McGovern is more linear in his responses, which no doubt reassures his interviewers. He does, happily, also wander off the range, now and then. It takes an interviewer with ample time and a good dose of patience to get the most out of an interview with McGovern. Regis Tremblay is just such an interviewer.

His interview with McGovern follows Ray's statements to the UN Security Council. Regis asks McGovern how he felt about this august occasion? Having been the daily intelligence briefer for several USA administrations, Ray is not too easily over-awed. In deference to his Irish grandmother, Ray declares that the solution to delivering such an important address is easily solved by … telling the truth.

I have missed Regis. There is something about his style of interview which I love. It is almost timeless. Interviewees can wander off the range. But, the shepherd gently encourages them back onto greener pastures.

Regis is also a film maker. He has a sense of import.

The second interview which reminded me that I have missed him was with Scott Ritter. Ritter had written a speech to be delivered at the Rage Against the War Machine rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Due to stupid internal political reasons he was unable to deliver the speech at the event. Instead, he read it to camera and live streamed it.

Regis saw this as so important that he included the 16 minute delivery of the speech in his interview with Ritter. Indeed, it may be that the speech itself was the motivation to contact Ritter and record the interview.

There is a background. Regis' earliest film is of the peace movement on Jeju island, South Korea, protesting the conversion of their beautiful home into a USA Military Base. I cannot recommend this wonderful documentary highly enough (see Sources).

Regis has experienced the inexorable expansion of the military industrial congressional complex. He also has enough years behind him to understand the wisdom of pause and reflection. All of this experience and calm combine when he has the pleasure of interviewing people like McGovern and Ritter.

Enjoy his interviews.

Addendum: Ritter on Putin’s Speech to Russia’s Combined Parliament

During Ritter’s interview with Regis he provided that which I have found the most informed analysis on Russia’s military plans in Ukraine. The background is Putin’s statement that the dissolution of the USSR was a tragedy, not because he wishes to re-create the USSR, but because tens of millions of Russians were left without a country, a home. Putin also repeatedly referred to the Great Patriotic War (the Russian term for their heroic efforts in wining WWII in Europe). If one combines these two, one understands that Russia’s parliament and executive feel honor bound to defend the rights of Russian speaking and ethnic peoples in eastern Ukraine against the modern Nazis influencing the Kiev regime. Putin also mentioned that Russia needs to create buffer zones which include the maximum range of Ukrainian artillery, i.e the 150 Km of the HIMARS systems.

Ritter almost pulls his hair out asking why the western commentariat cannot read what the Russian President is saying. Get out your protractors, mark the edges of the Donbass and add 150 Km. That is what is going to happen. Actually, that is what has been and is happening. Defence lines have been re-inforced. The cauldron around Bakhmut is being closed. The high ground to its west will be taken. Then the rest of Donetsk oblast will be secured. 150 Kms beyond that is the Dniper. Simple.

The questions of Kharkiv and Odessa remain, but look at 150 Km. They too are targets unless a reasonable and believable ceasefire/peace arrangement is offered. As an Australian may remark, there are two chances of that, Buckley’s and none.

Sources

Ray McGovern to UN Security Council - "Use Your Power to Save the Children", Regis Tremblay interviews Ray McGovern, Regis' channel at Rumble, 2023-03-05

Scott Ritter - Closer to Armageddon Than Ever - Update on War in Ukraine, Regis Tremblay interviews Scott Ritter, Regis' channel at Rumble, 2023-03-03

Ghosts of Jeju, Regis Tremblay. watch

The Best Speech I Never Gave, Scott Ritter, Consortium News, 2023-02-14

WATCH: UN Security Council on Nord Stream Attack, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs and Ray McGovern address the UN Security Council, Consortium News, 2023-02-21

McGovern is wearing his favorite tie and the jacket he purchased for his son’s wedding.

Soloviev Live, Ray McGovern interviewed on the most popular Russia current affairs discussion show, Raymond L McGovern, uploaded 2023-03-04

The Point Special: One-on-one with former CIA analyst, Ray McGovern interviewed on Chinese English TV, CGTN, 2023-05-03

Ray McGovern interviewed by USA media following his statements to the UN Security Council:

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Culture

Running To Stand Still (Remastered 2007), from U2’s “The Joshua Tree” (one of the greatest records of all time), U2’s youtube channel, uploaded 2018-07-26

Put your headphones on and listen to this to the last fraction of a second.

Every great band, every great song, requires a great rhythm section. Larry Mullen Jr. flies Icaurus-like to the sun in this. It is so subtle you almost can’t hear it. Perfection.

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