John Deckenback is conference minister for The United Church of Christ (the same denomination as Rev. Jeremiah Wright). He was participating (along with Rev. Wright) in a conference on the African American church in Washington, D.C.: http://www.sdpconference.info
Mark Bebawi spoke with him about the issues raised and avoided in the media frenzy surrounding the comments made by Rev Wright.
— Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern on the Pope’s visit
Raymond McGovern (born 1939) is a retired CIA officer turned political activist. McGovern was a Federal employee under seven U.S. presidents over 27 years, presenting the morning intelligence briefings at the White House for many of them.
McGovern was a mid-level officer in the CIA in the 1960s where his focus was analysis of Soviet policy toward Vietnam. McGovern was one of President Ronald Reagan‘s intelligence briefers from 1981-85; he was in charge of preparing daily security briefs for Reagan, Vice President George H.W. Bush, the National Security Advisor, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Cabinet. Later, McGovern was one of several senior CIA analysts who prepared the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) during the first Bush administration.
Upon retirement, McGovern was awarded the Intelligence Commendation Medal from Bush (which he later returned, see below) and worked for Washington-based non-profits before becoming co-director of the Servant Leadership School in Washington.
The Monitor 