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Pete Seeger

American folk singer; John Kiriakou's personal hero alongside his father and grandfather; pleaded the First Amendment (rather than the Fifth) before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1958 and was sent to prison for it (later overturned on appeal); rallied to Kiriakou's defense after Kiriakou's 2012 arrest; the subject of Kiriakou's favorite book, How Can I Keep From Singing?

Pete Seeger was an American folk singer and, per John Kiriakou, “besides my dad and my grandfather, Pete was the most important man in my life.”[1]

Relationship with Kiriakou

Kiriakou and Seeger exchanged Christmas cards for years. When Kiriakou was arrested in 2012, Seeger rallied to his defense. Per Kiriakou, Seeger once asked him: “You and I have the greatest differences in our backgrounds — like, what is it about me that is attracting you?” Kiriakou’s answer:[2]

Pete, you stood up to them. In 1958, you stood up to them. All you had to say is, “On the advice of counsel, I decline to answer your question, Senator.” And you didn’t. You said, “Based on the First Amendment, I don’t have to tell you with whom I associate.” Everybody’s pleading the Fifth — he pleaded the First, and they sent him to prison for it. It was overturned on appeal, but he wasn’t afraid of them. And so I wanted to be like Pete.[3]

The biography of Seeger, How Can I Keep From Singing?, is Kiriakou’s favorite book.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Carlos Watson Conversations, 2026-04-27 — 51:56 on YouTube · Transcript
  2. ↑ Carlos Watson Conversations, 2026-04-27 — 52:26 on YouTube · Transcript
  3. ↑ Carlos Watson Conversations, 2026-04-27 — 52:58 on YouTube · Transcript
Categories: People