The house was full this past Wednesday afternoon when Scott Ritter, former Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector, graced the campus of Plymouth State University. Four groups, including the Plymouth State Model U.N. Organization, worked synergistically to bring Scott Ritter to speak to interested students, faculty and citizens alike at the HUB.
As a U.S. Marine, Scott Ritter worked in intelligence for many years before serving as the Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations Special Commission. Ritter was involved from conception to participation in over 40 inspections. His most recent book, Target Iran, was written to inform the public of the impending U.S. – Iran Conflict. More than a simple book talk, Ritter’s speech was a fiery catalyst for thought and introspective reflection. He posed to the audience questions that were both powerful and emotional in nature. Also, Ritter shared his experiences from Iraq and Iran in order to educate the public as to the true situation overseas.
Mr. Ritter began his speech with a strong passion for the current condition of the United States of America. Reflecting upon the horrors of war, Ritter painted a very clear picture for the audience. “We say war in Iraq, and the bottom line is, so few Americans know what that is.” Ritter spoke of war as simply the act of terminating human life.
Regarding the media’s take on war, Ritter articulated that we do not see the true horrors. We do not see, “A soldier scooping up his own entrails while screaming for his mother.”
Ritter articulated to the spectators that we must not treat war lightly. He furthered his point by stating that, “We have a duty as citizens to make sure that we ask our soldiers to make the sacrifice only when it is a for cause worthy effort.” He made clear to his listeners the simple fact that the ongoing conflict in Iraq will not end on “President Bush’s watch.” Full of caring for the soldiers, knowledge from his experience, and enthusiasm for change, Ritter illustrated the lesser-known truths about U.S. aggression around the world.
Ritter asserted that the U.S. case to go to Iraq was, “without substantive collective foundation.” He covered topics such as the installation of democracy and the removal of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
“We sent American troops to Iraq and knew nothing of the country of Iraq,” yelled Ritter. Ritter furthered the idea that the American public is often misinformed as to the current state of affairs worldwide. He drew a clear picture of the WMD situation in Iraq. The American public now knows that there were no WMDs in Iraq. To demonstrate the idea of how our view of the truth changes, Ritter asked the audience, “Does anyone in the room believe at this time if there were, in fact, WMDs in Iraq?”
After a short silence, one student, Dustin Siggins, raised his hand and stated, “I believe there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.” Proving that there are still misinformed Americans in the general populous, Ritter asked, “You are stating that everything reported by the CIA is incorrect?” Without any direct response, Ritter’s point was made all the more clear. Ritter extrapolated from the idea that the US invaded Iraq to remove WMDs the simple question, “How can you expect to solve a problem when you can not effectively define the problem?”
There is currently much public concern over the idea of a nuclear weapons program in Iran. Ritter discussed the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has published its reports negating any truth to claims of Iran becoming nuclear threat. On March 5, the IAEA Staff report from iaea.org that the Agency had, “not seen any diversion of nuclear materials… nor the capacity to produce weapons usable materials.” Ritter declared, “There is no information stating that Iran has a nuclear weapons program.” With regard to the public view of this issue, Ritter shared, “68% of Americans believe Iran has a nuclear weapons program.”
Coming to a very solemn close, Ritter informed the spectators of the U.S. Armed Forces current movements. “Multiple aircraft carrier battle groups are currently en route to Iran. We are deploying bomber groups, ammunition transports, and over-flight groups. We are currently arming for war with Iran,” he said.
Ritter expressed his view that diplomacy is paramount in achieving a positive outcome to the situation. He believes that military action should be the last alternative explored and wishes for the public to take action by calling government officials and asking them to “de-fund the war in Iran” before it is too late. Ritter’s very serious approach to war is easily summed up in his most powerful of statements: “An Iraqi mother weeps just as much as an American mother when a child is killed.”