Scott Ritter Tonight!

[OETKB]

I just got back from hearing a talk and question and answer session with Scott Ritter for an hour and three quarters at the Unitarian Church in Nantucket. As the true American hero that he is, he urged us all to become outraged and use our most sacred right of dissent. He is voting for Kerry, but with the reservation that if he does get into office we must all continue to hold his feet to the fire. Weapons of mass destruction absence does matter and white washing this policy decision will ultimately be destructive to our democracy and lead to futher similar adventures in the future. Ask me anything. I am all revved up.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. GREAT TO HEAR!

[OETKB]

2. There's More To Tell

Snippets: Saadam was not a complete loss for his people
Iraq was on its way to democratic goverment before 1991 and Ritter states was only a few years away
Bush, Clinton, Bush were all guilty of fuzzy policy and over-politicization of this region with no clear policy

[MattNC]

3. bit of a bold statement

"Iraq was on its way to democratic goverment before 1991 and Ritter states was only a few years away"

what facts did he back that up with?

[OETKB]

4. Parliamentary Elections

He was going to hold on to the presidency but allow democratic elections for parliament. Ritter's appraisal of Saadam's regime was it was not a bad place to live as long as you did not cross him. He encouraged education, promoted social life in Bagdad, incentivised women to enter professions. Before the sanctions imposed after 1991, Iraq was the most prosperous Middle Eastern Country. In short Hassein was the "crazy glue" for Iraq and was providing the stability for movement, although slow, towards more representative government. Ritter was privy through his work to the top levels of intelligence form many countries and spent years in Iraq. This was a wide ranging lecture so he not give exact documentary evidence, but he has written a book, "End Game," which I have just bought and he might expand more there. However these statements I have also seen in Ramsey Clark's Book, " The Fire This Time," in which he also mentions the complex nature of Saadam Hussein and his virtually unknown and ironic progressive side. The west by demonizing him and not being creative in their diplomacy and economic help and by starting this war put any progress towards a Republic on the back burner for decades.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi OETKB!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[OETKB]

6. One Thought I Need To Add

Scott Ritter, a conservative Republican, marine, and intelligence officer also said we need to get of Iraq now. The longer we stay in, the worse we will make the situation in terms of safety of our troops, and our ability to deal with the Arabic world.