real intelligence with Scott Ritter

Former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter will be in Portsmouth to discuss Iran and the war on terror at South Church on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.

While in charge of the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, Ritter was on the front lines of the ongoing battle against arms proliferation. He famously and accurately argued that Iraq did not have such weapons, and now recommends diplomatic engagement with Iran. Ritter supports efforts to pass resolutions urging President Bush to refrain from ordering any military attack against Iran without explicit Congressional authorization.

Ritter warns that an attack against Iran is unnecessary and could provoke a massive response with catastrophic consequences to millions of people. While visiting Iran on a fact-finding mission, Ritter commented, “We are seeing history repeat itself.”

He will be joined by Lizzie West and Baba Buffalo, whose song “19 Miles to Baghdad” is played frequently on Democracy Now! They will perform songs from their upcoming album, “The Tumbleweed Cabaret,” which is slated for release in August. A blend of blues, roots, stride and storytelling defines their traveling peace revival. They are co-founders of Holy Road Tours Union, a new progressive arts cooperative.

Ritter is the author of “Target Iran,” “Waging Peace” and “Iraq Confidential.” He also filmed a documentary, “In Shifting Sands: The Truth of UNSCOM and the Disarming of Iraq,” which focuses on the disarmament of Iraq and its implications for U.S. foreign policy. A book signing will follow the event.

Ritter was one of the UN’s senior weapons inspectors in Iraq between 1991 and 1998, after having served for eight years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Marine, he conducted arms inspections in the former Soviet Union and provided analysis of Iraq’s missile capacity to General Norman Schwarzkopf during the 1991 Gulf War.
South Church is at 292 State St., Portsmouth. The admission charge is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For more information and advance tickets, visit www.realintelligence.org or call 800-838-3006.

Dover candidate forum

A forum of the six candidates bidding for a vacant Dover City Council seat will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 5, starting at 7 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall. The seat became vacant after the death of former Ward 1 councilor Robert Keays in June.

The six candidates on the Aug. 12 ballot are Vicki Blanchette, Sarah Fisher Fuller, Robert C. Carrier, Martin Coyle, Edward Spuler and Andrew Most, according to deputy city clerk Susan Mistretta. Each candidate has been sent a survey questionnaire and the results should be posted at www.dovernh.org when they become available.

At the discussion, presented by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce’s government affairs committee, a moderator will ask questions solicited from Chamber members and the general public, and candidates will have an opportunity to respond. Candidates may also have the opportunity to ask questions of other candidates. The forum will be televised on cable channel 22.