Scott Ritter speaking on Iraq Feb. 25th (video clip)

Scott Ritter speaks to an audience at UT.

Corporate media hasn't been following Ritter as much since the focus on his penis (and not his ideas) has become the rage.  But when he speaks, he occasionally gets local coverage.  The report below is an example, and the video clip is just over 2 minutes long.

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To launch video clip, go here:

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=1151759

Former U.N. Weapons Inspector Speaks at UT

February 25, 2003

By TEARSA SMITH
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Scott Ritter served as a U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq until he quit in disgust in 1998. On Tuesday night, he shared his story at UT.

Ritter charged after quitting that the U.S. was hindering the search for evidence of Iraqi biological and chemical weapons.

Before a packed audience Tuesday, Ritter made his case for why the U.S. push for war against Iraq is an ill-use of power. "Understand this, the Iraqi people will resist, not because they love Saddam Hussien but because they love Iraq."

The former weapons inspector questions President Bush's public claims for unaccounted anthrax under Iraqi control. "The last known batch came from out in 1991 and that factory was destroyed in 1996 and the anthrax in question has a shelf life of three years. So if we destroyed the factory in 1996 and the anthrax has a shelf life of three years, what anthrax are we talking about Mr. President?"

Outside the University Center auditorium, demonstrators supporting war stood side by side those against it.

"We're just out here today to let people know that we are pro-liberation," Bethany Stober said. "That war might not be the exact answer but Saddam Hussein has killed thousands of people at this point and we're just letting people know that it's not going to be tolerated."

"We felt that we needed a good representation of both sides," Michael Galeucia said. "I mean, I commend them for coming out and protesting their opinion and showing the world that you know they agree with it. But it seems like there are more people who are against the war than are for it."

Inside, Scott Ritter not only challenged U.S. evidence of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction, but also Hussien's recent call for a debate with Bush. "Now isn't the time for President Saddam Hussein to be playing cute verbal games. He should get on with the serious business of insuring that his country abides by its obligations to disarm under security council resolutions."

Last year, Ritter traveled to Iraq to disprove Bush's claims of new activity at a suspected nuclear-weapons facility.