A reversal of opinion + a Lot of innuendo
Clearly there is a reason to question Ritter's 'conversion'. Who knows (what he knew, discovered) ? But $400K - for the costs of making a movie, presumably to demonstrate -?- is hardly sufficient an amount to simply sell one's soul.
The problem with the -?- he may wish to demonstrate: is the proving of a negative. And with even implicit cooperation of the Baghdad regime - seemingly a fool's errand. I don't pretend to understand R or his motives; initially and then - the reversal. Less fathomable is - how he imagines that anything he might photograph in Iraq could be convincing negative evidence.
None of this stuff proves that Ritter is either renegade or dishonest; it may suggest that he is naive - but we don't know enough even to be sure he Can't! somehow produce some convincing evidence that Saddam has made little progress in the non-inspection years. (No one could convince us that S. no longer wishes to acquire lethal toys, of course).
Anyway, in the days of bizness-CIEIOS raking in hundreds of millions PER YEAR [ONLY in the US, of course], extorted from their Corporations as perks: $400K doesn't mean shit. Not for your whole life and reputation. (If I infer correctly - that is not his *salary* but is to do with covering production costs. What does that leave for him? You don't know.)
Case unproven, IMhO.
Ashton
Edit PS:
For another take on Butler, Ritter + local links (to FAIR, for one), try [link|http://elayneriggs.blogspot.com/|here.] Since it's a blog, operative date is 9/13. No affidavits there either.
