Making politics a laughing matter
In his new book, "Waging Peace: The Art of War for the Antiwar Movement," former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter discusses John Boyd's theories of aerial warfare, compares the ideas of Prussian military thinker Carl von Clausewitz to those Sun Tzu proposed 2,500 years ago, and generally tells progressives to quit whining and organize.
Are you ready to laugh yet?
Probably not, which is why Ritter will be paired with Boston's resident political satirist Jimmy Tingle Wednesday at Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway for "Real Intelligence," a night of comedy and political discourse. Tingle will warm up the crowd with a monologue, Ritter will speak, and then Tingle will interview Ritter, ending with a Q&A session with the audience.
Ritter says he doesn't consider himself a "comedic property" and had to be persuaded to try a similar format in June in Los Angeles with comedian Rick Overton. According to Jeff Norman, executive director of the nonprofit group US Tour of Duty and organizer of these events, the LA gig was a success. And it also fits into the strategic philosophy Ritter lays out in his book of trying to win over people who wouldn't necessarily come to a lecture.
"I've spoken at high schools, I've spoken at colleges, I've done town hall meetings, etc.," says Ritter. "And one thing I've noticed is, every time I'm in one of these traditional forums, the streets outside are packed with people who aren't in there. And the question is, how do you get to those people?"
Tingle has hosted events with authors such as Howard Zinn and James Carroll at his theater. He likes the idea of programming more serious events and has no problem playing the comic relief.
"Most of the audiences that would come to see real intellectual speakers or academics aren't used to having a little levity involved," Tingle says. "So it just lightens up the atmosphere. That's what I do."
Levity or no, Ritter's message is a tough one to swallow. The former Marine and weapons inspector-turned-author and activist sees a problem with the antiwar movement and isn't shy about critiquing its efforts. He believes, for example, that Cindy Sheehan and her supporters have lost focus (talking about issues like Venezuelan politics) and that any off-subject communication takes away from the power of the core message.
"Waging Peace" is similar to a marketing manual ("The Art of War" itself is considered a business manual by many) in its blueprint for winning the numbers game. If you attract more people to your side, you win. That may mean jettisoning potential supporters who might clutter the agenda.
If that seems harsh, Ritter points to the strategy of Republicans and the religious right, who he believes are winning the philosophical battle. "They have a simpler message," says Ritter. "They've refined it so that it's easily digestible by the uninformed masses. Whereas the progressive side, as I mentioned in the book, you ask them what they stand for and they'll trot out this 20-page manifesto that's just not digestible."
The idea of warming the peace movement to the use of military theory might rankle some, but Ritter sees immediate action as a moral imperative.
"I'm not talking about getting violent; I'm talking about getting engaged," he says. "This is a fight about citizenship, and I'll make that argument. You need to be the reluctant warrior."
"Real Intelligence: Jimmy Tingle Hosts an Evening With Scott Ritter" is at Jimmy Tingle’s Off Broadway (255 Elm St., Somerville) Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25 at jtoffbroadway.com or 866-811-4111. 