Military Interrogator Speaks at Johnson & Wales University
October 7, 2008 by Owen Johnson
Filed under Events, People
Providence, Rhode Island (October 7, 2008) – On October 16, 2008 former military interrogator and current CEO of Team Delta, Mike Ritz, will present “Torture & Interrogation” to Johnson & Wales students in the Pepsi Forum at 11:30am. Ritz’s talk includes a controversial and widely telecast news video where he demonstrates the torture-lite technique of waterboarding. Professor Peter Margulies of Roger Williams University School of Law will then discuss waterboarding and torture legalities, followed by a detailed account by Ritz of the practicalities of using physical techniques during interrogation in the war on terror. A 40-minute question and answer discussion will follow the presentation.
“I’m concerned with our society’s acceptance of torture as a viable method for eliciting intelligence information. Putting the moral debate aside, my peers and I have been advocating against these techniques for practical reasons based on interrogation results. I hope to spark discussion with future leaders through student forums such as these,” stated Ritz.
Ritz, a Providence resident, was recently featured in the Providence Phoenix’s September 19th cover story. The four-page article questioned Senator John McCain’s commitment to ban torture in the United States and highlighted Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s legislative efforts to end the practice.
About Torture & Interrogation
Is the US involved? Is it legal? Does it work? What does the future hold? These questions will be examined by former US Army Interrogator, Mike Ritz, on October 16th (Thursday) in Pepsi Forum from 11:30-12:30. Reservations can be made with Roger or Matt at x1400. Ritz is also scheduled to speak to 125 graduate students at Roger Williams University School of Law at 12:30pm on Nov. 12th.
Is the US involved? Is it legal? Does it work? What does the future hold? These questions will be examined by former US Army Interrogator, Mike Ritz, on October 16th (Thursday) in Pepsi Forum from 11:30-12:30. Reservations can be made with Roger or Matt at x1400. Ritz is also scheduled to speak to 125 graduate students at Roger Williams University School of Law at 12:30pm on Nov. 12th.
About Mike Ritz
While in the military Mr. Ritz conducted strategic level debriefs at echelons above corp and instructed at SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) school in the U.S. Army. A graduate of the US Army Interrogation school, the Laboratory for Scientific Interrogation (SCAN), and the Interrotec Kinesic Interview course. Ritz has been an interrogation analyst for NBC Evening News, CBS Evening News, CNN, MSNBC, Voice of America, The USA Today, The LA Times, Salon.com and many others. He has completed six interrogation-related documentaries in the past nine years; the last two received notice from Al Gore and praise form the New York Times.
###