Kansas University’s Dole Institute of Politics has several events planned for September.

¢ “Rocket Science: North Korea, the Bomb and What We Can Do About It,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The event will examine the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, with discussion from U.S. Ambassador David Lambertson; Janet Breslin-Smith, who recently retired as professor and department chair at the National War College, Department of National Security Strategy; and former Japanese diplomat Takao Shibata, former consul general of Japan in Kansas City.

¢ Political fundraiser Rod Smith, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Smith, who has raised more than $1 billion for Republican Party committees and candidates, is the author of “Money, Power & Elections: How Campaign Finance Reform Subverts American Democracy.” He will make the argument that campaign finance reform is counterproductive. A book-signing will follow.

¢ Constitution Day celebration, Sept. 18-28. The highlight of the event will be a forum Sept. 21 titled “Judicial Independence.” The program will include a panel discussion featuring Judge Deanell Tacha, 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals; Kris Kobach, professor of law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and Kansas Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt. The moderator will be Stephen McAllister of the KU School of Law.

All forums are at the Dole Institute near the Lied Center on KU’s west campus. For information, visit www.doleinstitute.org or call 864-4900.