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Justice Dept. Backs Saudi Royal Family on 9/11 Lawsuit
The New York Times ^ | 29 May 2009 | ERIC LICHTBLAU

Posted on 05/30/2009 11:14:06 AM PDT by BGHater

The Obama administration is supporting efforts by the Saudi royal family to defeat a long-running lawsuit seeking to hold it liable for the Sept.11, 2001, attacks.

The Justice Department, in a brief filed Friday before the Supreme Court, said it did not believe the Saudis could be sued in American court over accusations brought by families of the Sept. 11 victims that the royal family had helped finance Al Qaeda.The department said it saw no need for the court to review lower court rulings that found in the Saudis’ favor in throwing out the lawsuit.

The government’s position comes less than a week before President Obama is scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah as part of a trip to the Middle East and Europe intended to reach out to the Muslim world.

Lawyers for the Saudi family said that they were heartened by the department’s brief and that it served to strengthen their hand before the court,which has not decided whether to hear the case.

But family members of several Sept. 11 victims said they were deeply disappointed and questioned whether the decision was made to appease an important ally in the Middle East.The Saudis have aggressively lobbied both the Bush and Obama administrations to have the lawsuit dismissed,government officials say.

“I find this reprehensible,” said Kristen Breitweiser, a leader of the Sept. 11 families, whose husband was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. “One would have hoped that the Obama administration would have taken a different stance than the Bush administration, and you wonder what message this sends to victims of terrorism around the world.”

Bill Doyle, another leader of the Sept. 11 families whose son was killed in the attacks, said, “All we want is our day in court.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: 911; bho44; bhodoj; houseofsaud; justice; lawsuit; royal; saudi
'The Saudis have aggressively lobbied both the Bush and Obama administrations to have the lawsuit dismissed, government officials say.'
1 posted on 05/30/2009 11:14:06 AM PDT by BGHater
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To: BGHater

Well, it’s not like 15 of the 19 9/11 jihadist hijackers possessed Saudi citizenship ....

Oh wait ... they did


2 posted on 05/30/2009 11:16:32 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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3 posted on 05/30/2009 11:17:41 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: BGHater
“One would have hoped that the Obama administration would have taken a different stance than the Bush administration"

Here are their different stances:

Bush kissed Abdullah on the cheek and held his hand while taking a stroll.

Obama bowed to Abdullah and then kissed his hand.

4 posted on 05/30/2009 11:21:26 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: F15Eagle

In an AMAZING plot twist,,,,,, blindsided me on this story. I was SURE they would have sided with regular Americans suing the people who financed the Wahabbi sect behind 9/11.


5 posted on 05/30/2009 11:21:59 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: BGHater

“I find this reprehensible,” said Kristen Breitweiser, a leader of the Sept. 11 families, whose husband was killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center. “One would have hoped that the Obama administration would have taken a different stance than the Bush administration, and you wonder what message this sends to victims of terrorism around the world.”

Hope. There it is again. Yes, put your ‘hope’ in Obama.

Victims? You wonder what message this sends to terrorist supporting countries around the world? I’m sorry for this woman, but honestly!


6 posted on 05/30/2009 11:22:27 AM PDT by ReneeLynn (Socialism, it's the new black.)
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To: BGHater

Just a day after the same “Justice” Department let the New Black Panthers off on well-documented charges of voter intimidation.

If you’re a Friend of Obama, you get a free pass.


7 posted on 05/30/2009 11:22:49 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Exactly - this should come as no surprise to anyone:

8 posted on 05/30/2009 11:24:05 AM PDT by the anti-liberal
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To: BGHater

Kristen Breitweiser....I remember her...no doubt she voted for Obama.


9 posted on 05/30/2009 11:25:48 AM PDT by Guenevere
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To: DesertRhino
Federal government SOP--always side with foreign governments against American citizens, especially those governments who support and fund TROP...

Whatever you do, don't refer to them as "terrorists" since that is now a forbidden word according to the official Foggy Bottom dictionary.

10 posted on 05/30/2009 11:28:10 AM PDT by Czar ((Still Fed Up to the Teeth with Washington))
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To: BGHater

They didn’t do it for the Saudi Royal family; they did it for Saddam and the “Arab Nation”.

But, we can’t sue the fledgling democracy of Iraq for Saddam’s sins, I guess.


11 posted on 05/30/2009 11:28:22 AM PDT by Blue State Insurgent (She is our Joan of Arc and we are her Guardian Captains.)
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To: Mr. Mojo

And i love how Americans must always tip-toe around their culture. Why is it always on us? Seems like a Saudi king should be told “if you kiss an American man, or hold his hand, he will think you’re a homo”. Why isn’t the Queen of England told “the stature of an American president deserves your profound respect, so be on your best manners your majesty.”?

Its always up to us to kiss up to them. I know the reason, its that essentially, they are the lesser peoples. The greater one must always endure the quirks of the lesser peoples. If you meet a native in the jungle, you wind up smeared in mud,,he doesnt wind up with a bath and a shave.


12 posted on 05/30/2009 11:30:16 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: DesertRhino

James Baker’s law firm (remember him) represented the Saudis earlier in at least one class-action suit. And yes it’s true, this was going on during the Bush administration.

I knew we were in trouble when I heard about this and that the WH was not only calling it TROP, but allowing them to have Ramadamalamadingdong celebrations.


13 posted on 05/30/2009 11:31:06 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: ReneeLynn

““I find this reprehensible,” said Kristen Breitweiser”

One of the famous JERSEY GIRLS honored by Ann Coulter.


14 posted on 05/30/2009 11:32:37 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: ReneeLynn

Wow. She thought Obama was going to take a tougher stance?

Is she (obviously she is) unaware that Barry’s favorite “preacher” celebrated the 9/11/2001 attacks the first Sunday after the terrorism?

DUH


15 posted on 05/30/2009 11:32:43 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: Mr. Mojo

True


16 posted on 05/30/2009 11:33:09 AM PDT by b4its2late (There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.)
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To: Czar

And i like your name,, man Czars are *everywhere* these days! I hope Obama sees your name and accidently puts you in charge of something BIG! If he does, work as fast as you can!


17 posted on 05/30/2009 11:34:48 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: F15Eagle

s/b “remember him?”


18 posted on 05/30/2009 11:35:05 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: F15Eagle

Cost of Investigations:

9/11 $15 Million

OKC Bombing $82.5 million

Not very impressive.


19 posted on 05/30/2009 11:36:56 AM PDT by BGHater (It's easy to be a Conservative now.)
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To: BGHater

Terrorism Appeasement ping.


20 posted on 05/30/2009 11:38:10 AM PDT by cranked
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To: BGHater

We had far more reason to go to war with Saudi Arabia over 9/11 than Saddam. Nobody wants to hear that of course; gasoline would have skyrocketed and who knows where it would have ended.

But that’s where the trail led — besides OBL’s training camps and buddies in Afghanistan.


21 posted on 05/30/2009 11:41:21 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: F15Eagle; DesertRhino

Ah. That explains much.

Yes, doesn’t she remember that this was just America’s chickens comin’ home to roost? Sigh.


22 posted on 05/30/2009 11:42:40 AM PDT by ReneeLynn (Socialism, it's the new black.)
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To: Blue State Insurgent

I agree. Our govt fought the former hostages who sued Iran for the ‘80 hostage crisis. Prevented them from collecting from seized iranian assets here in the USA. That made no sense to me because it was the same government.

On the other hand, you got to love how they did Iraq. The new iraqi government was forced to honor all foreign debts of Saddam. They had nothing to do with the Baath regime. Did we force west Germany to assume Hitlers financial debts?

The New York and London bankers never seem to face the music, do they? I think it’d be a rather nice lesson for the world. Do business with despots if you want, but when he falls, YOU will be left with the financial loss, not the people who establish just government.

Hell of a double standard, but easy to predict. Just imagine what would be best for multi-national bankers,,and thats what will always occur, Jersey girl. No matter how much you fellate Obama.


23 posted on 05/30/2009 11:45:29 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: DesertRhino; b4its2late; the anti-liberal
And i love how Americans must always tip-toe around their culture.

Not always. Reagan met with the Saudis and never kissed them, bowed to them, or held their hands. Unlike Carter, GHWB, and GWB, the Gipper didn't give a rip about Saudi "culture." And I can't recall ever seeing Bill Clinton kiss them either.

24 posted on 05/30/2009 11:48:30 AM PDT by Mr. Mojo
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To: Mr. Mojo

Yep,, Reagan was my hero. And you even have a point about billy boy,, not sure why, but he acted like he owned the place wherever he went. He’d even seduce your women too!


25 posted on 05/30/2009 11:51:35 AM PDT by DesertRhino (Dogs earn the title of "man's best friend", Muslims hate dogs,,add that up.)
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To: F15Eagle

So the Hussein administration has dropped a summary judgment against black panthers who intimidated voters in Pa. and has interceded on behalf of the Saudi rulers to whom Hussein made his nice, deep bow. Well knock me over with a feather.


26 posted on 05/30/2009 11:54:48 AM PDT by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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To: F15Eagle

The last one on the right looks like Anoop (dog) from American Idol.


27 posted on 05/30/2009 12:03:11 PM PDT by wolfcreek ( The Republican Party shouldn’t open itself like a whorehouse to new voters)
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To: DesertRhino
There are numerous reasons why that is highly unlikely but, since we're fantasizing here, I would like to be the new head of DHS, replacing the present embarrassment, with full authority to secure the borders and arrest and remove all illegal aliens. Or, how about Chairman of a new select committee on Reducing the Size and Cost of the Federal Government, with full authority to reduce the present bureaucracy?

I have a feeling my new "wish career" would be both brief and hazardous to my health...

28 posted on 05/30/2009 12:23:17 PM PDT by Czar ((Still Fed Up to the Teeth with Washington))
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To: Oldpuppymax

yep ... you’d almost think he’d bow to these folks ...

while he’s on Apologetic Tour 2009 ...


29 posted on 05/30/2009 12:52:34 PM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
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To: the anti-liberal

Your photo must be photo-shopped because the White House said he never bowed and the media agreed. /s


30 posted on 05/30/2009 12:54:55 PM PDT by Typical_Whitey ( According to the Obama Constituency: "you are about to be ruled by the black man, cracker.")
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To: BGHater
Well, I wonder how much this cost in "campaign contributions" and "donations" to defense funds and the like.

In other words, I wonder how many millions the Saudi's had to BRIBE personages in our govt to betray the American people THIS TIME!!

Bribery. The press won't say it. The politicians won't say it. But I will. BRIBERY!

31 posted on 05/30/2009 2:19:26 PM PDT by HeartlandOfAmerica (Obama and the Dem Congress will spend $5 trillion every year of his presidency until they break US!)
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To: BGHater

Lord love a duck! How much more money do these alleged “victims” want?

If I remember, they were bestowed several millions each for their pain and mental suffering.


32 posted on 05/30/2009 2:26:22 PM PDT by Ole Okie (American)
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To: Ole Okie

I don’t think it’s about money, I think it’s about finding some small bit of justice against those most responsible - the Saudis and their Wahhabi schools.


33 posted on 05/30/2009 3:11:59 PM PDT by the anti-liberal
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...

additional:

Obama Sides With Saudi Royals over US Citizens
Philladelphia Enquirer/The Lid | 5/30/09 | The Lid
Posted on 05/30/2009 7:39:21 PM PDT by Shellybenoit
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2261461/posts

9/11 Families Angered As U.S. Backs Saudis
CBS | May 31, 2009
Posted on 05/31/2009 10:07:22 AM PDT by george76
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2261664/posts

-backstory-

Saudi Arabia: Still Funding the Taliban?
Channel 4 News | 5/14/09 | Jon Snow
Posted on 05/18/2009 5:31:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2253577/posts


34 posted on 05/31/2009 6:59:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/____________________ Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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