What is your take on allowing the family of 9/11 victims to pursue civil cases against the government of Saudi Arabia?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 19:20:00 -0400

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 7:33 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 19:33:56 -0400

Purely symbolic. The Saudis won't show up for court, and they won't pay a dime if and/or when the plaintiffs win a judgement.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Sep 23 at 2016 7:41 PM

1SG Al Brown — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 19:41:50 -0400

I believe they deserve the opportunity. I don't believe that they will be successful in any way, except losing their lawyer fees. They will have to sue via a "world court" in order to get a binding decision and recovery. No U.S. agency will support them. No outside agency in the Hague, or the U.N. will want to defy the U.S. and Saudi interests. It will just go away, after the media starts explaining how the plaintiffs have already received millions in reparations. Now, just for the record, I made all of this up based on general knowledge. However, it's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Sep 23 at 2016 8:17 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 20:17:27 -0400

If nothing else it may show that the Saudis are a threat and not the friends that we think they are. Osama bin Laden was a Saudi.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 8:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 20:46:30 -0400

Billions of dollars in Saudi revenue originate in the United States, it would not be hard to recoup any monetary awards handed out during a court case. The problem is that our government has been in bed with the House of Saud for a very long time, I'm surprised a measure like this even made it to the Presidents desk...

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Sep 23 at 2016 11:36 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 23:36:12 -0400

It's a slippery slope, but with over 3,000 dead that day and many more from the aftermath, at some point nations need to be held accountable. The Saudis have so many assets out there, any judgement can be seized. If we as a nation are going to allow it, then we'll have to be open to litigation as a nation from drone strikes, global warming, etc. We did nail Libya for Lockerbie. Time will tell the unintended consequences. I'm worried where liberal judges who legislate from the bench will take this.

One of my axioms has been if you want it bad, you'll get it bad. The worse you want it, the worse you'll get it.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 24 at 2016 9:02 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 09:02:13 -0400

I think Saudi is more responsible for terrorist acts than anyone from Iraq or Afghanistan. All but one (I think) of the 911 bombers were Saudis. My worry is the revenge crap that might be taken out on Americans overseas. No matter what happens in any court I doubt Saudi Arabia will ever pay anyone anything.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 24 at 2016 9:48 AM

SGT David T. — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 09:48:27 -0400

If a person has a legitimate case then yes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2016 2:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 14:38:58 -0400

Even if they were to sue and win, they'll never see a dime. How would you try to enforce a court decision in a foreign country?