04-17-2016, 11:22 AM
WHAT'S UP NOW
The Obama administration is trying to block the bill. President Obama claims it would put Americans abroad at risk. Secretary of State John Kerry said the legislation could "expose the United States of America to lawsuits and take away our sovereign immunity and create a terrible precedent."
During his presidency, Obama has tried to balance restoring a diplomatic relationship with Iran and maintaining an alliance with Saudi Arabia; they're two of the most stable and functional countries in the Middle East (and bitter enemies, of course).
The U.S. and Iran agreed to the historic Iran Nuclear deal last year. Also last year, the U.S. sold the Saudis arms and bombs to use in their fucked-up (in my opinion) war in Yemen -- a war which has helped bring about the resurgence of al-Qaeda.
Personally, I would love to see the Saudis held accountable for any role they may have played in 9⁄11 and some of their other bullshit, which would hopefully help to deter future such bullshit.
BUT, John Kerry makes a good point. If the international immunity is lifted for U.S. citizens to sue the Saudi government for 9/11, how could the U.S. then object to the American government being sued for the bogus invasion/war the U.S. perpetrated on Iraq -- leaving hundreds of thousands Iraqis dead or wounded -- in response to 9/11?
Tricky shit.
Ref: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/16/politics/s...ress-bill/
The Obama administration is trying to block the bill. President Obama claims it would put Americans abroad at risk. Secretary of State John Kerry said the legislation could "expose the United States of America to lawsuits and take away our sovereign immunity and create a terrible precedent."
During his presidency, Obama has tried to balance restoring a diplomatic relationship with Iran and maintaining an alliance with Saudi Arabia; they're two of the most stable and functional countries in the Middle East (and bitter enemies, of course).
The U.S. and Iran agreed to the historic Iran Nuclear deal last year. Also last year, the U.S. sold the Saudis arms and bombs to use in their fucked-up (in my opinion) war in Yemen -- a war which has helped bring about the resurgence of al-Qaeda.
Personally, I would love to see the Saudis held accountable for any role they may have played in 9⁄11 and some of their other bullshit, which would hopefully help to deter future such bullshit.
BUT, John Kerry makes a good point. If the international immunity is lifted for U.S. citizens to sue the Saudi government for 9/11, how could the U.S. then object to the American government being sued for the bogus invasion/war the U.S. perpetrated on Iraq -- leaving hundreds of thousands Iraqis dead or wounded -- in response to 9/11?
Tricky shit.
Ref: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/16/politics/s...ress-bill/