9/11 Families Accuse Kagan of Stopping Saudi Suit

AP/Alex Brandon

Park Slope lesbians might like her, and Republicans might like her enough to not fillibuster her, but that doesn't mean everyone is a fan of Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan. Some 9/11 family members are accusing Kagan of helping squash a lawsuit accusing the Saudi royals of helping finance the 9/11 attacks.

Thousands of 9/11 relatives were part of the suit, which traced funding for the 19 hijackers to certain Saudi royals, along with banks, corporations and Islamic charities. Kagan filed a brief to the Supreme Court last May, arguing that the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act shielded Saudi princes from the suit's claims, citing "the potentially significant foreign-relations consequences of subjecting another sovereign state to suit."

"Kagan is the main reason why the Supreme Court ruled against the 9/11 families...Kagan protected them. I think it's a huge issue, and I hope it comes up in her confirmation hearings," said William Doyle, one of the plaintiffs, who lost his son in the attack.

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By Ben Yakas in News on May 17, 2010 6:21 PM

Comments [rss]

ANGRYGOD11

So What?

Kagan is a bright lawyer who vigorously represented her clients. In fact, it's unethical if she didn't try her best. This is a stupid basis to keep her off the Supreme Court by morons who don't know basic civics.

souffle

I know, right? And if I have to hear another Titantic survivor tell their story or write a book... I don't know what I'll do!

You laptop revolutionaries are sooo interesting and have all the answers, it's amazing. The old adage says something like, if your enemy can not breathe, he can not fight. Well, applying that to this situation... If your enemy cannot launder money through his hawala broker, purchase fuel drums, spongebob squarepants alarm clocks, early-model Japanese SUVs, first class tickets to be closer to the cockpit door, etc... He can not fight either.

Anyone who thinks it's just a "get rich quick scheme" (almost 10 years now) is so blatantly clueless and pegging themselves as not the least bit clued-in to what bankrupting terrorism is all about. If hate proves that it will find any means necessary to kill and fight, then so will 9/11 families (who, by the way, could have been any of your families as the target was Americans, NOT the 3000 indivduals killed.)

Now, if your gripe is, "That money should be donated to charities," THEN you might sound like you're at least SOMEWHAT clued-in. This whole idea that 9/11 families are out to pillage and use their families' memories to "line their pockets" is laughable and proves how far-removed you are from this topic. Don't believe me? That's great... Go to the next Tuesday's Children meeting and see for yourself.

NannyState

Yeah, it's only a "get rich quick scheme" if they get paid a billion dollars each. Piss off.

souffle

Yawn... Clueless.

JenChungsBaby

Over 2,000 9/11 victims have signed a petition in the afterlife asking their stupid relatives to shut the fuck up already.

souffle

Ahhhh ha ha ha!! Nice!

PTG in nyc

Do I get to sue the 9/11 families for driving vehicles, which use gas that comes from Saudi Arabia and thus funds terrorists?

For fuck's sake 9/11 families, give it up and get a clue. Invent the next fuel cell if you can't stand this reality.

Clarice City

While I see their point, it's still infuriating when it seems that every time there is a national debate, the 9/11 families weigh in on it -especially money is involved.

They're probably writing up their opinions on the Miss America pagent winner, right now, along with their Tiger Woods opinion and their American Idol opinion.

angry_pickle

9/11 Victims Family: Addicts of Sympathy

jaycjay

As Solicitor General, she expressed her opinion that the FSIA applied to the case. The Supreme Court apparently agreed. It's absurd to suggest that she wielded any power over the Justices and could have compelled them to make that decision. It's certainly not the case that majority on the Court has any history of yielding to the Administration.

She was a lawyer communicating a legal opinion to the Court. It happens all the time.

Kojak

Bleh, the 9/11 Families, again? That lawsuit should never have been brought to open court.

"the potentially significant foreign-relations consequences of subjecting another sovereign state to suit."

The words "Significant" pail in comparison to what would happen if that suit were to be successful.

CaptainMXC

9/11 was horrible. But repealing an act already in place and possibly causing a war between two countries is ridiculous people! So many more people would die. If this was about bringing those princes to justice then that is one thing. But this is all about money. Would your deceased relative be proud that you are using their memory to line your pockets? Shameful.