9/11 families to President Biden: Don't come to our memorial events
Source: NBC News
Nearly 1,800 Americans directly affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are opposing President Joe Biden’s participation in any memorial events this year unless he upholds his pledge to declassify U.S. government evidence that they believe may show a link between Saudi Arabian leaders and the attacks.
The victims’ family members, first responders and survivors will release a statement Friday calling on Biden to skip 20th-anniversary events in New York and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon unless he releases the documents, which they believe implicate Saudi officials in supporting the acts of terrorism. The group says that as a candidate Biden pledged to be more transparent and release as much information as possible but that his administration has since then ignored their letters and requests.
“We cannot in good faith, and with veneration to those lost, sick, and injured, welcome the president to our hallowed grounds until he fulfills his commitment,” they wrote in a statement obtained by NBC News.
“Since the conclusion of the 9/11 Commission in 2004 much investigative evidence has been uncovered implicating Saudi government officials in supporting the attacks,” the statement says. “Through multiple administrations, the Department of Justice and the FBI have actively sought to keep this information secret and prevent the American people from learning the full truth about the 9/11 attacks.”
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/9-11-families-president-biden-don-t-come-our-memorial-n1276138
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brewens
(15,359 posts)As far as I'm concerned, 9/11 should have been treated as a Saudi attack, or real close to it. I would have sent an ultimatum saying we want Bin Ladin's head in a box, or else! It's hard to believe Saudi intelligence wouldn't have had anything on that. And if they didn't, Israel probably has an agent up the butt of any important Saudi agents. Those bastards probably knew too!
Prof. Toru Tanaka
(2,926 posts)Despite the fact that 15 of the hijackers were Saudi Arabians and NOT ONE was Iraqi.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)And of course they "knew" about 9/11. At least you are open about where you are coming from. bin Laden and crew were enemies of the Saudi government. That is why they operated out of Afghanistan. If they had been in Saudi Arabia they would have been killed.
Behind the Aegis
(56,108 posts)Especially given that Israel gave the US many warnings, including one in August of 2001, later confirmed by France and Egypt, but you know who never gave us any warning or information...Saudi Arabia.
Warpy
(114,615 posts)Saudi Arabia is a monarchy with a vast royal family that make the palace intrigues of the Medicis and Borgias look like amateur night.
Bin Laden was a power player in one of those factions.
The oil boys are so busy sucking up to the faction that oversees the oil fiedls that they completely ignore the rest of a very bad bunch.
The Republicans will always try to keep this stuff hidden, they want that oil money to keep their sugar daddies happy. It's why all the records from those Florida "flight schools" were scooped up by Jebbie, never to be seen again. I don't think they knew if Saudis would be implicated, they just didn't want to take the chance.
Oh, and don't forget the Saudis own a huge chunk of Pox News.
Declassifying the stuff that did make it into government archives will set off one hell of a bomb. That's why it won't be done in our lifetimes.
Champp
(2,409 posts)no repub will own
DENVERPOPS
(13,003 posts)Hell, I have been waiting my entire life to see who assassinated JFK..............
Someone awhile back reported that Jacquie wrote a memoir. She forbid it to be released until after her children were dead........
I bet you THAT will be interesting reading, if it exists.....
Warpy
(114,615 posts)since he's likely the key that would unlock the whole mess.
I think Jackie's memoir is likely to detail escapades she just didn't want her children to know about.
DENVERPOPS
(13,003 posts)There are probably a thousand things we don't know about, and more importantly that WE DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT.....
Warpy
(114,615 posts)You done good.
AllaN01Bear
(29,496 posts)still a smart kid.
JusticeForAll
(1,222 posts)
Rhiannon12866
(255,538 posts)I was confused too, since this happened on the Bush*/Cheney watch... 
BumRushDaShow
(169,761 posts)in the middle of everything else going on, to do this? 
I agree that the stuff should be declassified, but that should not have any bearing on what is basically a symbolic but obviously poignant recognition of what happened that day.
ZonkerHarris
(25,577 posts)BumRushDaShow
(169,761 posts)which suggests (per other info found in another post in this thread) that it is apparently a RW "hijacking" of the commemoration by "speaking for" those who they claim are the so-called "families" - all for Fox talking points. 
NullTuples
(6,017 posts)After giving them $2 million in July
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/president-trump-announces-2-million-grant-911-memorial
Politicub
(12,328 posts)Whoever organized this group and coordinated the public relations campaign is using them for partisan ends.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)of one of the 9/11 families. I don't like being used by the media for a clickbait headline, and I don't like it that Brett Eagleson has appointed himself my spokesman.
Three administrations over the course of 15+ years have declined to release these documents.
The most recent refusal for the release of documents came from TFG via Bill Barr by way of an invocation of the state secrets privilege, a tactic that no other administration had used in the past.
To be fair to President Biden, depositions of Saudi government officials were approved shortly after Biden took office, began on February 2, 2021, and were completed in mid-July. Biden met with the attorneys for the families in September 2020, and his administration has done more to jump start this process than any other in the past.
Senator Blumenthal has been a tireless advocate for the families in this effort. My guess is that the introduction of his legislation is an effort coordinated with the administration. This is probably part of a strategic path to getting the documents released.
Given that after almost 20 years, there has been more progress in the past 6 months than in all the other years combined, Brett Eagleson's comments seem unduly harsh concerning President Biden, but I understand the anger and frustration.
I also understand that Eagleson has been a guest on Tucker Carlson's show alongside Tulsi Gabbard, and that he, in no way, represents my family.
Tadpole Raisin
(1,977 posts)I wasn’t aware of all the particulars. It puts things in context even as I feel the frustration of 20 years of suppressing important facts.
I knew 2 people on Flight 11 and so many people at work knew others in the planes and the towers. I remember everything about that day. I keep saying I will go to NY to the memorial but I just can’t do it even after all this time.
JudyM
(29,785 posts)I don’t have the complex emotions of losing anyone on 9/11, but was deeply touched by the memorial.
Sorry for the loss of your friends 
electric_blue68
(26,856 posts)Last edited Sat Aug 7, 2021, 12:29 PM - Edit history (1)
and condolences for your loss(es), and the frustration on top of it.
I'm a born & bred NYC'r, I was in that whiole area a lot for work, fun, and I did spend 9/'80 through much of 8/'81 working for NYS in one of their TT offices -
South Tower 2/ 73rd for / NE corner office. The most
glorious views!
I still hang our in that whole area; aa well as beiing down there on 9/11 most every year until the last several to pay my respects.
Since the memorial was built I've visited it a bunch of times to pay my respects esp if I didn't get down there on 9/11. It's a deeply poignant but also such a beautiful memorial.
I hope more truth comes out, and sooner than later.
It's going to be extra poignant this year on the 20th anniversary.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)We are truly blessed and very lucky. He almost fell through the cracks due to the unusual nature of his illness, but our then senator stepped in and fought for measures that included people like him in medical monitoring and treatment.
We likely would have been medically bankrupted, and my husband would probably be long gone, had it not been for our senator.
That's why my hero husband tells everyone that Hillary Clinton saved his life.
electric_blue68
(26,856 posts)Our Sen Hillary Clinton ❤️👏
My departed cousin became a Fire Marshall in the late '80s. We were so proud of him when he announced it at one of our boisterous extended family gatherings!
He worked on The Pile.
Sometime in Summer '19 an on line Urban Tours walker toured around the memorial and I found out they'd added a small monument on the south for those who did work after the 9-11 day in relation to that day.
I didn't make it there in '19 but I plan to lay a flower in his honor there at some point this year.
A gentle hug for your guy.
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)
electric_blue68
(26,856 posts)for you
BobTheSubgenius
(12,217 posts)Assuming the facts above, the administration has been "sitting on" any newly uncovered or confirmed information for less than a month. Is it not conceivable that this information would lead to new avenues of investigation, or, at the very lease, analysis? I would not agree at all with a headlong rush to get said information in front of the public, and, at this point, it would be reckless.
At the very least, these actions and findings should give President Biden at least a little benefit of the doubt.
JohnnyRingo
(20,870 posts)Maybe they did, but I smell republican shenanigans here.
It's 1800 people. Are they all signing this, or is a core group trying to speak for all of them?
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)the 9/11 families. I know that for a fact because he does not represent my family.
Evolve Dammit
(21,777 posts)17 of 19 hijackers were Saudis and that is who should have paid a price. Not the hell we unleashed on Iraq.
wnylib
(26,016 posts)But, hadn't the Saudi attackers left Saudi Arabia? OBL was based in Afghanistan after Sudan would no longer keep him. How long were members of the sleeper cells in the US?
It's not that I think the Saudis are incapable of supporting the attacks. I know they are capable of it. Just look at tge Kashoggi murder.
There were factions in the Saudi royal family that supported Bin Laden. They should be held accountable. But isn't it a stretch to say that 911 had the support of the official Saudi government?
LeftInTX
(34,296 posts)But progress over there was so slow, so they went for "shock and awe"....
I personally did not hold the Saudi govt responsible, mainly because I just didn't think that way. I saw OBL as a misfit..
But who knows? It used to be Saudi Arabia was a place where Americans went for jobs. So, at the time, I saw it as a neutral place. Years later my opinion has changed.
Evolve Dammit
(21,777 posts)wnylib
(26,016 posts)Looks like Biden doesn't.
Evolve Dammit
(21,777 posts)wnylib
(26,016 posts)Biden's efforts to help families of 9/11 victims get info that would help them in their suits against the Saudis. Can't do a link from my phone, but it was a thread about 9/11 families not wanting Biden at 9/11 events unless he declassifies all 9/11 info.
Evolve Dammit
(21,777 posts) Socialism Now
(29 posts)In afganistan. And where did the funding come from?
wnylib
(26,016 posts)and he had the support of a faction of the Saudi royal family which was split between supporters of business with the West and opponents of it, like OBL and his followers.
Socialism Now
(29 posts)Which madrasa did they go to?
Tadpole Raisin
(1,977 posts)Condo who was whisked away and allowed to fly home per a woman I knew who lived in the building. More of those stories occurred in many places in the USA
LeftInTX
(34,296 posts)One used to live in San Antonio. He was killed when his ultra-light plane hit high voltage wires. 1988.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_bin_Laden
There were so many of them...It would be crazy to try to do their genealogy....
Polybius
(21,902 posts)Strange coincidence.
LeftInTX
(34,296 posts)Evolve Dammit
(21,777 posts)
mopinko
(73,726 posts)doing whatever he can. he doesnt forget his promises.
and he aint real fond of the saudis, methinks.
Kid Berwyn
(24,395 posts)
dalton99a
(94,129 posts)
Effete Snob
(8,387 posts)What bullshit.
Like Rudy "9/11" Giuliani, attempts to "own" 9/11 are pretty disgusting.
This subset of "9/11 families" is not representative of all families, and they are not the owners of either the memorial events or the places commemorating that attack on our country.
question everything
(52,134 posts)It is the nation’s, it is all the troops that were sent to Afghanistan, that are still there
Baitball Blogger
(52,348 posts)But the lawsuits against the Saudis are just gearing up.
JohnSJ
(98,883 posts)Baitball Blogger
(52,348 posts)The survivors haVE million dollar settlements at the end of the road. While the rest of us were subjected to a mountain of lies that created political rabbit holes for people who should have faced the music.
One of my relatives lost their son on 9/11. As much as I tried to tell her that the bush administration was protecting The Saudis and attacking Gaddafi was a mistake. Her face soured and she said, “Atleast he did something.”
I didn’t reply because it all came together for me. This was what it was all about for Republicans. Exploit the pain of “classic Americans”, deflect attention away from your co-conspirators and yourself. And don’t take ownership when all those mothers who lost children on 9/11 send the children of other women into danger for a political entanglement that should never have happened.
secondwind
(16,903 posts)old friends that night, at a restaurant in one of the Towers. A dear and old friend was celebrating her birthday.
We were all traumatized, the entire country was traumatized , and my friend tried to change her birth date after this tragedy. We talked her out of it.
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)
Miguelito Loveless
(5,752 posts)Saudi leaders conspired with the Trump family to subvert US policy and to murder a journalist.
There should be a price.
NBachers
(19,438 posts)TeamProg
(6,630 posts)have easily rounded up the Saudi hijackers before the event if the Saudis wanted to.
Dubya also knew. Maybe that's why the docs are still unreleased.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)Bin Laden and crew were enemies of the Saudi government. They were expelled from Saudi Arabia in 1991 -- ten years before the "event" as you call it. They went to Sudan and Afghanistan after that.
TeamProg
(6,630 posts)17 of 19 of the hi-jackers were Saudi nationals. Not Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian, Pakistani, but Saudi. If you know for sure that the Saudi terrorists that took pilot lessons in Florida arrived directly from Afghanistan or that the Saudi gov't knew nothing of the plan, educate me.
O. Bin Laden was from a wealthy Saudi family. Some of his relatives flew out of the U.S. back to S.A. immediately after 9/11/01.
I have no doubt that the Saudi gov't knew of the World Trade Center plans but did nothing about it. (Okay, big assumption there) That is all I was saying. I wasn't saying that the Saudi gov't BACKED the attack, but that they could have done more to stop it or warn the U.S. You're reading too much into it.
I remember first hearing about the Taliban when I saw film of them exploding / destroying ancient Buddha statues that were carved into a mountainside in Afghanistan.
Even just a smidgen of critical thinking makes me ask, why does it appear that the Saudi gov't is being protected by the non-release of these docs?
Please, do fill us all in.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)1) the bin Laden "family" is very large with no end of uncles and aunts and cousins. The bin Laden family owns a Saudi based construction company which is everywhere in the Middle East. If you travel in the ME which I have you will see the bin Laden name everywhere from the company.
2) His "relatives" are Saudi loyalists who have nothing to do with Osama and consider him to be the Black Sheep of the family. Yes, some of them were in the U.S. because their company is global. Yes, because of the circumstances, it made sense to get them out of the U.S. after the attack.
3) People in the ME operate in clans, not naitonality. It would not surprise me that all of the 9/11 crew were Saudis. They only trust those of their own clan. If an American murders someone in another country we don't say the American government knew about it before hand or supported it just because the murderer is an American.
4) I have no idea what is or is not in the documents. But I do know Obama (and Biden was apart of that administration) did not release them during their time in office. I doubt that Biden will do much of anything different.
TeamProg
(6,630 posts)multiple commercial airlines that required flight training and was planned probably a year in advance by more than 20 people.
How does that make sense, sir?
Nor did we in the U.S. blame the two Boston Marathon's bombers' nation of origin on that crime.
I figure that OBN's realtives were flown out for their own protection. I don't know much about that part of it. It seems unlikely that any relatives had any intelligence close to what the Saudi gov't had. Again, back to my point: that the Saudi gov't knew someting about it. That's it, that's all I was saying.
You know nothng of my personal history. I WAS IN Iran in the sixties when the Shah was in power. Military parades downtown Tehran, pics of the Shah in every business, every residence.
I'm done. Thank you.
orangecrush
(30,261 posts)For misleading article.
Your shitweasel corporate execs kissing GOP ass.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts) lapucelle
(21,061 posts)the 9/11 families. He represents himself, his 9/11 family, and a small faction of followers.
NBC should be ashamed.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... thanks.
Renew Deal
(85,153 posts)Though that was US policy prior to 2018.
3Hotdogs
(15,368 posts)Bush, Obama and Trump hid the information.
Renew Deal
(85,153 posts)But he wanted "cheap gas." It was a bribe.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)Renew Deal
(85,153 posts)The top five sources of U.S. total petroleum (including crude oil) imports by share of total petroleum imports in 2020 were
Canada
52%
Mexico
11%
Russia
7%
Saudi Arabia
7%
Colombia
4%
The top five sources of U.S. crude oil imports by share of total crude oil imports in 2020 were
Canada
61%
Mexico
11%
Saudi Arabia
8%
Colombia
4%
Iraq
3%
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/imports-and-exports.php
former9thward
(33,424 posts)The U.S. is a net exporter of oil -- not importer. The U.S. does not need oil from the ME to "keep gas prices low" which is what your post said. OUr prices are low because we produce all the oil we need.
Yes, we get some minor amounts of oil from the ME due to trade factors as your link explains. Europe gets oil from the ME and sends to our East coast because we send to Mexico because it is cheaper than sending to the East coast. Europe gets much of their oil from the ME which is how we end up with it.
Renew Deal
(85,153 posts)You're arguing with Trump.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/11/21/trump-thanks-saudi-arabia-for-cheap-gas/
Though I appreciate that you acknowledge your mistake.
former9thward
(33,424 posts)You stated we needed oil for cheap gas so Trump was not releasing any "documents" . If we don't need their oil for cheap gas then it can't be a bribe and you actually believe that we do.
Renew Deal
(85,153 posts)A quote would help.
FreepFryer
(7,086 posts)LymphocyteLover
(9,847 posts)MiroJarvis
(55 posts)9/11 deserves a new independent investigation.
DanieRains
(4,619 posts)And leave us alone.
Signed "the world"
Farmer-Rick
(12,667 posts)He and his sex worker got an invite to the annual 9/11 events.
W who was negligent during the attack went to regular anniversaries and got invites, so did Obama.
Sooo, it's just that Biden wont release it (quick enough?) that the invite is removed?
This is BS
lapucelle
(21,061 posts)He is a spokesman for himself, his 9/11 family, and a small faction that belong to his group. He has also been a guest on Tucker Carlson.
I am a member of a 9/11 family, and I have re-invited President Biden to the ceremonies. It's Guiliani who better not show up.
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100215707552
Farmer-Rick
(12,667 posts)
llashram
(6,269 posts)whether President Biden is still analyzing data for national security and everyone knows the Saudis provide much oil, this did not come out during dipshits 4 years. It's been 8 months and all want this administration to clean up 4 years of trump trying to destroy America at Putin's direction Grow up!@! Get real!!! We are talking about a man and woman leading this country that are light years ahead of, TFGumpputinspuppet, in compassion. Get real people or are we going to help the RW destroy our democracy with our unreasonable demands? Damn!@!@ It's up to us. Yeah, keep the leaders aware that we are watching and hoping for better days.
Sorry for the rant. We have to give the Biden/Harris team a realistic chance. And priority is getting the bridges, overpasses, roads ect fixed!!!
sinkingfeeling
(57,835 posts)government.
The Mouth
(3,414 posts)Except for genuine military secrets, meaning ONLY the names of agents and the technical details (NOT cost) of cutting-edge hardware.
With *EVERYTHING* made public within 5 or 10 years. No exceptions, no excuses, no redactions, down to the penny, down to the last word of any decryot.
Everybody should know everything.
Response to Calista241 (Original post)
ExTex This message was self-deleted by its author.
Mr.Bill
(24,906 posts)that this information can not be made public for national security reasons. People's lives could even possibly be in danger. There are all kinds of secrets held by the government that we will never know about. That's just a fact we have to live with.
twodogsbarking
(18,785 posts)all of my life.
Mr.Bill
(24,906 posts)has existed for all of your life.
twodogsbarking
(18,785 posts)or a lie to protect us or others from harm. I'll go with that.
Mr.Bill
(24,906 posts)an interview with Jimmy Carter's press secretary long after Carter was out of office. The interviewer asked him if he ever lied to the press. He said had at least once. The interviewer was shocked and asked him why he would lie to the press. He said it had to do with the safety and security of the hostages in Iran.
twodogsbarking
(18,785 posts)and people seem content with the bullshit they have been fed.
Why change now.
