Rand Paul Up in Arms

Last year, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) to allow the family members of those killed in the 9/11 attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia for any part it played in those acts of terrorism.

President Obama vetoed JASTA, but Congress voted to override the veto.

Now, less than a year after Congress voted to let the victims and the families of victims of 9/11 sue Saudi Arabia, the current administration is proposing the largest-ever arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

[...]

After the veto override, former U.S. Senator Bob Graham stated, “[F]rom what I know today, there is ample evidence that 9/11 would not have happened but for the assistance provided by Saudi Arabia.” He went on to say, “The results of that assistance was (nearly) 3,000 persons murdered, 90 percent of them Americans. And a new wave of terrorism with Saudi financial and operational support has beset the world.”

[...]

Selling military weapons to questionable allies is not in our national security interest.

  Rand Paul

Maybe, but it's something we do all the time.

When we choose to intervene and provide or sell weapons to one nation, we only invite other nations to match or grow their own armaments – Iran and Israel will likely devote more of their funds to keeping up.

Arms race: good for the American economy.

In the next few weeks, I, along with a bipartisan group of senators, will force a vote disapproving of this arms sale to Saudi Arabia. Let’s hope the Senate will have the sense to stop this travesty.

Abandon hope, Rand. Abandon hope.

Paul Jackson, a Sikorsky spokesman, said until the venture is completed and the contract negotiated, details of the deal won’t be available, including a timeline and final workforce impact.

“What we currently anticipate is that the (joint venture) will help to maintain more than 450 U.S. jobs including in Connecticut and throughout the U.S. supply chain,” he said in an email. “That would include an estimated 200 Lockheed Martin jobs, many of them based in Connecticut, and additional work for about 30 Connecticut-based suppliers. It also would support 450 jobs in Saudi Arabia.”

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson, in a statement, said the company was proud to be part of the historic deal.

“We are especially proud of how our broad portfolio of advanced global security products and technologies will enhance national security in Saudi Arabia, strengthen the cause of peace in the region, and provide the foundation for job creation and economic prosperity in the U.S. and in the Kingdom,” Hewson said.

  CTPost

Sad!

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.