Taki: Beyond belief

The Spectator (UK) ^ | November 8, 2001 | Taki

[aculeus]

Taki, who has many 'aristo' friends, also has friends who were in the NYFD.

How can you dislike this guy?

[ex-snook]

Maybe Silverstein knows those New York trial lawyers are deep pocket buck chasers, big time.

[ThePoetsRaven]

silverstein is a low life PR**K.

[JmyBryan]

Hope this gets some play in the media ...

[Poohbah]

Quite easily. Just because the insurance company SAYS the buildings were insured for only $3,200,000,000 instead of $7,200,000,000 is no guarantee that the insurer is telling the truth. Indeed, underpayment of claims--whether negligent or malicious--is rife in the industry (which is why so many insurance companies get sued on a regular basis). Larry just may be telling the truth here. Also, Swiss Re has tried to say "well, this is an act of war, and we don't pay a DIME if it's an act of war." But Taki seems to root for them without any critical assessment of their claim.

And I fail to see why Larry should be held liable for the buildings collapsing--they were never designed to take an aircraft of that size slamming into them (they were designed to withstand a 727, a much smaller airframe). In general, one cannot really be expected to deal with every possible risk out there--because if that became our criteria, we'd NEVER build another structure of any sort, not even a mud hut.

[Poohbah]

Because Congress disagrees with them, as Congress has not declared war on the perpetrators.

[aculeus]

And I fail to see why Larry should be held liable for the buildings collapsing--they were never designed to take an aircraft of that size slamming into them (they were designed to withstand a 727, a much smaller airframe ...

It wasn't the 'slam' it was the fire ... which melted the steel columns.

[Lizzy W]

Where there's slime, there's Bill Clinton. Where's there's Bill, there's Jack Quinn.

Wonder if Larry also hired the Rodham brothers for associate counsel.

[headsonpikes]

"I bet you're a lawyer..."

And I'll bet you're not! lol!

Congress did not declare war because of the consequences to policy holders.(Act of War--No Pay Claims)

[Poohbah]

No, I'm just saying the hypocrisy here is amazing. The insurance company seeks to minimize its economic damage through political influence, and you give them a pass. The developer seeks to minimize his economic damage through political influence, and you say he's pondscum.

I have a problem with words like "war" being thrown around lightly, and I wish Congress would simply declare war on the terrorism-sponsoring nations so that we can settle everyone's hash. Saying that a particular act is an "act of war" instead of a merely criminal act, without Congressional agreement on this point, is the sort of thing a scumbag insurance company would engage in.

[Poohbah]

True enough. But a 727 collision MIGHT have been survivable, whereas 757/767 collisions were not. (Less fuel, less fire, less kinetic energy to damage the structural integrity of the building with. All of these factors played a part.)

[bulldog905]

So this bill passed the House to give this greedy reptilian his seven billion!

Last time I noticed, there were more Republicans there then Democrats.

Sad, isn't it, that this Silverstein character is going to get more financial help then any of the real victims of Sept. 11.

[MoralSense]

This issue was covered in WSJ a week or so ago. Taki doesn't have the issues quite right. Swiss Re claims the terrorist attack was a single event. Silverstein claims it was two, that, hence, double insurance ought to apply.

There's apparently a fair amount of precedent to study here. It is, nonetheless, a pretty scummy scene. And Taki is right that the trial lawyers are going to start suing any and everyone they can.

[biffalobull]

And Taki is right that the trial lawyers are going to start suing any and everyone they can.

I quarantee you the trial lawyers are taking it on a contingentcy basis, and will make more money, with nothing invested, than Silverstien.

[headsonpikes]

Ah, trial lawyers, the larval form of politicians. ;^)

[JCG]

Trial lawyers are America’s cancer, and the cancer will stop at nothing in pursuit of a buck.

How true.  Having had two lawyers in one White House for eight years -- is our nation now in remission?

Gawd, I hope so.

 America's Fifth Column ... watch PBS documentary JIHAD! In America -- here

 For better viewing download 8Mb file here

[mdwakeup]

Are you serious? Would you buy insurance from a company that reneged on a 9/11 claim?

[Ada Coddington]

Also, Swiss Re has tried to say "well, this is an act of war, and we don't pay a DIME if it's an act of war."

I don't think its an act of war unless Congress so declares. Insurance claims is one reason Congress will not declare.