So who's pushing this imperialistic concept of U.S. legal jurisdiction? You have the usual suspects in the left-wing human-rights crowd, who are happy to see corporations tied up anywhere, anytime, for any reason. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have submitted a brief on behalf of the Kiobel plaintiffs. News flash: Almost all serious rights violations are committed by governments, not corporations.

Then there are the trial lawyers, who see the potential for big paydays. This is the U.S. lawsuit industry going global, and you can imagine the diplomatic complications if American courts become the venue for all of the world's human-rights activists. Imagine, too, the risks for U.S. companies if other nations choose to retaliate.