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# Posted 7:54 PM by Ariel David Adesnik

I LAUGHED, I CRIED...It was better than "Cats". Yes, there is really nothing as entertaining as listening to the imaginative lies that issue forth from the mouth of Adel al-Jubeir, de facto spokesman for the Saudi embassy. Al-Jubeir has announced that the Saudi government has now taken a dramatic step to stop Saudi charities from financing terrorists: it will create a government agency. Well, in light of the sterling reputation that the rest of the Saudi government's agencies have, I guess we can expect the financing to stop sometime before Osama bin Laden marries Jenna Bush.

While you're waiting, take a look at this article on Saudi charities by Stephen Schwartz. Even though it's a litlle short on evidence, the article makes the critical point that focusing on a single possible indiscretion made by one Saudi princess is irrelevant. The real issue is the existence of an entire system of indirect financing which actively encourages princesses to distribute tens of thousands of dollars to individuals who may well have connections to terrorists.

This is also an opportune moment to thank Adam Bellow at Doubleday for sending me a complimentary copy of Schwartz's new book, "The Two Faces of Islam: The House of Sa'ud from Tradition to Terror." I will report back ASAP.

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