MORE CRUSHING OF DISSENT — and in Philadelphia, the cradle of liberty!

Is nothing sacred these days? Besides, you know, bad stuff?

HOWARD KURTZ wonders why the Raelians’ cloning claims are getting so much attention:

The cloniacs and their space-cadet spokeswoman, Brigitte Boisselier, brought zero evidence to the table, even though they knew their claim would be greeted with fierce skepticism. No picture of the baby. No names for the parents. No DNA samples, no medical records, no nothing. Just the promise of some evidence down the road, to be validated by a former ABC newsman who once did a series that took seriously claims for astrology, ESP and moving objects through thought. And even as television shows have rushed to interview Rael — who insisted that CNN’s Connie Chung call him “Your Holiness” — the group keeps making excuses for why the promised DNA tests haven’t materialized.

Why not just ignore these characters?

The truth is it’s not so easy.

I’ve found it pretty easy. I don’t believe ’em, which is why I haven’t paid much attention despite getting a lot of email on the subject.

But my question is, given that the Raelians’ claims have gotten so much press, why hasn’t this equally well-founded claim gotten similar notice? I blame media bias!

HERE’S MORE on Saudi support for Al Qaeda.

Saudi Arabia has transferred $500 million to Al Qaida over the past decade, according to a report prepared for the United Nations.

The report asserts that the Saudi funds represent the most important source of financing for Al Qaida and that Riyad, pressured by leading officials, has failed to stop the flow of money to Al Qaida in wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 suicide attacks on New York and Washington.

Here’s an understatement:

“One must question the real ability and willingness of the kingdom to exercise any control over the use of religious money in and outside of the country,” the report said.

If the Saudi regime stays in power in Arabia, we won’t be able to win this war. Does the Bush Administration realize that?