Fun With NPR

Nothing on the radio on the way home, and my CD player doesn't work in the heat for some reason. So I turn on All Things Considered (I know, I know) and the NPR guy is interviewing some sort of Saudi flack. I couldn't listen for long, but there was this exchange (paraphrased because what are you expecting, notes?):

NPR GUY: Some critics say that Saudi Arabia, and Egypt too, aren't democratic and are afraid of freedom in Iraq, which would destabilize the region.

SAUDI FLACK: That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Saudi Arabia has been ruled by, has had the same government for 217 [possibly 270 -- MT] years. We are not concerned about that. But as an ally, a friend, we are advising the United States.

None of that's made up. I was going to point out the blatant lies, but it's all blatant lies. And how in the world can he justify saying the Sauds have ruled Arabia that long? 100 years ago they were a pack of nomads.