In 1993, the supreme religious authority of Saudi Arabia , Sheik Abdel-Aziz Ibn Baaz, issued a fatwah declaring the Earth is flat. The fatwah declared anyone who believes that the Earth is round does not believe in God and should be punished.

Carl Sagan
The Demon-Haunted World
1996

Max came in the back door, grabbed a Shiner Bock out of my fridge and plopped down on my sofa. Taking a big swig, he asked, “D’ja hear about Obama wanting NASA to do some good will spreading for him.”

I hit “save” and turned around. “Wanted NASA to do something for him after he trashed their budget? What’s the punch line?”

“No punch line,” Max said, smiling. “I’m serious as ebola, man. He wants the head of NASA to make nice-nice with the Muslim world and encourage them in their technical achievements.”

I wasn’t sure of what I’d just heard and it must have shown on my face. Max chuckled and said, “You heard me, he wants NASA to help the Muslims develop modern technology.”

“The last time the Muslims made a technical advance,” I said, “they started using AK-47s to slaughter the infidel instead of scimitars. What in hell does he mean, their technology? They don’t have any technology! The Saudis have to bring in Asians, Americans and Brits to do their technology. They can’t even keep the lights on without outside help. Is this a colossal joke?”

“It may be a joke on the NASA people who are losing their jobs, to provide a chuckle to cheer them up, perhaps,” Max said sarcastically. “After all, they wo't be doing anything else so the ones that are left will have time on their hands.”

“What a colossal insult to our space people!” I muttered. “I wonder if this speech made something run down Chris Matthews’ leg.”

“I think that was a thrill running up his leg,” Max said.

“Oh. Well, in any case, that’s easier to clean up,” I observed.