to having one of those sky-crane helicopters hook up and steal that great black rock they face and pray towards.

The Kaaba should immediately be transported to Washington, DC and placed at one end of the Washington monument pool.

Just think of the consternation of the fundamentalist Muslims as they bow to Washington five times a day to pray. And suicide bombers dare not endanger their holy of holies.

Additionally, this would be a major tourist draw to the nations capitol, since the time of Mohammed the Kaaba has been the chief object of pilgrimage for the Islamic world. The advertising posibilities are simply staggering: "Visit Travelosity for your next Haj." "Take the flying carpet tour by Delta," "See the Pentagon along the Way."

Don't waste a nuke on Mecca, take the entreprenuerial approach.

Publius