The Factor Rundown
Weekdays with Bernie & Jane Segment
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Steroids and sports superstars
"Steroid possession without a prescription is illegal in America, but until 2004 Major League Baseball didn't even ban steroid use. Everybody knew some players were juiced, including the league, yet little was done to stop it. Great players like Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, Roger Clemens, and Miguel Tejada brought millions of fans into the ballparks, earning Major League Baseball millions in profits. So everybody got paid because these guys cheated by using steroids. That's the big issue here - cheating. America has become so focused on success that an ethical apathy has developed in the country. A recent study says 60% of Americans students admit to cheating and many are unrepentant. There is no question that we as a society have lost our way. So the steroid report is really no surprise, and many of these players will be back on the field with a spring in their step. If everyone cheats, who can judge?" News Link: MLB engulfed in steroid scandal
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Honesty, drugs and the Democrats
Hillary Clinton has personally apologized to Barack Obama because one of her campaign staffers, Billy Shaheen, said Obama's past drug use would be used against him in a presidential campaign. Democratic strategist Jehmu Greene called it a sign of desperation. "The Clinton camp is running around like chickens with their heads cut off," Greene said. "They're scared and they're trying to drag Barack Obama into the gutter with them. A lot of this is reminding people of the Clintons' baggage, and none of this is good for Democrats." But Mary Ann Marsh, also a Democratic adviser, downplayed the significance of the incident. "Billy Shaheen apologized and resigned and Hillary Clinton apologized. When people step up and admit their mistakes, people will forgive you. What Hillary Clinton needs to do is put on the charm offensive and get up close and personal with people." The Factor added that the Clinton campaign is showing signs of cracking under pressure. "If her lead has evaporated in New Hampshire, it's panic time. And panic time is when this kind of stuff starts." News Link: Drug smears rock Clinton campaign
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Religion and the Republican race
In debates and interviews, Republicans are being asked more about religion and faith than terrorism or the economy. The Factor suggested that the emphasis on religion fits with the media's agenda. "If the media can keep the argument on Jesus and not on terrorism, it's a big win for the Democrats. This is a joyful season for the left if they can keep Jesus in the Republican primary." Former White House spokesman Tony Snow pointed out that most journalists are cut from the same cloth. "The journalism establishment is filled with people who don't go to church, the vast majority are not observant. They tend to think of religious people as quacks, when in fact they form the backbone of the public. This reflects a mindset that's totally out of synch with the American people."
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A quiet front in the war against Christmas
The Christian group Focus on the Family has been monitoring how retailers are handling Christmas this year, and the organization's Carrie Gordon Earll reported the results. "We took a snapshot of major retailers to see what they were using in their catalogue marketing and on their corporate websites. There were several companies we put on our 'ugly' list because they seem to intentionally remove the word 'Christmas.' Barnes & Noble and Circuit City are using the 'holiday' theme; Dick's Sporting Goods has a 44-page catalogue that doesn't mention Christmas once. And the most bizarre is Old Navy, which actually has a reference to 'holiday morning.' I'm going to spend my money at some place that is not afraid to wish me a Merry Christmas." News Link: Christmas retailer report (PDF)
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A look back at Bill on TV in 2007
Bill replayed some of his memorable appearances and mentions on other television shows this past year. There was Bill sparring with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report; Sean Penn, Merryl Streep and Bill Maher questioning Bill's judgment; as well as Bill's appearances on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, and The View. Fox News Video: 'Factor' Invasion!
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Celebrities and political endorsements
Bernie Goldberg and Jane Hall began their segment by analyzing Bill's TV appearances shown in the prior segment. "They have you on," Goldberg declared, "because you are box office and because you're an oddity. To liberals, you are the anti-Christ, but they'll still have you on their shows because it's in their best interest." Hall complimented Bill for his handling of the guest spots. "People are surprised that you're funny and you were good on all those programs. The only appearance that didn't go well was the one with David Letterman when he was rude to you." The two media analysts also debated whether John Edwards will benefit from his endorsement by far-left actor Tim Robbins. "Robbins is a mixed bag," Hall said. "If I were Edwards' advisers I'd rather have someone who is better known and who could appeal to a wider spectrum." But Goldberg suggested that Robbins is right in step with many primary voters in Iowa. "You and I think Tim Robbins is playing deep left field, but to anti-war Democrats in Iowa Tim Robbins is as mainstream as mom's apple pie. I don't think it's a bad move in Iowa." News Link: Tim Robbins stumps for Edwards
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The Dhue Point
Ombudsperson Laurie Dhue reported that scores of viewers were angry because The Factor called Helen Thomas a "pinhead." The Factor's response: "Helen Thomas has been consistently anti-American. The woman is a pinhead, she's been a pinhead for decades, and she will always be a pinhead. But she's welcome on the program any time." Other viewers complained about the segment with Mayra Veronica, the bikini model who is a big hit with troops in Iraq. The Factor: "Marines voted her the best, we think she's a patriot and I have to show you who she is." On a similar subject, some viewers said it was unnecessary to show the unflattering swimsuit photos of Jennifer Love Hewitt. The Factor: "This is the controversy, that the woman can't go swimming without a camera following her. Of course I had to show it." Anyone with questions or complaints can write to dhuepoint@foxnews.com.
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Who's helping, and who's hurting?
Thursday's Patriots: Robin Williams, Lance Armstrong, Lewis Black, and Kid Rock, all of whom are joining the USO for its Christmas tour. And the Pinheads: The nine members of Congress who voted against a House resolution honoring Christmas. News Link: Democrats vote against Christmas resolutionNominate a Pinhead or a Patriot by sending an email to pnp@billoreilly.com.
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Viewers sound off
A sampling of your recent e-mails:
Lynn Jender, Palos Hills, IL: "I just finished watching the segments on young girls sending pictures of themselves undressed out to boys. Bill, you are absolutely right. These girls do not fear punishment. We parents are much too lenient."
Mary Palmer, San Bernardino, CA: "I'll keep this pithy. My parents divorced when I was three. When I lived with my father he let me do everything and I got into trouble. I then moved back in with my mother and her discipline turned my life around."
Ginny Beichner, Shippenville, PA: "I am a mental health worker and think that harsh punishment in these cases is not needed. Give the kids a chance."
Adrian Dhima, Melbourne, Australia: "A good 'talking to' is not punishment."
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