Guests: Rabbi Jack Moline

"President Bush has signed a proclamation ordering flags at public institutions lowered to half staff out of respect for John Paul II. But some Americans have complained that this is a violation of church and state. Of course that's nonsense. The Pope heads an independent nation, the Holy See, and is a statesman as well as a religious leader. Lowering the American flag is simply a sign of respect for a world leader, not a religious endorsement of any kind. Even the ACLU has not jumped on this bandwagon, realizing that disrespecting the Pope might put that organization in jeopardy. The important part of the controversy is that it demonstrates that our constitution can be used now for fanatical purposes. Any kind of punitive act, for example, can be called cruel and unusual. Any kind of spiritual expression can be called a constitutional violation. It is vital that everyone understands where this country is heading. This crazy flag controversy isn't going to get traction, but just the fact that it's become an issue is a signal. The USA has succeeded because we have Constitutional freedoms, but there's no question those liberties are now being challenged in a way that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson would have imagined."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com

The Factor was joined by Rabbi Jack Moline of the Interfaith Alliance, who objects to the flag's lowering. "I was uncomfortable with this decision," Rabbi Moline explained. "I have tremendous respect for the Pope, but I wish the President had found a different way to express it. There have been four Popes who have died in my lifetime and this is the first time one of them has been so honored. This puts the Pope on a par with world leaders like King Hussein, Yitzak Rabin, and Anwar Sadat." The Factor countered that in fact the Pope is on par with other world leaders. "The Pope runs a country. He has a Secretary of State, he a foreign policy, and he has ambassadors. And to protest the lowering of the flag is just insulting."

Guest: Fox News analyst Juan Williams

Many in the mainstream media have been harshly critical of the "Minutemen," a band of private citizens who are voluntarily patrolling the Mexican border. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution denounced them as "pistol-packing civilians" who have "no business" at the border." Fox News analyst Juan Williams said he opposes the Minutemen because they're ineffective and unnecessary. "How can you endorse vigilantism? We have a Border Patrol that can do a sufficient job, but you can't stop humanity from seeking better jobs, security, and education. You can not use muscle and guns to stop the human impulse to come to America." The Factor argued that the Minutemen have done precisely what they set out to do. "There has been no illegal immigration in that sector of the desert since they've been there. If the Minutemen sitting there in lounge chairs can stop the immigration, surely the National Guard backing up the Border Patrol can do it too."

Guest: Barbara Comstock, DeLay consultant

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been accused of various ethical lapses. As one example, a Political Action Committee controlled by Delay paid his daughter and wife more than $500,000 over the past four years. Barbara Comstock, a consultant to Congressman DeLay, said there is nothing illegal or improper about the payments. "This story about his wife and daughter having worked with the PAC has been public information for years. The Federal Election Commission said this is perfectly legal as long as the people being paid are doing legitimate campaign activities. Tom DeLay is a target because he's effective and he's been helping to get Republicans elected." The Factor contended that while other politicians may do similar things, DeLay's actions are completely inappropriate. "No one comes close to what DeLay has paid his wife and daughter. It's a lot of money, and it sends the wrong signal. It just doesn't look good, and I don't think politicians should be doing this kind of stuff."

Guest: Greg Kehoe, Iraqi Special Tribunal advisor

Two years after Saddam Hussein was captured, he remains in Iraq awaiting trial. Greg Kehoe, a member of the legal team that will prosecute Saddam, said the case against the former dictator is not as clear cut as it appears. "The crimes may be obvious, but you still have to prove them in a court of law. It's one thing to talk about it, it's another thing to prove it. He has a lot of lawyers." Kehoe, one of the few people who has actually spoken with Saddam Hussein, reported that he is in full command of his faculties. "He is aware of what is transpiring in Iraq. He is very alert, very aware, and is a very bright man. And he knows he's going to have to account for his conduct."

Guest: Father Frank Pavone

800 people attended an emotional memorial mass for Terri Schiavo in Florida. Father Frank Pavone, who gave the homily, told The Factor what he tried to convey to the mourners. "I told them that so many people around the world are with them. We're determined that something like this never happens again. We have to go forth and build a culture of life, and to understand that life does not lose its value when you become frail." As one of the last people to see Terri Schiavo alive, Father Pavone said the manner of her death helps explain the continuing controversy surrounding her case. "In all my years as a priest, I have never seen anything so horrifying or agonizing as the way she died. She had no terminal illness and she was dehydrated to death. That in itself is enough to cause all the bitterness we've seen."

Guest: Dr. Bob Lichter, George Mason University

A new poll has confirmed what most observers suspected--the vast majority of college professors lean to the left politically. Nearly 75% of those professors polled described themselves as liberal, while 84% support abortion rights. One of the study's authors claimed that political uniformity on campus is detrimental to students and faculty alike. "When you have such an imbalance," said Bob Lichter of George Mason University, "it's hard to do right by the students and it's hard for the educational system to work the way it's supposed to. The problem is that it becomes self-reinforcing. When you get into academia as a conservative, it's hard to move up in the field because liberals are not comfortable with you."