The O'Reilly Factor
A daily summary of segments aired on The O'Reilly Factor. A preview of the evening's rundown is posted before the show airs each weeknight.
Friday, June 17, 2005
The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo
Top Story
Factor Follow Up Segment
Personal Story Segment
Unresolved Problems Segment
Factor Investigation Segment
Back of Book Segment
Factor Mail
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Losing the will to fight terrorism
"Day after day the left-wing media in America pounds home two themes - the war in Iraq is a disaster and the Bush administration approves of torture. They have taken root, and only 37% of Americans now feel the war is worth the cost in lives and treasure. No country can win a war with the media constantly undermining it. America has to fight its wars not only on the battlefield, but also in the press. And the press is usually against unilateral American action. The Bush administration should be all over the media convincing Americans that what we're doing is right and necessary."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com

Fourth suspect arrested in Holloway case
Guests: Ruben Trapenburg, Aruban government spokesman & Angela Munzenhofer, Aruba Today

Another man has been arrested in conjunction with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway - 26 year old Steve Gregory Croes is the fourth person in custody. The Factor criticized Aruba law enforcement for moving so slowly. "Nineteen days after a girl disappears you finally get around to arresting the fourth suspect. It makes the Aruba authorities look like Keystone Kops." Government spokesman Ruben Trapenburg contended that law enforcement authorities are making progress, but are legally forbidden to provide details. "If you make any mistake by giving details of the investigation, a judge would consider it a grave error and at that point you would lose your case. Aruba is safe country, and we care about this case."

Where were the chaperones?
Guests: Alabama radio host Jeff Tyson

There were 133 high school grads on Natalee Holloway's trip to Aruba, supervised by seven adult chaperones. The adults have not spoken publicly, but Alabama radio host Jeff Tyson talked with one of the chaperones privately and relayed that conversation to The Factor. "The whole thing was set up for these adults to go down as travel assistants - not to baby sit the kids. The chaperones had daily meetings with the kids and advised them to use common sense and stay safe." The Factor urged the chaperones to come forward with details about the trip. "These seven should come on and say what happened. They could do some good by protecting other children from getting into this same situation."

Runaway bride cashing in
Guest: E. Jean Carroll, Elle Magazine

Jennifer Wilbanks has sold the rights to her story for a reported half-million dollars. Elle Magazine's E. Jean Carroll denounced Wilbanks for cashing in on dreadful behavior. "It is cheesy and sleazy and reprehensible. She's a liar, a racist, a dingbat, a shoplifter, and a little maggot. It's an interesting combination, and hence she gets the $500,000. If she publishes a book and if she gives some of the money to charity to help women who have actually been raped, that'll be a test of character." The Factor called this book deal an unfortunate sign of the times. "This is outrageous. It's another example of bad behavior being rewarded by a society that has no boundaries and makes no judgments."

Bush approval rating slides further
Guest: Rich Lowry, Conservative National Review

According to poll numbers, American people are turning against the war in Iraq and President Bush. Rich Lowry of the conservative National Review blamed the administration for the declining approval ratings. "After the Iraqi elections they moved on to other things like Social Security. The fact is the war had never ended and it's come back to bite them. President Bush has to be out every day explaining why this is essential to American security." The Factor suggested that the President and his party could pay a steep political price. "If President Bush doesn't start to justify his policies, Democrats will pick up House seats in the next election and Hillary Clinton will be president in 2008."

Gov. Bush makes statement on Lunsford case
Guests: Radio talk show host Pat Campbell

The Factor has been investigating the murder of 9-year old Jessica Lunsford and urging viewers to demand justice. After being deluged by letters and e-mails demanding that he get involved, Florida Governor Jeb Bush has issued a statement: "The Florida Constitution limits the Governor's intervention in matters that should be resolved through the court system." In a new development, there are now reports that Couey's confession may be worthless because police neglected to advise him of his rights. Radio talk show host Pat Campbell laid out the worst case scenario. "If this is true, this case was compromised from the get-go. This is gross incompetence, and Couey could actually walk away from this." The Factor pledged to keep pressure on public officials who have apparently been negligent. "This case has been botched and we know that. We're making progress and we're not going to let it go."

Natalee Holloway wrap-up
Guest: Dilma Arends, Bon Dia Aruba

Aruba investigative reporter Dilma Arends joined The Factor with a summary of the Natalee Holloway case. She explained that island authorities have been working closely with outside experts. "The FBI is assisting Aruba police with technical information. There are also two forensics experts from Holland. So Aruba is welcoming experts." Arends added that Aruba police are extremely tight-lipped and accurate information is hard to come by. The Factor again decried the apparent lack of progress. "The longer this goes on the worse it is for Aruba. And of course the worse it is for the Holloway family."

Viewers sound off
Factor Words of the Day
Many of your e-mails dealt with torture allegations at Gitmo. Some excerpts:

Gary Herby, Delta, CO: "Bill, if you don't think torture is being used at Gitmo, then you must think a woman can be a little bit pregnant. Torture is torture, no matter how minute it is."

Dan Roscher, Longs, SC: "My definition of torture is listening to Dick Durbin compare our policies to Nazi Germany. That's just ignorant."

Dick Robertson, Greenville, SC: "Bill, you come across as a lunatic in the Gitmo situation. You just cannot accept that your boy Bush has been wrong and lied about all the events that led to his invasion. Not one single life has been saved by locking people up."

Esther Young, Decatur, IL: "Senator Durbin does not speak for all the people in this state. He's an embarrassment."

The segment on breastfeeding in public also generated passionate feedback.

Sylvia Barnes, Lexington, NE: "O'Reilly, you are right. Breastfeeding mothers simply need to cover up and consider the feelings of others."

Lisa Schoenenberger, Lake Forest, CA: "Bill, next time you see a mother breastfeeding in public, put a blanket over your own head."

Janis Lindsey, Kaufman, TX: "O'Reilly, I see more breasts and nakedness at the local mall than in a breastfeeding situation."