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| All content taken from The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening's show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST.
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"Three days before the president's meeting with Pope Benedict, the Vatican issued a 'teaching document' encompassing everything from the financial markets to abortion. Back home, it took Catholic Democrats no time to twist its meaning in an effort to bolster Mr. Obama's radical proposals such as cap-and-trade and health care reform. Here's what they're not telling you: Although the Pope supports protecting the environment, he specifically warns against viewing nature as more important than the human person. And although the Pope encourages wealthy nations to help poor nations, he warns that foreign aid should not in any way be used to diminish populations through abortion or contraception. The Vatican is unequivocally opposed to the destruction of embryos for medical research, a position directly at odds with President Obama. So no matter how much spin you are going to hear about how the president and the Pope found common ground, remember this: The Pontiff's central message is that meaningful social progress is only possible if we first embrace moral truths and protect human life at all stages. But for a president with such a notorious anti-life agenda, that could be above his pay grade."
Laura asked Democratic strategist Matthew Littman and Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus about the president's falling job approval numbers. "His personal popularity rating is at 79%," Littman said, "which is extremely high. Given the ambitiousness of his agenda, including health care, I would actually prefer to see his popularity ratings take more of a hit because I think he's going to use some of that popularity to get through this very serious legislation he wants passed." Jacobus surmised why President Obama is pushing so hard for radical change. "He needs to rush everything through before Congress goes home for their summer break and they start hearing from their constituents. The president's numbers are dropping among independents, who are not happy with this spending, and if unemployment reaches 10% I think you are going to see a free fall." Laura pointed to the stark difference between President Obama's popularity and that of his policies: "He's still considered a very attractive and historic president, but when it comes to his agenda, his public support is eroding." |
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| The Justice Department says that captured Al Qaeda terrorists are entitled to rights under the "due process" clause of the Constitution. Laura was joined by criminal defense attorney Steven Clark, who agreed with that assessment. "If we're going to give them a trial," Clark maintained, "we have to give them procedural safeguards. And if we're going to use somebody's confession, we have to make sure it wasn't coerced. They have the right to counsel and a fair trial." But Laura argued that foreign detainees are not protected by the Constitution. "These are not criminals, they are enemy combatants who we captured on the battlefield. If one of these Gitmo inmates gets off because the information that was obtained is considered 'involuntary' and then goes back and kills a U.S. soldier, how is that going to look for the Obama administration?" |
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| ABC News reportedly paid $200,000 for access to an interview Michael Jackson's parents, in which Joe Jackson claimed there was "foul play" in his son's death. Laura asked FNC media analyst Jane Hall to gauge the ethics of ABC's deal. "My quarrel is with the interview itself," Hall said. "I would love to see a reporter ask Joe Jackson what he means by 'foul play,' but there was no follow up. If you're going to devote this much coverage, at least ask some questions." After reminding viewers that Michael Jackson claimed his father was abusive, Laura accused the Jacksons of pure avarice. "The family has been making money off Michael since he was five years old, and now they're making money off him in his death. I find it disgusting." |
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| Some Planned Parenthood branches have disregarded laws requiring them to report statutory rape. In a recent example in Alabama, film maker Lila Rose posed as a 14-year-old who had been impregnated by her 31-year-old boyfriend. "The reaction of the staff member to hearing that I was 14 and my supposed boyfriend was 31," Rose explained, "was that it will stay within these walls and we won't say a word to anybody. Her next concern was trying to figure out how to make it so my parents would not find out about the abortion. There is sexual abuse cover-up at these clinics." Alabama Attorney General Troy King laid out the legal dimensions. "I'm asking the state health department to join me in my investigation and to get to the bottom of what is being done to young girls. It's extremely troubling that a girl would go into an abortion clinic and be coached in how to break the law. Their license could be in jeopardy." |
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| One of Sarah Palin's most vituperative media critics has been the Washington Post's Sally Quinn, who has questioned Palin's parenting skills and accused the governor of exploiting her children. Quinn entered the No Spin Zone and elaborated on her position. "When she stepped down," Quinn suggested, "she could have said, 'this is too hard on my family and I have this special needs child.' Special needs children are the lost children in this country, they need a lot more attention that most children. This was a chance for her to help millions of people and to be an incredible role model." Laura argued that Governor Palin already is a role model: "The reason people equate Sarah Palin with supporting special needs children is that she actually chose to have the child. She didn't abort her child, she knew it was going to be hard, and she's not hiding the child. So for you to question her fitness as a mother, I found that to be shocking." |
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| An Internet video shows a replica of the Statue of Liberty being decapitated and includes the message "Death to America." Laura welcomed terrorism expert Steven Emerson, who downplayed the video's significance. "This is not an Al Qaeda warning," Emerson affirmed. "If Al Qaeda wanted to do something, they would blow up the actual Statue of Liberty. They have enough serious plots underway." Emerson also issued a stark warning: "There are independent cells that are developing and the number of jihadists in the United States is way higher than any mainstream newspaper will ever admit. The American public is being misled." |
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Laura ended the program by reprising portions of Bill's recent confrontation with Congressman Barney Frank. Some excerpts:
Bill: "President Obama decided not to release the photos of prisoner abuse. Do you support the president's action?"
Frank: "Pretty much ... given the situation he's in, I think that's a reasonable decision."
Bill: "But Senators Graham and Lieberman were very angry with you and other Democratic Congressmen who stripped out the provision banning the photos from public release."
Frank: "My objection to that was purely procedural ... there was no chance those photos were going to be released."
Bill: "President Obama's health care deal is going to cost more than a trillion dollars. Where is the money going to come from?"
Frank: "There is military spending on Cold War weapons that can be reduced ... we should be reducing military activity in Western Europe and Japan."
Bill: "Your state, Massachusetts, has a health care plan and a $1.5 billion deficit. Can you reassure me that universal health care is not going to bankrupt the United States?"
Frank: "Absolutely, because there are other areas we can cut. As to the Massachusetts deficit, it's not caused by the health care plan. There are deficits everywhere."
Bill: "The last time we were yelling at each other it was about your oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Now you're back saying that banks should loosen up condominium loans, and some people are saying you're social engineering again."
Frank: "They're completely wrong. I was a strong opponent of the Bush administration's effort to send loans to people who couldn't afford it ... with the condominiums we are not talking about subprime loans or poor people ... they should not allow any borrower who can not pay for it."
Bill: "We gave you your say tonight, are you happy?"
Frank: "With what?"
Bill: "With everything - with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?"
Frank: "No, I'm never happy with everything, Bill." |
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