Monday, April 2, 2007
On The O'Reilly Factor...
Segment Summaries
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.
Talking Points Memo
Helping the enemy
"It is day 11 in the Iran hostage situation. That country has humiliated the 15 British service people they kidnapped, and the world really doesn't care. That's because the USA and Great Britain are looked upon by many as the major threats in the world, not the Islamic fascists. Here in America the far left extremists are running wild. Rosie O'Donnell and her radical pals are basically telling the world the USA is a criminal nation, and that no matter what provocations are lodged by Iran and others, it will always be America's fault. This is grossly irresponsible, but millions of people all over the world are buying this garbage. A poll in Germany asked who is the biggest threat to world peace, the USA or Iran? 48% of Germans said the USA, 31% said Iran. Incredible! O'Donnell and actor Charlie Sheen are also peddling the 9/11 conspiracy theory that the attack on the World Trade Center was an inside job. Ms. O'Donnell isn't smart enough to realize that the ones she's hurting most are herself and the company that pays her, ABC. Americans always turn away from haters, and that is what Ms. O'Donnell has become. The radical left has to be held accountable because it is distorting the truth, putting American military people in even more jeopardy abroad, and even intimidating politicians. This is a group that has now burrowed onto the mainstream stage and is doing damage."

News Link: Poll: Germans see America as bigger threat than Iran
Top Story
How the USA should respond to Iran
Guests: Ambassador Nancy Soderberg & Congressman Peter King

The Factor questioned two expert analysts about the Iran hostage situation and how America should respond. "We should put much more pressure," answered Congressman Peter King, "on our allies, on the European Union, and on the UN Security Council to impose real economic sanctions on Iran. We should also have a military presence in the Persian Gulf, and make it known that the military option is not off the table." But former U.N Ambassador Nancy Soderberg complained that the Bush administration has diminished America's ability to help. "There has been a huge spike in anti-Americanism that Iran is trying to play off of. What America has done is deal ourselves out of a resolution of this conflict. We're unpopular and we've lost our role as an honorable broker during the actions of the last few years."

News Link: British-Iranian hostage standoff at "critical" stage
Personal Story Segment
Anger growing over Rosie comments
Guests: Fox News analysts Michelle Malkin & Kirsten Powers

In the wake of Rosie O'Donnell's implication that 9/11 may have been an inside job, The Factor contended that O'Donnell has become a huge problem for ABC and parent company Disney. "When you start to accuse your own government of murder, there's no coming back from that. There's never been a successful media person who has crossed the line into hate, and she is now a hater. Disney is going to have to deal with this somehow." FNC analysts Kirsten Powers and Michelle Malkin chimed in with their views on the controversy. "ABC has dug themselves a deep hole," Malkin said. "Their immediate reaction last week should have been to distance themselves from her comments immediately. What she said was a slap in the face to every single victim of 9/11 and their families." But Powers doubted that O'Donnell will be fired. "She has nothing to back up what she's saying, she's making claims that are completely unsubstantiated. But she's such a big celebrity that I'm not sure they'll want to get rid of her."

News Link: Rosie vs. O'Reilly
Factor Follow Up Segment
Judge removed from sex offender case
Guest: Paul Beaudry, True North Radio

Vermont Judge David Howard, who infamously sentenced a child molester to probation, has now been accused of judicial misconduct. Howard recently freed sex offender Arthur Mason, but failed to reveal that he had once represented Mason back when he was a defense attorney. Vermont radio host Paul Beaudry reported that his state's citizens are disgusted. "Jessica's Law is being basically stifled in the legislature. It's written, but it's not going anywhere. People are calling regularly saying they're tired of this." The Factor reiterated that something is wrong in the state of Vermont. "It just gets worse and worse. Most prosecutors and cops in Vermont want these guys in jail. The folks had better rise up because it's terrible."

News Link: VT judge who represented sex offender frees him without bail
Impact Segment
Col. David Hunt on his new book
Guest: Fox News military analyst Col. David Hunt

FNC military analyst Col. David Hunt has written a new book outlining his strategy for winning the war on terror. Hunt told The Factor that the Pentagon should loosen the "rules of engagement" that impose limits on unit commanders and individual soldiers. "We have a bureaucracy that says 'call us' if you want to shoot the bad guys. That's what's wrong with the war. Lawyers write these rules and they've hamstrung our guys from the very beginning." The Factor reminded Hunt that many in the media would protest. "You say the rules of engagement are too stringent. But if they fight the war in a brutal fashion, which is the way I think it should be fought, the press will be all over them. It's constant negativity."
Unresolved Problems Segment
Taking action on global warming
Guests: Sen. John Kerry & Teresa Heinz Kerry

Senator John Kerry and his wife Teresa, co-authors of a book about environmental heroes, joined The Factor to discuss their project. "We've taken the example of average Americans," Senator Kerry explained. "These are people who are fighting to make a difference in their local communities, and who are proving there is an enormous amount of money to be made by companies and there are many jobs to be created. American dominance is at stake." The Factor asked Teresa Kerry, a multi-millionaire with at least five homes, whether she is practicing what she preaches. "I'm making a lot of changes," she replied. "The important thing is what do I do or what does anyone do about protecting our natural resources. This is an invitation to other people to join us in figuring out how to live more reasonably." The Factor applauded the book's goal. "I agree that all Americans should come together and try to make this the cleanest country in the world."
Back of Book Segment
The Great American Culture Quiz
Guests: Steve Doocy & E.D. Hill

Fox News' Steve Doocy returned to test his knowledge in the Great American Culture Quiz; his challenger this time was FNC morning anchor E.D. Hill. The Factor presented them with five questions. In an unprecedented display of knowledge and poise under pressure, both Doocy and Hill racked up perfect scores. The Factor promised to come up with even tougher questions for next week's edition.
Factor Mail
Viewers sound off
Rosie O'Donnell's anti-American comments inspired an outpouring of e-mails. Some excerpts:

Conrad Simon, Berkeley, CA: "Bill, stop playing the anti-American card. It's getting old."

Lisa Glass, Columbia, MO: "Mr. O, I think you're playing right into Rosie's hands. She just wants attention and will say hateful things to get it."

Elise Elligett, Australia: "O'Reilly, you are a disgrace to America. Your arrogant right-wing opinions make far less sense than what Rosie O'Donnell says."

Robin Jacob, Singapore: "I am in disbelief that O'Donnell's comments are so moronic."