Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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
Terror up ahead?
"An American citizen named Jeffrey Ake has been kidnapped by terrorists in Baghdad. Mr. Ake is from Indiana and was helping the Iraqi people. This incident should wake us all up--these terrorists aren't going away. We may have beaten them down in Iraq and broken up a bunch of al Qaeda cells, but these people all have to be killed. Most Americans understand the danger al Qaeda poses, but we are easily distracted. We quickly forget we're at war, and the far left media remains an intimidating presence. The reason the Bush administration doesn't secure the southern border, for example, is twofold--it believes the economy will be hurt and it fears being called anti-Hispanic by the left wing press. But you can't win a war by being fearful. You have to be bold. There's no question that any mistake made by the USA will be page 1 of the New York Times, and any tough measure will be called abuse. But in war the commanders have to take the heat. So stay aware and let the media and the politicians know you want these terrorists wiped out. And one more thing--say a prayer for our countryman Jeffrey Ake."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com
Top Story
Derailing Hillary's chances
Guest: Fred Kuhr, In Newsweekly

Veteran Republican political consultant Arthur Finkelstein has formed an organization whose goal is to raise millions of dollars and derail Hillary Clinton's Presidential campaign before it begins. Coincidentally, the 59-year old Finkelstein recently married his long-time male partner in Massachusetts. Fred Kuhr, editor of a magazine aimed at gay and lesbian readers, accused Finkelstein of rank hypocrisy. "What makes a lot of people angry is that he worked for some virulently anti-gay politicians like Jesse Helms." But Kuhr acknolwedged that Finkelstein is a political force to be reckoned with, which could spell trouble for Senator Clinton. "If he sets out to raise all this money, he is going to raise it. Finkelstein has a reputation for getting down and dirty on behalf of his candidates. So this is something Bill and Hillary are taking very seriously."
Unresolved Problems Segment
Jessica Lunsford follow-up
Guest: Pat Campbell, WFLA

New details continue to emerge in the case of Jessica Lunsford, the 9-year old Florida girl who was murdered by John Couey. Three people who lived with Couey lied to the police about his whereabouts and were initially charged with a misdemeanor, but the charge was dropped. Radio host Pat Campbell revealed that authorities may bring more serious charges. "We have a confidential source close to the investigation," Campbell told The Factor, "who says the reason they dropped the charges is because they weren't satisfied with the maximum penalty that could be doled out. My sources tell me the prosecution wants to charge them as accessories to murder or co-conspirators." The Factor again pledged to pursue this story until justice is done. "These three are villains, there is no question about that. And we're going to follow this right to the end.
Impact Segment
DeLay under continued scrutiny
Guest: Fmr. Congressman Bob Livingston

Democrats continue to pound Tom DeLay for alleged ethical lapses, and some in the media are also vigorously pursuing the House Majority Leader. As one example, the New York Times approached former Republican Congressman Bob Livingston to write an opinion piece. "They contacted my office saying we want an op-ed," Livingston said. "They had the impression that I might attack DeLay and ask him to step down. But when I said the op-ed would defend DeLay, they said that's not exactly what they had in mind." Livingston claimed DeLay's hiring of his wife and daughter to work for his campaign is common practice. "A number of members of Congress pay family members to do legitimate work, and the Federal Election Commission says that's okay." The Factor argued that while DeLay may be within the letter of the law, he has created the appearance of impropriety. "The American people don't like this. They don't want somebody elected and then their whole family goes on the payroll. It doesn't look good."
Factor Follow Up Segment
Michael Jackson trial
Guest: Crime reporter Aphrodite Jones

Crime reporter Aphrodite Jones joined The Factor with an update on the Michael Jackson trial. In the latest dramatic development, the mother of Jackson's accuser took the stand. "It was unbelievable," Jones reported. "This woman seemed like an actress, crying to the jury. She described seeing her son's head being licked by Jackson on an airplane, and she started talking directly to Michael Jackson. The prosecution could not control this witness and she came off as a loon. But she may just be so crazy that the jury is going to believe her." Jones added that the woman invoked the Fifth Amendment when asked about her own checkered past. "She refused to answer questions that could incriminate her on welfare fraud. So you've got the jury there wondering what are we supposed to think about this woman. She's a loose cannon."
Personal Story Segment
Controversial clergyman
Guest: Bishop John Shelby Spong

Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong has written a new book called "The Sins of Scripture," which examines Biblical passages he says are homophobic, anti-Semitic, and hostile toward women. "Religion is a mixed blessing," Bishop Spong asserted. "The Bible was used to hurt homosexuals, to justify the Inquisition and the Crusades. But the positive side is that religion in its purest form calls us to respect the innate dignity of every human being." Bishop Spong compared modern terrorism with past crimes committed in the name of Christianity. "The only good thing about Islamic terrorism is that it forced us in the West to recognize that we have also been terrorists toward Jews and toward Muslims during the Crusades. It helps you understand the hostility." The Factor took issue with that judgment. "I'll understand them but I'll also take a bullet and put it right through their brain. And I don't think I'm a bad Christian for doing that."
Back of Book Segment
Murder victims' orphan followup
Guest: Grandfather Tracy Hernlen

Last month 5-year old Tia Hernlen placed a heartbreaking call to emergency services, saying "I think they're dead." She was referring to her parents, who were allegedly murdered by David Edward Johnson. Tia's grandfather Tracy Hernlen joined The Factor with an update on the little girl. "She's currently staying with relatives and she's probably doing better than we are. But she's still a 5-year old and she looks for her parents." Because a judge had refused the couple's effort to get a restraining order against Johnson, the elder Hernlen said Florida law enforcement authorities are partly culpable for the crime. "My son called me two weeks before the incident and asked for a weapon. I told him I wouldn't give him one, that he needed to use the sheriff's office. He tried, but it didn't work. The courts and law enforcement let them down."

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Books Mentioned


The Sins of Scripture
by John Shelby Spong

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