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 19, 2009
The Factor Rundown
Guest Host
Laura Ingraham fills in tonight.
Talking Points Memo
Top Story
Unresolved Problems Segment
Personal Story Segment
Miller Time Segment
Factor Follow Up Segment
Impact Segment
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Are we on the road to reparations?
"While our country is besieged with an economic crisis and flare-ups in North Korea and Iran, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution apologizing for slavery. While expressions of 'deep regret' for national sins long past might make elected officials feel noble and morally cleansed, what is this all about? The very idea of apologizing for what someone else did is meaningless, however fashionable it has become. But a heartfelt Congressional confession was not the ultimate goal; it was just one step on the road to reparations. It's co-sponsor said this: 'The real work lies ahead.' Translation: Reparations or bust! Congress could pass a resolution expressing regret for slavery every week until the end of time, and the racial hucksters would not be satisfied. They have made a career out of stoking the flames of racial animosity, and by encouraging African Americans to dwell on the wounds of the past, they distract them from the wonderful opportunities of the present. And when are they going to apologize for that?"
Obama's next move on Iran
President Obama says he is "very concerned" about events in Iran, while Iran's "Supreme Leader" in effect advised Western governments to shut up. Laura explored the volatile situation with author Brigitte Gabriel, who urged President Obama to be more forceful: "America is a beacon of light to the world. America's message to the Iranian people is very important, and the president can go out and say we stand with the people, we stand with freedom, we are for freedom of expression. He should be supporting freedom in Iran." But foreign policy analyst Justin Logan praised President Obama's restraint: "We should have a clear focus on the effects that our speeches will have rather than the intentions behind them. Although many Iranians like the United States, even people who hate the Iranian regime don't like the idea of foreign countries intervening in their politics." Laura declared that America's rightful place is "standing for the oppressed against the corrupt, standing for those who seek liberty."
Preview of Obama's amnesty reforms
The Obama administration is convening a panel that will tackle immigration reform. Laura asked pro-immigration activist Ali Noorani what might come out of the meeting. "This is a president who is all about fixing problems," Noorani said, "so he is drawing together leaders from the left and right. They'll search for an American solution that treats people fairly. We need to require immigrants who are here illegally to register for legal status so we know who they are and where they are. They are contributing to their communities." Laura reminded Noorani that not all illegal immigrants are 'contributing' to their communities: "The unemployment rate and high school dropout rate among illegal immigrants are through the roof."
The First Lady's role in the health care debate
While talking about her White House garden, Michelle Obama raised health care reform and issues of "nutrition, wellness and preventative care." Laura interrogated political reporter A.B. Stoddard about Mrs. Obama's prospective role in the health care debate. "The White House is calibrating her image in a very purposeful way," Stoddard observed. "You see her in DC schools and out in the vegetable patch talking about fitness and health. I don't think she is inserting herself into policy right now, but that does not mean she won't after she builds up political momentum and good will." Laura predicted a blossoming role for the First Lady: "She's smart, she's ambitious, and she cares desperately about political issues. I think it would be na�ve for anyone to believe that she will be happy in the garden."
The best of Miller Time
Laura introduced some highlights from Dennis Miller's recent appearances on The Factor. This was Miller on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's penchant for demanding military planes at a moment's notice: "The worst thing about lending Pelosi an aircraft is that it always comes back with an eye job on the cockpit, where the window shields are pulled up in an unnatural disturbing arc. And the fact that somebody thinks this empty-headed Pashmina mannequin has to be guarded shows you how absolutely mad the world has gone. She is the worst politics has to offer." Miller on President Obama's handshake with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez: "I understand 'keep your enemies closer,' but you don't have to spoon this mook. Imagine how it breaks the spirit of a freedom fighter to see Barack Obama in a pas de deux with this pig. It's unbelievable to me! I just don't understand why he would want to be in a photo op with this extra player from 'The Sopranos.'" And Miller on Spain's left-leaning government: "After the Madrid train station bombings these guys folded like a balsa wood beach chair in a Cat 5."
Latest on Jon and Kate's foibles
Kate Gosselin, the matriarch in the reality series "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," was photographed spanking her 5-year-old daughter, and the family says it will soon make a "life-altering announcement." Laura scrutinized the Gosselins with psychologist Michelle Golland. "I think Kate is really feeling out of control," Golland theorized. "We all use discipline, but we do spanking when we are angry and we do it when it is really ineffective." Entertainment reporter Tom O'Neil speculated that the Gosselin kids are suffering damage far beyond spanking. "Kate's own brother has gone public and said he worries about the safety and security of these children, and he thinks this TV show is terrible." Laura accused the Gosselins and the show's producers of "manipulating family life for ratings."
Barbara Boxer under fire for rebuke
Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer has been ridiculed for advising Army General Michael Walsh to call her "senator" instead of "ma'am." Boxer's Republican colleague Jim DeMint called her a "loose cannon" and "an embarrassment to her party." Laura welcomed Democratic strategist Alicia Menendez, who defended Boxer's diva-like performance. "It's hard to read her intent," Menendez said, "and she has every right to have a preference. This was obviously not the savviest thing, but I don't think she meant any disrespect." Laura concluded with this denunciation of Boxer: "She actually was insulted for being called 'ma'am.' She's not royalty, she's a senator, and she was calling the general out in an attempt to embarrass him. I think she embarrassed herself."