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.
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo
Top Story
Impact Segment
Unresolved Problems Segment
Factor Follow Up Segment
Personal Story Segment
Back of Book Segment
Factor Mail
Book Mentions
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Comments
"The Truth About Hillary Clinton"
"A new book about Hillary Clinton has been getting a lot of publicity on right-wing web sites. The author Ed Klein asked me to read the book, which I did. If you follow politics, you know most of what Mr. Klein put forth. It is not that the book is defamatory, it is simply negative. If you want to read Ed Klein's book, fine with me. But don't think there's anything fair or objective about it. As for Hillary Clinton herself, I have many questions for the Senator. What exactly would you do to secure the border? What exactly would you do to win the war in Iraq? Would you close Guantanamo Bay and, if so, where would you move the prisoners? I have tons of other questions, which is why she has never appeared on The Factor. So I'm saying no to personal attacks on Hillary Clinton, but yes to holding her accountable on public policy."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com

Latest in the Natalee Holloway case
Guest: Private investigator Robert Strang

Three weeks after Natalee Holloway's disappearance on Aruba, there are more questions than answers. But private investigator Robert Strang expressed complete confidence in Aruba law enforcement. "This is a fluid and evolving investigation. And I'll tell you one thing - the Dutch are going to get this right." On a related matter, Aruba authorities objected when The Factor previously identified the island as a trans-shipment point for drug runners. Strang, a former DEA investigator, corroborated that notion. "Hundreds of pounds of heroin and cocaine were seized on the island just last year. This is an island where drugs pass through on their way to the US and Europe. I don't think anyone denies that."

Guantanamo Bay chaplain speaks
Guest: Former Gitmo Bay chaplain Kent Svendsen

Senator Dick Durbin is still under fire for comparing Gitmo interrogation techniques to those employed by Nazis. Kent Svendsen, who served as a military chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, took issue with Durbin's judgment. "I never saw any abuse, and it was very upsetting because our enemies know how to use our statements against us." Svendsen went on to say that Gitmo guards aren't perpetrators, but victims. "The detainees kept coming up with schemes to try to get the best of the guards. They would throw bodily fluids of all types on the guards, and there was always the danger of guards being head-butted or injured." The Factor confirmed that anti-American media are taking advantage of Durbin's allegations. "We checked on Al-Jazeera to see how they're handling the Durbin comments. They couldn't have given it more exposure."

Video: FoxNews.com

Justice, Aruba style
Guest: Fox News chief judicial analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano

Fox News analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano joined The Factor with insight into the Aruba justice system. Judge Napolitano explained how anyone arrested in the Natalee Holloway case will be treated. "He's tried before a single judge and has basically the same rights we have here. And at the end of the trial the judge doesn't just say guilty or not guilty - he presents a whole slew of specific reasons."

In an aside, The Factor denounced Congressman Curt Weldon, who was scheduled to appear and talk about the war on terror. "He didn't show up, didn't call. He's the second guest in almost nine years who didn't show up. This is grossly irresponsible, so Weldon is banned from The Factor forever."

Update on Ward Churchill
Guests: Craig Silverman, KHOW & David Harsanyi, Denver Post

The University of Colorado continues to investigate notorious professor Ward Churchill, who stands accused of academic fraud and plagiarism. David Harsanyi of the Denver Post reported that Churchill has already been caught in numerous lies. "He mischaracterized a number of things the US had done to Indians, such as saying that the US spread smallpox on purpose." Radio host Craig Silverman warned that Churchill's tenure could mean the case will drag on for another two years, which The Factor declared unacceptable. "You've got allegations that the guy fabricated historical stuff and allegations of plagiarism. And all of these things are confirmed by the investigators who checked them out. I don't understand why this guy is still sitting there in his office."

Fair play in the world of politics
Guests: Tim Graham, Media Research Center & Gemma Puglisi, American University

As mentioned in the Talking Points Memo, Ed Klein has written a negative book about Hillary Clinton. Professor Gemma Puglisi criticized the work as shoddy journalism. "It is thinly sourced and in poor taste. It's unfortunate that there are so many important issues and this book is coming out now." Tim Graham of the Media Research Center predicted the major media will ignore the book because they support Senator Clinton, while The Factor reiterated that the book rehashes old allegations. "People are going to read the book if they hate her, and people who like her won't read the book."

The responsibilities of chaperones
Guests: Jodi Melichar, Boston University & Bob Pavone, former police officer

There has been some criticism of the seven adult chaperones who supervised Natalee Holloway's class trip to Aruba. Former police officer Bob Pavone, an experienced chaperone, told The Factor how he would handle a similar situation "What I would do is set up a buddy system and make sure that each group had a cell phone and I was in constant contact. They're eighteen years old, but they're still children." Boston University's Jodi Melichar emphasized the importance of pre-trip instruction. "At eighteen they're adults, but before they go they need to have strict orientation sessions so they understand the risks."

Viewers sound off
Factor Words of the Day
The responsibility of chaperones was also the subject for many of your e-mails. Some excerpts:

Steve Leslie, Melbourne, FL: "O'Reilly, the chaperones owe neither you nor anyone else an explanation. You are a bully and if I were a chaperone I'd come on your program and tell you to pound salt."

Terry Couch, Clinton, MS: "Mr. O, keep the pressure on the chaperones. You are asking the questions every parent wants answered."

William Hues, Reno, NV: "Mr. O'Reilly, I take exception to your badgering of Aruba officials and the chaperones. Your arrogance is intolerable."

Anne Martinelli, Warren, NJ: "Go, Bill. Your coverage of the Holloway case is tough and impressive. I hope it sticks in the minds of teenagers when they go out for some fun."

Book Mentions
Check out the books mentioned during this show.
Countdown to Terror: The Top Secret Information That Could Prevent the Next Terrorist Attack on America...and How the CIA Has Ignored It
by Curt Weldon

Read more...