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, July 8, 2005
The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo
Top Story
Factor Follow Up Segment
Impact Segment
Unresolved Problems Segment
Personal Story Segment
Back of Book Segment
Factor Mail
Book Mentions
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Comments
Media coverage of London attacks
"We took a hard look at the media to see who is sanitizing the London terror attack or terrorism in general. The New York Times referred to Al Qaeda as the 'insurgent group.' The Washington Post described Al Qaeda in Iraq as an 'insurgent' group as well. CNN called Al Zarqawi an 'Islamic militant.' But the absolute worst appeared in the Boston Globe, where an op-ed written by Derrick Jackson compared the dead in London to those killed in Iraq by coalition forces. Even in a liberal state like Massachusetts, that sort of moral equivalency is simply unacceptable to decent people. The editor of The New York Times, Bill Keller, wrote me to say that his paper isn't sanitizing terrorism. We have posted Keller's entire letter on Billoreilly.com, but here's a sample: '...our well-informed readership does not need to be reminded in every single reference that a man who kidnaps and kills for the purpose of terrorizing a populace is a terrorist.' I appreciate the letter, but I stand by my point - Zarqawi is not a 'Jordanian fighter.' Serial killers are not fighters, sir."

Fox News Video: FoxNews.com

Understanding terrorism's roots
Guest: Author Robert Pape

Author Robert Pape, who has examined every Al Qaeda attack over the past decade, told The Factor that the London bombings are part of a long-range plan. "We have an actual Al Qaeda strategy document for how they plan to deal with the United States. They wrote that they should not attack the United States on its homeland in the short term, but should focus on hitting America's allies. The London attacks are simply the next step in executing that logic." Pape claimed that Al Qaeda's primary grievance is American troops in Islamic countries, and urged President Bush to reduce that military presence. "The first step should be to transfer the responsibility for the security of Iraq to the Iraqi government, including control of the Iraqi army."

A disgruntled reporter
Guest: Anna Pukas, London Daily Express

London reporter Anna Pukas, a guest on Thursday evening's program, was unhappy with The Factor's assertion that many in the European media are anti-American. She returned Friday to voice her complaints. "I was rather surprised that you felt there was so much anti-Americanism in the European press. That is really not my perception over here. Great Britain is America's closest ally, but to be a friend at all does not necessarily mean agreeing all the time." The Factor provided specific examples of rampant anti-Americanism among British media and politicians. "The BBC is virulently anti-American; The Guardian newspaper is outrageously off-the-chart left. And your own Mayor of London Ken Livingstone presented an award to an Islamic theologian who supports suicide bombers. I'm not making this stuff up."

Muslim immigration regulations
Guest: Jim Carafano, Heritage Foundation

Many European nations are crowded with millions of Muslims who have emigrated from North Africa. Jim Carafano of the Heritage Foundation explained why France, England, and other nations have been so welcoming to immigrants. "The European population is aging and shrinking and they need a lot of cheap young labor. And Europeans bill themselves as very liberal and have liberal amnesty laws. The terrorists know that and use the amnesty clauses to sneak people in." The Factor laid out two reasons why America is also vulnerable. "First, Canada lets anyone in, and they can infiltrate across the border. And two, if you have an English passport you zip over here from London."

Vicious attack in Atlanta
Guest: Michael King, community activist

Atlanta was the scene of a horrific attack earlier this week. A group of young men ambushed a tanker truck, threw a bottle rocket in to the cab, then beat the driver Rafael Diaz, who required brain surgery. Community activist Michael King claimed thugs are treated too leniently in Atlanta, which has been the site of many high-profile crimes. "Some kids are out of control, and the DA's office does not put the punishment in place to fit the crimes. Criminals feel they have a better shot of getting off in Atlanta than in surrounding counties." The Factor asserted that Mayor Shirley Franklin and DA Paul Howard are largely to blame. "You've got poor leadership, and violent crime is higher in Atlanta than most other cities. I think there's something very wrong in the city of Atlanta as far as criminal justice is concerned."

Natalee Holloway's mom apologizes
Guest: Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera

Beth Holloway Twitty has apologized to the people of Aruba - she had criticized Aruban authorities for their investigation into her daughter Natalee's disappearance. Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera contended that Aruba officials deserve the criticism. "The entire judicial system is totally ill equipped to deal with a case like this. That's what frustrates the parents." Rivera also commented on the depravity of Idaho sex offender and child killer Joseph Duncan. "He's even worse than we may think. I believe that Duncan, when all is said and done, will be responsible for many homicides." The Factor pledged to expose Judge Thomas Schroeder, who allowed Duncan to go free on bail in April. "These judges don't care and they're lazy. Duncan never should have been out. How many times is this going to happen?"

An American Muslim speaks out
Guest: Hussein Ibish, Progressive Muslim Union of North America

Hussein Ibish of the Progressive Muslim Union joined The Factor and denounced some of his own religion's leaders. "When you survey the Islamic world, a lot of preachers are apolitical. But a small and vocal group are very radical. What we want to see from leaders in the Islamic world is a single standard - if you attack civilians, it's wrong. If you kill civilians you're a terrorist." The Factor suggested that the silence of many Imams is based on fear. "I think they're afraid. If clerics in Saudi Arabia or Pakistan go to the mosque and say Osama Bin Laden is going to hell and doesn't represent us, they're afraid they're going to get a hand grenade in the window."

Viewers sound off
Factor Words of the Day
E-mails from around the world focused on the London terror attacks and the aftermath. Some excerpts:

Dr. S. Hampton, London: "Mr. O'Reilly, while we were mopping blood off our streets, you were as usual spouting venom. To rant about how France and others should get off their butts and do something about terrorism shows your ignorance."

Nadja Koglin, Kiel, Germany: "Mr. O'Reilly, I am a journalist here and it is not helpful when you create an artificial gap between Europe and America. We supported you in Afghanistan but not Iraq and that should be respected."

M. Salmond, Aberdeen, Scotland: "O'Reilly, you hit the nail when you suggested that British newspapers are taking a soft line on terrorism. The BBC also does this."

Nick Thomas, Orlando, FL: "Anyone in the know is aware that in order to understand the world you have to watch the BBC. How dare you slam them, Bill."

Rene Guerra, Sunnyvale, CA: "Opponents to America's war on terror have begun calling the London bombings 'tragedies' instead of what they really were: cold blooded murder."

John Halvorson, Rosell, NM: "Bill, you hit the nail. The USA is not to blame for terrorism, the terrorists are to blame. Keep looking out for us!"

Jack Peel, Tampa, FL: "France and Germany tried to tell Bush not to get involved with Iraq. I was not surprised by the London bombing. When you stir up a hornet's nest, you get stung."

Book Mentions
Check out the books mentioned during this show.
Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism
by Robert A. Pape

Read more...