Does this format look wrong? Change your preferences to receive this newsletter as plain text.

The Destruction of
Miss California
If a 21-year-old beauty contestant can be persecuted for uttering an opinion based upon a sincere belief, then all of us are at risk as well.

Checked on your freedom of speech lately? If not, consider the plight of 21-year-old Carrie Prejean, a student at the San Diego Christian College who was selected as first runner-up in the Miss USA pageant last month. During the question-and-answer part of the competition, Ms. Prejean was asked if every state should legalize gay marriage. Smiling brightly, the young woman said: "I think that I believe a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anyone out there."

Now, most polls show that the majority of Americans agree with Ms. Prejean, including the President of the United States, Barack Obama. Yet since she made that statement as Miss California, the woman has been persecuted in the media.

Continue reading the full column...

Image credit: Frederick Breedon/WireImage

Here are some of the highlights you can look forward to on upcoming installments* of The O'Reilly Factor:

• A college student is suspended for appearing in gay porn, but is that fair--or legal? We'll ask the "Is It Legal?" ladies to weigh in...
• Are late-night comedians afraid to go after Obama? We'll talk to a former joke writer for Leno to explore the question...
• Has gay marriage opened the door for "triads" to marry? A representative from the World Polyamory Association enters the No Spin Zone to talk about it...

* Lineups and schedules are always subject to change based on breaking news.

flosculation /FLOSS•cue•lay•shun/
n. an embellishment or ornament of speech.

Example: Flosculation is discouraged on the Factor--only Bill is allowed to bloviate.

Recently, Jesse Watters interviewed Lis Wiehl about her new book Face of Betrayal and what it's like to work on the Factor (plus what it's like to "live in Lis Land!"). The full-length, unedited interview is posted exclusively for Premium Members on BillOReilly.com... take a look!

Controversy over new hate crimes protection bill
Tuesday, May 5: The House has passed a bill that would criminalize various forms of hate speech, but some opponents worry that it protects pedophiles. Dr. Marc Lamont Hill said, "We need to provide a protected status for people who have historically and currently been the victims of abuse and marginalization because of who they are, whether it's because they're Jewish or gay or disabled. No one on either side of the aisle feels pedophiles should be a protected class."
The Factor Flash is a summary of the most recent installment of The O'Reilly Factor. The Factor Flash archive is available to all visitors.