"Former Vice President Dick Cheney says the tough interrogation methods used by the CIA in the wake of the 9/11 attack were necessary to protect the lives of Americans, and most folks seem to agree with that assessment. Methods of interrogation included sleep deprivation, ice baths, forced feeding, shackling, and slapping. Some Americans are outraged, saying the interrogations were a gross over-reaction to the attack. Many of those folks also object to drone warfare aimed at jihadists and using ground troops to attack them. In addition, they oppose the Guantanamo Bay prison facility as well as other detention centers. So my question is, how exactly would you defeat the terrorists who have declared war on America? The answer is, you are not going to stop them. In the months after 9/11, America was desperately trying to learn about the enemy that attacked us and stop any further assaults. So some harsh measures were used - I believe justifiably - although mistakes were made in the fog of war. The solution to the torture debate is to stop the witch hunt and pass a law that says only the president has the power to order harsh interrogations. We need robust intelligence agencies to protect us, and if you don't understand that, you're a fool. Also, it's important to understand that some who object to confronting the terrorists do so because they believe America brought this terror war on itself. The far left is very consistent: it is always America's fault, therefore anything that weakens the USA's power is good. The CIA controversy is similar to the anti-police movement ignited by the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Over the weekend, there were a few well-planned demonstrations implying that American police and prosecutors do not value the lives of black citizens. In New York City, this chant was heard: 'What do we want? Dead cops! When do we want it? Now!' Some of the anti-police demonstrators continue to shout 'hands up, don't shoot,' even though 15 out of the 20 witnesses testifying before the grand jury did not see Michael Brown with his hands up. The anti-police coalition is a mix of race hustlers like Al Sharpton, radicals like the New Black Panther Party, and political outliers like the Communist Party and other tear-down-the-system groups. Their numbers are not large, but they can cause trouble in the name of 'justice,' which is the last thing they really want. Like the CIA, American law enforcement is there to protect the folks and, generally speaking, they do a damn good job. The police make mistakes, but they do not deserve the demonization they are receiving from these protesters. Talking Points believes a backlash is coming, and that the folks who want to destroy America's defense apparatus will soon be marginalized. Let's hope that happens soon because what we are seeing now is hazardous to the health of every American."

Guests:Juan Williams & Mary Katharine Ham
Juan Williams and Mary Katharine Ham evaluated the Talking Points Memo. "When anyone asks questions about excessive force by the police," Williams complained, "people say, 'You hate the police.' I don't think that's the case at all. American people admire the police greatly, but we don't want to live in a police state. When you have unarmed people being shot in the street, people are going to raise questions." Ham advised The Factor not to judge all protesters by the actions of a few. "When the police go to excess, those things are worthy of protest. You are going to have jerks at a protest, and at a left-leaning protest you might have more jerks. But entire movements should not be discounted because there are people in it who are bad." Nevertheless, The Factor insisted that "the goal of these protesters is to diminish the power of the CIA and to undermine the authority of the police."

Guest:Kayleigh McEnany
Some elite law schools are allowing students to postpone exams if they are upset by the lack of indictments in Ferguson and Staten Island. The Factor examined the situation with Kayleigh McEnany, a conservative student at Harvard Law School. "Some students actually sent a letter to the dean saying the school is denying the humanity of the victims," she scoffed, "which is ludicrous. The letter was sent by a coalition of groups who say they are 'traumatized' and too emotional. Some students have latched onto the movement and are using it as a proxy for their laziness. To its credit, Harvard has not extended exams, but Columbia has."

Guest:Karl Rove
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has been giving signs that he'll run for the presidency. The Factor discussed his possible candidacy with Karl Rove, a White House aide to Jeb's older brother. "I believe he is tilting toward running," Rove began. "If Jeb runs, it'll be about big ideas and a positive vision. There are a lot of similarities between the brothers, but one difference is that Jeb moved to Florida to create his own image and his own life. Jeb is a more cerebral guy, George has more of the common touch." The Factor reminded Rove, "The Bush dynasty may work against Jeb Bush, just like it could work against Hillary Clinton."

Guest:Megyn Kelly
Computer hackers attacked Sony Pictures, releasing embarrassing private emails sent by top executives. Anchor and attorney Megyn Kelly analyzed the legal issues surrounding the case. "The press has every legal right to use this material," she declared, "even though it is the product of an illegal hack. You and I had this conversation in 2008 when Sarah Palin's personal emails were hacked. I told you then that news organizations could publish these, and I will tell you now that they can do it. The question we have to ask is whether we want to be in a society where someone gets their private communications hacked and then the media feasts on the carcass of those emails." The Factor reminded viewers that the BillOReilly.com site was hacked in 2008: "The FBI did a great job and the guy who hacked the site served two years in prison."

Guest:Jesse Watters
New York City's ultra-liberal Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has been very cozy with Al Sharpton, has alienated many city cops. Since he has refused invitations to enter the No Spin Zone, Jesse Watters stood up at a press conference and asked the mayor why he's been hiding under his desk. "I appreciate the invitation," the mayor said, "and my staff will follow up with you ... now, let's take some serious questioning." After being escorted from the event, Watters provided a recap of his adventure. "There's a mutiny in the police department, he has been disinvited to police funerals, and everybody thinks he made the Eric Garner situation worse." The Factor vowed, "We're going to continue to report on the mayor because I think you've made a friend."

Joe Dixon, Colorado Springs, CO: "Race relations have worsened because of identity politics. Instead of appealing to all Americans, politicians are now clustering certain groups for favor. That is dividing us."

Lisa Gentry, Chesapeake Bay, MD: "O'Reilly, I find it tiresome that you continue to blame the grievance industry for bad race relations. My theory is that because President Obama is in power, blacks feel more empowered to speak about their grievances."

Chuck Woolweaver, Boynton Beach, FL: "Michele Bachmann's idea to bomb Iran's nuke facilities before they get the bomb is right on. Your comment that the action would start World War III is ridiculous, O'Reilly."

Since giving gifts makes people feel better, and because spending money helps workers and the economy, the commercial side of Christmas has some positive aspects ... as long as it's doesn't crowd out the holiday's true meaning.