Monday, November 12, 2007
On The O'Reilly Factor...
Segment Summaries
All content taken from The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening's show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST.
Talking Points Memo & Top Story
Is the far-left putting the military in danger?
"Some Americans are putting all of us in danger because they hate President Bush so much. Two examples: First, last summer the FBI in Seattle wanted to question two men who were seen on a ferry acting suspiciously. The bureau asked the Seattle media to publish pictures of the men, but the Seattle Post-Intelligencer would not. We asked publisher Roger Oglesby to comment, but he would not. So Factor producer Jesse Watters went to Oglesby, who said 'I don't have anything to say to Mr. O'Reilly.' Example number two: Mark Cuban, who owns the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, has financed a movie that portrays American soldiers in Iraq as murderers and rapists. He has lashed out at me for reporting the situation, saying 'Bill O'Reilly is a moron.' You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Cuban! While you're 'dancing with the stars,' hundreds of thousands of brave military people are risking their lives so you can do the Mambo without fear of some terrorist blowing you the hell up. So I am asking Dallas Mavericks ticket holders to bring signs to the arena that say 'support the troops.' And if any movie theater in your neighborhood shows this vile film 'Redacted,' let's stand in front of the theater with the same sign. For some reason Mark Cuban has a grudge against this country. In a free society, he's entitled to that; he's not entitled to put our troops in the field in even more danger."

News Link: Video: Mark Cuban on Bill O'Reilly

News Link: Seattle paper refuses to run terror suspect photos

The Factor welcomed FNC's Kirsten Powers, and asked whether she would join in a protest against the Mark Cuban-financed film. "I have a problem with the movie," Powers responded, "and the way it has been promoted is pretty disgusting. But I don't need to hold a sign to prove that I support the troops." But Republican strategist Margaret Hoover was ready to join the protest. "I will absolutely be out there with you because this is an example of the incredible hubris of the American far left. This movie is going to become a recruiting tool for terrorists who will kill American troops, and it is unacceptable." The Factor pledged that an appropriate "response to this movie" is being formulated.
Impact Segment
Ignoring Iran's nuclear program
Some Americans argue that Iran's nuclear ambitions should simply be ignored, but terror expert Ronald Kessler called that dangerous and foolish. "This is a recipe for suicide because the leaders in Iran say they want to kill us and they want to wipe out Israel. The war on terror is attacked by the liberal media and liberal politicians as a figment of our imagination, but Al Qaeda wants to detonate a nuclear device in the United States, and it's a miracle that it hasn't happened." The Factor worried that any military action against Iran would again be largely an American effort. "Most of the world, including China and Russia, would be perfectly fine with Iran having nuclear weapons."
Unresolved Problems Segment
Dentist charged in road rage incident
William Moody, a dentist in suburban New York City, was caught on video assaulting Luis Infante and pushing Infante's sister to the ground because their car was in his way. Psychiatrist Keith Ablow explained the psychological aspects of road rage. "Every study says it's getting worse, and I think the increasing technological nature of our society leads people to lose their ability to contain their impulses. People have a tremendous amount of pent up emotion and don't know what to do with it." The Factor elaborated on the connection between technology and road rage. "It's so easy on a computer to access anything you want, there is instant gratification. But when you get into the real world, it isn't as easy and when someone is in your way, you lash out much more than you would have ten years ago."

News Link: Video: Road rage incident caught on tape
Personal Story Segment
Drew Peterson investigated for wife's disappearance
Illinois police officer Drew Peterson, whose fourth wife Stacy has been missing for more than two weeks, is reportedly a suspect in the death of his third wife. FNC's Greta Van Susteren gave her analysis of the strange case. "His third wife was found in a bathtub in 2004, and the official reason was drowning. But they are re-opening that investigation. And now something certainly happened to Stacy Peterson. I'm very suspicious and I think his story is preposterous, but there's no evidence a crime has occurred." The Factor questioned the competence of the officials who ruled the earlier drowning an accident. "Illinois authorities are finally taking a hard look at this guy as a possible multiple killer. The way to attack this case is to go back to the bathtub drowning."

News Link: Stacey Peterson search still ongoing
Personal Story Segment II
Ellen DeGeneres crosses picket line
Ellen DeGeneres is being denounced for hosting her TV talk show despite the strike by the Writers Guild. DeGeneres proclaimed "I love my writers," but professor Richard Walter questioned her sincerity. "Other television hosts," Walter said, "are not betraying their brothers and sisters in the guild. Either you have principle or you don't, and I think she's afraid that her show is in trouble and she's desperate." But writer and actor Ben Stein had a completely different take. "She has decided that her brothers and sisters are the people who work for her. They are caterers and make-up artists and gaffers, and they will all lose their jobs if she doesn't do the show. She's not betraying anyone." The Factor gave DeGeneres the benefit of the doubt. "We don't know if she's doing this for noble reasons or for selfish reasons, and it's not fair to ascribe motivation."

News Link: Ellen taking heat for crossing picket line
Back of Book Segment
Body language: Obama / Rosie
Tonya Reiman began her weekly segment with celebrity bounty hunter "Dog" Chapman, who apologized for his racial rant. "He seemed genuine in what he was saying - he was leaning forward, and I didn't see a signs that he was deceptive." Reiman also watched Barack Obama answer a question on Meet the Press. "He knits his brow, which means he's really thinking about the question. Then he smiles, showing he's very satisfied with the answer he gave." Finally, Reiman viewed a speech by Rosie O'Donnell in which she condemned President Bush and heralded her own courage. "The word that comes to mind whenever I watch Rosie is 'congruent.' Her body language matches her verbal language, and she believes passionately in everything she says." The Factor pointed out that body language analysis has limitations. "She believes everything she says? Isn't that the definition of a fanatic? You can't tell if someone is a thoughtful person who believes, or just a Kool-Aid-drinking fanatic."
Pinheads and Patriots
Who's helping, and who's hurting?
Monday's Patriot: The department store Lord & Taylor, which ran a two-page ad celebrating the good things about Christmas. And the Pinheads: Editorial writers at the Los Angeles Times, which claimed the group that disrupts military funerals has a fundamental right to do so.

News Link: LAT defends military funeral protesters
Factor Mail
Viewers sound off
A sampling of your weekend e-mails:

Dr. David Smith, Sackets Harbor, NY: "I went to see 'Lions for Lambs.' The movie was so one-sided I shouted out 'propaganda' in the theatre."

John Martin, Seattle, WA: "Meryl Streep's utopian view of the world makes her unable to answer the 'does she want America to win the terrorism' question."

Gary Jaffe, New York, NY: "Bill, Ms. Streep is right, the question is far too simplistic. You've become the sad, loud uncle at the dinner table. Crazy, but impossible to ignore."