"British Petroleum CEO Tony Hayward, testifying before a House subcommittee Thursday, appeared shaky and shaken. Congressman John Sullivan pointed out that while ExxonMobil had just one safety violation in the recent past, BP had 760! Hayward had no answer, leading Congressman Henry Waxman to accuse him of 'taking no responsibility.' While the scorn came from both parties, some conservatives were sympathetic. Republican Congressman Joe Barton claimed BP had been the victim of a White House 'shakedown,' while Michele Bachmann accused the administration of 'extortion.' Ms. Bachmann was referring to the fact that BP has been coerced by the President to put at least $20 billion into a fund to benefit those hurt by BP's dereliction. And Talking Points believes the corporation was derelict. BP ignored warnings about the now-destroyed well and may have done so to save money. The Feds did not monitor BP closely enough, but now the important thing is to clean up the Gulf. BP should pay for all of that, and Mr. Obama was correct in bringing pressure on the company to pony up the money. We will watch that money to make sure it gets to the right people and places."

The Factor was joined by conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham, who disparaged both British Petroleum and the Obama administration. "BP is accountable for all the damage done," Ingraham said, "but this administration has taken a very aggressive approach to private industry across the board. I would rather have this fund administered by the local authorities who really know what's going on down there, rather than having an Obama crony responsible for this $20 billion fund. President Obama is demonizing BP and the company will probably go bankrupt eventually. I'm not a fan of BP, but this is an overreach." The Factor reminded Ingraham that BP has "a trillion dollars in unsold oil, so they're not going bankrupt."

Comedy Central's Jon Stewart is another prominent liberal who has been criticizing President Obama's response to the Gulf oil spill. Author and columnist Ann Coulter tried to explain the change of heart on the left. "Liberals are like children," Coulter began, "and they believed in Obama the way children believe in the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. He can't stop the spill and they're enraged - it would be like me finding out Jesus isn't divine. The far left imbued Obama with God-like powers, but he isn't even as competent as George Bush. Reality betrays children constantly." The Factor added that Jon Stewart wields considerable influence among liberals: "When Stewart starts mocking you, it gets out on the Internet and that can't be good psychologically for Barack Obama."

While most Americans support the new Arizona immigration law, there have also been some protests against the legislation. Three busloads of students and activists recently traveled from California to Arizona in what they billed as a "freedom ride." The Factor welcomed high school teacher Jose Lara, who helped organize the protest. "I think the polls are wrong," Lara contended, "and the majority of Americans don't support the law. People are taking part in marches and they are boycotting Arizona. This law is wrong, it amounts to racial profiling, and people are beginning to see that." The Factor reminded Lara that he is in a distinct minority: "Some people agree with you, but you can't say it's racial profiling because the law isn't even in effect yet. And there are safeguards built into the law."

With Megyn Kelly taking the night off, The Factor welcomed attorneys Jennifer Smetters and Tamara Holder. They began with 16-year old Abby Sunderland, whose family may have made a TV deal that inspired Abby's ill-fated attempt to sail around the world. "I'm quite surprised," Smetters said, "that criminal charges for child endangerment haven't already been put in place against the Sunderland family. They sent her into treacherous waters and in effect played Russian roulette with her life." But Holder argued that Abby's mom and dad are not criminally liable. "There are parents who want to profit off their children and they make negligent decisions. But does it rise to the level of criminality? I don't think so. Do you charge a football coach who makes his kids practice in 90-degree heat?"

Culture Warriors Gretchen Carlson and Margaret Hoover scrutinized the Provincetown, Massachusetts school district, which is distributing condoms to all children who request them. "This is the most outrageous thing I've ever heard," Carlson declared. "Usually parents can opt out of the program, but in this case the parents have absolutely no say. Give me a break!" Hoover denounced the district's decision to include elementary-age kids. "This clearly crosses the common sense threshold and nobody agrees with it. But in high schools I think it's a great policy because we want to stop the epidemic of teen pregnancy." The Warriors turned to parents who have begun entering their young sons in beauty pageants. "The reality is," Hoover complained, "that childhood pageants are about parents acting out their own fantasies through their children. I don't think it's good for either boys or girls." Carlson, a former Miss America, blasted a mother who groomed her little boy for a pageant. "This is one of the most disturbing things I've seen. This mother has a 'lack of a little girl' syndrome and she's putting the boy in an impossible situation. I didn't do childhood pageants because I was too busy studying and playing the violin, and that's what kids should be doing."

Quiz Kid Martha MacCallum was also on the disabled list, so Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner stepped in to challenge Steve Doocy in the Great American News Quiz. Among the questions: "Based on TV ratings, which sport is the most popular in the U.S.?" ... "Sarah Palin is traveling abroad and hoping to meet whom?" ... "What did Louisiana Congressman Joseph Cao suggest a BP executive do?" Faulkner made an impressive debut, but it wasn't enough to match the far more seasoned Doocy, who ran away with an easy victory.

Lois Borklund, Elk Ridge, UT: "Bill, what's the big deal about the BP chairman calling us 'small people?' It's just another phrase for the masses of which most of us are. Cut him some slack."

Isabel Burton, Estero, FL: "I did not think the small people remark was condescending. It was simply a language barrier situation."

Pam Christofferson, Phoenix, AZ: "Bill, thanks for your excellent coverage of the border issues. We will not make progress until you come to Arizona and rally the folks."

Thursday's Patriot I: The Brazilian toddler whose remarkable dance moves have made him an instant Internet sensation. And Patriot II: The 10-year old boy who broke a world record by wearing 215 pair of underpants and will donate any money he receives to the Wounded Warrior Project.