The Factor Rundown
Unresolved Problems Segment
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Good news in the culture wars
"Anti-Christmas madness is afoot--the latest example is a high school banning the Dickens play A Christmas Carol. If they could, secularists would cancel Christmas as a holiday. That's how much they fear the exposition of the philosophy of Jesus. And it is fear. The message of Christmas is peace and good will. What could possibly be wrong with that? For the secular bunch, the downside is a philosophy that makes judgments about right and wrong. Talking Points believes critical mass has been reached in America--the majority is fed up with being assaulted by extremists. Most of us believe the US is a good country; we believe Christmas displays are positive. So we're winning the battle--many people who were on the sidelines are now speaking out against the folks who are attacking the spirit of Christmas. As always in this country, the real power belongs with the people--and the people have been awakened."
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National security reorganization drops initiatives
Guests: Congressman Anthony Weiner & Dan Stein, President, Federation for American Immigration Reform
The landmark national security reorganization is moving forward, but without some key elements that were included at first. One provision would have completed a fence along the Mexican border. Dan Stein of the Federation for American Immigration Reform explained why the idea was dropped. "The Hispanic caucus doesn't want the fence," Stein said. "Liberal Democrats don't want the fence." Another provision would have mandated national standards for driver's licenses. According to Stein, "What you really have are people in Congress who support giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens." Congressman Anthony Weiner, an opponent of the driver's license reform, claimed his position is simply a matter of states' rights. "If the states decide it's in their best interest to have driver's licenses issued to people in their states, I say let the states decide."
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Canada gives OK to gay marriage
Guest: Gerald Chipeur, lawyer
The Canadian Supreme Court has approved the concept of same-sex marriage. Canadian lawyer Gerald Chipeur contended the decision is ill conceived. "The Court has said Parliament has a free hand to decide what marriage means," Chipeur told The Factor. "Parliament can abandon all precedent, millennia of tradition, and go into a brave new world. It's disappointing to have a court acting like a legislature." The Factor asserted that "[Canada] has changed drastically in the past twenty years, from a traditionalist society to a progressive secularist society." Chipeur concurred, adding, "The media and the elites in this country have turned Canada into a secular society. There's no room for religion of any kind in the public square."
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Democratic leadership meeting in FL
Guest: Fox News contributor Dick Morris
Democratic Party leaders are meeting in Florida, debating the party's future direction. Fox News analyst Dick Morris outlined the intra-party rivalries. "There are three wings. The left wing is Howard Dean, who has support from his internet base. And everyone is scared they're going to take over. Then you have the mainstream, which is split. Kerry, Kennedy, and Edwards are one wing, and the Clintons are the other." Morris predicted Bill and Hillary Clinton will emerge victorious in this struggle for the soul of the party. "Hillary is going to walk into the nomination easily," Morris claimed. "She controls 90% of the money in the party."
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The terrorism-poverty connection
Guest: J. Brian Atwood, Dean, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
J. Brian Atwood, former administrator of the US Agency for International Development, is among those who believe reducing global poverty is one way to fight terror. "Half the world is living in poverty," Atwood said. "Very little money is being spent on development, which would help countries help themselves. If we do more, we can help marginalize these terrorists." The Factor questioned where the money will come from at a time of war and large deficits: "I don't know how much more money the American taxpayers are going to be willing to spend abroad. There's no more money to give."
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Faith-Based Initiative controversy
Guests: Annie Laurie Gaylor, Co-President, Freedom from Religion Foundation & Kevin Therio, Senior Legal Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund
Should the federal government fund charities run by religious groups? The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing to prevent government money from going to one Christian charity that provides mentors for young children. Annie Laurie Gaylor explained her organization's opposition. "We object to any religion-infused program. This is a very egregious case, but only one example of how our tax dollars are being misused to promote faith." Kevin Theriot of the Alliance Defense Fund argued the other side. "A religious organization can obtain federal money for a program that is available to all. This isn't a discriminatory program. This program provides mentoring to kids no matter what denomination they are."
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Combating crazy Christmas attacks
Guest: John Whitehead, President, Rutherford Institute
As outlined in the Talking Points Memo, some secularists are waging war against public celebrations of Christmas. John Whitehead of the conservative Rutherford Institute advises traditionalists how to fight the anti-Christmas movement. "We're getting all kinds of crazy cases," he said. "Some schools have even banned instrumental versions of Christmas carols." Whitehead listed some specific rules traditionalists can follow and remain within the law. "Students can pass out literature and invite people to church, as long as other students are handing out things. Teachers can wear religious symbols if other teachers are wearing symbols. In the classroom, teachers can teach about the Christmas holiday and the baby Jesus as long as it's taught objectively. The message here is positive--you can beat these things."
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