"Former CIA agent Michael Scheuer has written that the USA does not have the will to win the war on terror. Scheuer believes the American public is not prepared for a brutal war, is not educated enough to understand the danger, and will not demand action from timid politicians. He's right. We the people are not accepting the fact that the war against Islamo-fascism will require great sacrifice on our parts and George Patton-like leadership. Our leadership in Washington right now is bogged down in bickering over Iraq and is neglecting national security. We have a president who wants to stay the course in Iraq, but a public that doesn't understand what the course is. What a mess! Do you think the American media understands the war on terror, the danger we're all facing? Scheuer says the USA will be attacked by al Qaeda using nuclear weapons obtained in Russia. A study at Harvard says 50% of the Soviet arsenal isn't secure. Anyone with money and know-how can get the nukes, and anyone can sneak across the Mexican border and get here. Have you seen that on the front page of the New York Times? Maybe they could squeeze it in next to their obsessive Abu Ghraib coverage. Unless we all unite and accept the fact that Muslim terrorists are looking to destroy this country, we will indeed suffer a catastrophe. We need to toughen up and defeat the people who want to harm us, wherever they may be. Even here."

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Terror expert Steve Emerson joined The Factor with his analysis of the danger facing America. "There has been a failure to communicate what is at stake here. It's incumbent upon the government to communicate the nature of the threat. The Islamic militant threat is vast and requires a military response and economic response. It's a war without end and you're 100% right, we have to make sacrifices." The Factor worried about the apparent complacency of the American people. "We haven't been hit since 9/11 and that was a long time ago. Thanksgiving is coming up, the malls are packed. And in the meantime these people are planning our destruction. And what are we worried about? Whether there were WMDs and we were misled. We're just not smart enough to realize what's going to happen."

The Factor has long urged that US military personnel be deployed along the border with Mexico. The Army recently, and very quietly, moved some units to a stretch of the border. Fox News analyst Col. Bill Cowan elaborated on the story. "The military has been authorized to support law enforcement along the borders. They went down there to provide support for the border patrol. The good news is that when that unit was down there they did an exceptionally good job. The bad news is that it's about to end." The Factor recapped the Army's accomplishments during its two-month tenure on the border. "They helped catch 2,000 illegal immigrants, 1,000 pounds of marijuana, and the capture of illegal immigrants was up 120% in the sector the military was in. The solution to border problems is to put the military down there and let them assist the Border Patrol."

Last week San Francisco citizens voted to oppose military recruiting in city schools. Fox News analyst Col. David Hunt spoke off-the-record with recruiters, who informed him that San Francisco is thoroughly anti-military. "It's one of the worst cities to recruit. They are not supportive at all, and it's been that way since Vietnam. The truth is it's a terrible city to do military business, period. It's a beautiful place to live, but they've been drinking their own Kool-Aid for a long time."

The Mexican economy relies on dollars that are sent back home from workers in the US, creating an incentive for the Mexican government to look the other way when it comes to illegal immigration. In fact, journalist Heather MacDonald revealed that the Mexican government is actively helping illegals. "There is a group of Mexican law enforcement officials who escort illegals up to the border. This is a Mexican government initiative. They regard migration to the United States as a human right that all Mexicans enjoy, and there should be no effort to stop them." MacDonald added that Mexico, in a remarkable display of hypocricy, is extremely restrictive when it comes to allowing immigrants into their own country. The Factor summed up the situation as one-sided and dangerous. "It's fair to say the Mexican government wants as many of its citizens here in the United States for economic reasons."

Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera joined with his opinion on a couple of issues, including the news that a civil jury found actor Robert Blake responsible for the death of his wife. "This is sweet justice, a lot like the O.J. Simpson case. The jury found that he intentionally killed his wife and hit him with a $30 million judgment. So we have a little bit of justice." Rivera also commented on the double-murder case in Pennsylvania, where 18-year old David Ludwig apparently killed the parents of his 14-year old girlfriend. "The police say they have a video showing Ludwig and another teenager plotting the murders. In other words, this was apparently a premeditated murder." Rivera speculated that 14-year old Kara Beth Borden was probably not in on the killing. "When they caught them 600 miles away she had been bawling her eyes out. I believe that on that ride she began to understand the magnitude of what had happened."

As reported previously on The Factor, some retailers are avoiding the word "Christmas" in their advertising. When it comes to toy stores, Toys R Us would not respond to an inquiry, while K-B Toys and FAO Schwarz are not using the word. Fox News host John Gibson, who has written a book about the war on Christmas, explained the stores' rationale. "These retailers tend to worry about 100% of the customers, and if 85% of the country is Christian there is that little percentage that may not celebrate Christmas. It indicates hostility by refusing to use the word Christmas." The Factor suggested that stores are harming themselves and their bottom lines. "Surely they understand the anger that is going to be engendered among millions of Americans who feel their holiday is being denigrated and disrespected. I think it's all part of the secular progressive agenda to get Christianity and spirituality out of the public square."

Dennis Stricklin, Cocoa, FL: "If Chuck Hagel doesn't know some Democrats are calling President Bush a liar, he has no business being a U.S. Senator."

Wayne Cypress, Santa Barbara, CA: "O'Reilly, you said the New York judge who may release violent sex offenders is taking a risk. She is not taking any risk, she's the least likely to be hurt by these people."

Darcy Van Os, Saskatchewan: "Hey Bill, you're right. The Canadian poll did say 38% feel Bush is more dangerous than Bil Laden. But 68% of us also have a favorable view of Americans."