"There is a very small minority of Americans who want Christmas out of the public square, and they've made big inroads into America's most revered tradition. However, Christmas is making a comeback and some companies that used to avoid saying 'Merry Christmas' have reversed themselves. That's not playing well in the secular progressive movement, which wants to diminish Christmas and all vestiges of Christian power. They realize that to get gay marriage, legalized drugs, euthanasia, and other parts of their agenda passed they need to marginalize religious forces. Over the weekend some liberal newspapers stepped up to the plate. The absolute best comes from the most enthusiastic secular newspaper in the country, the New York Times. Adam Cohen wrote this: 'The Christmas that Mr. O'Reilly and his allies are promoting ? fits their campaign to make America more like a theocracy.' Of course, Mr. Cohen has no idea what he's talking about. I don't want a theocracy and I don't want Christian prayers in the public schools. What Talking Points is really promoting is respect for a holiday that is celebrated by 95% of Americans. It's insane to diminish Christmas and it's also wrong. The secular progressives are going to lose the fight, and they'll do what they always do - attack."

Fox News Video: FoxNews.com

Guests: Fox News analysts Mary Anne Marsh & Kirsten Powers

During a speech in Chicago, Senator Hillary Clinton was heckled by far left anti-war protestors, some of whom had to be removed from the auditorium. Fox News analysts Mary Anne Marsh and Kirsten Powers, both Democrats, actually blamed the incivility on Republicans. "They are taking a page out of the far right," Powers declared. "It happened to Cindy Sheehan in Texas when you had people coming out and shooting guns. They were trying to stop her." Marsh was unable to cite a specific example, but accused conservatives of pioneering these tactics. "The far left has watched the rise of the right by using hardball political tactics. Republicans have always campaigned on being great patriots, yet they repeatedly attack real patriots like John McCain, John Kerry, and John Murtha." The Factor again pointed out that Marsh could not provide an example of a right-wing shout down, and accused self-proclaimed progressives of using bullying tactics. "There are always going to be extremists, but I submit that the far left is out of control. They want people with whom they disagree to be muzzled."

Guest: Mike Rivers, American Atheist Group

An atheist group has filed suit in Utah, protesting crosses placed alongside highways to honor state troopers who died in the line of duty. Mike Rivers explained why his organization is suing. "We object to religious symbols placed on public property. The cross is a religious symbol." The Factor corrected Rivers on various factual points and criticized the atheists' approach. "The cross is an international sign of memorial, used even in countries that are not Christian. In Utah, the families of the patrolmen want the crosses. But you say your opinion overrides the will of the family that lost a loved one in the service of the state."

Guest: Iraq expert Andrew Apostolou

The trial of Saddam Hussein, marked by delays and disruptions, has resumed in Iraq. According to Iraq expert Andrew Apostolou, Saddam's lawyer Ramsey Clark has a long history of defending the indefensible. "Ramsey Clark has defended members of the PLO, Nazi war criminals, and Slobodan Milosevic. If Adolf Hitler went on trial, Ramsey Clark would be his defense attorney." Apostolou added that Saddam Hussein still casts a wide and terrifying shadow in Iraq. "People are afraid of him. It may seem irrational, but for Iraqis who have suffered for 35 years and have known nothing but a genocidal dictator, it's very understandable." The Factor said it's obvious that Saddam will get the death penalty. "Saddam's trying to make the trial a farce. He knows there is no way he's getting out of this, but he insists on making it a burlesque show."

Guest: Neil Weinberg, Forbes Magazine

Some retailers are avoiding the word "Christmas" in their advertising and marketing campaigns, and business journalist Neil Weinberg reported that stores are taking this issue very seriously. "This is a big topic of discussion in the board rooms, and you're a big topic of discussion. They're trying to walk a very fine line between Bill O'Reilly and the 'anti-Bill O'Reillys.' And they're saying that maybe we have to put a little more 'Christmas' back in Christmas. This is the season that, whatever it means for you and me, means money for retailers." The Factor put forth a simple solution. "People want to walk into a store and see 'Merry Christmas' and then maybe 'Happy Holidays' or Hanukah or Kwanzaa. My solution is why not have them all?"

Guests: Fox News analysts Tony Snow & Juan Williams

Fox News analysts Juan Williams and Tony Snow joined The Factor with their opinions on various topics. They began with Massachusetts Congressman William Delahunt, who has cut a deal with Venezuela President Hugo Chavez to supply cheaper oil to his state. "I think Delahunt is being used," Williams declared. "He is giving Hugo Chavez publicity in the United States and building him up as some kind of leftist hero. That's what Chavez wants." Snow condemned Chavez "an unstable despot who is stealing the civil liberties of the people in his country." Moving to another subject, Snow criticized the New York Times for editorializing that Bill O'Reilly wants to create a "theocracy" in America. "I'm intrigued by the fact that the New York Times seems to feel that Christianity is a threat. We have a long history in this country of going after religious demagogues, but what we have now are irreligious demagogues. And they are every bit as despicable."

Guest: Father Brandon Balch

Under Georgia law, minors can marry without parental consent if the bride-to-be is pregnant. Brandon Balch discovered that the hard way, when his 13-year old daughter married a 14-year old boy. "I found out after the fact," Balch told The Factor, "and I was outraged. My daughter had no business being married, and I didn't even know about it. Her life has just fallen apart and it's a travesty." The Factor expressed disbelief at what transpired. "I can't imagine this happening, it's such a bizarre situation. It's a tragedy and the state of Georgia out to rethink these laws."

Many of your emails lauded or lambasted your humble correspondent. Some excerpts:

Dave Richards, London, England: "Bill, I don't even live in America. Thankfully, I live in Europe where you're allowed to express your opinion without having a loudmouth like you criticizing it."

Harry McCraney, Little Rock, AR: "Mr. O'Reilly, I must ask if you are planning to run for office because you have been moving more and more to the left."

Kevin Rauch, Lynbrook, NY: "O'Reilly, I used to think The Factor was balanced but now you never criticize the far right which is a much greater threat than the far left."

Kelley Clevenger, Lansing, MI: "Bill, one of my favorite parts of the Factor is when you read mail from people who don't like you. Maybe you should point out they don't have to watch."