The O'Reilly Factor
A daily summary of segments aired on The O'Reilly Factor. A preview of the evening's rundown is posted before the show airs each weeknight.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo
Top Story
Impact Segment
Factor Follow Up Segment
Personal Story Segment
Factor Investigation Segment
Back of Book Segment
Factor Mail
Book Mentions
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Character assassination at the NY Times
"What do the New York Times and the mafia have in common? Both routinely engage assassins - in the case of the newspaper, they are propping up character assassins. The Times actually reported that the vile smear merchant Al Franken is a legitimate contender for a US Senate seat. Unless defamation counts, Franken has absolutely no qualifications for any public office. The editor of the Times, Bill Keller, realizes that his paper has lost power. So Keller has decided to help character assassins outside the paper attack those with whom it disagrees. Keller is also allowing the Times to promote Air America, the left-wing radio network that loses millions of dollars. Ladies and gentlemen, you need to know what is going on here. The New York Times is outsourcing slander and libel and should be ashamed of itself. Bill Keller and the Times Pooh-Bahs think they can get away with this sleazy stuff, but they can't."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com

Holloway suspect's house searched
Guests: Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal & host Greta Van Susteren

It has been more than two weeks since Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba. Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal reported that the FBI may be employing technology to help crack the case. "The FBI possibly placed a tracking device on the vehicle belonging to three young suspects to monitor their movements. They were also eavesdropping on their cell phones to see if the kids would give up any clues about Natalee's disappearance." Fox News host Greta Van Susteren discredited the suspects' claim that they dropped Natalee back at her hotel that night. "The thing I noticed is that the hotel has a broad entrance. It seems improbable to me that she was dropped off that night and no one saw her. This is a tourist hotel and someone would have seen a young, falling-down drunk woman." The Factor pointed out that a prime suspect is Dutch teenager Joran Van Der Sloot. "That's where all the attention is focused, because by all accounts he left with the girl."

Boycotting Aruba?
Guests: Radio hosts Jeff Tyson & Dee Fine

Some residents in Natalee Holloway's home state of Alabama are angry at the pace of the investigation. Radio host Dee Fine has advised her listeners to boycott Aruba. "We are suggesting that graduating trips not go to Aruba," Fine declared. "It's the island of misfits, and I would encourage all Americans to stay away." Jeff Tyson, also a radio host, complained that the trip's adult chaperones are being unfairly demonized. "The blame should not be on the chaperones. They were there for travel assistance. The only blame should be on the one or two people who know what happened." The Factor urged the adult supervisors to step forward and explain what happened. "I am not blaming any chaperones. I just want a definition of what was going on down there, and they're not doing that."

Schiavo autopsy released
Guest: Dr. Eric Braverman

Terri Schiavo's official autopsy report reveals that Schiavo had "massive and irreversible brain damage." Dr. Eric Braverman contended that Terri Schiavo had no chance of regaining consciousness. "She had no brain activity. She had lost half her brain, she couldn't see or couldn't hear. She never could have recovered." The Factor took a verbal jab at those people who claimed Terri Schiavo was responsive and may have staged a recovery. "Everybody should digest that report. We believe it is entirely true - just think about what you heard and who said it, and what we now know."

Marcia Clark reacts to Jackson verdict
Guest: Marcia Clark

Marcia Clark, who unsuccessfully prosecuted O.J. Simpson, told The Factor that juries tend to give celebrity defendants the benefit of the doubt. "I am not in any way insulting the jury in Santa Maria," Clark explained. "They came in to do the right thing. I just believe that subconsciously there's a feeling that they know him. It's almost like they're judging a friend, and there's a desire to find him not guilty." The Factor pointed out that celebrities Martha Stewart and Mike Tyson were convicted, but agreed with Clark's overall hypothesis. "The O.J. Simpson jurors wanted to acquit him. They were looking for ways to say not guilty. In the Simpson case you're dead on, but in the Michael Jackson case I'm not so sure."

Natalee's friends speak out
Guests: Classmates Edward Kissel & Alana Jordan

In a Factor exclusive, two students who were among the last people to see Natalee Holloway spoke about what happened that night. "The last time I saw Natalee," Alana Jordan recalled, "we were leaving the bar at closing time and ran into to her. She was with a tall guy with dark hair. There have been allegations that she is a less-than-respectable girl, and that is completely false." Edward Kissel remembered seeing Natalee with Joran Van Der Sloot, now a suspect in her disappearance. "I saw her dancing with Van Der Sloot. He had been around the hotel and casino with her hanging out for the past few days. I saw her leaving with him, but didn't see her getting in the car." Factor noted that most students and chaperones have been silent, and commended Kissel and Jordan for their willingness to speak on the record. "I appreciate both of you coming in and talking about what is a very painful experience."

Protesting Gov. Schwarzenegger
Guest: Karen Breslau, Newsweek Magazine

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke at his alma mater this week, giving the commencement address at Santa Monica College. His talk was interrupted by catcalls, boos, and shouting from some graduates and even a few professors. Newsweek's Karen Breslau reported that Schwarzenegger is accustomed to being jeered by his critics. "He often works hecklers into his routine. But at this event it was really awkward and he seemed caught off-guard. It seemed as if the extras had taken over the set." The Factor denounced the students who disrupted the ceremony. "That was rude, disgraceful, and not how you treat public officials. The college should be ashamed of itself."

Viewers sound off
Factor Words of the Day
The Michael Jackson trial continued to elicit many strong opinions. Some excerpts:

Don Snyder, Lompac, CA: "Bill, I applaud you for confronting Jesse Jackson directly. I predict he will not respond on The Factor."

Andre Paige, Hyattsville, MD: "Mr. O'Reilly, I believe Jesse Jackson's support for Michael Jackson just adds to his upstanding reputation."

Beverly Meier, Bakersfield, CA: "O'Reilly, I was impressed with the way you treated the young man on the Jackson jury. His logic was so lacking you could have belittled him, but you didn't."

Casey Boyd, Norman, OK: "Mr. O'Reilly, stop criticizing the jury. You are undermining the legal system."

Doug Somers, Franklin, WI: "Bill, I wouldn't want my children associating with Michael Jackson, but that doesn't mean he's guilty of anything. I wouldn't want my kids associating with you, either, because of your religious right bias."

Bill Mitchell, Philippines: "Bill, you asked the juror what happens if Jackson does it again, implying that he had committed the crime."

Book Mentions
Check out the books mentioned during this show.
The Edge Effect: Achieve Total Health and Longevity with the Balanced Brain Advantage
by Eric Braverman

Read more...