Thursday, May 19, 2005
On The O'Reilly Factor...
Segment Summaries
All content taken from The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening's show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST.
Talking Points Memo
Straight talk on Islamic terrorism
"Writing in the Los Angeles Times, columnist Margaret Carlson continued the left-wing mantra that the Bush administration is responsible for Arab anger against the USA. The liberal press wants Americans to believe that the administration's war tactics have turned the Muslim world against the USA. The Bush administration has made mistakes, but to say the jihadists are angry because of Iraq and Guantanamo is simply stupid. During World War II, mistakes were made every hour of every day by American forces. What does Margaret Carlson think about that? The terror war is indeed hell, and so is the liberal media's coverage of it."

Transcript/Video: FoxNews.com
Top Story
Newspapers out of control?
Guest: Linda Foley, Newspaper Guild & journalism observer Joe Strupp

Linda Foley, president of the Newspaper Guild, recently made this astonishing accusation: "What outrages me ... is that there's not more outrage about the number and the brutality, and the cavalier nature of the U.S. military toward the killing of journalists in Iraq ... They actually target them and blow up their studios." Foley refused an invitation to appear on The Factor, but journalism observer Joe Strupp suggested her comments may have been taken out of context. "She was referring to an attack on the Hotel Palestine where two journalists were killed, and an attack on an Al-Jazeera studio where a reporter was killed. Her complaint was how the US military was investigating these." But Sinclair Broadcasting's Mark Hyman asserted that Foley's charges were maliciously anti-military. "Imagine the response in the so-called Arab street if they hear a person of authority in the newspaper world saying the American military targets journalists." The Factor contended that Foley's accusations are part of a larger pattern. "Right now in the newspaper industry it looks like there is a group think. They hate Bush so much that anything is justified."
Impact Segment
Larry King at Jackson trial
Guest: Crime journalist Aphrodite Jones

CNN host Larry King was expected to take the stand in Michael Jackson's defense, but the judge decided otherwise. "Larry King strutted in ready to testify," journalist Aphrodite Jones explained, "but the judge said his testimony amounted to hearsay." Jones also reported that the defense played a video that may backfire. "The video was supposed to show how wonderful Neverland is with all the rides. But the portrait of a pedophile is somebody who is obsessed with childlike things. I think the jury was thinking 'what is all this about?' The Factor compared the case to another high-profile trial. "I think this is a lot like the Peterson case, where the jury looked at Scott Peterson for months and clearly found him odious. Here the jury is staring at this guy for months, and it is how they are seeing him that will determine the verdict."
Factor Follow Up Segment
Churchill's questionable background
Guest: Craig Silverman, KHOW

University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill has described himself as part Cherokee, which helped advance his career. But Churchill's ethnic claims are being challenged. "The Keetoowah Cherokees say they gave him an honorary membership," radio host Craig Silverman told The Factor. "The Keetoowah are a sovereign nation and now have officially said he is not a member." The Factor declared that Churchill's misrepresentations may be his undoing. "Churchill has to produce the evidence he used to convince the Cherokees that he was 1/16th Cherokee. If he can't produce that evidence, it's all over for him."
Unresolved Problems Segment
New law for prosecuting gangs
Guest: Congressman Charles Rangel

A proposed federal bill would make it easier to prosecute gangs who roam many US cities. Among the bill's most vocal opponents is New York Congressman Charles Rangel, who explained his opposition. "Mandatory sentences, death penalties? Experts in juvenile delinquency will tell you that is not the way to go. You certainly don't have to change the whole criminal code to go after these bums." The Factor argued that the law would protect America's most vulnerable citizens. "These gangs are dangerous and they're terrorizing the poorest Americans. If you give the feds the authority to put these people away for twenty or thirty years, it would make it much more difficult for these gangs to operate."
Personal Story Segment
Clampdown at Harvard?
Guests: Matt Dwoner, Harvard Republican Club, author & student Ben Shapiro, author Richard Bradley

The Factor recently sent camera crews to Harvard to tape a student play about the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, but the crews were not allowed inside. Harvard student Matt Downer saw the play and explained its slant. "The stated purpose was to bring attention to human rights. But it actually tried to engender sympathy for the cause of the insurgents." Student and writer Ben Shapiro added that the play was tailor-made for Harvard Yard. "The attempt was to grind the Harvard elitist boot into the face of the US military. The only place in the hemisphere that's more anti-military than Cambridge is probably Cuba." But author Richard Bradley defended the production and its producers. "The students say this is not in favor of the cause of the insurgents. They don't say we hate America, they say we hate what happened at Abu Ghraib." The Factor was puzzled by the decision to ban Fox News camera. "If I'm a playwright at a college, I want national publicity. They would have gotten their word out to everybody."
Back of Book Segment
Syracuse gives Scouts the boot
Guests: Ray Sanders, Boy Scouts of America & Rick Chetney, Alpha Phi Omega

Syracuse University has declared that Boy Scouts can no longer meet on campus property because the organization doesn't allow openly gay Scout leaders. "The Boy Scouts are an easy target," claimed Scout spokesman Ray Sander. "We've been dealing with challenges to our standards for years. But this is the first instance where individuals who are opposed to our policies have decided to do something that will directly affect the scouts. It's a shock and an embarrassment to the university." The Factor noted that university officials refused an invitation to appear, and accused the school of putting ideology before children. "They don't like your gay stance, and they're punishing you for it. It hurts the kids and that's my objection to it."
Factor Mail
Viewers sound off
Many of your e-mails continue to focus on the bogus Newsweek report about Koran desecration at Guantanamo Bay. Some excerpts:

Vern Kulla, Henderson, NV: "Bill, you asked for proof that Newsweek knew it published a false report and did it anyway. I have that proof. A very reliable, undisclosed source told me."

Allison Dessommes, Beaumont, TX: "Bill, don't come down so hard on Newsweek. The problem is with the Afghans who committed violence."

Roger Farrow, New South Wales, Australia: "Mr. O, you are correct that the so-called 'elite media' is losing influence. There is a news reporting revolution going on."

Matthew Barnlund, Winnipeg, Canada: "The USA's poor handling of post-war Iraq and questionable treatment of prisoners has made the Koran story a plausible situation."

Books Mentioned


Harvard Rules: The Struggle for the Soul of the World's Most Powerful University
by Richard Bradley

Read more...
 


Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth
by Benjamin Shapiro

Read more...