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As of Tuesday night, rescuers were still trying to reach 13 miners trapped far below ground in West Virginia. Mine safety expert Joseph Sbaffoni explained what happened. "Evidently there was a buildup of methane gas and an ignition source that caused the explosion. Explosions are usually violent - they knock out ventilation controls, and then you're dealing with high levels of carbon monoxide." The Factor praised the men for their bravery and wished their families the best. "I don't think most people understand the danger of mining. When you are two miles into a mountain, anything can happen down there." The episode ended tragically Wednesday morning when 12 of the miners were found dead.

One year ago people donated billions of dollars to help victims of the Asian tsunami. Much of the money remains unspent, which charity authority Trent Stamp said is a good sign. "I'm actually very encouraged by the fact that these organizations did not spend all the money immediately. The charities are hoping to build things better than they were before. We need to sit back and let these organizations spend the money appropriately." International analyst Greg Copley agreed that rebuilding will take years. "Getting the money was the easy part; getting the workers to build the infrastructure will be the hard part. If you just want instant gratification you're going to destroy the country you're trying to help." The Factor was encouraged by the assertion that aid money is not being squandered. "When you're dealing with Indonesia and Sri Lanka, corruption is a factor. But both of you are telling me that donations Americans have given are not being looted and wasted."

The Factor reported previously on the case of illegal alien Raul Gomez-Garcia, who allegedly murdered one Denver detective and wounded another officer, then escaped to Mexico. Former Deputy DA Craig Silverman reported that Garcia-Gomez is being extradited to the US, but only after a long negotiation between Mexico and Colorado. "The Denver DA was forced to make a concession. He has to pursue second degree murder charges because the Mexican government doesn't like the penalty for first degree murder, which is death or life in prison without parole. By running across the border, Gomez-Garcia is escaping some measure of justice." The Factor cited this as another example of the perils of illegal immigration. "These cops were young men who had families. It just shows you that we have a problem with Mexico, or Mexico has a problem. But we give Mexican authorities credit for arresting the guy."

As reported previously on The Factor the group La Raza received $15 million dollars in federal money last year, which has angered those who claim the organization is a radical proponent of open borders. La Raza's Cecilia Munoz maintained that the money is being well spent. "We build low income housing, charter schools, health clinics, and projects to make life better for Hispanic Americans. We're doing good work and we're proud to be doing it." Munoz denied that La Raza advocates open borders, but expressed opposition to a fence along the border. "You may believe that a 2,000 mile fence will do the job, but I do not." The Factor countered that a fence would almost certainly be effective. "We already have well-trained Border Patrol and they're overwhelmed. Why not put the fence up and put the military on the border? Walls work!"

Congressman Jack Murtha, who previously called for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, now says he would discourage young people from joining the military. Fox News analyst Col. Oliver North took offense at Murtha's statement. "It denigrates the courage, skill, and perseverance of the best-trained military in the world. It's unfortunate that John Murtha now has joined Cindy Sheehan as a part of the Democrat party that believes we can not win." But retired officer P.J. Crowley defended the Congressman. "The strongest voices of skepticism about how this war is being prosecuted actually come from those who have combat experience like John Murtha. He's actually elevated the debate and has done a great service to the country. The Factor suggested that Murtha's criticism is damaging to the war effort. "By telling people they shouldn't go into the military, he begins to undermine the war there. Murtha and a lot of the critics don't understand the nobility of the effort in Iraq."

The wealthy and powerful National Education Association represents some 3-million American teachers. According to a new report, the NEA contributes to a wide variety of far left groups, among them Jesse Jackson's Rainbow-PUSH, Amnesty International, and many others. Mike Antonucci revealed that while half of all teachers identify themselves as traditional or conservative, their dues money is spent in ways they may find unsettling. "Any examination of how the NEA spends its money would have to conclude that the money overwhelmingly goes to liberal organizations. The teachers union can compel dues money from its members. And almost half the 600 employees at NEA headquarters make six-figure salaries."

Mark Goss, Port St. Lucie, FL: "Bill, I applaud your reporting of the 'hate Bush' media. I hope you get some support."

Bob Popovich, Reading, PA: "Bill, you back Bush in everything he does, and then want to investigate the media that do not. Who died and left you boss?"

Chuck Chaffin, Virginia: "O'Reilly, Fox hates Bush too. It aired some of the most biased coverage of the Bush administration I have ever seen over the holidays."

Eric Rice, Beardstown, IL: "The New York Times is doing a fine job of reporting facts that you won't report, O'Reilly."

John VanCott, Pittsburgh, PA: "Bill, you are completely off track. How about getting Democrat leaders on the Factor instead of just Republicans."