Guest: Daniel Pipes, CampusWatch.org

"The Colorado Board of Regents will decide the fate of professor Ward Churchill, who compared Americans killed on 9/11 to Nazis. Apparently the man is getting threats, and a reporter from The New York Times called me to ask if I felt responsible. I won't be surprised if The Factor audience and I are blamed in some circles for the unfortunate plight of Ward Churchill. I don't revel in the destruction of any person, even one who has said the vile things Churchill has said. I even said the man shouldn't be fired from his job because America is strong enough to tolerate even him. But all that doesn't matter to the left wing media. This isn't about Churchill, this is about power--and many on the left hate the fact that Fox has it. What do Churchill and his sympathizers expect? We're in a war on terror and he supports the enemy. That being said, Churchill should not be harmed in any way--he should instead by shunned."

Transcript: FoxNews.com

There's a similar situation at Northeastern University in Boston, where radical professor M. Shahid Alam praised the 9/11 terrorists, writing that they gave their lives so "their people might live free and in dignity." Mideast expert Daniel Pipes has read Alam's writings. "He is a combination of a Marxist and radical Muslim," Pipes told The Factor. "He feels whatever goes wrong in the world as America's fault. He justifies the terrorists, saying they are good people and their cause against us is righteous. And he has venom toward the United States."

Guest: Father James Martin, associate editor, America Magazine

84-year old Pope John Paul II has been hospitalized, and could be nearing the end of his tenure. Having opposed US intervention in Iraq, what is the Pope's legacy on terrorism? Father James Martin explained, "The Pope feels war is a last resort," Father Martin said. "He hoped sanctions would be effective. But the Pope is not a pacifist ? he believes people have the right to defend themselves. If anyone's been a voice for peace and for good in the world, it has been John Paul II." The Factor contended while the Pope's intentions were worthy, his actions were counterproductive. "I think he damaged the United States and the war on terror by opposing the war in Iraq. I don't think he's being responsible to the world."

Guest: Prof. Stephen Prothero, author

Professor and author Stephen Prothero is of the opinion that Americans are generally ignorant about religion. "More than 9 out of 10 Americans practice faith," Prothero said, "but while we're a religious nation, we're a nation without a lot of religious knowledge." Prothero advised Americans to study the various holy texts, and to push for more religious education for our children. "The way forward is for citizens to read the Koran, to learn more about Catholicism and Islam. The only way to have intelligent public debates about these matters is for citizens in a democracy to know something about the subjects that they're debating."

Guest: David Frum, former Bush speechwriter

What goes into putting together a State of the Union address? David Frum worked on two such addresses for President Bush, and is credited with coining the term "axis of evil." "The State of the Union is like the moon launch," Frum told The Factor. "The entire government is involved. And this is not just a speech--it's a plan for the next year." Frum explained President Bush places a high priority on his annual message to the nation. "The President is involved in the beginning... He's a ferocious editor."

Guests: Fox News analysts Juan Williams & Tony Snow

Fox News analysts Tony Snow and Juan Williams discussed the State of the Union address and how it will be received. Williams predicted the Democrats will object to various aspects of the speech, especially regarding Iraq. "The Democrats are asking for an exit strategy from Iraq," Williams said. "And President Bush isn't prepared to do that. His pitch is that if we do away with the breeding ground for terrorist activity in Iraq, then those folks won't attack us at home." Snow argued that quibbling with the President over Iraq will be a sure loser for the Democrats. "The exit strategy is you win and you leave. It's always been that way in war. This speech is about the power of an idea--that people could be free. That's a powerful idea, and the same sort of thing that toppled the Soviet Union." The Factor contended the speech's most controversial aspect is President Bush's call for Americans to embrace "the culture of life," which implies opposition to euthanasia, abortion, and stem cell research. Snow said the phrase is a stroke of genius. "It's a brilliant move. This is a winning issue for him, now and in the future."

Guest: Profs. Kenneth Mayer & Julian Zelizer

How will President Bush be graded by future historians? Professors Kenneth Mayer and Julian Zelizer agreed right now he merits an "incomplete." "If we stopped the Presidency now," Zelizer contended, "he would be remembered for bold ideas that were never finished. So in the second term he wants to turn his big ideas into reality. If they work, he could be in the ranks of a Ronald Reagan. But if things go poorly, he could go down as a person who ruined things for Republicans." Mayer said, "His presidency will hinge on what happens in Iraq. If it turns into a successful democracy, there are Republicans who will want to put his face on Mount Rushmore."