Guests: Brian Ross, ABC News & Carol Bogart, Human Rights Watch

"If you watch us often, you know one thing that sets me off is when guests come on the program and say stuff that isn't true. That's what's going on with this so-called torture deal - the far left believes the Bush administration wants to torture people for sport and asserts that making terror suspects uncomfortable is actually torture. In addition, they claim tough interrogation methods never lead to valid information. Today, the Senate continues to debate the coerced interrogation issue. Talking Points believes there will be a compromise - the CIA will be allowed to use some so-called coercive interrogation methods. And that's a good thing, because they do work on some bad people. American interrogators did rough up some captured Al Qaeda terrorists, and those men did give up vital information that that badly damaged terror operations. That is the truth."

ABC News investigative reporter Brian Ross joined The Factor with evidence that coercive interrogation can be effective. "The CIA broke 14 high value leaders in secret prisons," Ross declared. "They used coercive techniques. They started with a slap in the chest, then cold rooms, then sleep deprivation, then waterboarding, where you think you are drowning and about to die. In the case of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the information he gave up was very valuable regarding one plot which would have involved an airplane attack on the tallest building in Los Angeles. It's clear that in several cases coercive interrogation does seem to have an effect, and that's the bottom line." The Factor reiterated that harsh tactics can be useful. "In all 14 cases coerced interrogation was used, and in all 14 cases they gave it up. And you say more than a dozen plots were stopped. I want to make it crystal clear that what we have said is true."

Next, Human Rights Watch's Caroll Bogert joined the program with a diametrically opposed viewpoint. "Torture is a method that should never be used by the United States. Sleep deprivation over days is a form of torture, and waterboarding is unquestionably a form of torture." The Factor reminded Bogert of evidence to the contrary. "Brian Ross just said that 12 plots were thwarted that would have killed thousands of Americans. Are you going to sit there and say those deaths would have been allowed?" "I can't confirm or deny Brian Ross's reporting," Bogert replied, "but you can't say that traditional means of law enforcement would not have produced that same information. You can trick people, you can talk tough with people. I would not deny that torture may in some circumstances produce evidence, but at what cost?"

Guest: Ernie Allen, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

In Missouri, 11-day old Abby Woods has been found and returned to her mother after being kidnapped by a woman who lives nearby. The Factor theorized that child abductions seem to be on the rise, but child advocate Ernie Allen had some reassuring news. "The kidnapping of infants is relatively rare. There have been about ten this year, and the good news is that the vast majority of these children are recovered safely. The typical abductor tends to be a woman of child-bearing age - they target their victims and tend to abduct within their own area." Allen also reported on thousands of children who were missing after Hurricane Katrina. "We handled a total of 5,192 children who had been dislocated from their families. 100 percent of the children reported to us have been reunited with their families."

Guest: Author Sam Harris

Speaking at the United Nations Wednesday, leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called President Bush a "devil" who talks "as if he owned the world." Author Sam Harris explained that Chavez will pay no price for his over-the-top remarks. "It's getting very easy to bash America, and Chavez is an opportunist who sees that he can generate sympathy. The problem is that we've lost the perception of having the high ground, particularly in our conflict with the Muslim world. We have to somehow unite the civilized world, but President Bush was the wrong guy to unite the civilized world." The Factor accused Chavez of deflecting his own failures. "Chavez blames his country's problems on the USA - he gets away with telling his people that it's America that is making them poor. And I'll tell you this about President Bush - he's one of the few guys who understands the danger in the world. Human Rights Watch doesn't understand it, and the left in America doesn't understand it."

Guests: Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce & gay rights activist Keith Boykin

Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey has written a new book explicitly describing his anonymous "trysts" and his male lovers. Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce declared that McGreevey's book is an unfair portrayal of gays. "This was the creepiest thing I've seen. I'm tired of having sexual compulsives define homosexuality in this country. Most homosexuals lead quiet and dignified lives that are overshadowed by this kind of perversion." But gay rights activist Keith Boykin defended McGreevey's honesty. "Jim McGreevey admitted a mistake and apologized for it. This is good because it's a teachable moment - it creates an opportunity for us to have a discussion about the difficulty of coming out and being honest about who you are." The Factor criticized the former governor's lack of discretion. "I don't think any good is ever done by discussing these things in public, whether you're homosexual or heterosexual. He didn't have to put himself in the position of making himself, as Tammy put it, a 'creepy' guy. He looks like he just wanted to sell books."

Guests: Former teacher Elizabeth Kandrac & attorney Larry Kobrovsky

After complaining that she was subjected to racial taunts by her students, South Carolina middle school teacher Elizabeth Kandrac sued the school district and was awarded more than $300,000. Kandrac, who is white, described the abuse she faced from some of her black students. "I was subjected to all kinds of cursing - things were thrown at me, including desks and books. I reported it, but my principal said this is their culture, this is how they are, and if you don't like cursing this isn't the school for you." The Factor pointed out how times have changed, and not for the better. "According to the testimony they called you all kinds of terrible things. When I was teaching in the 70's, any kid using these words would have been immediately suspended. It's an absurd argument that this was their culture."

Your e-mails covered a variety of recent segments. Some excerpts:

Milton Ragsdale, Honolulu, HI: "I am an Army vet and conservative politically. But I am against coerced interrogation. My country is better than that."

Dan Hartnett, Northern Marianas Islands: "Having spent 31 years in the Navy, I know that terrorists are not legitimate combatants. It's time we show the world that if you mess with us, you will pay for it."

Sarah-Wade Boatwright, Charleston, SC: "Mr. O, I agree with you about the late night comics. I enjoy them but they are all liberal. Why? It's a good question."

Stephan Marchand, San Francisco, CA: "Bill, you are my favorite comedian."

Garold Minkin, New York, NY: "I will never believe men are smarter than women. But after seeing Bill interview Michelle Malkin and Kirsten Powers, I know one thing: Women are prettier than men."