The Factor Rundown
Unresolved Problems Segment
Wednesdays with Geraldo Segment
Book Mentions
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Comments
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The culture war & the press
"Every morning my staff gives me a folder entitled 'Bill in the news.' It contains articles and TV transcripts that have mentioned my name. 90% of the press is negative, and the same holds true for Fox News in general. So we decided to find out why. If Fox News is the dominant cable network, and our presentation appeals to millions, why are we hammered in the press? The answer, of course, is ideology. We can't find one TV critic in the United States who is not liberal or a registered Democrat. Most are committed liberals who dislike us for giving conservative and traditional Americans a fair shot. Writing in Variety, Brian Lowry complained about 'O'Reilly's self-obsession and translucently thin skin.' But facts are facts, and here are some interesting ones: 'Daily Variety,' 'Broadcasting & Cable,' and 'Publisher's Weekly' are all owned by Reed Business, run by Tad Smith, a far-left guy who donates major money to people like Howard Dean and Hillary Clinton. Nothing wrong with that, but Smith also hires editors in his own image, and his publications often disparage conservatives and praise liberals. So what we have here in America is media reporting skewed way left. The liberal press in America now influences almost everything, including my thin skin."
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Bush addresses Iraq
Guests: Former Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Richard Holbrooke
President Bush, who recently said we are absolutely wining the war in Iraq, now says "we're not winning, we're not losing." Former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke denounced the president for not being more candid long ago. "A leader must show determination about the goal, but honesty about what's happening. The president undermined our positions by a delusional set of statements about what is really going on in Iraq. He finally says we need more troops, and I believe he owes an apology to people who have been calling for an increase in the military." The Factor posited that any commander-in-chief has to exude optimism. "President Bush can't say to the American people 'we screwed up.' He still believes we can salvage this, and he has to be positive for the sake of the troops."
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Hillary priming the pump?
Guest: Fox News analyst Laura Schwartz
Hillary Clinton has been appearing in venues where tough questions are unlikely; this week she was treated with kid gloves on ABC's "The View." But FNC analyst Laura Schwartz predicted that Senator Clinton will eventually appear on harder news programs, including The Factor. "When she does announce for the presidency, she will have to talk about her record and her policies and what she would do if she was president. You have to tell people what you're thinking and why you're thinking it." The Factor summed up Hillary Clinton's current media strategy. "The senator is going to safe harbors to soften her image, to reach non-news viewers who watch daytime TV, and to convince people that she's just a 'regular gal.'"
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Misusing the Internet?
Guest: Prof. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD
Various Internet sites include more than a thousand video clips of actual "girl fights," most involving teenage girls. Harvard professor Deborah Prothrow-Stith explained why female fights have become alarmingly common. "This seems to be related to the way we are marketing violence to girls. The entertainment media is a huge part of this, but it's general cultural norms and attitudes. It's becoming more acceptable for girls to fight, and it's cutting across race and class. We've raised a generation of kids who find violence very entertaining." The Factor placed part of the blame on radical secularism. "We've raised a generation of people who don't make judgments, where bad behavior is applauded and rewarded. This is the secular-progressive movement that I write about in my book."
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Shock jocks demean homeless
Guest: Mary Brosnahan, Coalition for the Homeless
In an attempt at "humor," radio hosts Opie and Anthony rounded up some homeless men and women, gave them cash, and sent them into a shopping mall. Homeless advocate Mary Brosnahan was outraged by the stunt. "They're putting homeless people on display so people can laugh at them. The homeless are the last group in America that some people feel they can exploit. It is despicable, especially in the Christmas season." The Factor complained that many listeners apparently find this entertaining. "I agree with you, but I'm not sure about the general population. A lot of people say if you're a bum in the street with an alcohol problem, that's on you. The empathy for homeless is a lot lower than it would be for other people."
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Yoko Ono/Child abuse trial
Guest: Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera joined The Factor with his perspective on two current stories. First, the news that Yoko Ono was allegedly blackmailed by her chauffer Koral Karsan. "This driver," Rivera declared, "was very close to Yoko. He evidently delivered a rambling extortion note demanding $2 million or he would give the media compromising photos of Yoko and damning tapes of her conversations. But Yoko is incredibly tough, and she will eat this guy for lunch." Rivera also commented on Michael and Sharon Garvelle, the Ohio couple on trial for abusing their eleven adopted children, who slept in makeshift cages. After visiting the home, Rivera asserted that the Gravelles are neither criminal nor malicious. "I don't think the Gravelles are cruel people They have eleven special needs kids in one house, the most handicapped of all children. I predict they will not be convicted on the felony charges."
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Analyzing handwriting secrets
Guest: Author Michelle Dresbold
Finally, The Factor welcomed handwriting expert Michelle Dresbold, who deciphered the writing of three notorious people:
O.J. Simpson: "Notice the slash in his 'o.' That is something you see in the handwriting of liars.
Scott Peterson: "Like Peterson himself, it's a very deceptive handwriting, something that looks like one thing on the surface, but is something different when you take it apart."
Patsy Ramsey: "The chances that she did not write the ransom note are about 2%."
The Factor praised Dresbold and her specialty. "Some people are skeptical about this, but I'm not. You were trained by the Secret Service, you go in and testify in court. This is a legitimate law enforcement tool."
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Viewers sound off
Your e-mails covered a myriad of recent segments. Some excerpts:
Steve White, Princeton, IN: "Mr. Bill, did you catch the look that atheist, Ms. Brown, gave you after you wished her a 'Merry Christmas?' If looks could kill, you'd be toast."
Carol Baligush, Cleveland, OH: "Bill, why are you so afraid to hear the truth about 9/11 from intelligent people like Kevin Barrett? Is it because you can't handle the truth?"
Laura Harrison & Angie Nogare, New Zealand: "As two recent grads from the University of Wisconsin, thanks Bill for making Kevin Barrett look like a complete fool on international TV. His views do not reflect ours."
Paul Ballowe, Gainesville, FL: "Hey, Bill, congratulations! Your assertion that oil futures traders rig the market makes you a conspiracy nut."
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Check out the books mentioned during this show.
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Sugar and Spice and No Longer Nice: How We Can Stop Girls' Violence
by Deborah Prothrow-Stith
Read more...
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Sex, Lies and Handwriting: A Top Expert Reveals the Secrets Hidden in Your Handwriting
by Michelle Dresbold
Read more...
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