Fast food thinking is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points" memo. We are living a fast food society here in America. We want stuff now. We want it how and we don't want to think very much about what's in there. And now that fast food mentality is beginning to show itself in the shaping of public opinion.
I am simply aghast that the entire country is not screaming for the resignation of Gary Condit. His latest outrage is a lie detector test business. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, says Condit passed the lie detector test given by a "independent polygraph expert."
What good is that? That's a joke. Have the guy take an FBI lie detector test, so it's validity can be confirmed. The cops in D.C. are furious with this. I'll take an FBI lie detector test right now. Hook me up. Ask me about the Chandra Levy case. I'll answer honestly and I bet you would, too.
So won't Condit? If he has nothing to hide, he has nothing to lose and plenty to gain. A successful lie detector test would deflect much of the suspicion that is being directed at him.
Have you noticed the new mantra in this case? Now many of those who refuse to condemn Condit's behavior are saying, "We must focus on finding Ms. Levy. That's the most important thing. That's what the media needs to concentrate on."
More garbage. None of us can do anything to help Chandra Levy. And to ignore Condit's behavior toward her family is an insult to the missing woman. The most important thing right now is to get the truth about what happened in this case, and that includes what Gary Condit knows.
Now I understood the partisan protection of Bill Clinton's tawdry and illegal behavior, but I don't get this one. Few care about Gary Condit. He's not an important figure for the Democrats or liberals or anybody else. Why rally behind this guy? Why refrain from demanding that he quit?
The answer lies in moral relativism. We have entered an age where millions of Americans simply will not make moral judgments of any kind. Every kind of behavior can be explained away or condoned. This is very dangerous.
"Talking Points" is convinced that soggy leadership and low standards of behavior encourage situations like the Chandra Levy case. People think they can get away with anything. Gary Condit should be ashamed to show his face in public, must less take a seat in Congress. If he ad any dignity at all, he would profusely apologize to the Levy family, to his own family, and to the nation and then retire to obscurity.
But Condit has no dignity. And many people are willing to let him skate, reinforcing the notion that dignity is a thing of the past. What's involved now is fast food thinking, drive through morality. Why take the time to consider the broad implications of Condit's behavior when there is another mental happy meal just moments away? And that's the memo.
Most Ridiculous Item of the Day
Time now for the "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day," which
is a bit self-serving. So if you don't like that, come back in about 30
seconds for the mail. We have found one of the smartest babies in the
world. Thirteen-month-old Samuel Ahlgren, who lives in St. Louis Park,
Minnesota, knocked out The Factor book between naps. All I can say is
way to go, Sam. We have a producing job waiting for you when you turn two.
— You can watch Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points weeknights at 8 & 11p.m. ET. And send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com
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