Is America Embracing "No Spin?"

Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly.  Thanks for watching us tonight.

Is America embracing the no spin concept?  That's the subject of this evening's "Talking Points" memo.

Last night's interview with the PLO's representative to the United States was a perfect example of what the no spin zone's all about.  First the reviews.  John Reza, who lives in Orange County, California, writes, "O'Reilly, why did you invite the poor guy from the PLO on and then not allow him to speak?"

R. Springer Jones from Palm Bay, Florida, saw it differently.  "Bill, you let the man speak too long."

Both Mr. Reza and Mr. Jones filtered that interview through their own opinions of the Palestinian-Israeli issue.  But the interview wasn't about that.  My question to Hassan Abdel Rahman was very simple.  What is the PLO going to do about terrorists who target civilians?  Very straightforward question, the kind we love in the no spin zone.

Now, Mr. Abdel Rahman wanted to run down his list of grievances against Israel.  Why would I let him do that?  It's not relevant to the question.  What are you going to do about terrorists who kill children?

If the PLO isn't going to do anything, say that.  But don't give us a history lesson, because that's not what the segment is about.

That's the difference between the no spin zone and other news programs where the anchors let the guests say whatever they want.

Now, the zone has a definite stated point of view, as you know.  In this case, I told the PLO rep that if Arafat couldn't control the Palestinian terrorists, then somebody else would have to, and the USA should stop sending the Palestinians money.  Very to the point.

Talking Points understands why some people dislike the no spin zone.  It's not a gentle place.  It is not a diplomatic arena.  We have questions, we want answers.

Also last night, we talked with a woman who lost her husband in the terror attack.  She has two young daughters and is very frustrated by the chaos surrounding the charities.  The difficulty for the no spin zone is this.  That family was living an affluent lifestyle before the man died, and it now needs a large amount of money to sustain that lifestyle.

Many viewers believe the family should downsize.  But Americans donated plenty of money so they could continue to live in the same style.  What's the ethical solution here?  Very complicated emotional issue.

But the no spin on it is this.  We believe the charities owe the 911 families and all the donors, you, an explanation of their game plan.  We want full disclosure so the families can make intelligent decisions.  If the donations are going to be capped, say that.  Just explain what the heck's going on.

So far, that's been beyond the capabilities of most of the charities, and that is absolutely awful.

Summing up, the no spin zone is set up to provide clarity.  What are you going to do about the terrorists?  What are you going to do with the donated money?  We're simple here.  We're direct.  That's what the zone is all about.

And that's the memo.

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Time now for "The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day." 

It is the season for some celebrities to go and entertain American troops all over the world.  And that's exactly what signer Mariah Carey is doing.  And don't those troops look entertained over there in Kosovo?

The exposure, might want to just check that out right there, a little above the belt, that Carey is getting helps the guys and hit helps her.  She was quoted as saying, "Boy, what a crowd."

Some of the boys were quoted as saying, well we can't repeat that.  It would be ridiculous.

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