The Factor Switches Into War Mode

To watch "The Talking Points Memo" in the Screening Room click here.

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

The Factor switches into war mode. That is the subject of this evening's Talking Points Memo.

According to all military experts the war is going well. Saddam's days are indeed numbered. But if you watch too much TV news coverage, your perspective can get warped. That's because by its very nature the news business focuses on the negative. Thus, when anything bad happens to American or British troops, the coverage is intense and repetitive. Of course, we don't know the chaos that the Iraqi military is experiencing, because we're not there to see it. "Talking Points" cautions everyone not to jump to conclusions about the military situation. As in Afghanistan, the end could come very quickly.

There have been few controversies over the news coverage. Number one, should TV news show pictures of dead bodies. Ted Koppel says yes, because we need to remind people that war is hell. I say graphic pictures are not necessary, because anyone with a brain knows war is awful and terrible pictures can be used against the USA by people who hate us, both in our own country and overseas.

Speaking of people who hate us, this Michael Moore character has completely lost all credibility after his disgraceful appearance on the Academy Awards last night. Mr. Moore has always been over the top, but now I truly believe he despises this country. And if we could read his mind, although it would be a short story, I bet we'd see he's actually rooting against America. Maybe I'm wrong, but this guy is subversive and deserves all the scorn he got from the Hollywood crowd.

Now back to reality. Until the war ends The Factor will be giving you facts and opinions, but we're going to avoid speculation and rumors. We're still trying to pin down a report from CBS News that claims that an Iraqi prisoner was carrying Cipro. That's the antidote to anthrax. If that report is true, it's obviously very telling anthrax is at the heart of this war.

Finally, Talking Points freely admits rooting for America, Britain, and Australia in the war against Iraq. We are a news analysis program with a heavy dose of opinion. My opinion is, the world is a better place without Saddam Hussein. But that opinion will not shade our coverage, will not interfere with us bringing you the facts. But in the No Spin Zone, we always want you to know our vantage point.

And that's The Memo.

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

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

The cable television ratings are in, and the most popular news program in the country continues to be The Factor.

And guess where our ratings are the highest? Jacksonville, Florida. Thank you very much. Go Jags.

Our ratings are the lowest in San Francisco but not for the reason you might think. San Francisco is the only downtown area in the United States that refuses to carry the FOX News Channel. Gee, I wonder why.

Isn't it funny that some of the most progressive people in the country are not progressive at all when it comes to freedom of speech? It could be ridiculous.