It will come as no surprise to ANYONE that I loath Bill O'Reilly and all of the hateful narrowmindedness for which he stands. So it was no surprise to me to read a transcript from a November 8, 2005 show wherein he told terrorists where to strike in America. Naturally, it was in a location that he dislikes. That was not noteworthy. I guess what WAS noteworthy was that he called on terrorists to attack America—and NO ONE apparently cared.

Here's the transcript:

O'REILLY: Hey, you know, if you want to ban military recruiting, fine, but I'm not going to give you another nickel of federal money. You know, if I'm the president of the United States, I walk right into Union Square, I set up my little presidential podium, and I say, "Listen, citizens of San Francisco, if you vote against military recruiting, you're not going to get another nickel in federal funds. Fine. You want to be your own country? Go right ahead.

And if Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead.

I cannot IMAGINE the vehemence of the outcry against any anti-Bush or anti-administration public figure calling for a terrorist attack on American soil. There would be calls from conservatives and Christian fundamentalists and the other right-wing lunatics for trials and executions—and not necessarily in that order. I'm sure some provision of the PATRIOT Act allows for pre-emptive execution in the case of someone providing targeting information for terrorists. If not, I'm sure the Bush administration could manufacture it and get any number of administration "lawyers" to find a justification.

Yes, I am employing hyperbole here. I know that Bill O'Reilly is a dangerous nutcase, but his free speech is protected as much as anyone's in America. Although I am serious when I wonder if a liberal could make that kind of inflammatory statement and get away with it. Even if it was said in jest. Which, by the way, I DON'T think O'Reilly's was. I believe he meant every word. Like his fellow traveller lunatic, Pat Robertson, he feels absolutely justified in calling down vengeance and death on people with whom he disagrees.

I am not concerned that there are crazies like O'Reilly and Roberston running around America. I am concerned that they are on TV and far too many people listen to them and believe them.