Factoring In the Truth About Bill O’Reilly’s Show

Re “Skewered by ‘Dean of Mean’ Bill O’Reilly -- a Survivor’s Tale,” by Bruce Kluger, Commentary, Feb. 21: I saw the memorable “The O’Reilly Factor” segment with the Kluger interview. Kluger deserved the skewering he got. While Kluger accused O’Reilly of using bad manners as a tactic during his interviews, O’Reilly made him ‘fess up to his own bad manners, that of making fun of Fox News host Greta Van Susteren’s face make-over in his USA Today piece about the O’Reilly show, thus taking away Kluger’s assumed moral high ground.

That is why O’Reilly is so popular. He challenges his guests on what they say with follow-up questions, and most guests don’t like to be challenged. That is seen as bad manners by those who disagree with him, but for many viewers like myself, it is refreshing that he doesn’t let the guests’ statements go unchallenged.

Michael Carr

Pasadena

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Good for you, Bruce Kluger! The sad thing is that for many people, O’Reilly and his cohorts are the only source of “news.” They take his spin as factual information and his blunt attitude as a sign of straight talk. O’Reilly’s bad manners are convincing many viewers that he has the facts and his guests are trying to spin them; what a devious, manipulating and arrogant narcissist. Unfortunately, the rest of the prime-time news commentators are not much better -- all in the name of ratings and entertainment versus actual news. It has turned into a circus, and the bombing of Baghdad will be the grand finale.

Well, you can always watch Aaron Brown on CNN at 10 p.m., who has you snoozing on your couch in five minutes. The good thing is that after your nap you’ll be refreshed to watch Charlie Rose at 11 p.m. on PBS and actually hear a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion.

Erika Blos

Santa Barbara