When I first started watching Bill O’Reilly on Fox News, I have to admit I was not impressed — at least I didn’t think I was.
But something made me watch him — over and over, again. I kept coming back. Even though I found myself disagreeing with him, sometimes thinking the guy was just plain nuts. So, at some level, O’Reilly hooked me. And that’s the effect he’s having on America as he rises to the top of the heap of cable TV news personalities.
Finally, I began to realize what it was about O’Reilly that made me come back. He’s honest. He’s for real. He’s sincere. He’s serious about his work — but not so serious that he isn’t very entertaining.
Bill O’Reilly is an original. He’s unique. He’s got what too few of his colleagues have — cojones.
What I like about O’Reilly is the fact that, when he gets his teeth into something, he doesn’t let go. When he feels passionately about a subject, he sticks with it and sees the issue or the story through.
And I think that’s what America likes about this guy, too.
He’s no phony.
Listen, I disagree with O’Reilly on a whole host of issues — from global warming to the drug war to taxes to the death penalty. It doesn’t matter. He’s my kind of journalist. Because, agree with him or not, he does his level best to be a good reporter and an honest commentator.
“So,” you’re probably wondering about now, “is this a suck-up column? Is Farah kissing up to O’Reilly for some particular reason?”
Not at all. This is just my way of telling a colleague — out in front of the whole world — just how proud I am to be associated with him. Everyday I am more pleased that I reached out and sought a partnership with the man even before I fully appreciated him and the way he does his job.
I’ve been in the journalism racket a long time — having run daily newspapers in several major metro areas during the last 25 years — and I don’t have that many heroes in this business. Anyone who reads my column regularly knows there are not many reporters or editors I admire and hold up for praise. Bill O’Reilly is deserving of recognition for the work he does — and he’s getting it in the ratings, the contracts, the book sales, etc. If no one else in the business will stand up for him and say he’s doing a great job, I will.
Last summer WorldNetDaily launched Bill O’Reilly’s weekly column. After the first one appeared, we had an offer of syndication. That, my friends, is unprecedented. It’s never happened before in the history of newspaper syndication. And Bill O’Reilly is setting precedents all the time.
Since January, Bill O’Reilly’s column, originating in WorldNetDaily, has been available to newspapers worldwide. From what I understand from Creators Syndicate in Los Angeles, it’s one of the hottest commodities around.
Let me say that if you would like to see O’Reilly’s “No-Spin Zone” in your local newspaper, tell the editor or the editorial page editor. Call him or her. Write letters to the editor. Fax the paper.
I can tell you as a former newspaper editor myself, news executives want to be on the cutting edge. They want to hear from readers. They want feedback on features and columns. So spread the word. Make O’Reilly the No. 1 newspaper columnist in America — just as he is the No. 1 best-selling author and the No. 1 cable news host.
Yes, folks, I’m not ashamed to say it: I love Bill O’Reilly. I’ve become a big-time “Factor” fan.
Thank you, Bill, for bringing some passion and energy back to our business. Maybe that’s what I appreciate most about you and what you have accomplished. You’re making news come alive for people. You’re giving it meaning and perspective. You’re doing all this without sacrificing an ounce of professionalism. And, yes, you’re even making news entertaining in a way that, I believe, is entirely healthy.
If you’d like to sound off on this issue, please take part in the WorldNetDaily poll.
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