colonel bill cowan. how might things like that affect us going into 2012 with our economy.ly anything that ever happened in the straits that would have been catastrophic, because they shoot through the roof. all things being equal. we have a lot going on the table particular will in europe that will have a dramatic effect, short-term and potentially long-term on the u.s. economy and even though we can look at the u.s. economy on its own, things aren't so bad and things are improving on a day-to-day basis. primarily what's going on in europe is a dramatic effect on our own economy. >> can we expect our economy to expand if europe's economy contracts? >> great question. if we look at the european economy, their own ecb. european central bank say they will be in a recession in 2012. the bad news, there's an 86% correlation between european gdp and u.s. gdp. and there's seemingly our largest trading partner representing 20% of our exports. >> if they're the experts there's a high probability that we will be in a recession, next year. i think there's enough strength in the econo

lieutenant colonel bill cowan joining us. >> thank you.regg: congress cutting a deal on the payroll tax cut but this fight is far from over. we're going to tell but the next big fight brewing upon capitol hill. plus an american soldier travels halfway around the globe for what he calls the best christmas gift ever. the heart-warming story you do not want to miss. >> it was just unbearable. i didn't even know what i was going to do. went through so much trial and tribulations for him to get here it was almost surreal. i couldn't believe he was actually there. heather: welcome back. we have some new details this morning on that horrific christmas shooting in texas that left a family of seven dead. investigators say that the victims identities, they will likely be released today. now the shooter who was a member of the family, allegedly opened fire just after everyone opened their presents and then turned gun on himself. we are told he was wearing a santa outfit. no word yet on the motive. gregg: a heart-breaking end to the search for a missi

as claudia cowan reporteds it will slash your bills. >> reporter: with its shriek design, the $250 netearning thermostat aims to revolutionize home heat and cooling and lower energy bills. >> if you look at the herm statste look like 90 beige box computers way back when. what we have done is brought a little bit of magic and said maybe you should think about this differently. >> reporter: the nest isn't just hit with glowing colors and built-in wi- fi, but over time determines comfort levels. >> it learns your patterns and replays it back to you, so you don't have to program it. >> reporter: lick wheel technology made sense to those former apple executives who helped to develop the ipod. they thought the thermostat was due for an overhaul. >>currently my thermostat is at 62 and i believe i'm conserving. the leaf shows up relative to what you normally like. if you like 72 degrees in the cooling system, the leaf will show up at 73-74 to nudge you out of your comfort zone slightly. >> palo alto architect patrick everett sayss it's too soon it know in he lowered his energy bill, he is payi

bill: bernie goldberg will analyze. are politics taking over hollywood? rob low and james cowan have a few things to say about that. >> wayne was like an intim day or two. >> bill: me? >> not going to work with me. >> bill: where does roseanne barr stand politically? >> i was raised a socialist. >> bill: plus senator marco rubio and the culture warriors right now. caution, you are about to enter the no spin zone, the factor begins right now. captions by closed captioning services >> bill: i'm bill o'reilly. thanks for watching this special edition of the factor where we will share with you some of the most memorable segments from the last few months. we start things off tonight with our pal bernie goldberg and somef his best moments on the factor. i don't want to pick on mr. gregory but obviously a leading question and he he throws his opinion in well a president can't do very much about the economy. i think most people disagree with that roll it? >> the president can really effect foreign policy. those are where the leadership moments are made he can't do a whole lot about the

bills. compaharge is now gone. the company called it a convenience fee. national correspondent lee cowan reports? called it something else-- adudly. >> reporter: if verizon had hoped announcing a new $2 fee in th the middle of the holidays would go unnoticed, the response on the internet quickly proved them wrong. esthin minutes online petition drives blossomed and so did the youtube rants. >> i will be making your life mll! >> reporter: some customers came to voice their displeasure in person. like alex soto. >> if they tack anymore fees to my phone bill i'm ready to take hike. >> reporter: the $2 charge was supposed to apply to anyone making single payments on line or by phone. verizon tried to clarify the fee edday saying it was needed to offset the costs of processing those last-minute payments. th even the f.c.c. seemed dubious, threatening to launch an investigation. igatiote tonight verizon tonited. in a statement posted on the company's web site: >> i think companies are finally starting to realize they can not lyckel and dime consumer an tnymore. >> reporter: this woman says here's a cle