Words matter and Bill O'Reilly's words about how David Corn deserves to be in a "kill zone" have those at Mother Jones concerned for Corn's safety. And well they should be, given the death threats that follow Bill's occasional fatwas.

In speaking with TV Newser, regarding Corn's Mother Jones article about O'Reilly's journalistic "inconsistencies," O'Reilly claimed that he was being "defamed" because "everything I said is true." He continued to defend himself: "I’ve talked to about eight or nine reporters, and when they verify what I’m saying, because it’s easily verifiable, then I expect David Corn to be in the kill zone. Where he deserves to be. CBS News has the footage to this day. Everything I said about my reportorial career. Everything is accurate."

While the "kill zone" thing might just be an O'Reilly metaphor, it has the folks at Mother Jones very concerned that some of Bill's followers could take it seriously. As such, they have sent a letter to Fox expressing their concerns and requesting that O'Reilly apologize for the remark.

"... We are writing with alarm about Bill O’Reilly’s response to our report investigating his characterizations of his reporting in “war zones.” We welcome criticism, but calling for our reporter “to be in the kill zone” crosses a line.  Like everyone in media today, we are concerned about the safety of our staff. We’d have hoped that statements with this kind of violent tone would not come from a fellow media professional..."

In attacking Dr. George Tiller as a "killer," Bill O'Reilly contributed to a climate of hatred in which the doctor was assassinated. O'Reilly never apologized to Tiller's widow and odds are that he won't apologize for his comment about Corn.

Words matter.