November 19, 2006: Open Lines - Dealin' with the Devil

Art Bell opens with world news including Henry Kissinger's declaration that military victory in Iraq is no longer possible and the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in London. The scheduled guest, NASA Mars rover camera scientist Jim Bell, cannot connect from his New York hotel due to poor phone infrastructure, leading Art to note that the Philippines has superior telecommunications.

Open lines bring a wide range of callers. Art reads a detailed article on cattle mutilations in Montana, where a rancher found his cow surgically carved with no blood, no footprints, and no predator activity. He discusses Uri Geller's claim that a remote viewer helped locate Saddam Hussein in his underground hiding place. A caller from New Jersey describes making a mental deal with the devil during a difficult period, after which his luck with gambling and relationships improved.

Art solicits more callers who have struck deals with the devil and speaks with a self-described Satanist from Iowa whose wife introduced him to Anton LaVey's philosophy. Throughout the evening, Art debates the Iraq war with callers, arguing that while the U.S. has the military power to win, the political will is lacking, drawing parallels to the Vietnam experience.