Perspective Podcast - January 21st, 2011
Post a CommentIn this edition of Perspective...
Massive Mafia Sweep.
The nicknames are straight out of an episode of "The Sopranos". Names like "Meatball", "Jimmy Gooch", and "Junior Lollipops". But, if you thought the mafia is just a throwback that makes for good movies, the FBI reminded us this week that it is alive and well. In the bureau's biggest mob roundup ever, 800 agents spanned out across four states and Italy, putting 127 suspects behind bars on charges ranging from money laundering, to murder. ABC's Pierre Thomas has more.
Epic Mob Bust.
It is hard to imagine there will ever be a terrorist museum the way there will soon be a mob museum in Las Vegas. In a in simpler time, men with Sicilian surnames and sharkskin suits were the very embodiment of domestic terror in blue collar neighborhoods. But, this week brought proof that "La Cosa Nostra" is not quite ready for museum moth-balls. So, what is the state of the modern mafia and is it anything like the brand made famous by Brando? ABC's Bill Weir asked a few who know.
Boy Scouts Tragedy.
Almost three million young people belong to the Boy Scouts and collectively they spend millions of hours a year outdoors. On most excursions the greatest hazards scouts face are mosquito bites or campfire ghost story scares. But, on several high-profile occasions, now going back to the 1990's, things have gone terribly wrong. The question then becomes who, if anyone, is at fault? ABC's John Donvan investigates.
Dying Banker Tells All.
What would you do if you only had months to live? Wall Street insider Gordon Murray was faced with that very question after being diagnosed with a brain tumor for a second time. Murray, who had spent his career on Wall Street working for Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, set off on a mission to level the investment playing field by bringing the knowledge of Wall Street to the little guy on Main Street. ABC's David Wright explains.
Groupon.
It is one of the fastest growing companies the internet has ever seen, combining savvy social networking and recession era belt-tightening. Groupon provides discounts on everything from dinners to days spas, all at the click of a mouse. Is this startup just another dot com craze or has its young founder started a shopping revolution? ABC's Chris Bury takes a look.
Regis By the Numbers.
With apologies to James Brown, he is the other "Hardest working man in show business". From talk shows, to game shows, to sitcoms, and even cameo appearances, Regis Philbin has spent his life with us in front of the camera. But this week, he announced that he would retire. ABC's Jeremy Hubbard takes a look at the career of Regis, by the numbers.
Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: Jason Wesalo
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