Perspective Podcast - April 1st, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Radiation Fears.

Fears of radiation exposure were stirred anew this week in the United states.  The FDA reported higher than normal levels of radioactive iodine in milk samples in California and Washington.  However, those levels were tiny, far less than those that we are exposed to naturally everyday.  They are 5,000 times below the danger threshold.  Yet, the contamination around Japan's stricken nuclear plant remains very dangerous.  ABC's David Wright explains.  

U.S. Nuclear Dangers.

It is a revelation of a record of safety violations at America's nuclear plants.  The United States is the home to 104 reactors across 31 states, with some of them located on fault lines.  But nuclear regulatory commission safety records show more than 50 violations at U.S. Nuclear plants from 2007 through 2011. Now there is a move on Capitol Hill to block licenses for new plants.  Here's ABC's Pierre Thomas with our report.  

Earthquake Report.

Science can predict to the second when the sun will set tomorrow.  We know how the tides move, when to expect meteor showers, can foresee volcanic eruptions and can track hurricanes closely enough to name them.  But what science cannot do with any precision at all, despite the high stakes involved, is tell us where and when the next big earthquake will hit.  So, what makes it so hard?  ABC's Yunji de Nies explains.  

Prince Harry.

In just four weeks, Prince Harry will be in formal dress, military attire the rumor is, appearing as the best man in his brother's wedding.  But right now, he is about as far from Westminster Abbey as could be.  He is sleeping on a glacier, somewhere deep inside the arctic circle.  ABC's Bob Woodruff caught up with the prince on his trek to the north pole.

Marco Rubio.

39-year-old Senator Marco Rubio is not the first young, attractive, Capitol Hill newcomer to be crowned "the next big thing" in American politics.  Maybe it is worth noting that just a few years ago, a young legislator from Illinois carried that mantle and now he answers to the title "Mr. President".  ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl got a behind the scenes look at the life of the freshman senator.

South Park:  "The Book of Mormon".

Months ago if you had to bet on the success of a pending Broadway production, would you have put your money on the one about "Spider-Man" directed by "Lion King" legend Julie Taymor and the guys from U2, or the one about Mormons by the potty mouthed duo from "South Park"?  Yes, believe it or not, the guys who redefined crude animation are the darlings of the theater district, with a musical critics are calling "sweet and heartwarming".  How did this happen?  ABC's Jake Tapper found out.

Bethany Hamilton.

The mere idea of a shark attack is enough to keep a lot of people out of the deep water.  But the reality of an attack was not enough to stop surfer Bethany Hamilton from jumping back in.  She had a chance to share her incredible story with us, a story that she is still writing, most days with a board on the face of a wave.  ABC's Abbie Boudreau has more.  

Host: Cheri Preston

Producer: Jason Wesalo

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