Perspective Podcast - April 8th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Governor Chris Christie.

The battle over America's fiscal health has raged from the capital to state houses across the nation.  This includes the state of New Jersey where "Chris Christie for president" has become a rallying cry for a growing number of conservatives.  The governor hit the national stage by breathing fire at big government and aiming punchlines at the teacher's union.  Aside from Republican fans, his style has earned him one high-profile enemy named "Springsteen" and constant questions about his White House ambitions.  ABC's Diane Sawyer covers them all in an exclusive interview.  

Inside Libya.

General Carter Ham, the leader of the U.S. campaign in Libya, told Congress this week, that before America moves to arm rebels there, "My recommendation would be that we should know more about who they are".  ABC's Terry Moran set out to try to fill in some of the blanks.  From Cairo, he made his way west, crossed the Libyan border, and traveled along the Mediterranean coast to the rebel stronghold of Derna.

Survivalists.

The world, especially lately, seems like a dangerous place, with wars raging, reports of earthquakes, tsunamis and nuclear contamination.  So, we wondered if disaster strikes, will we be ready?  Emergency supply retailers and military surplus stores nationwide have seen business boom, as have extreme survivalist training camps.  ABC's John Donvan takes us there.  

Teen Pregnancy.

The statistic is staggering.  If you know six teen girls in this country, the odds are that at least one of them is pregnant.  When it comes to kids having kids, America is number one in the developed world, with a rate twice as high as the U.K. And three times higher than Canada.  In recent years reality television shows devoted to the hardships of teen motherhood have become such hits, that their subjects now receive magazine cover fame, where shame was once the norm.  With a look at the mothers of unplanned consequences, here's ABC's Juju Chang. 

Food Revolution.

Revolution has been in the news a lot lately, usually in a Middle Eastern or North African country and involving freedom.  The revolution we want to tell you about next is in this country and it involves food. The leader isn't an American.  It's a Brit who wants to change how Americans eat.  ABC's Aaron Katersky puts it into perspective.

Forest Kids.

What is more important for a 5-year-old to learn?  The abc's or the sounds of a bird call?  We had a chance to visit a kindergarten class in Washington where everyday is a field trip.  ABC's Sharyn Alfonsi explains.  

Host: Cheri Preston

Producer: Jason Wesalo

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