Perspective Podcast - June 24, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Obama & Afghan Drawdown.

On Wednesday evening, President Obama addressed the nation and told them he was ready to start drawing down the number of troops in Afghanistan more quickly than previously planned.  Polls show the American public is largely in favor of this withdrawal, but the president's top military advisors were not as enthusiastic.  They wanted more time.  So, almost ten years after the attacks of September 11th and seven weeks after the killing of Osama Bin Laden, does the president really think our work in Afghanistan is almost done?  ABC's Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz reports.

Afghan Outlook.

President Obama spoke about the successes in Afghanistan that led to the decision to withdraw American troops from the region.  So what has changed on the ground in Afghanistan due to presence of the American military?  ABC's Nick Shifrin who is currently in Kabul. has reported from the region for over three years and spoke with ABC's Steven Portnoy.

Tiger Moms.

Dr. Spock's "Baby and Child Care" book has sold more than 50 million copies since its 1946 publication, second only to the bible.  But now a new kind of parenting book is flying off of the shelves and the author we spoke with has critics roaring about her sharp-clawed advice, packaged under the title, "The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother".  Here's ABC's Juju Chang to talk with the author and a few moms of different stripes.

James Ray Verdict.

When paramedics arrived on the scene, they thought it was a mass suicide.  Bodies were everywhere outside a sweat lodge in Arizona, 18 injured, with three more dying or already dead.  But it wasn't a suicide, it was a spiritual exercise led by a self-help guru who urged followers to break through their limitations.  Well this week, a jury found him accountable in the deaths.  ABC's Dan Harris has been following the story from the start.  

The Mormon Moment.

Many American's knowledge of the Mormon Church may be limited to casual associations with Salt Lake City, polygamy, or pairs of missionaries in neck ties going door to door.  But that may be about to change.  Mormons and Mormonism, or at least highly imagined versions of them, are now front and center on several of the country's biggest stages, from Broadway to the 2012 presidential campaign. ABC's Jonathan Karl got exclusive access to the newest face of the Republican field and starts us there.  

Economy of Summer Movies.

It's summer time, so that naturally means pirates terrorizing the high seas, cowboys in shootouts against aliens and flying saucers vaporizing entire national capitals.  All in good fun of course.  It's blockbuster season and this year a cash strapped Hollywood has geared up for go-for-broke sequels, knock-offs and smash-ups, plus maybe a surprise or two.  ABC's David Wright takes a sneak peak at all the big summer movies.  

Host:  Cheri Preston

Producer:  Jason Wesalo

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