Year End Perspective Podcast - December 23, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Top U.S. Stories of 2011
We begin with some of the top stories of 2011.  The death of one of the most infamous terrorists ... an attack on an Arizona congresswoman ... the end of an era in space travel.  ABC's Jim Hickey has the details.

Big Trials of 2011
2011 was also a year of high profile trials.  A mother accused of killing her child ... a doctor implicated in the death of a pop icon ... and a student set free after four years in prison.  ABC's Alex Stone reports on the biggest trials of 20-11.

2011 Economy Year in Review
2011 was marked by a year of turmoil on Wall Street.  An extremely volatile stock market ... a european debt crisis ... and protests both overseas ... and at home.  Here's ABC's Richard Davies.

International Stories of 2011
2011 was a busy year overseas ... with a royal wedding extravaganza ... a harrowing attack in Europe ... and a devastating natural disaster in Asia.  ABC's Tom Rivers reports from London.

The Arab Spring
2011 was also a year of revolutions throughout the Arab world.  The people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Syria rose up and revolted against their countries dictators, marking what is now referred to as the "Arab Spring."  ABC's Linda Albin has the details.

The Year in Entertainment
Music, movies, and celebrity drama ... they were all part of the headlines in 2011.  ABC's David Blaustein and Jason Nathanson  report on the years top entertainment stories.

The Year in Sports
20-11 was a rocky year in the world of sports.  Lock outs and labor talks threatened both the NFL and NBA seasons, while a child sex abuse scandal took down an iconic college football coach.  ABC's Rich Cantu has the details.

Remembering Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs was a visionary ... a genius ... some even called him a modern day Einstein.  Jobs passed away on October 5th ... at just 56 ... after an eight-year battle with cancer.  He was mourned by millions around the world and was Barbara Walters' choice as "Most Fascinating Person of the Year."  Here's ABC's Bill Weir.

Remembering Amy Winehouse
Another lost life in 2011 was Amy Winehouse.  The singer was found dead in her London home on July 23rd ... an unintended consequence of drinking too much alcohol.  Here's ABC's Jason Nathanson.

Remembering Elizabeth Taylor
She became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age.  Elizabeth Taylor was recognized for her acting ability, glamorous lifestyle, and beauty.  Taylor died on March 23rd at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital due to congestive heart failure.  She was 79.  Here's ABC's Diana Alvear.

Remembering Andy Rooney
Andy Rooney's weekly riffs about the absurdities of everyday life made him one of television's longest-running commentators.  Rooney passed away due to complications following a minor surgery on November 4th ... just weeks after his farewell broadcast on "60 Minutes."  He was 92.  Here's ABC's Bill Diehl.

Remembering Al Davis
Al Davis was the Hall of Fame owner of the Oakland Raiders known for his rebellious spirit.  He died from congestive heart failure on October 8th ... at the age of 82.  Here's ABC's John Cloghessy.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - December 16, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Doctors with Heart
It's a story far from American shores ... but with deep connections to this country.  Liberia, on the west coast of Africa, came into being when freed slaves from the U-S settled there in 1822.  But that hopeful beginning dissolved into a horrific 14-year civil war ... leaving the country and its health care system in ruins.  Only 60 doctors remained ... and not a single pediatrician among them.  As ABC's Cynthia McFadden reports, that's where two young American doctors come in.

Drugs and Foster Care, Part 1
For the past year, ABC has been investigating the use of psychotropic drugs on America's foster children.  In many cases, these are children already traumatized by abuse, neglect and abandonment.  And a new report says sometimes even *infants* are being given these powerful drugs.  Of course, drugs *can* be useful ... but should they be the first option?  Here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Drugs and Foster Care, Part 2
We now return to our year-long ABC investigation on the use of psychotropic drugs on America's foster children ... kids being prescribed a shocking quantity of pills, often without the therapy they say they crave.  ABC's Sharyn Alfonsi caught up with the doctors prescribing those pills.

Drugs and Foster Care, Part 3
We return now to our investigation of the use of mind-altering drugs on foster children across America.  This time we visit a place offering these kids some hope.  Once again here's ABC's Diane Sawyer.

Drugs and Foster Care, Part 4
As part of our year-long ABC investigation on the use of psychotropic drugs on foster children ... we took our questions to the U-S government.  What we encountered were agencies referring us back to each other, and the Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services declined our request for an interview.  ABC's Diane Sawyer *did* speak to Robert Nelson of the Food and Drug Administration ... which regulates drugs in this country.  She asked him who's going to fix this problem.

Drugs and Foster Care, Part 5
And there are others besides Senator Carper doing everything they can to help.  ABC's Diane Sawyer met with one such family who is also working to change the lives of these children.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast -December 9, 2011

In this edition Perspective...

Syria: A Dictator Speaks
In an exclusive interview,  ABC's Barbara Walters traveled to Syria to speak with the country's embattled dictator.  She is the first reporter allowed access to the country since a revolution began there nine months ago.  We turn now to her extraordinary interview with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.

Syria: On the Streets
After the nine-month virtual media blackout in Syria, President Assad told ABC's Barbara Walters and her team they were free to go anywhere in the country and ask anyone whatever questions they'd like.  So ABC's Alex Marquardt, who was traveling with Walters, went to where the rebellion started to see if Assad's assertion was true.

Pat Summitt and Alzheimer's
She is a living legend who has given incredible memories to countless students and sports fans.  But now, Pat Summitt is losing her own memories as she battles the ultimate game changer ... early onset Alzheimer's.  ABC's Robin Roberts spoke to Summitt about her battle with the debilitating disease.

The Business of Collecting Pennies
In this tough economy, Americans continue to find all kinds of enterprising ways to make a buck.  However, the latest example is raising eyebrows ... it's an item collecting in jars, rattling in dryers, and hiding in coaches.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky explains.

Fighting Back Against Cancer
It turns out that the growing sense of the rich getting richer while the rest of Americans are just jogging in place is accurate.  The congressional budget office reports that over the past thirty years, the income of the wealthiest 1-percent has shot up 275-percent, and as ABC's Cynthia McFadden reports, when it comes to health care, that kind of imbalance may even determine who lives and who dies.

Paul Anka
It's holiday time, and one original teen idol is out with his first seasonal album in more than half a century.  You've heard Paul Anka's voice grace many iconic holiday anthems, and ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Bill Diehl sat down to talk to him about his most recent work.

Host:  Alex Stone
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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