Perspective Podcast - February 24, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Journalist Lost in Syria
Many were killed in Syria this week, as President Assad's brutal assault on his own people continues.  One of the dead was an American, Marie Colvin, a journalist legendary for her courage.  For a decade, she risked her life reporting to the world.  ABC's Christiane Amanpour worked alongside her.

UVA Murder Sentence
We turn now to the verdict in an emotional trial concerning two University of Virginia lacrosse players.  George Huguely was convicted of the second degree murder of his girlfriend, Yeardley Love, and sentenced to 26 years in prison.  ABC's Reena Ninan reports from Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Real Navy S.E.A.Ls
And now to the real-life heroes that took out Osama Bin Laden.  A lot of what the Navy S.E.A.Ls do sounds like something out of an action movie, and now there *is* a movie starring actual S.E.A.Ls in real training for future missions.  ABC Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz has the details

Mother-Out-Law
By now you may have heard the audio -- a man's confrontation with his mother-in-law that suddenly turned to gunfire.  Criminal charges have been filed against her for shooting her son-in-law, but the alleged victim has never given an interview about the incident until now.  Here's ABC's Matt Gutman.

Shopaholics
Now a new report from the federal reserve shows that consumer debt rose 7.5 percent at the end of last year.  Much of that debt was racked up on credit cards.  Today, we meet a woman on the extreme end of that trend who says she cannot stop charging, even for items she doesn't need at all.  ABC's Cecilia Vega has the details.

A New Approach to Casual Dining
Pizza is a 30 billion dollar a year business, and one of the biggest pizza chains in the country, Uno Chicago Grill, says a pizza revolution is on its way.  The company's adding gluten-free crust and other healthy items to its menu.  To learn more, ABC's Cynthia McFadden went their test kitchen just outside Boston.

iFactory: Inside Apple, Part 1
Apple Computer sold 93 million iPhones and 40 million iPads last year, and overwhelming demand has raised uncomfortable questions about how those products are made and how the people who make them are treated.  A few weeks ago, we were invited to witness the first-ever third-party audit of its biggest Chinese supplier, Foxconn.  For the record, Apple and ABC's parent company Disney have strong ties.  Our CEO sits on their board, and the Steve Jobs Trust is Disney's largest individual shareholder.  However, ABC News agreed to report on Foxconn only if we could do so independently.  Here's ABC's Bill Weir.

iFactory: Inside Apple, Part 2
We continue our ABC exclusive look at the Chinese company that makes electronic gadgets for companies such as Apple.  Given the grim headlines about Foxconn in the past few years, many might wonder why anyone would want to work there, but we discovered China has very different values when it comes to gainful employment.  Once again, here's ABC's Bill Weir.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - February 17, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

Honeymoon Killer?
We begin with a chilling story that has many wondering was it love or money?  It was an exotic honeymoon that came to a horrifying end.  The bride, Tina Watson, lifeless on the ocean floor, with husband Gabe on the surface.  Was he calling for help or guilty of murder?  ABC's Elizabeth Vargas has the story.

The Lin-sanity Continues
And now a more uplifting story of an unlikely rise to stardom.  Jeremy Lin's exploits on the basketball court have amazed many over the past couple weeks.  The New York Knicks guard has shattered all expectations and finally made the move from his brother's couch to a swanky new apartment.  ABC's John Berman has the latest about the NBA benchwarmer turned superstar.

The Secret Facebook Millionaire
Just weeks ago, Facebook announced it would sell stock to the public for the first time.  Instantly, the company was valued at more than 75 billion dollars ... shattering records overnight.  In that moment, thousands of millionaires and billionaires were born.  Many were employees, executives, and venture capitalists, but there is also one very *unlikely* Facebook tycoon.  Here's ABC's Barbara Walters.

Hates Religion, Loves Jesus?
In this day and age, religion has moved to the web, with many posting religious messages on sites like YouTube.  And today we meet one young, online preacher with an unorthodox and controversial message.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky has the details.

Remembering Whitney Houston, Part 1
Almost no one had what Whitney Houston had -- a talent so big that millions of fans gave their hearts to her and and the songs she sang.  But last weekend, just the night before the Grammy Awards, the world lost Whitney Houston at the age of 48.  Today, we look back at her storied career and the moments leading up to her death.  Here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Remembering Whitney Houston, Part 2
Remembering the life of Whitney Houston -- her unparalleled singing success and powerful personal demons.  Once again, here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Remembering Whitney Houston, Part 3
There are very few songs that enjoy success as epic as Whitney Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You," but that song was almost never even recorded.  To find out more, ABC's Cynthia McFadden sat down with the producer behind the mega-hit.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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Perspective Podcast - February 10, 2012

In this edition of Perspective...

A Shocking End to the Powell Family
We begin with an explosion of fire that ended three lives amidst a volatile and very public family drama.  The victims were two little boys.  The suicidal perpetrator was their father, Josh Powell,  a man suspected -- but never charged -- in the disappearance of his wife two years ago.  The boy's grandparents said they feared the father was capable of violence, and now there is terrible confirmation of their suspicions.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky has the details.

The Powell Caseworker's Story
Only Josh Powell and his sons know what really happened in the moments before their death.  However, Elizabeth Griffin-Hall, the caseworker with the Powell children, was just outside the door to their house moments before it exploded.  ABC's Chris Cuomo spoke to her to find out more.
    
Josh Powell's Sister Speaks
After the death of her brother and his two sons, Josh's sister Alina Powell is speaking out in an exclusive ABC News interview.  She tells ABC's Abbie Boudreau why she thinks Josh took his life and the lives of his two children.

Mystery Malady
Now to a medical mystery that has thrust the small town of Le Roy, New York into the spotlight.  The victims of this mystery malady are almost all teenage girls -- classmates at the local high school -- exhibiting a tic similar to turrets syndrome.  Could it be something in the water causing their condition?  In the air?  Or in their heads?  Here's ABC's Cynthia McFadden.

Preparing for Doomsday
We now turn to the anticipation of impending doom.  People have been predicting the end of the world forever.  But this year, doomsday predictions seem to be widespread, whether it's the Mayan calendar or melting ice caps.  Now we meet a diverse collection of people who aren't just sitting around and waiting for the worst, they're preparing to live through it.  Here's ABC's David Wright.

Tasers: The Shocking Truth
Tasers are intended to be safe alternatives to deadly firearms, yet several people die every year after being shocked by them.  Is the weapon to blame or is it poorly trained, inexperienced users of the device?  ABC's Bill Weir reports.

The Slammer Newspaper
Innocent until proven guilty, that's how American Justice is supposed to work.  But it's not always the case when it comes to public opinion, especially when mug shots - pictures snapped in the harsh light of a police precinct - are plastered all over the front page of a local newspaper.  ABC's Ryan Owens has the details.

Losing Big
This is the story of one woman so obese she nearly lost the ability to move.  Weighing in at nearly seven-hundred pounds, she made the decision to beat her addiction.  Here's ABC's Juju Chang.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

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