Perspective Podcast - October 21, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Gadhafi Killed
We begin with the death of another loathed middle-eastern tyrant ... a man who sponsored international terror for decades.  This week, rebel forces in Libya finally killed Moammar Gadhafi.  In the wake of his death, his body was dragged through the streets so the Libyan people could see him dead ... in order to actually believe he was gone for good.  ABC's Christiane Amanpour -- the last western journalist to interview Gadhafi -- has the details.

President Obama's Bus Tour
At a time when a lot of Americans are having difficulty making ends meet, people are desperately looking for leadership on the economy.  Meanwhile, President Barack Obama took to the road this week, on a bus tour to tout his jobs plan.  ABC Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper joined the president on his trip and spoke to him about getting the country back on track.

G.O.P. Presidential Debate
We now turn to the GOP Presidential race.  The fifth republican debate since labor day took place in Las Vegas this week, and the candidates focused on the economy ... and each other.  The attacks turned personal at times ... including more than one yelling match.  ABC Senior Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl has the story.

Animals On The Run
Big cats were on the loose this week in small town America.  An animal preserve owner set dozens of deadly animals free just before taking his own life.  What followed was a tense, dangerous, and very surreal suburban safari ... with police officers using 911 calls to track down the animals.  Here's ABC's David Kerley.

Indy Care Race
We turn now to a tragedy this week in Las Vegas ... where an indy car driver, speeding at hundreds of miles an hour, lost his life on the racetrack.  Here's ABC's Terry Moran.

James Cameron
James Cameron used groundbreaking technology, giant budgets, and sheer force of will to make Titanic and Avatar two of the most successful movies of all time.  Updates of both films are in the works, but sequels aren't enough for this man.  While imagining and creating other planets, he wants to save this one.  ABC's Bill Weir explains.

Relatively Speaking
It's a triple play on Broadway, and we're not talking baseball.  It's a trio of one-act plays titled "Relatively Speaking" ... written by Ethan Coen, Elaine May, and Woody Allen.  ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Bill Diehl caught up with some of the stars ... including Marlo Thomas.

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast

Perspective Podcast - October 14, 2011

In this edition of Perspective ...

8th Grade Classroom Murder, Part 1
It's a tale of two boys.  One is a star athlete .. the other sometimes wore heels and makeup to class.  It's an extreme story about what schoolyard bullying can lead to ... in this case, an execution-style murder.  Here's ABC's Juju Chang...

8th Grade Classroom Murder, Part 2
We return now to the tale of a classroom murder in Oxnard California.  Here's ABC's Juju Chang...

8th Grade Classroom Murder, Part 3
We return to the 2008 execution-style murder in an 8th grade California classroom, where prosecutors in the case believe that the murder of teenager Larry King was a hate crime.  They argue that defendant Brandon McInerney associated with an avowed white separatist named Matt Reaume.  The prosecution wanted Reaume to testify, but said they were unable to find him.  However he did speak to us, after a private investigator hired by Brandon's defense team tracked him down.  Once again, here's ABC' Juju Chang...

8th Grade Classroom Murder, Part 4
We return now to the horrific murder in an 8th grade California classroom, where student Larry King was shot twice, at point-blank, buy classmate Brandon McInerney.  Now, we hear from the jurors who decided Brandon's fate.  Once again, here's ABC's Juju Chang...

Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan used to be a professional wrestler.  But since then he's ran into some trouble ... and now he's starting over with a new wife and a new show.  The former wrestler says he's humbled by what he's been through, but if he had the chance, he'd do it all over again.  Here's ABC's Andrea Canning...

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or Stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast

Perspective Podcast - October 7, 2011

In this edition of Perspective ...

Steve Jobs
He was our Edison ... our Disney.  Steve Jobs was one of the most successful businessmen of our generation, but deep down, he was an artist who worked in metal and glass ... plastic and pixels ... and the ideas that live inside his machines completely changed our definition of form and function.  After surviving pancreatic cancer and a 2009 liver transplant, the 56-year-old founding-father of Apple Computer passed away this week.  He is mourned by his wife, four children, and millions around the world.  Here's ABC's Bill Weir...

Bob Iger Remembers Steve Jobs
The year after he was fired from Apple -- back in the mid 80s -- Steve Jobs bought a small graphics computing company from George Lucas called Pixar.  A decade and several mega-hits later, Pixar was bought by Disney, bringing Jobs closer than ever to the CEO of ABC's parent company, Bob Iger.  In the wake of Jobs' death, we spoke to Iger and asked him what it was like to watch Steve Jobs create...

The Verdict In The Amanda Knox Trial
After four years, the odyssey for Amanda Knox and her family is finally over.  The American student from Seattle convicted of brutally killing her British roommate was freed from prison this week after a reversal in an Italian court.  She has now returned to Seattle with her family ... who has stood by her from day one and always believed in her innocence.  Here's ABC's Elizabeth Vargas...

Amanda Knox Returns Home
We now turn to the Seattle airport, where Amanda Knox returned home just one day after her release from prison in Italy.  After a nine hour flight, she cleared customs and stepped up to a microphone to address her supporters.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky was there...

10 Years Of War In Afghanistan
Ten years ago, President Bush sent America to war in Afghanistan.  There has been progress, but we still don't know whether it's sustainable ... and it's come at a tremendous cost.  Here's ABC's Christiane Amanpour...

America's Cheapest Family
While most regular people can't do much to control the economy, what they *can* control is their household budget.  And now we talk to one family that has it's own spending down to a science.  ABC's Ryan Owens explains...

Frugal Is The New Chic
Some experts say there is a one in three chance of a double-dip recession, but there is also evidence that the American spirit of resilience is kicking in.  Families are tightening the proverbial belt, and as one businessman put it ... frugal is the new chic.  ABC's Jim Avila has more...

Goldie Hawn
According to Unicef, American kids are among the least happy kids in the world.  There are plenty of reasons and few solutions.  But one Academy Award-winning actress says that a couple of minutes every day can make a huge difference.  Goldie Hawn, known for her sunny personality, is trying to restore happiness, one school at a time.  ABC's Cynthia McFadden spoke to Hawn at her home in New York City...

Host:  Cheri Preston
Producer:  Colin Tipton

Download or Stream this edition of the Perspective Podcast