Perspective Podcast - June 17th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Anthony Weiner Resignation.

Democrat Congressman Anthony Weiner resigned on Thursday, after weeks of fallout over lewd pictures and messages he sent to women on the Internet.  House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who was among those prominent Democrats calling all week for his resignation released a statement saying, "Congressmen Weiner exercised poor judgment in his actions and poor judgment in his reaction to the revelations.  Today he made the right judgment in resigning."  So why did Weiner finally decide to go? ABC's Jonathan Karl explains.

Life After Scandal.

There has become a familiar narrative in America, scandal overwhelms a politician, then the mea culpa and then eventually public redemption.  ABC's Jake Tapper describes how long it takes for a damaged public figure to travel that road.

Newt Gingrich Investigation.

The 2012 Republican Presidential hopefuls held their first nationally televised debate.  Representative Michelle Bachman stole much of the night's thunder by declaring she was in fact running for president. Then former Utah Governor John Huntsman said he would formally jump into the race next week.  But one candidate who has made news early and often is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.  ABC's Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross takes a look at how running for president could benefit Gingrich, whether he wins or not.

Iraqi Translators.

The headlines were shocking.  Five soldiers in the U.S. army, detained on suspicion of being terrorists, out to poison their fellow soldiers.  The military now admits 16 months later that the accusations were unfounded.  But the men in question are finding that there is no going back to life as usual.  ABC's Chief Law and Justice Correspondent Chris Cuomo explains.

Strange Addictions.

We talk a lot about addiction these days to describe everything from compulsive sexual behavior to actual drug use.  But the psychology of addiction remains a mystery to us,  why some people develop a particular form of stimulation.  We are going to take a look at some of the most difficult cases to explain. These are strange addictions, people whose overpowering desires are just inexplicable to the rest of us. ABC's John Donvan explains.

Bees.

And now to something called Colony Collapse Disorder, the name given to a mystery in the world of bee keeping.  In the past few years many millions of honeybees have vanished from their hives.  ABC's Richard Davies says a new documentary seeks to find out why.

Rock Fantasy Camp.

Many kids of all ages will attend some sort of camp this summer.  Whether it is a day camp, sleep-away camp, one that specializes in a sport or music, there are all kinds of types geared towards different interests.  But, what about camps for adults?  For many of us the thought of becoming a rock star sure beats the everyday routine of going work, but that may seem like a far-fetched fantasy.  Now there is a camp where adults can live out their dreams with their musical heroes.  ABC's Bill Weir had a chance to attend a Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.  

Host:  Cheri Preston

Producer:  Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - June 10th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Afghanistan:  Are We Winning?

73% of Americans say the U.S. should withdraw a substantial number of combat forces from Afghanistan this summer.  That is according to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll that was released this past week.  ABC's Diane Sawyer in Afghanistan, had a chance to speak with two men who have a great deal of influence over what comes next in this war.  

Designer Drugs.

They have got everyday names like spice and bath salts, but they are not used like everyday products.  In fact, they can be lethal.  They are the latest designer drugs your kids may be using, even bragging about on YouTube.  What is even more terrifying, is that they are completely legal.  Here is ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross.  

School of Shock.

There is news on a story ABC News has been reporting on for four years about a controversial method for treating children with disabilities, literally giving them electrical skin shocks to change their behaviors.  It is used by the Judge Rottenberg Center in Massachusetts, a school that stood behind the practice even after the head of the U.N. Office on Torture condemned it and the Justice Department launched an investigation.  But now, a new development.  ABC's Cynthia McFadden reports.  

Dukan Diet Controversy.

Tens of millions of Americans go on diets each year, and each year there are tens of millions of arguments over whether this diet or that diet actually works.  Most of those are friendly debates.  But recently, a disagreement about whether a diet works and even whether it is safe ended up in court, when Dr. Pierre Dukan, the inventor of the renowned Dukan Diet, sued a rival for libel.  We first brought you the controversial diet on Perspective in May, when one highly visible guest used it as a way to slim down leading up to Royal Wedding.  ABC's Juju Chang has the update.

Pizza Recession.

Americans have adopted all kinds of frugality plans these days, including what you might call, "The Pizza Plan".  Eating more pizza during the recession has sent shares of Pizza Hut up 14% this year, Papa Johns is up 20% and Domino's up more than 50%.  ABC's John Berman explains.  

Kristen Wiig.

Any fan of "Saturday Night Live" has a pretty good feel for cast member evolution.  How at first they seem to appear out of obscurity, being able to walk upright with a few regular characters and then the fittest eventually discover that box office fire.  Well, Kristen Wiig is the latest cast member to make that jump from writer's room favorite to Hollywood headliner.  ABC's Chris Connelly had a chance to catch up with actress.  

Host:  Cheri Preston

Producer:  Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - June 3rd, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

To Buy or to Rent?

Newly released figures show that home prices are still dropping.  The Case Schiller Home Price Index is now 33.1% below its July 2006 peak.  Sound like a good time to buy?  Well, not so fast.  Home ownership levels are falling too, to their lowest levels since 1998.  So, what is going on?  Is the American dream changing?  What is the smartest move in the world of post-bubble real estate?  ABC's Juju Chang set out to answer that question.  

"No Slack" Battalion.

More than 4,400 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq since the war started in 2003 and over 1,500 have died in Afghanistan.  ABC's Mike Boettcher has been embedded for a year, with the "No Slack" Battalion of the 101st Airborne in Kunar Province.  The men were just weeks from coming home when they found themselves in the battle of their lives'.  We have a report that gives meaning to the idea of uncommon valor.  

Little Lizards vs. Big Oil.

Remember the snail darter, the spotted owl, or the gray wolf?  They are endangered animals that some claim in turn, endangered industries like timber, ranching and energy.  Well, there is a new critter in town, a cute one at that.  How do you feel about lizards?  The oil industry is not loving this kind.  ABC's Jonathan Karl explains.  

Peter Thiel.

65% of Americans have college debt and maybe you are one of them.  Total student debt in this country is at nearly $1 trillion, which is greater than total credit card debt.  That is partly because more people are going to college, even as tuition costs skyrocket, having decided that the sacrifice is worth it.  But is it, really?  We meet a man who made billions in Silicone Valley, who says the answer is often, no.  ABC's Linsey Davis has more.  

Cell Phone Hazard.

Are cell phones safe?  That is the question raised by this week's announcement that they have been added to a list of possible carcinogens.  Should you really stop using your phone?  ABC's Dan Harris investigates.

Host:  Cheri Preston

Producer:  Jason Wesalo

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