Perspective Podcast - March 4th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Gadhafi Exclusive Interview.

He was born in a Bedouin tent, came to power in a coo, and for more than 40 years Moammar Gadhafi has stood as one of the most bizarre characters on the world stage.  But while his team of female bodyguards and shifting political allegiances gave an eccentric mystique, Gadhafi ruled Libya like any other tyrant.  After years of oppression a revolution exploded.  This week, Gadhafi's own sons insisted there is no revolution and denied using military force against their own citizens.  But President Obama has called for the leader to step down, sent warships into the region, and ordered a seizure of $30 billion of Libyan assets.  ABC's Christiane Amanpour has an exclusive interview with the longtime leader of a nation on the brink.

Secret Libyan Prisons.

We learned more this week about the secret prison run by the Gadhafi regime in the city of Benghazi.  A recently defected soldier took ABC's Lama Hasan on a tour of the complex were it is said that prisoners were tortured.

Gas Prices.

Oil prices continue to rise as fighting escalates in Libya and petroleum demand continues to grow in the U.S.  Analysts are concerned that the rebellion will endanger Libya's oil fields, which produce 1.6 million barrels per day.  That is only about 2 percent of global demand, but experts say the disruption is putting pressure on world supplies at a time when demand is picking up.  What all this means is that consumers should expect to pay more at the pump.  ABC's Chris Bury explains.

Dangerous Refineries.  

With all that is going in the Middle East, the price of crude oil continues to rise.  To turn that pricey crude into gas for the car, that oil must be refined.  But investigators have found that many refineries here in the U.S. have failed to properly maintain aging equipment.  ABC's Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross explains how this has led to grave concerns.  

Mike Huckabee Interview.

After the smoke cleared following the Iowa caucuses for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, a lot of people were surprised that the runaway winner was former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.  He had a particularly strong following among evangelical voters and women.  He ultimately did not get the nomination in 2008, but will 2012 be a different story?  ABC's Terry Moran tried to find out.  

A Father's Anguish.

Actor Charlie Sheen has partied his way into more than a few jams over the years, but TV's highest paid sitcom star is embroiled in a new controversy, waging a very public battle against the television studio that made him rich. This week his estranged wife filed a restraining order against him and police removed his twin sons from his care.  But while following the actor's comments this week may have been entertaining for some, the issue of addiction is a personal drama all too familiar to millions of American families.  Actor Martin Sheen is watching as his own son, Charlie, grapples with his demons on a national stage.  ABC's Andrea Canning explains.  

Dr. Luke:  Record Producer.

Quincy Jones, Clive Davis, and George Martin.  Some of the most powerful people in pop music are not singers, but producers known for nurturing talent and unlocking sounds.  It is hard to define that skill that is understandably in high demand.  Top producers not only get their pick of projects, but they are richly rewarded for their efforts.  One of today's hottest producers is known as "Dr. Luke".  ABC's Chris Connelly asked him for his secret.

Host: Cheri Preston

Producer: Jason Wesalo

Download or stream this episode of the Perspective Podcast

Perspective Podcast - February 25th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Gadhafi vs. the People.

In just one week, Africa's longest reigning leader Moammar Gadhafi, in office for 41 years, has seen his country gallop into turmoil.  Many observers now believe the question is not whether, but when he will be forced out of office.  ABC's Alex Marquardt has the latest from Libya.  

Gadhafi's History in Power.

He depends on a voluptuous Ukrainian nurse, who is his constant companion, he is afraid of flying over water, and he refuses to climb more than 35 steps at a time.  Those are just a few of Moammar Gadhafi's quirks, as described in U.S. cables exposed by Wikileaks last year.  But, his erratic behavior goes beyond mere quirks.  Now he is slaughtering his own people.  So, just how mad is he?  ABC's Jeffrey Kofman took a look.  

Cruise Ship Rape.  

It is a startling look at crimes, specifically sex crime aboard cruise ships.  No vacation is billed as a carefree escape as much as a cruise.  But, unreported crime on board has become such a problem that Congress recently passed a law requiring cruise lines to report all crime at sea to the FBI.   Now, a brave teenager for the first time, tells her story about how a trip turned into a nightmare at the hands of a cruise employee.  ABC's Vicki Mabrey has the story.  

Salvia:  Legal high?

It is a story about young people and drug use.  Our focus is an herb native to Southern mexico, that causes hallucinations when smoked and can cause the user to lose control of thoughts and actions.  It is called salvia and it is perfectly legal in most states.  But now it is under increased scrutiny following the allegation that the suspect in the Tucson shooting, Jared Loughner was a regular user.  ABC's Terry Moran explains.  

Rand Paul Interview.

If Republicans and Democrats cannot find a way to compromise on spending, the federal government will shutdown on March 4th.  But, what do you think the chances for compromise would be if Senator Rand Paul, the fiery Tea Party newcomer, who wants to abolish the Departments of Education and Energy, was running the show?  ABC's Bill Weir had a chance to sit-down with the senator to find out. 

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall.

It has been a long time since Herb Alpert was blowing his trumpet with the Tijuana Brass.  It might surprise you that now, nearly half a century later, Alpert is still performing, joining his wife on a concert tour to promote their new album.  ABC News Entertainment Correspondent Bill Diehl caught up with the couple at a brief stop-over in New York.  

Fake Twitter Accounts.

When his victory in the Chicago mayor's race became clear this past week, Rahm Emanuel tweeted, "Looking forward to working together as your next mayor".  Meanwhile, messages also went out from two other Twitter accounts bearing Rahm Emanuel's name.  These fake accounts also celebrated the victory, but with torrents of expletives that would make a sailor blush.  ABC's John Berman explains.  

Host: Aaron Katersky

Producer: Jason Wesalo

Download or stream this episode of the Perspective Podcast

Perspective Podcast - February 18th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

American Kidnapped in Japan.

There are several ways for a father to lose a child, all excruciating.  But, the dads you are about to meet are suffering a special kind of frustration.  One day they have beautiful sons or daughters and the next day the child is gone, spirited across the globe with no way to make contact.  What follows is a trip into a diplomatic black hole where all that stands in the way of a reunion is the government of one of America's closest allies.  ABC's Abbie Boudreau traveled to Japan to investigate.  

Getting the Salt Out.  

The average American consumes over 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day.  That is about 2,000 more than the USDA guidelines recommend for most of us.  It turns out that many of the foods that we thought were fine may have too much salt, including some of our favorite snacks.  But does losing the salt mean losing the taste?  And are we really doomed to cardboard crackers?  ABC's Vicki Mabrey traveled to Kraft Foods to find out.  

Fat Freezing. 

It is a story about butter and weight-loss, but not in the way you might think.  We will introduce you to a scientist who observed the way that delicious dairy product firms when chilled.  From there he made a logical leap that could have huge implications for dieters everywhere, because it involves removing your love-handles by freezing them.  ABC's Claire Shipman has the details.  

Ex-Dictator's Club.

With the threat of prosecution, destitution, and even execution, what is a deposed dictator to do?  In Egypt, the man many considered to be the last pharaoh joined a very exclusive group of loathed men. We consulted history, experts, and even one humorist to mull Hosni Mubarak's options.  ABC's Bill Weir has the details. 

Netflix Makeover.

"Adapt or die" is a law of the wild that applies to business too.  But, few corporations have been as successful at adjusting on the fly as Netflix.  It is a company that has surfed the crest of the home movie distribution industry since it first started mailing out those flat red envelopes in 1997.  But, now they may be facing their biggest challenge yet.  ABC's John Donvan explains.  

Playlist:  Martina McBride.

Even the slowest pickup truck in Sharon, Kansas, can drive through that town in about 30 seconds.  But, it was big enough to hold a shop that sold records and a young resident named Martina McBride.  That combination puts country music very much in debt to the small town.  Before she grew up to sell 16 million albums of her own, the heartbreaking soprano spent a lot of time singing along to records from that shop.  Just last weekend she had a chance to honor one of her musical influences, Aretha Franklin, at the Grammy Awards.  Here she is discussing some of her personal favorites in her own words.  

Host: Aaron Katersky

Producer: Jason Wesalo

Download or stream this episode of the Perspective Podcast