Perspective Podcast - January 21st, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

Massive Mafia Sweep.
The nicknames are straight out of an episode of "The Sopranos". Names like "Meatball", "Jimmy Gooch", and "Junior Lollipops". But, if you thought the mafia is just a throwback that makes for good movies, the FBI reminded us this week that it is alive and well. In the bureau's biggest mob roundup ever, 800 agents spanned out across four states and Italy, putting 127 suspects behind bars on charges ranging from money laundering, to murder. ABC's Pierre Thomas has more.

Epic Mob Bust.
It is hard to imagine there will ever be a terrorist museum the way there will soon be a mob museum in Las Vegas. In a in simpler time, men with Sicilian surnames and sharkskin suits were the very embodiment of domestic terror in blue collar neighborhoods. But, this week brought proof that "La Cosa Nostra" is not quite ready for museum moth-balls. So, what is the state of the modern mafia and is it anything like the brand made famous by Brando? ABC's Bill Weir asked a few who know.

Boy Scouts Tragedy.
Almost three million young people belong to the Boy Scouts and collectively they spend millions of hours a year outdoors. On most excursions the greatest hazards scouts face are mosquito bites or campfire ghost story scares. But, on several high-profile occasions, now going back to the 1990's, things have gone terribly wrong. The question then becomes who, if anyone, is at fault? ABC's John Donvan investigates.

Dying Banker Tells All.
What would you do if you only had months to live? Wall Street insider Gordon Murray was faced with that very question after being diagnosed with a brain tumor for a second time. Murray, who had spent his career on Wall Street working for Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers, set off on a mission to level the investment playing field by bringing the knowledge of Wall Street to the little guy on Main Street. ABC's David Wright explains.

Groupon.
It is one of the fastest growing companies the internet has ever seen, combining savvy social networking and recession era belt-tightening. Groupon provides discounts on everything from dinners to days spas, all at the click of a mouse. Is this startup just another dot com craze or has its young founder started a shopping revolution? ABC's Chris Bury takes a look.

Regis By the Numbers.
With apologies to James Brown, he is the other "Hardest working man in show business". From talk shows, to game shows, to sitcoms, and even cameo appearances, Regis Philbin has spent his life with us in front of the camera. But this week, he announced that he would retire. ABC's Jeremy Hubbard takes a look at the career of Regis, by the numbers.

Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - January 14, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

The President's Speech.
After five days of anguish and anger, Tucson and the whole nation were due for an emotional cleansing. 25,000 people showed up at a college arena, that seats half that many.  The heads of state and federal government were there, cabinet members, supreme court justices past and present, and the man who carried the biggest responsibility to the podium, President Obama.  More than any dark moment before, this was his night to serve as consoler and chief.  After a week of bitter political back and fourth, millions tuned in to see how the president would respond.  ABC's Chief White House Correspondent Jake Tapper has more.  

Defining Moments.
There are moments when the president becomes both a vessel for the nation's grief and if the spirit is with him, a beacon for its recovery.  Across the centuries, speeches delivered by American presidents in times of national sorrow have held certain characteristics in common.  President Obama's speech fit this template in almost every way, with one exception, the length.  ABC's Bill Weir explains.
 
Lone Wolf Killers.  
The night before his alleged crime, Jared Loughner left a voicemail for an old friend mentioning "good times".  Now that friend Bryce Tierney, told a television station that it had been almost a year since he had heard from Loughner and had no idea what had happened to him since.  By hatching his plan in reclusive secrecy, Loughner fits the kind of pattern that worries law enforcement in all corners of the country.  ABC's Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross explains why.  

Tim Pawlenty.
He was almost in Sarah Palin's shoes.  Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was on John McCain's short-list of potential running mates in 2008.  We all know how that turned out.  But, now his name is being tossed around for the top spot on the ticket in 2012.  He just completed his second term as a governor and ABC's Terry Moran sat down with him to discuss his political future.  

iPhone Wars.
6.5 million is the number of users one expert says AT&T stands to lose with Verizon's official entry into the iPhone market.  Those are high stakes worthy of a corporate war and verbal sparring between the two has already begun.  ABC's Neal Karlinsky takes us inside the phone wars.  

Playlist:  Rod Stewart.
The year was 1971.  It had a mandolin, a great gravel voice, and a May-December love story.  The song was "Maggie May" and it turned Rod Stewart from a "Faces" frontman into a household name in his own right.  Follow-ups like "Some Guys Have All the Luck" and "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" firmly confirmed his solo star.  195 million albums later and he is still making fans swoon.  He had a chance to discuss his musical inspirations in his own words.  

Host: Cheri Preston
Producer: Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - January 7th, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

The New House of Representatives.

It is the biggest freshmen class in the House of Representatives in more than 60 years.  There are 94 new members, with all but nine of them Republicans.  Their new leader Ohio Representative John Boehner took over the gavel from outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a ceremony marked by good will, a little humor, and a dash of politics on the side.  ABC's Jonathan Karl explains.  

Bi-Polar Kids.  

Tens of thousands of preschoolers are on anti-psychotic medications, a number that has doubled in the last decade.  The trend raises many questions, especially since most of these medications have not been tested on children and doctors have little idea of what their impact might be on the developing brain. We had a chance to meet a family faced with a profoundly difficult choice.  ABC's Cynthia McFadden explains.  

Women's Tears a Turnoff?

Human beings are the only creatures that can experience a good emotional cry.  But, aside from expressing joy or sadness, what biological role do tears play?  A new study indicates that some women's tears contain chemicals with potentially negative implications for men.  Here is ABC's Dan Harris.  

The Deepest Cut.

Parenthood by definition is about sacrifice.  Any self-respecting mom or dad will give up sleep, savings, or even their own life for their kid.  But, imagine having to put your babies' life at risk in order to ease his suffering.  This is the story of one set of parents, forced to make that unfathomable decision.  ABC's Brian Rooney was there for what happened next.

The Lottery By the Numbers.

The stakes were enormous for this week's $380 million mega-millions lottery jackpot.  When the dust cleared, there was not just one big winner, but two.  But, if history is a guide, winning may not be such a good thing.  ABC's Jeremy Hubbard breaks down the lottery by the numbers.  

Celebrity Diets.

It is the subject of many New Year's resolutions, weight loss.  Dieting is a $60 billion a year business in the U.S. alone.  Part of the reason, is while 50 million of us go on diets each year, only about 5% manage to keep the weight off.  So, why do so many celebrities seem to succeed?  Each year, "US Weekly" magazine devotes a special issue to celebrity weight loss, a star-studded who and how of thinning down.  This year, we went behind the scenes as it all came together.  ABC's Chris Connelly has more.  

Host: Cheri Preston

Producer: Jason Wesalo

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