1Disability, USA There is a Senate hearing scheduled tomorrow on a subject of some importance to millions of Americans. The hearing involves the Federal Disability Insurance Program, which could become the first government benefits program to run out of money. When it began back in the 1950s it was envisioned as a small program to assist people who were unable to work because of illness or injury. Today, it serves nearly 12 million people -- up 20 percent in the last six years -- and has a budget of $135 billion. That is more than the United States Government spent last year on the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and the Labour Department combined. It's been called a "secret welfare system" with it's own "disability industrial complex," a system ravaged by waste and fraud. A lot of people want to know what's going on. Especially Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
2The Girl It was one off the biggest scandals in the world. In 1977, Hollywood director and producer Roman Polanski drugged and raped a 13 year old girl, at the home of actor Jack Nicholson. The story made international headlines and when he fled America to avoid sentencing, it only got bigger. 36 years later, American authorities are still trying to bring Roman Polanski to justice. His 13 year old victim was Samantha Geimer. She has never forgotten what happened to her all those years ago. In this interview she tells her story. What she has to say is difficult, challenging and most definitely not what one might expect.
3Dame Maggie Of all the great British actors of the past half century none are more respected or honored than Dame Maggie Smith. She is most familiar now as the Dowager Countess on "Downton Abbey". She has won two Oscars, three Emmys and a Tony Award, all wrapped around a long and illustrious career on the British stage. At age 78, she is at the peak of her fame, much in demand and quite bankable. Last spring's "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" was a surprise hit and there is a new film out, "Quartet," directed by Dustin Hoffman. She doesn't have much time -- or much interest in giving interviews -- which she has compared to testifying in court, which makes this interview especially special.
4Viewer feedback about last week's interview with Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill.