60 Minutes - Season 38

Leslie Stahl reports on the motivation behind the FDA refusing to approve an emergency contraceptive called 'Plan B'. Is it being withheld because of payoffs, politics and personal agendas or is there a serious health risk?
Also tonight, follow Bob Simon as he delves into the recent discovery of what appears to be an entire civilization of humans never known to have existed before. Seemingly isolated on an island, archaeological findings claim it's an entirely different human species.

With all the increased efforts to secure the borders from Mexican immigrants, more of them are trying to find different ways to make it across. Hundreds are dying in the desert. Ed Bradley reports on the tragic loss of life in a desperate attempt to find a new life.
Dan Rather talks with John Mackey, the founder of Whole Food Markets, now a chain of more than 180 stores providing organic food at higher prices. In today's tight economy, few believed the idea would work, but it has. Quite well as a matter of fact.
Steve Kroft interviews Carl Hiaasen, a Miami Herald columnist who has focused his stories on the unusual community in South Florida, from criminals to eccentrics.

A follow-up to the former New York City cops accused of being hit men for the mob. They insisted, almost believably, that they didn't do it. Recently, a jury found them guilty and tonight, one of them talks about it for the first time since the verdict. Ed Bradley reports.
The 'Wounds of War' segment is a double length segment about the soldiers returning from war these days. Mike Wallace tells their story with some interviews that only Mike Wallace could present during this Memorial Day feature.

This entire episode of 60 Minutes is dedicated to Mike Wallace, one of the longest running 60 Minute investigative reporters. Tonight, he tells his fellow cast mates what he's sorry for and what he still smiles about. Find out which actress didn't hide her flirting with him and what he really went through with his depression.

Once powerhouses, forces to be reckoned with, workforce unions are on the decline. Tonight, Lesley Stahl reports on one man's mission to bring the power of unions back with his Service Employees International Union.
Ed Bradley looks at the efforts that educator Geoffrey Canada is making to get Harlem children on the right track to college.
Finally, when the Dixie Chicks exercised their freedom to speak their minds about President Bush, some Americans were outraged. Their reputations were hurt, even death threats were received, but as Steve Kroft reports tonight, they are not sorry for having an opinion.

Government backed loans for college students has become the launching pad for Sallie Mae Corp skyrocketing stocks in the last 10 years. Lesley Stahl examines why shareholders may be causing students to drown in debt.
The answer to our dependence on foreign oil, or oil at all, may be right under our noses in the massive corn fields of America. Dan Rather investigates just how simple this solution might be and why is it taking so long?
Morley Safer has an interesting and rather lighthearted interview with John Daly, the professional golfer who lives in the fast lane of his golf cart. His sage wisdom at the age of 40 is to stay away from whiskey and pills, but bring on the beer and the bogeys.

In Hanford, Washington, the Department of Energy has spent more than 16 years trying to clean up an area along the Columbia River, without much success. Lesley Stahl reports on what is being called 'the most contaminated piece of real estate'.
"The Da Vinci Code" hasn't even premiered yet, but the media has gone wild for anything remotely associated with the subjects covered in it. Tonight, Ed Bradley delves into the "Priory of Sion" and asks the question, 'is it just an elaborate hoax?'
Finally, in the Colbert Report, Morley Safer explores the notoriety that Stephen Colbert's mock news reports is causing.

Ed Bradley stirs up the charges that the White House ignored the facts while pursuing a war in Iraq. Tonight, a CIA official talks about what was known and when.
With the Baby Boomer generation making up the majority of 'older' Americans these days, it's no surprise that anti-aging products are a fast growing, multimillion dollar industry. From just plain smart choices with diet and exercise to the many products, treatments and controversies out there, Steve Kroft gives us a look and even warnings.
Starbucks is one of the biggest business successes in recent years, in fact, a $29 Billion dollar, multinational corporation. Tonight, Scott Pelley reports on how Howard Schultz grew a few local stores into the star that is Starbucks.

A look behind the bars of Israeli prisons and interviews with noted terrorists. Bob Simon reports.
In the episodes other story, Lesley Stahl reports on the rising number of men in China. There has long been a favoring of male offspring and now the imbalance is larger there than anywhere else on earth. Unfortunately, crime rates have also risen in direct proportion.
Also, a story about the 'Naked Chef', Jamie Oliver, one of the youngest and most known chefs in Great Britain. Oliver has had his own television series, published several cookbooks and is enthusiastic about introducing children to a healthy way of eating early in life. Ed Bradley reports.

April 09, 2006 Death of a General; The Orphanage; Michelle Wie

Scott Pelley interviews the serviceman who has been convicted in the killing of an Iraqi general being tortured. The soldier continues to insist he was not just authorized, but instructed.
Bob Simon travels to Africa to take an inside look at a unique orphanage, for elephants. When heartless poachers slaughter adult elephants and even rhinos, for their tusks and horns, the babies have little chance for survival beyond a couple of days. This orphanage provides 'round the clock care that saves many of their lives, and pursues the poachers.
Finally, an interview with Michelle Wie. She's just 16, but the highest paid female golfer on earth! Steve Kroft reports.

This is a two hour episode of '60 Minutes'
Investment pools for the wealthy may be the motivation behind misinformation about major companies. Lesley Stahl looks into whether or not one of these pools is being rightly accused in a lawsuit claiming they spread rumors in order to sway the market.
Tiger Woods sits with Ed Bradley in a rare interview.

One of the FBI's most wanted, James "Whitey" Bulger, ran rampant on the streets of Boston. Helping him with drug dealing, robbery and even murder, Kevin Weeks finally comes clean.
In Al Qaeda's town of Tal Afar, it was wall to wall terrorists. Still, as Lara Logan reports, the U.S. military persisted, insisting on reclaiming it for peace.
Finally, tonight, Gay or Straight? Is it possible that the more older brothers a guy has, the more his liklihood of being gay? Science has some very interesting evidence and theory about homosexual tendencies.

A disturbing, stark look into why people without health insurance are often required to pay more than people who have it. Dan Rather investigates why the same services are more expensive for those who seem least able to afford it.
 The Court Martial Of Willie Brand is about the horrific assault and resulting death of an Afghan prisoner by a U.S. soldier. He claims he was just following orders, but how this prisoner died is beyond belief.
The Prince of Pot has been selling marijuana seeds from his business in Canada for years and he openly promotes the legalization of pot. U.S. officials are working to prosecute him in America and if convicted in the U.S., he could end up in prison for life. Why is he remaining so passionate about this?

Montana's governor Brian Schweitzer claims the solution to high oil prices are right here at home. With all the coal in Montana, he claims there's enough potential diesel fuel to enable the U.S. to refuse to bow down to current suppliers overseas.
Also, the sale of U.S. port terminals to Middle Eastern company? How good an idea is this? It might really surprise you.
Finally, stem cell research has proven successful in making paralyzed rats walk again. Can the same be done with humans?

Not in the headlines so much since publishing the offensive cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, Bob Simon travels to Denmark and talks with the man who made worldwide news of it all.
Just in case you've forgotten about it, global warming is making dramatic changes on the planet. Tonight, visit the 'top of the world' and see some of the most significant findings.
Nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Truman Capote, Philip Seymour Hoffman sits down with Steve Kroft for a humorous and heartfelt interview.

You've probably suspected it and tonight, Steve Kroft asks the hard questions about where the money for restoration in Iraq really goes.
Also tonight, a disturbing report about the massive destruction of human embryos. Nearly ½ million of them a day! Lesley Stahl investigates.
Mike Wallace interviews many of returning soldiers who have survived thanks to modern improvements in both medicine and protective devices used in war. With all the latest scandals about body armor, this new look at what's happening is, perhaps, overdue.

Just how prepared is the U.S. government to handle the fall out of a nuclear attack? Forget bird flu, what are the medical facilities in place for the population upon a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons?
Also, when an accident victim has no control over their pain and ultimately, no control over the amount of pain meds he takes, is he further victimized when drug laws put him in jail?
Bob Simon sits down with Deborah Voigt, the opera singer who lost a part because of her weight. Now, 100 lbs lighter after surgery, is she happy she did it and what about the offers now?

Alberta, Canada is one of today's largest oil producing regions. What's behind the oil boom and how much is there?
Kinky Friedman, Jewish country singer with no political experience, believes he can govern Texas!
Johnathan Wendel (Fatal1ty) makes a living playing video games. Is he giving false hope to today's youth?

Has the mafia infiltrated the NY detectives? Ed Bradley gets the first interview with one of the former cops.
Sony CEO, Sir Howard Stringer is determined to make the company the giant it once was.
Bode Miller may be a skiing sensation representing the U.S., but does he go too far?

Ed Bradley reports on how the worldwide governments may soon lose the space race to an individual who is far more committed to it.
Since leaving office and re-structuring his life, Bill Clinton has taken up what some would consider even bigger causes, like eradicating AIDS.
Finally, how long do you want to live? It may come down to making that choice, rather than having it made for you by nature.

Three stories for Christmas, all of survival.
How are the Sea Gypsies of the Andaman Sea doing? Remember them? They knew the tsunami was coming and moved to higher ground, with just about no one else heeding their generations of knowledge of the sea.
Plus, visit Beirut, the 'Paris of the Middle East'. Is it once again becoming the place it used to be?
Finally, Mike Wallace and Tina Turner.

Ed Bradley investigates the incident where hundreds of evacuees were actually prevented from crossing a bridge into a safer area of Louisiana by being fired on by law enforcement.

The recent exposure of tactics by our CIA to transfer prisoners to countries with torture interrogations.

Mike Wallace interviews Morgan Freeman about his varied and well respected life.

How far is too far to go in order to secure our borders? Ed Bradley examines some of the measures being taken at the Mexican border.
Does our CIA support torture by handing people over to countries known for how they do it?
Tour operators put people in shark cages; how responsible are they for the tourists safety? Bob Simon reports.

Tonight's 60 Minutes profiles an incredible group of NY paramedics who left everything behind, paychecks and even their jobs, to step in when no one else would after the Pakistan earthquake left such devastation. Bob Simon asks them not just why, but sheds light on the need that made this team step up when no one else did.
Ed Bradley examines environmental and animal rights groups using violent tactics.
Dan Rather reports on the Wall Street millionaire making so much noise on cable t.v.

Imagine the most dangerous road in the entire world. Lara Logan joins U.S. Soldiers on the Baghdad airport highway. The scenes are right from the evening news, but this time, a lot more personal. What do these soldiers think as they defend this volatile highway?
Also: Neil Armstrong in an exclusive interview with Ed Bradley and Patriots quarterback, Tom Brady with Steve Kroft.

Ed Bradley talks with friends, coworkers and family of CIA operative, Valerie Plame, who recently announced her sexual orientation.
Morley Safer questions how much power an employer has, or should have in their employees lives. From smoking to fitness, why do so many employees just take it?
Prince Charles in his first American interview in more than a decade, with Steve Kroft.

Afghanistan is more than a hot bed of war, struggle for freedom and terrorism, it's becoming the number one supplier of the raw material (opium) that produces heroin.
Also: Former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski candidly interviewed by Scott Pelley and Ed Bradley talks with the team on the look out for definitive proof the Ivory Billed Woodpecker is really back from extinction.

Mike Wallace with a revealing report and interview with former FBI Director Louis Freeh about the Clinton years.
Steve Kroft has a shocking interview with two professional thieves who stole millions of dollars worth of gems over their 20 year 'career' while owners ate dinner downstairs.
Lesley Stahl gets insider info about the ever-growing auto racing industry from the 3rd generation NASCAR family's Brian France.

If you didn't know Ahmed Chalabi before now, you will. Lesley Stahl interviews the Iraqi fallen leader who is now Deputy Prime Minister
And meet Robert Oxnam, along with several of his other personalities. Morley Safer does.
Elian Gonzalez made media madness five years ago when he was just 6 years old. Today, at 11, he recounts to Bob Simon what he remembers and feels about what he went through.