The Larry Kane Report

His eye contact with the viewer was unbelievable. His intelligence was second to none. His listening abilities were even stronger than his penchant for hot and direct questions. Tom Snyder was a broadcast legend who changed the way people were interviewed, and led the talk show revolution into this century.

I first met Snyder during my early years in Philadelphia. He was brash , handsome and full of intensity. Tom was a newsman’s newsman, a man who showed his stuff with a clear understanding of the human spirit. He also had a great sense of humor. As he left Philadelphia to anchor in LA, he was asked about my young career. Snyder said, “Larry Kane is younger, he’s tougher, and nobody watches him.” I considered it a compliment.

Snyder’s late night shows were creative giants. No one could look into the camera and do a monologue like him. No one could get more out of an interview subject.

At what he did, Snyder was simply the best of his time.

His passing is a sad time for broadcasting and for the viewers who were enriched by his work.

I am thrilled that I got to know him.

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What a week?

Michal Vick says there is no bite in the dogfighting charges against him.

Lindsay Lohan proves once again what a lousy support system she has.

And the FBI chief is the latest to contradict Alberto Gonzalez on his testimony in the US attorney scandal. The Gonzalez scandal is almost over, because Karl Rove has been received a subpeona. That is a serious threat to the White House, because Rove is the brains behind the operation.

Democrats, empowered by Republicans angry with the White House, are betting that Gonzalez will step down soon.

Frankly, the case of the under-achieving AG has been a horrible distraction to a White House having a miserable year.

Gonzalez will go before a Special Prosecutor steps in. Maybe the President will pardon him for his lifetime, just in case criminal charges are lodged.

The Phillies can’t stand losing Chase Utley. The President will never allow Karl Rove to be put in jeopardy. Like him or not, Rove is the MVP of the Bush White House.

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Michael Vick’s guilt or innocence is still for a jury to decide. But the fact remains that high stakes dog fighting is a secret yet widespread form of gambling and barbarity in America. Vick’s case has exposed the underbelly of the worst form of savagery. The “sport” should be condemned and erased by authorities.

There is one aspect of this story that is both encouraging and distressing at the same time. Lawmakers of all parties get up and condemn the alleged crime, but where are these saints of decency when someone tries to pass legislation to curb illegal handguns in this nation. It has always appeared to me, as a journalist, that people get more riled and concerned about savagery toward animals than they do about brutality against people.

I don’t see indignation about the murder rate in Philadelphia, except from the people in the neighborhoods most affected. I hear only silence now about the Virginia Tech massacre. It’s as if we are numbed to the reality around us.

And now the nation is focused on the Atlanta quarterback and his alleged brutality against helpless canines. It is going to be an ugly story unfolding. It deserves righteous indignation, along with the daily crimes against humanity reported on a daily basis around the world.

A note on failure to pass the statewide smoking ban in Pennsylvania. Despite efforts by Governor Rendell, Pa. lawmakers once again find themselves looking like the dinosoars of reform. Pennsylvania - late on seat belts, archaic on gun legislation, and slow on passing bills, in general.

Pennsylvania needs a 60 day legislative session, similar to many other states. Less is more, and will force more action from talent-challenged legislature.

PROGRAM NIGHT: Tom DeLay joins me Sunday night on Voice of Reason at 9:30 on CN 8 the Comcast Network. Love or leave him, Delay makes some interesting news and is likely to make some more enemies. His take on Hillary Clinton may surprise you.

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And the young shall inherit the earth, or Harrisburg.

Pa. State Rep. Josh Shapiro played another major role in forging the budget deal between Governor Ed Rendell and Republicans in the House and Senate. The Abington - Upper Dublin lawmaker was once again the quiet match maker in what turned out to be a bitter battle between sour grape Republicans from the western counties and Rendell.

A significant victory for Rendellian Democrats was new gun control legislation that mey help curb the horrible homocide rate in Philadelphia. Shapiro and Republican Speaker Denny O’Brien were able to prod Western Republicans, most of them stone age legislators, to get behind the bill. Between Dwight Evans, Shapiro and O’Brien, the GOP Speaker running a Democratic House, the House part of the budget process was streamlined.

You’ve heard about Shapiro before: inuitive, friendly, and the capability to bring people together. Few in the legislature resent his talent. Most admire it, and Republicans are still smarting from his work with fellow rep Mike Gerber to elect sububan Democrats.

Rendell, a master politician, has found that the young Democrats like Shapiro are playing a stronger role in state government.

But then again, he shouldn’t be surprised.

Shapiro is only a few years younger than Rendell was when he was elected District Attorney of Philadelphia in 1977.

And you know where that led him.

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More airport experiences for the Mayor and future Mayor to think about.

As I have said before, the only decent thing about the Philadelphia Airport is the people.

The airport restrooms are dirty and out of soap and towels. The Parking Garage is “signed” so poorly that a person unfamiliar with the ramps could easily get in an accident.

Information desks are lacking in warmth and directions. Courtesy hotel phones do not work.

NOTE TO THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED PARKING AUTHORITY — Ticket takers in the toll booths are not helpful with directions to visitors. Your parking lots are filthy with food scattered all over the place.

NOTE TO U.S. AIRWAYS —Your baggage claim retrieval is a mess. Delays are common. The TV screens are often confusing people by listing the wrong carousels.

NOTE TO TSA -TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION — TSA screeners are outstanding, but the people who “look” at the tickets and id’s rarely look at the person. These people, the first line of defense, need to be supervised.

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