The Larry Kane Report

Message to the Pa. State Supreme court: The latest murder of a Philadelphia Police officer, John Pawlowki, is the final straw in a series of court mishaps that have allowed hardened criminals to remain on the streets. The police department is doing all that it can with the manpower allowed. The suspects in many murders of police over the years are people who fall through the cracks of the court system because of judges who are lenient, uninformed, and oblivious to real threats.

The justice system in Philadelphia has been in trouble for many years, and the crime problem has been made much more dangerous by judges who allow potential killers on the streets. Guns are obviously an issue, but judges who casually approve low bail for violent offenders, share a great deal of the finger-pointing in the current wave of murders of police heroes.

Is this a radical idea? Not at all. Law enforcement has a foundation of police officers, prosecutors and judges. The police in Philadelphia are selfless. The DA is as tough as they get. Some of the judges are making a mockery of the justice system by not paying attention.

The Pennsyvania Supreme court should appoint a tough watchdog to monitor judge’s behavior in cases of violent crime.

And while they’re doing that, the justices should have a talk with Judge Craig Washington, who had the gall to  try to hide a photo of officer Pawlowski in his courtroom, located in the 35th Police District, where the fallen officer was assigned.

It would be interesting for the court system to see what Judge Washington’s judicial record is. After all, arraignment judges are the first line of defense in the court system.

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Barack Obama is using his gifts of communication in ways that future Presidents will study and admire. In a matter of 15 days, he will have spoken to the nation twice in prime time. The first was his news conference. And Tuesday night he addresses a joint session of the Congress on the economy. Wait a minute! There’s more. In addition to his wide travels, the 44th President addresses the nation every Saturday morning. The man is truly the King of All media. He’s also got a first rate Press Secretary who handles the press with class and candor. If the Republicans plan to survive as a party (and so far that is a question mark), they would be wise to find a few great communicators of their own. The GOP took the greatest gamble of all by, to a member, boycotting the stimulus bill in the House. If Obama’s plan has marginal success, many of those House members will lose their seats next year. Support Obama or not, one thing should be made clear to Americans: total dominance by one party is not healthy. So far, the Great Communicator, even in his early days as President, is chewing the Republicans up and spitting them out.

FUMO

I first met Vince Fumo when he and I were about 28 years old. I was a young anchor. He was heading up a state agency that regulated prescription drugs. Who would have ever believed that Vince Fumo, one of the most powerful politicians in the history of Pennsylvania, would be the centerpiece of a case that has alleged corruption, featured lust and lavish spending, unearthed family fueds, and examined almost every nuance of power – suspected greed, political expertise, best friends turned enemies, and  a microscopic investigation of the bright and dark sides of power? Fumo’s trial is like a novel, with chapters unfolding every other day, accusations and revelations that suprise, shock, and in some cases. impress the political world. The climax will be one of the most dramatic moments in recent public life in Philadelphia.

One of the most interest aspects of this sensational drama is the close friends who became enemies, the loyal employees who changed their minds, and the forgotten figures – those who stuck with Fumo all the way. The end will be as suspenseful as the beginning and the same questions remain: Will the government’s expensive and detailed case against Fumo pay off? How will he react? Will Vince Fumo reconcile with his family? Will the jury view his actions as the actions of a powerful man with a lust for even more power? Or, will that Federal jury view him as a a criminal – a man who abused his power to enrich himself?

The end is near. And one way or another, it has already rocked the political establishment. No one is talking, but a lot of people are wondering, even at this late date, if a plea will be made, or whether the ultimate political gambler, will take his chances.

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Think of this.

The simple fact that Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig did not take any disciplinary action against Alex Rodriguez for using steroids is enough to make you wonder if the leaders of baseball have any integrity . As we stated previously, the suspension of Phillie’s hurler J.C. Romero till June for use of substances. stands in contrast to the treatment of A-Roid. What’s wrong with Selig? This is the man who , despite arguments to the contrary, is afraid to take action even though he has extraordinary powers to do so. A-Rod should receive some sort of suspension, and don’t tell me that the punishing boos he will receive all season is enough. He needs much more than that. Barry Bonds is in big legal trouble. Others, Olympians included, have paid the price.

Here’s my plan. The owners should give Selig two years notice, and let him retire in some style. They should begin talks with Pa. Governor Ed Rendell now to sign him up for a long term contract as baseball commissioner when he leaves office.

My advice: Get smart. Lock Rendell into a deal now. Restore some integrity to the game. And in the meantime, let “the greatest player of his generation.” pay a price for the example he has set.

On to the White House.

The stimulus bill is a done deal, but eyebrows are raising over the pleas by Treasury boss Timothy Geithner and top economic adviser Lawrence Summers to block an attempt by Congress to restrict bonuses to $500,000 a year for financial executives who make a million dollars. This would only apply to banks that get bailout money from the federal governnment. Geithner , Summers and others, lobbied hard to kill the restrictions.

You tell me? Is it worrisome that the two most important money men in the White House don’t seem to get the public outrage over bank executives, some of whom may have ignited the crisis, getting rich from bailout money?

The restrictions are now law, despite the fact that the most trusted advisers in this very scary economy argued against them.

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Sports Illustrated came out with an “exclusive ” today. No it is not the swimsuit edition. It is a report alleging that Alex Rodriguez, perhaps the greatest player in baseball today, took steroids in 2003, his all star season. Say it isn’t so Alex! If it is true, and certified, will the baseball Commish suspend him? Will he get a pass? I mean, Phillies reliever J.C. Romero got 50 days, which is harsh and over the top.

Will A-Rod or A-Roid fess up and take his punishment?

If you want some great reading. which some of you say you’re not getting here, go to Buz Teacher’s new column at the Huffington Post. Buz is a national publishing legend and the White House should take note.

Also, please note the following as the inside scoop on Ed Rendell and HHS! It’s a copy of my report on KYW Newsradio on Friday. Read and learn:

Reliable political sources in our region tell us that Governor Rendell, if asked by the President, would be hard pressed not to accept a nomination for Secretary of Health and Human services, but that if a representative of the President called first to sound him out about the job, Rendell would indicate that he will not leave the Governor’s office. The reasons are clear. With the death of Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll by law Rendell would be leaving the job in the hands of the Republican Senate President in Pa.for the next 23 months. That will not happen..according to our sources. But the speculation itself is not harmful for a man who has gone from District Attorney  to Mayor to Governor in a period of 32 years. You can bet on that, unless you are waiting for video poker to become legal.

On the subject of gambling: Delaware is consider legalizing gambling on sporting events. IT IS ABOUT TIME.

Why are local governments losing all that gambling revenue to illegal gambling when they can get the goodies? If people want to play point spreads, why not allow the public trust to get some of the loot? It is not much different than playing the lottery.

Delaware, first to ban all public smoking, leads the way again.

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