The Larry Kane Report

It was way too late, but the Security Council at the UN finally met on the Libyan crisis, offering a statement demanding an end to the bloodshed. Meanwhile, unlike the Egyptian uprising, there is an eerie silence at the White House. Hillary Clinton expressed her outrage over the weekend, but there has been a real lid on anything Presidential. Does the White House know something about Libya that we don’t?  Probably.

FORT KNOX -

Smart move by Tom Knox to avoid a nasty primary race against Michael Nutter for Mayor. But let’s face it – the votes were probably not there. Knox was also classy to embrace the Nutter campaign at the same time Ed Rendell endorsed Nutter. The only thing missing from this equation is a real “live” debate about the city’s future, something the voters deserve. Milton Street will be Nutter’s only opponent in the Spring primary. Milton will be good for a few wacky headlines, but that’s about it.  John Featherman is seeking the Republican nomination.

A THANKS TO FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS -

Thanks to people like Ben Wedeman at CNN and Richard Engel at NBC, and others who are taking such risks to report from Libya. The fact is that these reporters are providing us with a brand of on-site reporting that is so necessary to understand what’s happening on the ground. The fact is that when people do not have information, they can’t act and they can’t judge. Reporters who walk the tightrope of seeking information and at the same time doing it under horrible conditions, are real heroes. Lara Logan of CBS is one of them and we hope she’s well.

The UN, also known is some quarters as the United Nothing, has once again proven why it’s not respected and selective in its perceived goal of protecting human beings around the world. Even as Libyan ambassadors in New York and elsewhere are abandoning  butcher dictator Gadahfi, the United Nations Security Council is sitting on its hands as the dictators forces fire on his own people. Not a peep. No statements . Just silence. The UN Secretary General called the architect of terror ( remember Pan Am 103), to urge the dictator to stop the killing. For that, he should be commended. But where is the Security Council? Where is Russia and China, Gadahfi’s backers? At least the Arab League is meeting to sort out the mess.

It is no surprise that the UN is ignoring the pleas of the people. The organization is run by many apologists for terror.

In the meantime, you have to wonder about Hugo Chavez, the dictator in Venezuela. Would he give Gadahfi exile? Probably not. The Colonel may wind up like the Shah of Iran, a man without a country. Or maybe, like all egotistical monsters, he will make his last stand against his own people. and die, at least in his mind, a martyr.

On the other hand, I remember when President Reagan ordered a bombing attack on Libya after evidence pointed to the Libyans plotting the Berlin disco attacks in 1986. The dictator, who narrowly escaped death, tried to clean up his act, but two years later, there was Lockerbie and Pan Am 103.

Credit where credit is due! George W. Bush was right about one thing. Democracy is contagious. We are learning that graphically as young and old protest repressing regimes in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. The leaders of Iran are shaking. The royalty states are worried. The Castro brothers are more than nervous. Yes. W was right, but the experiment in Democracy building in Iraq was not exactly what he had in mind, I presume,  nor was the continuing police state that Iraq is today.

STREET?

Is brother Milton really the best candidate that John Street can find to dirty-up Michael Nutter’s primary?  Milton Street has always been comic relief in Philadelphia. It’s too bad, because in the early days of his wild career, he did very well. Not so much in recent years.He did serve federal time for tax evasion. But Mayor? I have a question. If John Street hates Michael Nutter so much, why doesn’t he run. I think we know the answer to that. He’s afraid of losing. There is still some question whether Milton can get on the ballot, but if he does, expect high drama and no real challenge to Mayor Nutter.

BILL SASSO – CLEANUP MAN?

If the Inky report is correct, Bill Sasso may be named by Governor Corbett as chair of the Delaware River Port Authority. If that happens, it will mean change is coming.  Sasso , Chair of Stradley Ronon law firm, is one of this area’s greatest public servants, a man with a love for Philadelphia that is extraordinary. Can he cleanup the mess at DRPA?  If he can’t,  no one can. Sasso walks the fine line in public life – an understanding of politics, but a clearer understanding of the needs of people. He would be a perfect choice.

It’s Super Monday, the day after Super Sunday. The game was a thriller. The commercials were ho-hum. Christina Aguilera butchered the national anthem. George W. was there along with a host of celebs. All in all, it was an event that, as usual, fades out of your memory very quickly, especially when your own team is not there.

But it’s Monday, and a significant one at that. 47 years ago today, the Beatles arrived on American soil. What few people know is that the Beatles were, and are a lot bigger in America then they were or are in Liverpool and the rest of the Queen’s empire. America remains the greatest source of admiration for the Beatles music and memory. I just returned from Liverpool and Hamburg where I’ve been researching my latest book on the Beatles. The people of Liverpool are the friendliest in the UK. They have respect for the legacy of the world’s greatest musical group, but the fervor, the fever for their music, almost 50 years after they arrived here, is still going strong in America. Personally, this February 7th is special. I mean. my long career of covering politics and government, was really given an extra dimension because of my exposure to the Beatles. I still have no rhythm. But, boy, did I have a great time traveling with them!

BORED NEWS PEOPLE

My reporting friends in Harrisburg are having a big case of Rendell withdrawal. New Governor Tom Corbett, still struggling to put his cabinet together, is almost invisible in Harrisburg. It’s not that the Governor is not doing his job. It’s just that in comparison to Rendell,  Corbett appears among the missing. Press availabilities have been limited, and Corbett has a heavy layer of people around him. Of course, Rendell was one non-stop press conference. It’s really unfair to compare the two, but the fact is that Rendell has gotten more press in three weeks out of office than Tom Corbett has received in office. Reporters are bored. And their editors want more. So far the new Governor is mostly low key, at least on the surface.