The big story this week in Pittsburgh politics broke on Monday when U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced that she would not indict former Mayor Tom Murphy following a two-year investigation into the alleged backroom deal he made with Pittsburgh’s firefighters in exchange for their support in his 2001 mayoral bid.

I understand that when Ms. Buchanan announced her decision not to indict, Robert Duvall immediately jumped from his seat in the back of the room and yelled repeatedly, “This committee owes an apology!” Frank Pentangelli’s brother was then immediately taken to the airport and put on a plane back to Sicily.

I’m glad Tom Murphy beat the rap. And I’m glad not because I am a Tom Murphy fan but because the entire thing was a joke. An elected official making promises to organized labor in exchange for their endorsement? Shocking! Scandal! Give me a fucking break, Jack. It must be a bitch going to a Pirates game with Mary Beth Buchanan; every time a double play is turned, she must scream, “The guy covering second base didn’t touch the bag! He didn’t touch the bag! He’s safe! Safe I tell you!”

My theory is that the only thing Tom Murphy was guilty of was being Tom Murphy. He’s Pittsburgh’s favorite whipping boy. The guy could do no right. Sure, the guy was abrasive and he had his share of failures, but I don’t think Pittsburgh would be much better or worse off today if any other person held that office for the twelve years that Murphy did. It seems that the one thing an overwhelming majority of people agree upon in a city where there is no shortage of democracy, what with the bazillion neighborhoods and gazillion community groups, is a dislike of Tom Murphy. Pittsburgh better start picking Murphy’s successor because like Dick Nixon, there will come a time when you won’t have Tom Murphy to kick around anymore.

The unfortunate byproduct of Ms. Buchanan’s announcement this week is that the story diverted attention from this week’s other big story in Pittsburgh politics, City Councilman Jeffrey Koch being cited for disorderly conduct and harassment after having shoved an off-duty Pittsburgh police officer during a fracas at a Brookline softball game. Allegedly when Koch pushed the off-duty officer, the officer pushed Koch back and the councilman tripped over a garbage can and fell onto a hillside. That’s some funny shit.

Oh! Look at the time. It’s finally morning in China. I better run. I have to call over there to close a deal to sell all 500 of the “Free Tom Murphy” t-shirts I had made. I’m hoping to at least break even.

Longtime ESPN Baseball analyst Peter Gammons suffered a brain aneurysm Tuesday morning near his home on Cape Cod. He was airlifted to a Boston hospital where he is undergoing surgery.

Peter Gammons simply is the best baseball writer of his generation.

Our prayers are with you Peter.

Tonight T&A introduces a new feature, Worst Cover Song of the Week, in which we showcase the worst cover version of a song found on the internet. Tonight’s inaugural installation features a cover of Squeeze’s “Goodbye Girl” performed in a Vegas Elvis style. Enjoy.

Have you seen Glenn Frey lately? He really let himself go.

Aaron Spelling , considered by many to be the most prolific television producer in history, died friday June 23rd at his Los Angeles mansion. Spelling passed away from complications following a stroke he had June 18th. Aaron Spelling was 83 years old.

Spelling’s “hits” included Melrose Place , Dynasty, Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Burke’s Law, Starsky and Hutch, T.J. Hooker, Matt Houston, Hart to Hart, Hotel and Tunesmith’s favorite The Mod Squad.

From what I can gather there is no truth to the rumor that Jamie Farr will now take over the role as Tori Spelling’s father.