Seen and Heard in Milwaukee

Milwaukee has been in the news a couple of times in the past week, thanks largely to a couple of politicians--one local and one national--who now probably wish they had thought twice before speaking.

First, Peggy West, 12th District Supervisor, 2nd Vice-Chair on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors (who represents a district of about 60,000 constituents) wants to organize a boycott of Arizona (because of their new law dealing with illegal immigrants). The problem is: SHE DOESN'T SEEM TO KNOW WHERE ARIZONA IS!!! See for yourself:


Remember, this is an elected official making these remarks. I'll bet she hasn't read the seventeen page Arizona law either.

Then Vice-President Joe Biden comes to town and goes to my favorite frozen custard place (Kopp's).



First, the Vice-President went into Kopp's Frozen Custard and asked in a loud voice, "Where's the ice cream?" This is like going into a bar on Chicago's NORTH side and asking, "How 'bout 'dem White Sox?" I'm told that everyone in the place shouted, "It's Frozen Custard!"

After getting his frozen custard, the Vice President asks, "How much do we owe you?" The Manager, Scott Borkin, says, "It's on us." The VP presses him further, and the manager quips, "Lower our taxes and we'll call it even." Whereupon the VP, suggests the Manager is "a Smart A**"

The Vice President was in Wisconsin to campaign for Democratic Senator Russ Feingold, who is running for re-election. Given the play this story is getting locally, I think the VP may have just handed Feingold's seat to the Republicans.

Hmmmm, it's almost dinner time. I think I'll go to Kopp's tonight.
 

Vladimir Horowitz plays Two Not-So-Easy Pieces

Fireworks on a Piano:
Bizet - Fantasie on a theme from Carmen

 
Wonderful interpretation throughout; dazzling technique around 3:30 and 7:30 to the end.
Chopin - Ballade #1