Tom Barrett new US
Ambassador to Luxembourg
Yesterday the US Senate confirmed the nomination of Milwaukee
Mayor Tom Barrett as the new U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg. Here the Senate
information:
“The Senate Cloak
Room:
Confirmed by voice
vote: Executive Calendar #622 Thomas Barrett to be Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg.”
Tom Barrett has served
as Mayor of Milwaukee, the largest city in Wisconsin, since 2004. Not absent
from his nomination is the fact that Luxembourg has special ties to Wisconsin:
it has without any doubt the largest share of descendants of Luxembourg
immigrants dating back to the 19th century. It is also the home of
the Luxembourg Cultural Society’s headquarters and Museum.
Population wise
Milwaukee has about the same number of residents than the whole Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg. It is known for its beer production. But testimony to Luxembourg’s excellent
salesmanship is that BBBB is exporting its beer from Luxembourg to Wisconsin.
Which is the equivalent of selling fridges in the Arctic.
Sadly, Milwaukee is
also known for its murder rate. Close to 200 murders in a year. Milwaukee’s
Mayor will be safer in Luxembourg. He’ll also have a bunch of marines watching
the doors. At an equivalent population number, Luxembourg only makes it to 4 or
5 violent deaths annually. Or about 2 % of Milwaukee’s numbers. I’m sure he
will ask about the numbers of white-collar crimes in Luxembourg. As a diplomat
he wants some reciprocity in the numbers. He has already mentioned concern
about money laundering and other financial crimes.
With Tom Barrett
Luxembourg gains an expert to advise the City of Luxembourg about the rampant insecurity
in the surroundings of the Central Railway Station.
On a more personal
note, Tom Barrett’s claim to fame goes back to President Obama’s election: a
real President needs a dog. Tom Barrett advised that it should be a Portuguese
Water Dog. His dog Bailey is a Portuguese Water Dog,
