[Photograph By Andy Manis of Associated Press]
I was not born there; however, I am proud to declare, I was raised there. I moved away decades ago; yet, my heart remains in Wisconsin. I marched in my first protest rallies on the streets of Milwaukee. My family followed in the path of a strong civil rights leader, Father Groppi. I would be eighteen before the November general election was held; therefore, I was able to vote as a seventeen year old during Wisconsin primaries.
My father was fortunate enough to work with a true humanitarian and advocate for the people, Wisconsinite, Senator Bill Proxmire. “Liberal” Senator Russ Feingold now, represents this fine state. Please let us all forget that Joseph McCarthy ever resided here.
The anti-Viet Nam War movement was strong in Wisconsin. Ah, I remember it well. Though many may argue the point, and it does seem to be cyclical, in my mind, Wisconsin is a progressive state.
On this past Tuesday, the citizens of this state, once again proved that they are forward-thinking. I applaud the people of Wisconsin for their most recent vote. In thirty-two communities, “Bring The Troops Home Now” referendums were on the April 4, 2006 ballot.
In twenty-four of these expansive neighborhoods, the vote was yes, bring our boys and girls home immediately. The numbers reflect a great concern, “A resounding 40,043 to 25,641 voted against the continued US occupation of Iraq.” Calculating these numbers leads us to conclude, 61 percent of Wisconsin voters want no war. Only 39 percent believe we should remain. In my own former hometown, the village of Shorewood, seventy percent said pullout now.
In eight communities, the initiative was defeated; however, “in only two” of these locales did “the vote for immediate withdrawal fall below 45 percent.”
What is left to say? [Right-] on Wisconsin!
- Wisconsin voters support Iraq withdrawal CBC News
- Wisconsin Towns Vote for Withdrawal, By John Nichols Wednesday, April 5, 2006
- Wisconsin Vote is a partnership of Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
- Proxmire called `a profile in courage’, By Katherine M. Skiba. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. April 02, 2006
- Wisconsin Votes ‘No!’ to War, By the Madison Capital Times. Tuesday, October 1, 2002
- Anti-Vietnam Movement in the U.S.
Betsy L. Angert Be-Think