One Wisconsin Now | Frown & Renown

Each month, the OWN community nominates three individuals, organizations, or groups for their work in the community.

Doing the right thing for the community – organizing a charity drive, moving forward progressive policy or standing up for our rights – will earn a renOWN...

...while misguided priorities will nab a frOWN.

It’s up to you. Use the form at the bottom of this page to cast your vote for this month's frOWN and renOWN. Make sure you nominate someone for next month as well.

The frOWN and renOWN is your chance to use the “internets” to channel your outrage or enthusiasm.

State Representative Jeff Stone

Rep. Stone (R-Greendale) is nominated for a frOWN this month for his never-ending crusade to disenfranchise thousands of underprivleged, senior, and minority voters. Rep. Stone has been the vocal leader of Wisconsin's Voter ID movement, which aims to place severe restrictions on the ability of thousands of Wisconsinites ability to vote.

U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court, now led by Bush appointees, upheld an Indiana law that requires voters to show a government-issued ID at the polls. The ruling came despite lack of evidence that voter fraud exists in any substantial quantity and countless studies that show voter ID laws will hurt voter turnout and will disproportionately affect minorities, students, seniors, and the underprivleged.

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce is up once again for a frOWN for its efforts to stop new mercury regulations from going into effect. WMC filed a suit against the Wisconsin DNR; critics of WMC's actions call the suit "frivilous," and others say that for an organization that touts its opposition to "frivilous" law suits and legal "loopholes," WMC seems all-to-willing to file frivilous suits that benefit their corporate cronies.

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl

United States Senator Herb Kohl is up for a renOWN this month for once again introducing the "Weekend Voter Act," a law that would move congressional and presidential election day from the first Tuesday in November to the first weekend of November. The Weekevnd Voter Act would mean no one would have to take time off of work to vote, and the polls would be open both Saturday and Sunday to accomodate those voters with religious obligations.

Voces de la Frontera

Voces de la Frontera helped organize and lead a 30,000 person march in Milwaukee on May 1 to call on the presidential candidates to commit to fair immigration reform within the first 100 days of the new presidential administration.The march in Milwaukee was one of the largest demonstrations among more than 200 events held in cities across the country.

Get more information at www.vdlf.org

Wisconsin's War Opponents

Groups representing veterans, military families, progressive activists, and many others marked the fifth anniversay of George Bush's now-infamous "Mission Accomplished" speech in 2003 with events across the state. Not only did these events call attention to the economic and human costs of the war in Iraq, many also pointed to Sen. John McCain, who has said he would stay in iraq for 100 years, as out of touch with the American people, 70% of who now oppose the war.