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Op-Ed
Source: Civic Media
Oct 14, 2024, 8:03 PM CST
Former military leaders talk about starting a billboard campaign urging voters to uphold democratic values while on UpNorthNews Radio
They are veterans turned advocates. Ben Dowell and Ken Harbaugh are affiliated with Veterans for Responsible Leadership, a group dedicated to advocating for ethical leadership in government. The two joined UpNorthNews Radio host Pat Kreitlow to discuss their efforts to raise awareness of the dangers they believe former President Donald Trump poses to democracy.
LISTEN to the entire segment here:
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Dowell is a former U.S. Army engineer officer and Wisconsin native. He tells Kreitlow about his inspiration for launching a rural billboard campaign against Trump following the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
“It was terrifying to watch,” Dowel says. “We’ve never had a sitting president orchestrate an attack on our own government. That’s when I knew I had to act.”
He has since organized billboard campaigns across Wisconsin, followed by Georgia, and Michigan. And each one displays a stern message: Trump is “unfit to lead.”
“The billboards are part of a larger grassroots effort to rally veterans and civilians alike to defend democratic principles,” Dowell explains. “The message is influenced by my respect for former General Mark Milley and highlights Trump’s alleged dereliction of duty on January 6th along with his controversial admiration for dictators.”
Ken Harbaugh is a former Navy pilot and host of the award-winning podcast Burn the Boats. He echoes Dowell’s sentiments by underscoring the role of veterans as trusted voices in the conversation about America’s future.
“Veterans take an oath to defend the Constitution,” Harbaugh says. “Trump has violated that oath. Our message is simple: he’s the greatest threat to our democracy today.”
Both advocates are urging citizens to engage in discussions with friends and family focusing on the values of ethical leadership. They also suggest talking about the implications of violations of duty when casting their ballots in the upcoming election. Their efforts aim to reach swing states, where veterans’ voices could play a pivotal role in the outcome.
“This election is going to come down to one-on-one conversations, and veterans are in a unique position to speak to the gravity of the situation,” Harbaugh says.
And as election day approaches, Harbaugh and Dowell tell Kreitlow they remain committed to advocating for responsible leadership, while reminding Americans to cast their ballot in support of the principles important to them and their families.
WATCH a highlight from the episode here:
