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Subscribe to RSSIf you've been on Twitter or Facebook recently, you've probably seen a viral campaign called "Kony 2012." But who's behind it this effort to get rid of a Ugandan warlord accused of war crimes and sexual slavery? NBC's Craig Melvin reports.
A charity whose tactics have been criticized is making traction online with a video, "KONY 2012," that aims to bring down the leader of a cult-like rebel army in Africa.
The 30-minute documentary, which has had more than 7 million YouTube downloads, was made by Invisible Children, a charity that wants Joseph Kony, head of the Lord's Resistance Army, to face trial in an international court on charges of using children as soldiers and other human rights crimes in Uganda.
A recent Foreign Affairs report challenged the tactics used by the charity and several others, saying they had exaggerated the scale of Kony's crimes.
The blog Visible Children, written by a Canadian college student, also questioned the value of Invisible Children's emphasis on filmmaking and social media advocacy and pointed out that it was advocating for western military intervention in Africa.
Jedediah Jenkins, the charity's director of idea development, told the Washington Post that the criticism was "myopic" and that the film reflected a "tipping point" by getting young Americans to care about an issue in Africa.
"The film has reached a place in the global consciousness where people know who Kony is, they know his crimes," Jenkins added. "Kids know and they respond. And then they won’t allow it to happen anymore."
Invisible Children also posted a response to the criticisms here.
On Tuesday, the UN refugee agency said the Lord's Resistance Army had launched a new spate of attacks in the northeastern region Democratic Republic of Congo this year after a lull in the second half of 2011.
But Mounoubai Madnodje, a spokesman for the UN's Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the LRA was on its last legs.
"We think right now it's the last gasp of a dying organization that's still trying to make a statement," he said. Madnodje said there are only about 200 LRA fighters left.
But experts on the LRA were skeptical about writing off Kony's force too soon. Mareike Schomerus at the London School of Economics said small scale attacks did not necessarily mean the LRA was getting weaker.
"It doesn't tell us anything because it's the same thing they have been doing for the last 25 years," she said.
The LRA, which emerged in northern Uganda in the late 1990s, is believed to have killed, kidnapped and mutilated thousands of people. Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court and the African Union, which has designated it as a terrorist group.
In October the United States sent 100 military personnel, mainly special forces, to train and advise the forces fighting against the LRA.
This article includes reporting by msnbc.com staff and Reuters.
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Down with Kony! Crimes against humanity must not, and will not, be tolerated in this age!
Both sides have child soldiers and rape girls. The only charitys in africa that actually makes a positive difference are those that free slaves. Sending food there makes warlords destroy food production capacity so they can steal food aid and have power by choosing who eats. To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans.
It's not only about stopping Kony it is demonstrating that by using social media the common person can work together with thousands others to influence the government. It is a social experiment as the video first points out. And besides stopping Kony it is very important for people and social issues to take notice and use Facebook and YouTube to finally do some good in this World.
Both sides have child soldiers and rape girls. The only charitys in africa that actually makes a positive difference are those that free slaves. Sending food there makes warlords destroy food production capacity so they can steal food aid and have power by choosing who eats. To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans.
oh sure they will. the us is more interested in a civil war in Syria and Libya destabilizing oil prices than in africa where people are being slaughtered. they have been for years. nothing about that has changed with our great savior obama.
I tried watching this video, I really did but it didnt grab me enough to keep me. What you all are discussing has been going on in the third world for all time. Its hard to get worked up about 1 or 2 warlords in africa. As noted earlier, there will just be another to take his place. We cannot nation build in subsaharan becasue they lack most natural resources and have been unable to compete in a global economy.
I wish I could say I am sad but I am not, its just a fact of life. I am not saying I am happy, but I just dont care enough to do anything about this.
This man is a example of a rabies animal that should be put down at all cost! US needs a drone plane to fine this sick animal and put him out of his misery, once and for all.
Clebro 2 #1.4 3-7-2012. I like to inform you we (US) has had U S Marines (250) on the ground in Africa, looking to stop this Rabid animal. This was Authorized by Obama in 2011. We do not tell the world what all of the things we are doing to keep things a secret to save American Lives of our soldiers. Any more questions!!! Fox News did not have the FACTS again!!! I mean the TRUE FACTS!!!
One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter.
what you all are discussing has been going on in the third world for all time.
That's right folks. Murder and rape are OK if it has been going on for a long time. It is tradition! Like slavery! People have done that for millenia so it must be perfectly fine.
Steve,
What the heck are you talking about and why bring Fox News into it? You say on the one hand that the reason the other poster was wrong about saying Obama has done nothing (not true, but also not far from false) is because Obama last year ordered some Marines into Africa. But on the other hand you say the USA doesn't publicize these facts. Yet somehow you know all about it? My suspicion is that you are not in Africa doing your part as a Marine to help the Africans develop enough of a military capability so people like Kony fail. So you must've heard about all of this from...wait for it...a news story?
Obama might be an epic failure as president, but Fox News has done nothing to hurt him.
ps--The USA has, and has had, soldiers/marines/sailors/airmen in over 100 countries in various capacities for many years. It's part of our role as global hegemon. And they do some amazing work--everything from helping to construct legal systems to producing professional officer corps to lead soldiers. Obama hasn't made it better, nor made it worse.
Indifferent spoke for much of America. Americans just don't care enough to do anything about it. We care about Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, etc. but then they have oil don't they? BECAUSE there aren't any oil or resources by which we can profit from sub-saharan Africa we just don't care. And this isn't just white America, black Americans don't care either. Whatever happened to compassion and human dignity?
The issues isn't about what is right or wrong here. Obviously we believe that what is going on is wrong, however issues such as this don't attract attention because it's not in the nations best interest. Although as the Worlds democratic Superpower we do have an inert responsibility to spread democracy and freedom we must also look at the consequences of our potential actions. The fact is just killing one man will not stop atrocities in Africa and the cost of building a strong secular democratic government and stimulating a devastated economy is extremely high when the world is still rebuilding our own economies. I believe that it's the sovereign Democratic Republic of Congo's responsibility to police it's own boarders.
Enough already let their own take care of their own. You want to put our people in harms way, for a way of life that has existed for decades. Do they know how to move? Let me see ... do I care... NO don't use my tax dollars for another bleeding heart story that will line the pockets of the film maker. I have it send the film maker to capture the Cheese Kony. We have enough to take care of at home. Find a story that will aid suffering families in America.
What is Joseph Kony's side of the story you just want us to believe what you say!! your poster has Hitler bin la din and kony on it what do they have to do with each other . black children have suffered at the hands of people like you for years in this country no education poor neighborhoods crime no health care, and you want to run to the jungle to hunt another black man because you say he is evil to trail no judge I am not a racist why don't you spend you time and money to help stop the bloodshed right here at home in our black communities and go after your system that works to destroy the lives of black familes here at home.
OK Enough already... Another Film Maker is in Africa how does this happen? How long has there been war, murder, genecide, slavery and other untold issues. Africa and the Middle East why don't they finish the job and kill each other off and get it over. They have been doing this since the begining of time and no matter how much money you pour into this abiss it won't change. There will be another war lord to take Cheese Kony's place. Don't kid yourself. When will they figure out how to install plumbing and clean water systems in the getto. When you look at the distressing videos of poverty and crime against humanity they won't show the thriving multi million dollar buildings right next to the slum. They need to take care of their own and that is how they do it with their own military forces. Why is it up to us to find 1 (one) war lord and what will be the impact... Nothing. WHAT IS THE WHOLE PICTURE AND WHY DON'T THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN. TRAIN THEIR MILITARY WHO DO YOU THINK PATROLS THE SLUM AND CONTROLS WHO CAN ENTER THE CITY.
World is suffering. Kids, Women and people with out means feel pain.
Our job is to make it even.
why don't you spend you time and money to help stop the bloodshed right here at home in our black communities and go after your system that works to destroy the lives of black familes here at home.
True we have our own set of problems here at home. Things could definitely get better, but sometimes you have to look beyond your own borders. Should acts of kindness and compassion be confined to only the place where you come from? Or are there things that transcend nationalism?
"...look beyond our borders"??? You've been looking beyond reparations for not paying the slaves for building and providing the seed money for the wealth this nation is now experiencing. Black life was the first blue chip on Wall Street your Highness. We know very well about your "beyond". I wonder sometimes if these current acts of charity are not acts of penitence for your willingness not to justly compensate the descendants of the slaves. If they would have done this 200+ years ago, I wonder what the present welfare system would look like. This brother killin brother via racism and economic disparity regardless of race, creed and culture is the demon we need to seriously behold toward change. It is still the great constrictor around the necks brothers of beautiful dark hue by my brothers in power with beautiful light hue.
You bet we know and respond!! As a high school teen, some of my friends and I are trying to get youth in the Detroit area and suburbs to organize. Please spread the word, and follow @detroitkony2012 on Twitter!!!
Our strength lies in numbers, and young voices WILL be heard.
Indifferent2012,... the reason you're talking such trash and nonsense is because you have NEVER been violated in such a way NOR seen a family member of yours LITERALLY killed RIGHT in front of you!
You are a disgusting human being for being so cold and heartless and thinkin in such a way.
smdh. You SERIOUSLY don't know how GOOD/GREAT your life is compared to others. And having this video go viral and making others aware of the genocide going on as well as humanitarian rights being VIOLATED is an opportunity for ppl to LEARN MORE, OPEN THEIR EYES, AND HELP!
& u're here saying stupid @!$%# like this: "...I wish I could say I am sad but I am not, its just a fact of life. I am not saying I am happy, but I just dont care enough to do anything about this..."
I hope one day someone turns a blind eye/(their backs on you) when you're in DESPERATE NEED... <--- but that pain will be SOOO little compared to what these innocent children/victims/people have gone through!
I have NEVER attacked a user before... but SERIOUSLY, just fall off the face of this earth. [including the ppl who "liked" your comment].
I can't wait for Joseph Kony to inhale his last breath.
@Defend Islam> You are a hypocrite; how can you say "black children have suffered at the hands of people like YOU"; and then go on to say that you are not racist. Your comment about "no education", schools are there, but the parents allow their children to be delinquents, "poor neighborhoods" well sorry to inform you but drug dealing and gang banging are not wise professions, "no health care" funny how most are on welfare, (the free to them kind of health care).
Do those children live in the U.S.; yes. Do the parents have the choice, (as do all other have to make the right choice for their future), instead of sitting back and blaming the people outside of their community; yes.
My question to you is why is it okay for the "black communities" to not take responsibility for the way they live. Today's society allows for all people to succeed if they CHOOSE too!
This story is about the one's who DO NOT have the choice to choose their future!!!
Invisible Children, Inc. -- the makers of the Kony 2012 video -- actively support armed intervention in central Africa. Politically and financially, they support particular armed forces in this conflict -- forces that have themselves been accused of looting, raping and committing some of the same atrocities as Joseph Kony and the LRA.
Most of the criticism of Invisible Children, Inc. has focused on the fact that only 31% of the donations they collect actually go to direct support in Africa and the rest is spent on salaries, travel and filmmaking. But few in the media are raising the issue of what exactly that direct support is -- like trying to get the U.S. more deeply involved in the conflict, for one -- and with some success, as we now have 100 U.S. Special Forces on the ground in central Africa. Or providing financial and logistical support to the Uganda People's Defense Force and other forces in the region that Invisible Children feels are most likely able to defeat the LRA.
Sorry folks, but all of you who jumped on the Kony 2012 bandwagon have been duped by a very effective propaganda film and viral internet campaign. Your donations will help escalate a military conflict that ironically is already winding down, and in the process even MORE African children will die.
NorBert -
How do you behold something toward change? As far as reparations go, who would be entitled to them? What if you're descendent from both black and white ancestors? Would you have to have a certain make up of the African American race in order to qualify, i.e., 60/40? Would it not be possible to have ancestors who were both slave and slave owner, and if so, would you have to give or would you be able to receive a portion of those reparations? Which brings up the point, from whom would we confiscate the funds necessary to distribute such reparations? Would they be taxable? Would they originate from taxation? If so, would hispanics and asians be exempt from having to pay taxes that go to pay reparations since they were not responsible for or participants in slavery? And if that's the case, how would that tax code be written? Would it be a tax strictly on white people and would that not then violate the constitution? Also, from what logical path do you arrive at the murder of one African American at the hands of another African American being the result of racism? I think you will find very few people who do not find the idea slavery abhorrent but your goal is unattainable and your own racism and hatred is palpable. We need to move on but you seek retribution not reparations and you seek it from people who had nothing to do slavery and I can assure you that I have not realized any gains from its passed existence. We need to move on not draw it out; put the hate behind you.
One of the big problems with this situation is that the Ugandan Government and Military(whom maintain some shadiness themselves) want help from the US Government in ousting this guy. The kids that he takes are forced to become his soldiers or he will kill them.
If any troops are sent to oust him, they will be forced to kill many of the kids that they are trying to save.
Sucks.
Arm the women, not the men.
Hmm. Care to reincarnate in Subsaharan Africa? If you know anything about karma, that's where you're headed, boy.
It is coming to light that though most of what is on the vid is true, there is still a lot of it that isn't. Ol Joe hasn't been in Uganda for over 5 years now. The amount of children kidnapped presently is far lower then stated. The U.S. already has SF troops on the ground there as advisors.
The "charity" that produced this vid is keeping most of the money that is donated. The U.S. government wants to know just how much and where the money is going.
You can't believe every thing you see on youtube.
Confuse u stated[ BECAUSE there aren't any oil or resources by which we can profit from sub-saharan Africa we just don't care. And this isn't just white America, black Americans don't care either.
I beg to differ and I'll start by asking you this; when have we ever profited by any that you have mentioned above. Haven't you heard these conflicts have costed us trillions of dollars and American lives. When does the UN finally get to do what they are in place for? Stop asking American to go fight for a cause you believe in, unless you're ready to join them on the front line!
America wake up girl!!!! Time to get our own affairs in order.
That should have been cost us and Americans. Dang correction block froze.
who cares! its africa, just let them kill themselves out.
Reading and Watching - the video in question and an extra of the children not a hoax
Okay, yes we can take care of business here and be a positive force in Africa. But, a weak delusional materialistic self-centered myopic sheeple as in America of today lack the intelligence to even vote thier own interests. The world is becoming an even more dangerous place to live...we have enough resources but as in the worst case...in The United States...we see this concentration of power, wealth and resources in the hands of the greedy bastards the absurd disparity is not natural. A link, unbiased as far as I can tell...facts are stubborn little things that will not go away. Copy and Paste to browser takes you to youtube a safe site…for these two...the link should work c&p if not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB-9x4Nc6C8
The naysayers say all this is propaganda even a hoax as if we needed the "Kony 2012" video to be informed maybe we do as I see many are out of touch – the androids spew more disinformation with all the required smoke and mirrors that we are powerless and impotent and maybe we are…well maybe the American people are? This situation exists in our country today maybe you are unaware live in a
bubble…and so it goes…read watch
To those saying there isn't an oil connection in this, might wanna head over to Google and do some homework. Irish based Tullow Oil company found "large" reserves (estimates vary wildy) in western Uganda in 2006. They stated oil infrastructure would be completed some time in 2011.
In fact, when Obama sent troops in October of 2011, the embassy released a statement repeating that it wasn't about the oil. Was it? I'm not certain, but it was big enough news at the time to warrant a defense by the embassy.
Now, the current movement is (in my opinion) legit, I think people truly care. I'm just not sure who is behind the scenes pulling the strings. The video is laced with groupthink tactics and the political nature of the documentary gives me pause.
Private donations are a great way to help in some small way, I myself am currently researching charities to donate to (I don't want to pay for IC's lobbying and video productions). I just get anxious when movements get in bed with the military and use emotional manipulation to seemingly lay the groundwork for an occupation. Hopefully I'm wrong, time will tell.
What about the slaves that build our ipods/iphones or the 40,000+ murdered in mexico in one year so we can have our drugs (those same cartels treat women the same as Kony) where are the voices for them. Hopefully this is the start of some social media revolution but then again Uganda does have oil. Start of a new era? or the same old tricks for oil? only time will tell
Kony died in 2006 this may be a scam as its reported that the leaders of this group are paid way to much if put with other org.s that are trying to help. Just Google Kony scam and decide for yourself IMO.
So a video gets put up and no everyone is suddenly "OMG I had no idea??" These thing have been going on in these countries for decades, yet everyone seems to have been ignorant to this fact. Now it becomes a social hype so everyone can feel good about themselves doing something. I agree that he needs to be dealt with, but where was everyone when this started decades ago? Has everyone's head been in the sand this whole time?
There will always be another warlord, even the current leader of Uganda has been accused of using child soldiers in the past. This is going on in numbers of other countries as well. What about them? The problems over there go way beyond one warlord, but everyone thinks that get rid of him and it will be a nice slice of heaven in the country.
Yes we all knew this was happening thank you captain obvious. Now the fact is we can actually do something to help now! And although we may not save Africa we'll be able to save some lives, 30,000 to be exact. So how about you shut the @!$%# up and support this cause instead of talking @!$%#.
There will always be another warlord..
That is always the best route. Do nothing because there will always be another warlord.
well, i can speak for myself and probably for many other people who just found out about this and say i was a baby! why do you have to be negative about this issue?? there always has to be that one person who attack the power of the internet and its influence. hate all you want but the issue just got out to thousands, maybe millions of more people who didn't know. in case you didn't know, there are 7 billion people on the planet, and we cant all know everything
Dark, i think the video has clearly demonstrated how the internet has changed the way we live. And now thanks to the internet and social media we can now help stop this.
Yeah there's no way to end all the atrocities in the world, so we may as well not address any of them. That pretty much your argument? Look, sure people like to become aware when it's the "cool" thing to do, but so what?? If it becomes cool to protect the civil rights of those who can't do so for themselves then so be it. Don't be so self righteous that you end up being a counterproductive force against the very injustice you cry out against. If people want to help, let them. I could care less what made them interested in helping as long as they genuinely want to see change.
I knew about for actually several years. Unfortunately, I do not have the money to donate or to buy their t-shirts but I do have the word and a mouth- which makes me able to talk about it. We are people and it is true that is has been going on about 3-decades without it being unnoticed. A person, went on a trip to Africa, found out that a place they were going through was extremely hostile because of the LRA and Joseph Kony. They have been rebuilding, restoring, what was a desolate hell-hole to a place where they have hope and a future to look forward to.
We just had black history month and people dont know that both sides in every sub sahara africa conflict uses child soldiers and rapes. What did they teach if not history? The Uganda govt. is not much better.
To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans.
Ummmm....yeah...that's how communication works! No one heard about it and now they will!
@ Darkshadow...
You missed the whole point. Social media and the internet are NOW making this happen.
WAKE THE F UP!
This has been going on even before america was founded. It is not new. These people made slaves out of the villagers they conquered and vice versa. Children have always been used as well as has women.
Perhaps an apology is due? I won't hold my breath.
And it wasn't unnoticed:
Check Mr. Limbaugh's own website for his view on this story. He did address it in October.
@Darkshadow, If you really knew that this thing was going on why didnt you raise your voice and let people know decades before?
I think we are the generation with the most luck that we live in this century of social media and internet, that anything that happens across the world can be heard in a matter of second. I just like the majority of these people did not know about this person. I knew there was hunger in Africa but did not know that there is some bastard or better say another HITLER there killing his own people after what they already have to go through.
I didn't say doing nothing is the answer. Yet, just taking out one warlord is not the answer. Things have to change in these countries to keep these warlords from spawning and gaining power. Unfortunately, when you have governments that refuse to relinquish power and govern corrupt, these warlords will continue to rise up.
Javier, perhaps if you wanted me t take your response seriously you could have approached it in a more civilized and less profane tongue. Perhaps you are unable to compose and adult discussion? If you knew about it and were so concerned, there were things you could have done about it. You could have started your own awareness campaign.
Corie, I have known about these types of issues just by watching the news and being aware of the world around me. If people would look up from their celebrity gossip news and reality tv shows, they too could also see what is going on in the world before it's too late and we have to address these issues before they get to this horrible state.
I was invited to an event via Facebook in our local community. It was scheduled for 4/20. You know what I saw on the event wall? Plenty of people talking about how they will get together and smoke their pot while passing out posters since it was 420 day. This movement is just a way to get people out having fun with their friends and feeling good about themselves because they are bringing awareness to the issue. In a few months, how many of those people will still be actively trying to do something?
Still I say go for it, bring awareness to this awful situation. Spread the posters, donate money (but make sure it is going to a viable charity), and write the letters to your representatives. Yet, at the same time I implore you to take into consideration that in a few months the majority will let this fade into oblivion as other things get more encompassing, or Kony will be taken out, and then everyone can celebrate and go about their lives. Still, their are still countless other situations, even in the past at the hands of governments that we now support, that don't get this publicity which are just as bad as this one in countless other countries.
Dark Shadow has a very valid point. It has been going on for decades now. I used to sponsor a little boy in Uganda for three years, (2006-2009), and his brother was murdered right in front of his eyes. all of a sudden one day they told me he could no longer be sponsored and they could not give me any more information about him, but I could have another child. It was devastating to me. I never knew what happened to him , and he was only 11 years old. The children go to schools sometimes and have to walk long distances during the day to get there. At night, they have to seek shetlter and try to keep from being kidnapped into the army. The young girls are forced to join as sex slaves, or have their babies or family killed right in front of them. I do not say turn our backs on them, but we have a lot of need right here in the US, and many, many homeless. Why not help them in the numbers we are using to make this man famous. If everyone would be outraged by the fact that we have homeless, and help them get jobs, provide drug treamtent for them and treatment for their mental illnesses, they we are helping our own. We cannot be a big brother to other continents when we are turning our backs on our own!
We cannot be a big brother to other continents when we are turning our backs on our own!
We aren't turning our backs on our own! The homeless situation in the US could definitely get better but sometimes you have to look beyond your own borders. Should acts of kindness and compassion be confined to only the place where you come from? Or are there things that transcend nationalism?
If you can't even fix the poverty in your own neighborhood, how on Earth are you going to fix another nation's poverty?
No, acts of kindness and compassion should be for everyone everywhere. But they should be focused more on your town.
How can you say "let me help you from across the world" but look a man in the eyes then ignore him while he's standing on the corner when he obviously needs help? That makes no sense.
We can't be the world's police. Yes, this is very sad, but in order to stop it we'd have to kill too many people, and risk the lives of too many others. We'd have to take out Kony, and most of his soldiers. We'd have to take out all the other militia groups too. We'd have to take out the country's leaders in order to try to put in a more ethical government. We'd then rebuild all their roads and schools. It might work, or we might end up with them angry at us and shooting our soldiers for the accidental burning of a sacred item.
Meanwhile, our schools and roads crumble because we can't afford to fix them. Our police officers don't get new protective gear because we can't afford it. Lower income children are cut from health care programs because we can't afford it.
@captainbrngdown which i wonder is that name supposed to imply you're a realist, or a troll? By your logic I guess I'm not supposed to care when the lower midwest gets hammered by tornadoes or New Orleans goes under water again. Or can we look past our own towns to other states in the nation but not cross national borders? So Libya, Haiti, the Pacific region tsunami relief, and all of our other historically recent endeavors outside our own borders were misguided and by your logic directly draining from resources that should be entirely domestic. I think we tried playing that game in the 1930's, didn't end well.
In that case, you obviously have no comprehending skills whatsoever.
Did I say to never help others? Negative. Did I encourage people to help their neighbors first? Yes. Here's why: It makes you look fairly hypocritical if you send thousands and thousands of dollars overseas to (rightfully) help people yet you refuse to help those that are closer to home.
Instead of blaming those in need (i.e. Katrina victims, Haiti victims who by the way are still living in tents since the government stole the relief funds) we automatically open our wallets. Which for those who can help in any way is fantastic. I'm not discrediting that.
Yet, on the other hand, we seem to blame those that are homeless as if it is 100% their fault. We look to politicians to "fix" that, yet how well has that worked out? Oh right...it hasn't.
If every victim of injustice, be it genocide or bad choices or mother nature in a tizzy, were treated the same this world might be a little bit better.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is, help everyone. Not just those that happen to get the most media coverage.
The last of our troops in Iraq just got home right before Christmas, and suddenly millions of people want us to send some of them to Africa to hunt down a warlord they never heard of until 2 days ago? Hey, what about Syria? They are getting mass murdered over there too and most of you Kony sheeple actually do know about that. I'm sure that with enough troops, guns, missiles and drones, we can solve all of the world's injustices!
But seriously, I bet our Special Forces and Predator drones could find and kill this Kony monster very quickly, just like we did with Bin Laden.
"Kids know and they respond. And then they won’t allow it to happen anymore."
How, exactly?
This is the simple minded pie in the sky BS that people use to con others out of money. "Send us just a dollar and you will make a difference....?!" Targeted at young people too lazy to do any actual charity work that actually does make a difference. How typical.
Not a single American soldier's life is worth this cause! How easy it is for our spoiled, arrogant youth to want to send someone else over there to risk their life for their cause. How very typical.
When invisible Children points out that it is the youth that are responding, my response is, of course it is: they are too naive to know any better. They are the very target IC was after. The very people who would not dig for the truth because it requires effort. The kind that thinks you can throw money at a problem and it gets solved. The kind that believes what they are spoon fed via social media.
Sad. If these "kids" are our future, we are in big trouble.
i think the real question is how many of you are arguing about what to do with other peopls money. if you want to help you should be trying to figure out what your going to do with your own money. vote with your feet. if you think this is unworthy don't donate. go figure out what your going to do with your own money. there are certainly other places to go. go donate to them.
I did read about these children several years ago, it was a cover article in Smithsonian or some magazine similar to that .... perhaps National Geographic ... about 10 years ago, almost, it seems. How the boys had to all group together every night and go somewhere so they wouldnt be kidnapped.
"The film has reached a place in the global consciousness where people know who Kony is, they know his crimes," Jenkins added. "Kids know and they respond. And then they won’t allow it to happen anymore."
And what is the proposed idea that they won't let it happen anymore? Are they going to keep tweeting and face booking about it?
we tweet to people, people retweet it, tweet to celebs who have influence, the celebs use that influence along with the organization to go to higher levels of government , why do you think Obama sent those 100 soldiers to Uganda, it was because of the organization that made the movie, what the hell are you going do?? down play people trying to do a good thing and make negative comments on the Internet?
Good point, but if he was really serious about helping, this article wouldn't have been published because the problem was taken care of.
Obviously the 100 troops didn't do much. So continue telling people about this and see how much gets done. Nothing. It will go on forever until we kill these "bad people".
The whole reason this article is here today is because no one cared enough to stop it. Sure, they watched the video, but their thought process is, "Oh, it doesnt affect me that much....besides, im having "financial trouble"(oh yeah well ur making 10000 and the kids in uganda are making 0). Eh...i think i'll just skip out on this one."
Maybe you should actually watch the video and see the idea to make this happen. We physically can't interfere and arrest the man himself. That's what the officials in Africa are for, but in order for them to have the training and aide from the U.S., the people have to WANT to help, and the only way to get the people to want to help is by tweeting, facebook, and what-not, to spread Invisible Children's message, because if the U.S. loses interest, there goes our hope, and Africa's hope in saving thousands of lives. This is an opportunity for us to reach out to the war without conflict, but like Shaun says, lets just "kill these 'bad people'". I'm sure that will help. Their goal is to spread support so our government will do something, because they won't do anything more unless WE as a people want it. It's up to us to make this change.
I have worked with the charity as a volunteer. Education is only one arm of a much larger organization and movement. Unfortunately, by its very nature, the media only provides sound-bytes. Along with the media campaign that IC runs (their "sound-byte...), they run a Schools for Schools program that raises funds to improve educational infrastructure in the villages in Northern Uganda so that people can move out of the massive displacement camps, MEND, a program that employs many of the unemployed tailors (that were trained by other aid organizations and left with a skill but no employment) in the north to create high fashion handbags as well as create a market for the product through the organization, a mentor program employing Ugandan mentors to follow up and provide support to scholarship recipients, a cotton initiative that is supporting the implementation of an organic cotton industry (prior to the war, Uganda was one of the top quality cotton producing countries) from farmer to finished product, a teacher exchange program that brings American teachers to Uganda and Ugandan teachers to America to exchange best practices and build curriculum, a radio network (early alert network) in villages in CAR, DRC, and South Sudan to aid villages in sharing information about the LRA's movement and recent attacks, and many other programs supporting responsible and sustainable growth in the north. The organization employs native Ugandans for almost all of their on the ground programs and with the intent that the few non-native employees are temporary consultants in contrast to life-long employees. They do not give "hand out aid," but, rather, require recipients of support to be active participants (with a stake) in the process with so that the development is on-going and indefinitely sustainable (even if the organization were to go away tomorrow).
@ shaun - We don't know if the 100 troops did or did not work yet. The video was completed shortly after Obama sent 100 troops there. We currently don't know what is going on now.
(Sorry, didn't finish my post)
But, I do agree with you about the younger generation and social media. The way I found out about Kony 2012 was my 14 year old cousin linked a Youtube vid she made on her fb. It is three and a half minutes of her saying how bad Joseph Kony is and she couldn't believe people like him existed in the world.
Adults are more likely to respond but kids are more likely to say how sad until Snooki or a Kardashian do something what they feel newsworthy.
Maybe they could open up their own sweatshops and work for some money to hire private security firms to help them! Just maybe they could just arm themselves and defend their own homes, you know some personal responsibility. Every time some one has problems the very people on here that wants help for them, just doesn't seem too be able to really help. Go get'em attitude so to speak, yet they sit there and do nothing themselves. What a pity.
Yeah they can't leave their keyboard long enough to make a difference. Want to help? Ask Mr. obama to get a jet ready for you and your friends and head on over there. I'm sure you'd be able to help them more so in person.
You might want to think twice before donating to this particular charity. They don't get a very good mark from Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau.
This article lists other charities with better reputations and transparency that you can donate to if you want to help.
You really think they went to Africa to find a way to take people for their money??
They made this video, got people together and now millions of people are watching the video and you think they cant be trusted?
I think that's what msannomalley is saying - this charity might not be the best way to help. I agree. Who wouldn't explore the options if they're about to send their hard-earned money to another continent? There are a lot of situations around the world that could be improved with some charitable donations, including some of the folks in Uganda, but maybe you should do some research before you send that cash...
the reason they don't get a big rating is because a large percentage goes into making their films and advertisment rather than into developing programs to help the people. they do have programs, but their organization was built on bringing awareness to this issue as they did with the first film Invisible Children and now are doing again with Kony 2012. i think they have made about 11 films total and they have had other events not unlike the Kony 2012. But that is there primary goal is to stop Joseph Kony, by getting the world involved. The U.S. is one of the largest and most influential countries in the world with one of the greatest military forces so getting america to care can be very beneficial to stopping Kony's attrocities, while many other organizations are focusing on rehabilitation for the victims of his crimes and provide education and marketable skills.
So its not that they are a bad charity, their primary goals are just very different.
YOU personally do not have to donate a damn dime. JUST share the video. you might know someone who knows someone who knows someone who might really be in a position to do something even better. who knows, maybe the head of blackwater will send in their own team, if we can't slap a few drones in there, out of the goodness of their hearts. (i know, very low odds, but one could hope!!)
Excellent Tim!!
Also i went to their site and saw all the merchandised they are selling. I think all that needs some kind of funding to get started.
Hey all of you send the donations in cash to: Lets respond to this need. Local po.box 2525 Fl. I will check all bills myself just to make sure no counterfeit money is involved. These monies will be counted for accuracy and we'll keep them in small donomination to make the pile look larger. Just remember it is for a good cause, cause [I] erggergg they need it!
Yours trustfully Darrell.
Why bother with a warning about IC? A video is the truth. Social media is the truth. Every charity is a good charity. Every cause is worth sending someone else to fight or die for.
Just ask the youth of today. They will tell you.
Lol.
You know, of all the evil organizations that this world has seen, the Lords' Resistance Army is one of the most atrocious. The things these terrorists have done are beyond unconscionable. It really is hard to find people worse than Kony and the LRA.
Toasty--how about Rush Limbaum, slut and whore, prostitute, all over three day period, or The TP republicans agreeing to not agree with Obama on everything. Take away women rights to safe Health care, just like the safe Health care for MEN, no question there! Abortion are legal in this country no matter what you think. Your Religion has no place in other people Health Care. Women have equal rights under the Constitution, not by what you believe. No one has that right to take away someone else rights to Health Care. OK for Viagra for men but not for Birth Control for women. If Birth Control was around years ago, you would not be here today, Thank your Mother???
That had nothing to do with the topic at hand.
Uh, Steve? You might want to check the article you're posting about next time...
Steve has lost it, do not make fun of the oppressed they could shoot you.
He has definitely drop a nut out of his bag. I could just picture him typing that stuff, veins popping out the sides of his neck, fingers flying on the keyboard so fast they were smoking. I little dribble from the corners of his mouth, eyes so close together you'd wonder if he isn't a bird or something!
Yes be careful folks, Steve is a baaaad man, even his shadow moves in front of him so he don't think he's being attacked.
Look south of the border and you will see murder, rape, kidnapping for sexual enslavement, ect... the difference is kony doesnt supply us with a steady stream of drugs. But then again those criminals names arent linked via facebook so I guess their crimes are not as important.
http://newsone.com/nation/casey-gane-mccalla/rush-limbaugh-defended-joseph-kony-and-lords-resistance-army/comment-page-1/
Rush needs to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Read my link... he defended KONY...
Honestly, I don't know how that man can look at himself in the mirror.
why does he need to go? can't you just disagree with him? does everyone who doesn't agree with you need "to go?"
Every conflict in africa has child soldiers and rape on both sides. The only charitys in africa that actually makes a positive difference are those that free slaves. Sending food there makes warlords destroy food production capacity so they can steal food aid and have power by choosing who eats. To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans.
I don't agree with you but you can stay. Even hes sponsors think he needs to go and they have done it.
YOU CARE!!!
lol im sure more sponsors will replace those that left. he has free speech just like anyone else.
You really think that? Is that why the famous untouchable Rush has apologized twice? He did it because the sponsors are making him do it.
In a world where the biggest headlines are often that of "Kim Kardashian's Divorce Tales" and "Snooki Has a Bun in the Oven" top the lists in the USA, I think a viral video is a good wake-up call for ALL generations. It's not about being profound or donating to a charity. This is about putting our apathy aside and stopping heinous, blatantly monstrous crimes. It may just be one man and this is not the first time anyone is hearing of atrocities happening, but we have a new tool to reach millions in a single day. Maybe it's time we try using it to educate and inform rather than propagate hate and shallow values. Maybe we should be asking our world leaders why these things are still occurring with all this technology at our fingertips. Obviously doing nothing has done literally NOTHING. A great man once said " be the change you wish to see in the world". That man was Mahatma Gandhi.
You tell 'em
Well said! I completely agree. As a teacher it's disheartening when a student knows the name of every Jersey Shore cast member, but not their Vice President. This viral campaign has certainly worked-- I had multiple students asking me more about Kony today. When I watched this video the first thing that I thought wasn't, "Oh my, I can't believe this is happening in our world" like many of my students do, rather I thought "Oh my, isn't it nice to see something "trending" that actually matters?" I think it proves two things. First, that social networking is continuing to prove its worth, and second that students actually do care about relevant and important things, when they're presented in a way that's consistent with their world.
It's annoying to see the people who are against this because they hate the bandwagoning. They'll say things like, "we already knew about this" and "no one cared until it was on twitter." So what? The point is people care now. And even if you don't agree w/ Invisible Children's approach (the advocacy for military intervention), at least it opens up a dialogue-- and not just with adults, with supposedly apathetic teens as well.
I agree "Teacher Here", my 17 year old brought the video to our family last night and made us all watch. Not only did I donate because I think its a good cause to support but because he took interest in something much more important then himself and his friends. I wanted to show support for something he believes in along with the cause.
I was going to mess with ya and decide not too! Gandhi was a great individual. I think we need to ask ourselves; " am I my brothers keeper? If the answer is no, then humanity will soon disappear. If yes we continue on to solve other problems of the world. There is no clear answer to all problems as we all have different views on any given subject.
If you believe in a higher power, then keep these people in your prayers and just remember they do need more than just a prayer. I left an address in another post and will be setting up a avenue for ppl. to donate. If all you have is a dollar then donate it for this cause, it is a good cause.
It's not just this one guy. Children make up the bulk of all the armies in the whole world from South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia - children have always been exploited and sent off to die in some other preson's war! Even Europe and North America had children in their armies up to and around the late 1800's.
but that was the lat 1800's. The point is ppl are still doing it RIGHT NOW. sure, lots of ppl know about it, and it happens in many places, but no one cares enough to stop it.
Kathryn if you want to make a difference in africa you can donate to one of the 2 charities that buys black slaves for $5 each and sets them free. He said europe and US had child soldiers in the 1800, africa still has them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15255357 "Where child sacrifice is a business" from 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2661365.stm UN condemns DR Congo cannibalism from 2003 ,Congo soldiers explain why they rapehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM. Africa is still a 3rdworld area.
Oh shut up you damn cynics! This is good stuff! Now shut up!
Only 200 LRA fighters left though? Huh, well that's still 200 more than I'd like! Let's kill'em all!!
Don't you believe for a minute that there are only 200 LRA fighters left! That's what they want us to believe, but I certainly don't. Seriously, how did it dwindle from 30,000 to 200 in such a short time? The truth is, it didn't. My grandchildren have posted this video on their FB pages, and I'm so proud of them for wanting to get involved! And just so some of you haters will know, these kids are doing much more than simply tweeting or posting on FB. They are physically spreading the word and posting posters in their areas. Not ALL kids are lazy and brainless nitwits.
#####Kills
#####yOung
##childreN
##everydaY
-Koonal Patel
Uganda has newly found Oil.
If America goes in, I can assure you we will never leave.
Consider it another Middle East
"another Middle East" they have 60% of the worlds oil??? wow!! you're right get ready for a 10 year war and 5,000 American lives lost.
If we go in, more innocent will die then there are now.
The point isn't we are going in. The soldiers we have already sent over there aren't doing any fighting, because they can't interfere that way. They are there to aide in the Ugandan official's training.
Who cares????
you care.... why are you commenting then??
i hate when people say, "you care."
RUSH LIMBAUGH NEEDS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every conflict in africa has child soldiers and rape on both sides. The only charitys in africa that actually makes a positive difference are those that free slaves. Sending food there makes warlords destroy food production capacity so they can steal food aid and have power by choosing who eats. To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans
Yes steveaae, we've seen your repeated cut and pastes now STFU or actually contribute!
Every conflict in africa has child soldiers and rape on both sides. The only charitys in africa that actually makes a positive difference are those that free slaves. Sending food there makes warlords destroy food production capacity so they can steal food aid and have power by choosing who eats. To see africans attitudes about rape of those belonging to other groups see the youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZIK9Ce0yM Congo soldiers explain why they rape . Often the muslims get support despite the fact they commit the most atrocities due to muslims being allowed to lie when it supports them or islam
The only thing supporting one side over the other is genocide for the side without support. There are places in the US that need aid such as the poor in Appalachia or homeless veterans.
Would you stop posting the same thing over and over again please. If you don't have anything new to add, be quiet.
How about why are we always helping muslims over christians since obuma the muzzy got in?
why should religion play a role in who we help. We're all the same. Muslim or Catholic, let us help those who need it, and not worry about religion.
you ignorant bigot... this has nothing to do with islam...stick to the subject and stop "TWISTING"... ...what an idiot...
I'am tired of hearing about the (human rights) abuse. Its time to go.
Too bad the good here aren't Muslim. Then the US govt might give a damn.
Four platoons, three branches six squads take him out already! And all other dictators in this Beautiful planet! Lets serve them with Justice. Open season on these horrible people.
NO WAY! oil in Africa? Of course there is. and of course it is linked to this propaganda.
You want to see propaganda everyday in your life? watch Fox news that's propaganda.
At first I thought it was a picture from The Predator.
A similar video should be made to bring down the leader of the terrorist rogue, under whose command, tens of thousands innocent Palestinian civilians, including women and children, were indiscrimantly and intentionally killed.
Death In Gaza.
I said "It's similar, except the guy making the video shows himself being killed".
I would just like to say......SEAL TEAM 6!!!
Please watch this video. It is shocking!
Why do we help muslims over christains in foreign policy. One we have a muzzi president and 2 muslims are allowed to lie even under oath. Thats why christians like this rebel group get persecuted but muzzies get asylum.
Muslim scholars teach that Muslims should generally be truthful to each
other, unless the purpose of lying is to "smooth over differences."
There are two forms of lying to non-believers that are permitted under
certain circumstances, taqiyya and kitman. These circumstances
are typically those that advance the cause Islam - in some cases by gaining the
trust of non-believers in order to draw out their vulnerability and defeat
them.
Taqiyya (alternate spellings taqiya, taqiyah, tuqyah), meaning religious dissimulation,[1] is a practice emphasized in Islam whereby adherents may conceal their religion when they are under threat, persecution, or compulsion.[2] This means a legal dispensation whereby a believing individual can deny his faith or commit otherwise illegal or blasphemous acts while they are under those risks
Bukhari
(52:269) - "The Prophet said, 'War is deceit.'" The context of this
is thought to be the murder of Usayr ibn Zarim and his thirty unarmed men by
Muhammad's men after he "guaranteed" them safe passage
Bukhari (84:64-65) - Speaking from a position of power at the time, Ali confirms
that lying is permissible in order to deceive an "enemy."
Reliance of the Traveler (p. 746 - 8.2) -
"Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is
attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to
accomplish through lying because there is no need for it. When it is possible
to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible
to lie if attaining the goal is permissible (N:i.e. when the purpose of lying is
to circumvent someone who is preventing one from doing something permissible),
and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory... it is religiously
precautionary in all cases to employ words that give a misleading
impression...
Both sides are using child soldiers and raping little girls.
Steve, do you have ANY idea who these monsters are? Did you do ANY research whatsoever on the people you're defending? You're defending child rape, child soldiers, mass murder, torture, and attempted GENOCIDE, and all you can do is try to deflect everything and change the subject to muslims.
I oppose War, Rape & Genocide, as an American I would like to see it vanish from the African Continent. Also I have a hard time coming to terms with Soldiers hardened by the atrocities of War fighting to ensure Christians have the right to survive in the face of an all out Muslim onslaught, which I believe is the point Steve is trying to make. If you look around the African Continent or the Middle East, Muslim Aggression, Murder and Violence against People of Jewish and Christian Faith is far more common-place. I do believe this is where Steve`s viewpoint originates from. Speaking for myself, I have over the years looked into causes of Tribal and Religious conflicts in this Region and it is practically impossible to exclude Muslim Theology when one looks for a reason behind the role of Genocide and brutality. However the video that started this conversation adeptly left out the fact that the area of conflict is a Muslim Stronghold that is under Sharia Law, but then if that was brought up it could divert its main focus. Which I believe is; the source of the conflict rests "only" with Kony`s Resistance Army.
Hey, stevaae...take your muslim lies and blather and stick it up your ass.