Like many of you I was excited when I first saw the Kony2012 video, but then I saw all the stuff saying it was a scam and I had to stop and ask some questions. If kony2012 has done nothing more than that - it is enough. So please, do not just listen to the negative hype and turn away. Ask Questions. Go to the invisible children site and actually look at the information there. Invisible Children had been accused of many things and like all who are accused deserver the right to answer. Here are some links I found helpful in making my own decision. Above all else do not turn away from this problem because of something you have heard (even from me). There are many groups working in this area it is my hope that you find one you can give your support to in effort and in words if not in donations. If you do not believe the ongoing efforts are the right answer .. what is? Please.. your suggestions are needed. Drop a note in the mail box.
I found many answers in the follow up video kony2012 part II: Beyond Famous
http://www.kony2012.com/watch_the_movie2.html
I heard it stated by anonymous that Kony had been certified dead and all charges dropped, but a quick look at the ICC web page assured me that this was not the case.
http://usaforicc.org/mostwanted/flash
I heard that it was all a scam and that the financial records of the group were not available. I found answers here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRx8aXaJ_Cs&feature=related
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/financials.html
and this section take from the page that gives the official answers to questions
IS INVISIBLE CHILDREN INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED?
Yes, Invisible Children has been independently audited by the outside accounting firm of Considine and Considine since Fiscal Year 2006, and all of our audits have resulted in unqualified opinions on the audit reports. An unqualified opinion means that the auditors believe the financial statements are "free of material misstatement and are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States."
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html
I heard that most of the money was spent on making videos. Well yes, that is the task that they were first given - to get the word out to the wold that there is still much to be done. But a significant amount does go to worthwhile programs on the ground and a little bit from a whole lot of people is more than a lot from a few . hence the value of promotion. What programs you ask? I found that answer here:
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/programs.html
Yes these all come from the invisible children web page .. which was as far as I personally needed to go. I have struggled with their support of military action but given that 26 years and 5 peace attempts have not convinced Joseph Kony to give himself up I think it is time to go find him. When I asked myself if unarmed forces had any chance of arresting him given that he has a well armed and experienced army at his command, the answer was no, they could not so armed forces are necessary. The force proposed is a group effort of the countries currently affected and I believe the best hope to arrest Kony and bring him to justice. While we have all debated this issue .. in the 1 month since kony2012 was released 57 more children have been abducted.
The UN called invisible children and asked them to make the defection fliers you see on the projects page. I don't know about you but the UN has never called me and asked me to do anything. nor do I expect them too.
In the follow up video a woman asks .. If you have a formula for a better way, please come forward. If after reviewing this information you still can not support invisible children what is the better answer? The world is waiting.. children are waiting for an answer. It has already been 26 years.. if not now when? Let's find a way!
you may also find these links of interest
http://www.enoughproject.org/
http://notonourwatchproject.org/
The contents of todays program will be posted on a blog at: http://insharpcontrast.blogspot.com/
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