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radoration.

an adoration of all things rad

Mar 8th, 2012 @ 8:40 am

"Kony 2012"

*It is far more complicated than one side versus another side. And it looks like Invisible Children supports things that people might be uncomfortable with. I’m not condemning them. Obviously their hearts are in the right place. And they have spent many years working on this. Maybe their way is best. But it is very important to try and understand the consequences of your actions. This is a fucked up situation and at least it’s getting more awareness now.

There are so many things I’d like to say in regards to the Kony 2012 video that I’m not entirely sure where to begin. I’ll try to be concise.

I’m incredibly happy to see that this video has spread a great deal of awareness about Kony and the LRA, but on the same token, I feel like a 29 minute video is not sufficient enough to properly bring people up to speed on a crisis that has been ongoing for at least 26 years. 

This documentary should act as a catalyst for people previously unaware of Uganda to conduct more research and learn as much as they can about the history of what’s happening. It’s an overview. It’s a step toward awareness, and ultimately a solution, but it’s not the only step, nor the last step.

Things to think about while watching IC’s viral video:

1. Kony needs to be stopped, 2. but how? What actions should be taken/will ultimately be taken to make this a reality? 3. Which charities are actually going to guarantee that funding is being utilized in the greatest ways possible? 4. Is Invisible Children Inc the best way to go? Can we fully trust the way in which they choose to divvy up their funding? Etc. 5. After Kony’s arrest is made, what actions will be taken to help those children who were members of the LRA assimilate (counseling, rehabilitation, education systems, etc)?  6. What will be done to help the families affected by several decades of terror caused by Kony’s military group? 7. What does anyone have to say about the fact that the Ugandan government/military is not entirely squeaky clean either? 

Etc.

These are all important things to think about.

Also, I think people should try learn about the history of Kony’s uprising and the LRA. This has been going on for almost 30 years so it’s important for people who were previously unaware to learn about the how’s and why’s. I’m still learning. This is a complicated matter that will not simply be resolved by Kony’s arrest, and this video is over-simplifying a terrifyingly complex situation…We can’t expect that one man’s arrest will suddenly rectify the long term suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.

I’m not saying that I disagree with IC, I’m just saying that this is a complicated matter and it’s important to be as well-informed as possible, that a plan of action more specific and thought out than “changing the face of humanity” is needed in order to really accomplish the goal of bringing peace to those affected by him and his army.

via tinyerica

On a side note, a few years back I met a couple of guys who worked for Invisible Children. They seemed very genuine and caring. The main problem I have with this organization is their advocacy for military support to remove Kony. He is undoubtedly a bad man, but the UPDF is massively corrupt as well.

But many of the programs that Invisible Children provide seem like great ideas. It’s just the money and military involvement that worries people. 

Please check out these links for more info:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-deibert/joseph-kony-2012-children_b_1327417.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html

http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2241/images/Kony%202012%20-%20Letter%20to%20Obama.pdf

Reblogged from LITTLE JOY.

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Oct 27th, 2011 @ 9:02 pm

“A lot of parents will do anything for their kids except let them be themselves.”

Banksy (via insomniacticramblings)

(Source: perdido-y-ansioso-eterna)

Reblogged from ATLANTIC REFRESHMENT.

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Aug 13th, 2011 @ 4:45 pm

Study reveals 168 child deaths in Pakistan drone war

US drone strikes in Pakistan have killed more civilians than previously reported, including 168 children, according to figures compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Remote-controlled US drones have been targeting militants in Pakistan for seven years - in a covert war led by the CIA.

The airstrikes are largely focused on the mountainous areas of Waziristan near the border withAfghanistan.

In December 2010, Channel 4 News spoke to witnesses on the ground who said that women and children had perished in the bombing raids, as well as rebel fighters.

Now a detailed study by the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) has been published containing new figures on civilian casualties.

Its findings suggest the number of ordinary people killed could be 40 per cent higher than previously reported and that as many as 168 children have died since the strikes began.

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Jul 16th, 2011 @ 8:24 pm

DC Pierson: "Babe, Is It Okay With You If I Call Our Young Family 'The Nation?'" (repost)

Babe, is it okay with you
if I call our young family “The Nation?”

If I move you and the kids to an as-yet-undiscovered
field somewhere in Oregon,

and we let them pick their own new-world names,
whatever they want,
though it’s heavily implied that the son or daughter
who picks her name from the “Star Wars” pantheon
will receive candy of better quality
with greater frequency?

If we teach that hide-and-seek, rather than an afternoon’s diversion,
is an endless game that is always going on on some level,
be it through gradual Cold War-style maneuvering
or all-out open hostilities?

If I lock the kids in the closet sometimes and yell
“Don’t come out until you’ve found the magical world

behind the coats?”
…. Read More
via dcpierson

Reblogged from DC Pierson.

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Mar 31st, 2010 @ 8:55 am

Scarface School Play

*This is either awful or epic… probably both.

via stephbysteph

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