tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post3048513449578860652..comments2024-03-28T07:15:11.191-07:00Comments on ParadoxUganda: On Kony and virusesDrsMyhrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06617472350016164272noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-91158481282524393042013-03-02T22:33:21.007-08:002013-03-02T22:33:21.007-08:00What is kony ? is this a name of virus? free antiv...What is kony ? is this a name of virus? <a href="http://freeantivirusdownloadx.com" rel="nofollow">free antivirus download</a>Free Antivirus Downloadhttp://freeantivirusdownloadx.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-58828323704303478802012-03-16T09:56:31.891-07:002012-03-16T09:56:31.891-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Sango Jacqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511207206418508884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-49369101850850552762012-03-16T09:55:49.103-07:002012-03-16T09:55:49.103-07:00I recently retired from 28 years of ministry in se...I recently retired from 28 years of ministry in several counties of central Africa. I watched Kony 2012 and much appreciated your from-experience analysis, etc. I would write more now, but I am recovering from a broken arm.Sango Jacqueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15511207206418508884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-29758903948534038822012-03-13T15:56:18.882-07:002012-03-13T15:56:18.882-07:00Hello,
This was an excellent article and I apprec...Hello,<br /><br />This was an excellent article and I appreciate its depth and insight.<br /><br />I guess I'm too simplistic. I just see the need and don't analyze the what ifs. <br /><br />Of course, this is a nation and not about bringing someone a pie and worrying if they don't like apple.<br /><br />Yet, at the same time, I liken this story to the Holocaust and the 6 million Jews who were murdered. Isn't it okay to just go in and rescue? If at all possible? And leave the details to God? And won't Jesus receive the act of love, even if it's not perfect?<br /><br />I will read your article several times. Thank-you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-12236871207515454642012-03-12T17:40:54.826-07:002012-03-12T17:40:54.826-07:00thank you for sharingthank you for sharingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-19765012495154532412012-03-12T15:47:19.452-07:002012-03-12T15:47:19.452-07:00My husband and I really appreciated reading this t...My husband and I really appreciated reading this today. Thanks for taking the time to write all this for us to mull over.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18354785997446949179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-17310458361273888242012-03-12T15:01:16.662-07:002012-03-12T15:01:16.662-07:00Thanks for this! It does help to give a broader pe...Thanks for this! It does help to give a broader perspective on the issue. Kindest regards from Holland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-23895633579317491782012-03-12T12:00:21.541-07:002012-03-12T12:00:21.541-07:00Scott and Jennifer, thank you. I came to your blog...Scott and Jennifer, thank you. I came to your blog at Challies.com recommendation and was greatly helped by your thoughtful information. I too forwarded the Kony video on to others and was fascinated and touched by the issues it brought to my attention. Yours is the first article I've taken time to read about Kony since seeing the video and the balance with which you report the story is just perfect. Again thanks. <br /><br />I especially appreciated "Peace and Love are strong words that can not exist in a messed-up world without Justice. " Also, I thought you made your point well here "But we shouldn't confuse our American ideals with Christian truths. Sometimes they are parallel, but often they are not. Even as Jesus lived on earth, much of what he said was politically shocking and confusing to his followers and detractors alike. "<br />Blessings in your service!Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00466944413387670548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-36663375106568443562012-03-12T11:02:46.567-07:002012-03-12T11:02:46.567-07:00I always appreciate hearing from someone who's...I always appreciate hearing from someone who's either "been there or done that." I have been hearing about the children hiding at night to evade the LRA's army for years and could never figure out why someone wasn't doing something about it. So I am not surprised that someone is trying now, but there are always bigger, badder problems to address. I, too, fear that this viral message will cause some to idolize Kony because of all the worldwide media attention, and more Konys will emerge as a result.BSFmamanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-12891092265628513852012-03-12T09:00:50.394-07:002012-03-12T09:00:50.394-07:00Nice work... on several levels.Nice work... on several levels.Mike Wisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06792915702551688165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-78055819550823619472012-03-11T15:11:01.940-07:002012-03-11T15:11:01.940-07:00Thanks for your comments on Kony 2012. Because my ...Thanks for your comments on Kony 2012. Because my wife and I found your broader and deeper perspective on the problems and needs in Africa most helpful, we put together a hand-out sheet containing a link to your web-site and made it available to our fellow church members in Ft. Madison, Iowa, this morning. My wife will take the same hand-out to her Bible Study on Tuesday which includes people from other churches and communities.A. Nashnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-36125749942709800122012-03-11T10:40:33.045-07:002012-03-11T10:40:33.045-07:00Jennifer, thanks for the time you devote to writin...Jennifer, thanks for the time you devote to writing, in the midst of a lot of busyness.The Drs. McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08718125736406924171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-6441945627275667632012-03-10T07:21:15.602-08:002012-03-10T07:21:15.602-08:00Maybe the real revelation is in why KONY2012 is so...Maybe the real revelation is in why KONY2012 is so appealing, so inspiring? Maybe joining this will solve my underlying sense that I need to be part of something else, something beyond myself, something with meaning, something that can make a difference in this world. That yearning is strong and I know it- I just don't know how to satisfy it. Where do I fit in? What can I do, really? <br /><br />Kony 2012 offers the excitement of joining something big, something important, something beyond my trivial pursiuts and further, offers an opportunity to do something specific and definite against something definitely bad.<br /><br />I long to find a place where I can be a part of doing something to make things right in the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-71247679539194795642012-03-10T06:46:10.048-08:002012-03-10T06:46:10.048-08:00Thanks everyone for reading. I do believe the int...Thanks everyone for reading. I do believe the intent is holy, and that the Spirit will bring much good out of all this awareness and discussion. Pray for the children of Africa. JenniferDrsMyhrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06617472350016164272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-53695480054228883322012-03-09T14:01:13.698-08:002012-03-09T14:01:13.698-08:00Thank you so much for sharing this!Thank you so much for sharing this!smiddyra1https://www.blogger.com/profile/13836958240904278865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-31953887483365821612012-03-09T12:31:31.788-08:002012-03-09T12:31:31.788-08:00Great perspective, thanks for sharing. I haven...Great perspective, thanks for sharing. I haven't been to Africa yet (going to Ethiopia for the first time this summer) so I don't really have a good grasp of Afircan culture so I really appreciate your voice on this. I'm a youth pastor in Nova Scotia so my grasp is better on N.A. culture, so I know that this is one of the few things in recent years that has the indifferent generation I work with excited and motivated to do something (whether we actually do something remains to be seen). The truth is most of them live on Facebook and Twitter and have no idea what's happening around the world (most adults too for that matter). So while I agree that there are lots of things about the film and the movement that are seem trivialized, this is the first time in years, maybe ever that young people around me are opening there eyes to things that are happening around the world. The Church here largely doesn't give a rip for what's happening, maybe this can wake the church up too. I know the issues are super complex and finding Kony is just pebble in the ocean compared to the volume of the problem, but if it gets people to see the ocean at least its a start. I think these guys got called by Jesus to help stop Kony, we can't rest all the issues of poverty and pain in Africa on them, what we can do is see how they responded to the thing they are called to do and ask Jesus what he's calling us to do. Hopefully it leads to a generation standing up and helping to end more of the problems of poverty and justice for least of these.<br />Thanks for your work in Keyna, and shedding some much needed perspective for the rest of us and keeping in real,<br />Be Blessed.Joey Cookhttp://www.rootsdeepdown.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-9793154935517511302012-03-09T12:22:56.753-08:002012-03-09T12:22:56.753-08:00I guess I view all of this all as a positive step:...I guess I view all of this all as a positive step: it raises awareness for Africa and gives the American young populace a taste for good works. I could be wrong. Someone said to me recently (an educated writer) that he didn't want to believe in God because "evil is much more fun." I wish I had thought to respond that, "it is because he had not tasted goodness, righteousness, glory, forgiveness, love and justice." Because at the time I could commiserate – there is something fun about evil. Something alluring. But there is just SO much more fun to seeing good stuff happen to people. I think the young that see this video are getting a sense of this "good stuff" right now and I'm hoping that whets their appetites so that, a few years later, a few more mistakes, and a few more Freudian-lost-objects afterward, they can still have passion for good. If we can help just a few of our brothers and sisters – in Africa and in America – I hope we do it! Help, it seems, for everyone, is hope… This trend could bring a little of it to everyone… I hope! All best, RachelRachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467589195025634389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-81890569351899549002012-03-09T12:22:44.808-08:002012-03-09T12:22:44.808-08:00Like Russell says, “people don’t know.” He is refe...Like Russell says, “people don’t know.” He is referring to Kony. But I think it applies to something else: let the people know about goodness. Raise interest in justice and then maybe in time these mustard seeds will sprout into a tree “that the birds perch in.” I think the filmmakers are operating off of this assumption.<br /><br />What's bugging me, more than the oversimplification of the video, are the American critics are out there poking holes in the "means" of the IC approach when a lot of them are not out there on the front lines. (This does not include you!) I feel like when someone tries to do good, we have this tendency to pick out why it’s not good-enough. (“Speck in the eye?”) This doesn’t mean, of course, that there shouldn’t be room for careful, thoughtful discussion like you are engaging in. My comments reach out more to those who – most of them without front line experience – are looking to criticize the tactics of these young people. Sure, it’s a pathos-filled video. Yes, it’s trendy. Who cares? That’s my ultimate, personal conclusion. It kind of makes me mad because it is a waste of time to jump in to stop the “not-good-enough” stuff when there is so much really, really bad stuff out there for them to rail about. To them I say, “too bad that the video wasn’t perfect.” And “too bad that you feel that the filmmakers are too trendy and that the film is about Jason Russell and his hero-ego.” To them I say, “If Jason Russell has an ego, yours is much bigger in judging him.” Sorry! That sounds so harsh! And I am not speaking to you. I’m just annoyed by the skeptics that are all brain and no heart. Or are so fixated on what’s not perfect that they may miss a good boat as it sails away. How can we make any good change if we spend hours and years and lives arguing about how to achieve good? The “how to” achieve good is certainly so important (“a wise man builds his house not with wood, hay or straw”); but, in the end, there will never be a perfect way. Any way that’s chosen will inevitably be tinted by human beings and our management of the “project.” I think I’d rather see someone try and fail then not try at all. I’d rather see people ban together and “go for it.” I sort of think (from my limited knowledge) that it can’t make things that much worse. Right? That said, I do respect the opinion of those who have legitimate concerns about the actual pragmatics and implications of finding Kony. There may be real reasons why doing so could bring more unrest? I’m not versed in politics or in cause/effect logistics in war-torn areas.If there is a way that capturing Kony could make things worse, I’m listening. But since he’s not leading the country or anything like that, I kind of think that it can’t hurt to capture him. Now, truth be told, once he is captured, there will probably be 5 others that rise up in his place! Ugh! But I have to put that aside and see a little hope. Removing Kony from his evil work will not remove evil. But I think we have to take little victories as they come – and work for them – or else we will have sick hearts. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick!”Rachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467589195025634389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-88102676428631334482012-03-09T12:21:49.930-08:002012-03-09T12:21:49.930-08:00As a writer, I have to constantly ask my students ...As a writer, I have to constantly ask my students to identify advertisement appeals – ethos, pathos, and logos. They are everywhere here! I want them to be aware when they are being manipulated. But I want them to know that it is OK to be “swayed” to a good cause. If we don’t allow ourselves to be emotionally persuaded sometimes, we will become like the jaded skeptic – all minds and no hearts. We’ll routinely and indiscriminately walk by homeless because we’ll say to ourselves that they will probably just spend it on alcohol anyway. The mind can be an enemy if it doesn’t allow itself to succumb to emotional appeals. So though I recognize the oversimplification and the pathos in this rousing video, I’m into it. I’m inspired. I won’t lie – I need a little of that. I need a little hope. And I think we all really want to believe that there is hope. Russell offers hope in a clear, direct voice. He speaks as one “with authority.” And I’m willing to go with him on it. <br /><br />I think my students are of the same mind. I showed the video to my college writing students and they were SO excited. I just think that this excitement is awesome! I'm excited to see them get into something that “means something.” I don't want that kind of idealism to be tempered -- I've found from first hand experience that soon enough, life has a way with doing that! I don't doubt that some will get excited and - like seeds fallen on rocks that don't take root -they'll fall away when the "bigger problems" or the Christ-sacrifice-to-death-like-situations that you talk about come up. But you can't take huge leaps of faith without taking small steps. So ultimately, I think that, of the Americans that jump on the bandwagon, some will actually change their lives from this movement and ultimately confront the bigger problems. So I kind of think: let them have the small first. Let them see how awesome it feels to press "share" in their safe social networking environment. To donate a few dollars. To buy an “action kit” and take 30 minutes to post a flyer instead of spending 30 minutes on Facebook. Perhaps that will grow so that one day they will be standing out there with you - how cool! I think Jason Russell and the others from IC are cool examples of how these seeds have begun to sprout! They've definitely put a lot of work into this and I think that work results in a harvest if it's good -- we'll see what the fruit of this all is?<br /><br />You mention that the LRA may have only 250 combatants and then you say accurately that: "Those are valuable lives that deserve justice and rescue, but let's pour ourselves into bigger problems too." Then you mention that: "Perhaps oversimplification is inevitable in a culture raised on the one-minute sound bite." <br /><br />While I completely agree with your statement, I think that what you are saying (and with all due respect) is an oversimplification of the issue, too. I don’t really think we can get around over-simplifications. Certain things are less simplified than others. But, ultimately, the world is in such a tangle by sin. And we have to figure out, as Christians, how to make it better. We can’t swallow a horse without taking a bite of it first. (Oh, poor horse!) And, ultimately, I think we aren't going to throw ourselves into bigger problems until we take some little steps of faith first: “those that are faithful with a few things will be given more…” And those who are getting excited by this, for the most part, are just not going to tackle the big problems. Not yet, at least. So let’s leave them (and me) the small pressing of a button and hope more of us join “the big.” The big problems you guys are tackling, probably everyday. So thank you!! ☺Rachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467589195025634389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-49978619267283840092012-03-09T12:21:14.908-08:002012-03-09T12:21:14.908-08:00So the answer to the question, “will removing Kony...So the answer to the question, “will removing Kony be positive?” to me results in a yes, I really (and hopefully) think so. And if it will, let's do it: "The end justifies the means." I think that the filmmakers are of this belief. Facing obstructions on every side to the pragmatics of actually affecting change, the filmmakers have found a very young and fresh approach. They aren't fighting evil with evil. But they are using a manipulative approach through media. And I'm ok with “manipulative” if the purposed intention is good. Jesus says, "be innocent as a dove," but he also says be "shrewd as a snake." I think these filmmakers are being shrewd as snakes in the way they are presenting this issue. They are taking social media that is fully symbolic of American-lack-of-patience, and using it to stir hearts. They are taking the celebrity culture and turning it on its head. Can this be done? I'm not sure. But I think that these are the means available to us Christians, especially those of us in America. So even though this method may (and does, as Russell notes himself) oversimplify the issues, I think there is merit in it. <br /><br />After all, Paul says, “to the Jew, I become a Jew; to the Greek, a Greek.” Wouldn’t this be an excellent example of meeting people where they are at? In their comfy, virtual worlds of celebrity culture – meet them there, and slowly draw them out! ☺ This is first and foremost about those in Africa who have been the victims of great atrocity and pain. But this is also about those who would help. Those who help others are “reached” too; living in America, this is my “mission field.” There are a lot of people here who are in great pain. I guess it’s kind of ridiculous to state that. And I realize the absurdity and perhaps even insensitivity of my comment. But as a Christian, I guess ultimately I think that the worst sort of pain is being separated from God and the subsequent chaos in life that results from (often) our own hands! And so that is why I can say that. I speak as one who has never lost a parent or a loved one by the hand of brute violence, or been forced to kill. I speak ignorantly, from what I know…Rachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467589195025634389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-27420045937896973172012-03-09T12:20:09.994-08:002012-03-09T12:20:09.994-08:00Hi Scott and Jennifer,
I think you bring up relev...Hi Scott and Jennifer,<br /><br />I think you bring up relevant and good issues and, certainly, you have put your "money where your mouth is" (or better yet your obedience to your faith!) in your work over in Africa. So I just want to start by saying, “awesome work!” And thank you for being out there in the heat of the battle and sacrificing all you have – particularly as I sit in a Starbucks coffeed-up, showered and cozy while I write you this comment. <br /><br />I too am a Christian and I have been really inspired by the efforts of Invisible Children for the past few years, ever since I saw them come to Nyack. I wanted to share some of my thoughts on your post, which I heard about from a good friend of mine over at Nyack College. It was interesting to read it, particularly as I just presented the video to my students and plan on attending and writing about the IC movement. May I share with them your blog post, as we discuss the Kony 2012 campaign? I also wanted to share some of my thoughts on this, as it’s been on my mind the last few days.<br /><br />I completely agree with you in that these are complicated issues with some oversimplifications in the video. To recap a few that you mention: Yes, we are definitely persuaded by the pathos of watching a really cute little blond kid (so cute)! And we receive the message that Kony is "the bad guy" that we need to stop. I agree: a simple removal of Kony will not solve everything. Didn’t we think (or at least our politicians encouraged us to think) that removing Saddam would improve Iraq? As far as I know, things still aren’t so great over there. And as you point out: everyone has good/evil in them. Kony is presented alongside of comments on Star Wars, which evokes the Hollywood common trope of the overblown Darth Vader-Lord Sauron-Voldemort-Agent Smith-Scar- bad guy. It plays upon our hunger and thirst for justice. (I want to note though that even if Kony is just a person, he has grossly participated in the enemy’s efforts and I know we agree on this. So I agree with the 3 year old: I think we need to go after him and stop him! Add to that that we need to temper that with forgiveness and love. He is, after all, just a person. But, as you’ve noted about the LRA, there is something demonic about their actions. What I hope is that those at IC are blessed with the ability to balance mercy with justice in their hearts. Balance is excruciatingly difficult!) Anyway, to me, there's no doubt that we are reached by the video in a very "low-patience-inspiring-Hollywood-American way." <br /><br />But I think the fundamental question in all of this is: "will removing Kony be a positive step?" Of course, I'm really not positive actually. <br /><br />But I tend to think that removing Kony will be positive. Why? I’m not sure. It is my judgment that the filmmaker’s have good intentions. Of course that’s not enough. But I also think they are seekers of truth. They went out there to seek truth (or to put together a really awesome movie, but I think it’s the former) and I think they’ve had meetings of the minds with a lot of people, from the common man (or child!) up to politicians, and not just those in America but in Uganda. In seeking diverse counsel, it seems they are going about their efforts practically and wisely, along with having a noble purpose. This, of course, is just my estimation. And though they may not present the story as wisely as they may know it, I think they present it shrewdly. (cont. next post)Rachehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467589195025634389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-54888877893525616422012-03-09T09:33:42.585-08:002012-03-09T09:33:42.585-08:00Thank you for your thoughtful, nuanced perspective...Thank you for your thoughtful, nuanced perspective. Libba Long Roberts directed me to this post and as an MK who grew up in East Africa, I resonate with your thoughts on this complex issue. Your post has challenged me to think more deeply, and to encourage others to do the same.Laura Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07389945479901121427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-7112004080007096042012-03-09T09:24:41.625-08:002012-03-09T09:24:41.625-08:00Great Post... Very well rounded and true...Great Post... Very well rounded and true...Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718436578562639613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-61327361697969757262012-03-09T08:40:28.348-08:002012-03-09T08:40:28.348-08:00Thanks for writing this - amid the clamor. It is ...Thanks for writing this - amid the clamor. It is so easy to trivialize deep issues because we want a simple graspable explanation. <br />So good to meet you both on my recent trip. You mean the world to Andy and Mardi - you are exceptional mentors in many ways. Thanks also for the use of the sleeping bag!!<br />Bill SteereBill Steerehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13908750309700509848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8176735909708151146.post-87491613666131279382012-03-09T06:56:03.488-08:002012-03-09T06:56:03.488-08:00Thank you so much for sharing. It is refreshing to...Thank you so much for sharing. It is refreshing to hear from Jesus loving people who have done the hard work and sacrificed because of the grace they have been given. I was just reading in Luke 14:12-14 this morning...<br />"He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”<br /><br />My fear is that with the generations growing up in the "west" that we will simply become mindless, emotional, and reactional societies. I thank God for the information we have access to from basically anywhere but I believe it causes us to be lazy in using the minds the Lord has given us...minds to love Him and others. Minds to bring about the redemption and restoration that you write about.The Stewartshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12854389337448995561noreply@blogger.com