Where is Kony?

A suggested alternative to KONY 2012 LOGO

I admit the are several inconsistencies with the fine KONY 2012 Campaign. I like millions around the world watched the utube clip and was appealed that I too was caught up in the cry for justice and only now stopping to ask questions .

As I begin to read both sides of the argument and sort the fact from fiction, there is one thing everyone agrees with and that is Joseph Kony has gotten away with numinous crimes against humanity for over 2 decades, with little or no media attention. The best thing about thing about the KONY 2012 movement is the world is engaged in conversation.  But is this movement directing its funds and energies the right way in the right places? I do not pretend to know. 

While other friends and colleagues are removing blog posts. I am choosing to leave mine up.  I would hope my readers are intelligent enough to read both sides of the argument and decide for themselves if that is fence sitting, then for now I am sitting on the fence.  As I said in my previous post there are inaconsinaries in both arguments.      

One thing I think we all agree on is the film clip put together by the Invisible Children Organization was a over simplization of a complex issue.  As I pervious explain,  while explaining the who Joseph Kony is to his 4 year old son, the concept of this simply being a case of good vs evil is wrong.  What happens if we can never find Kony?  How will this ever be explained?

The face that's got everyone talking

Although thousands of innocent children have suffered because on Kony this is not child's play. Personally unlike Bin Lidan few years in hiding Kony has evaded capture for decades and I don't think anyone can say for 100% sure which country Kony is present in and if  he's there today he will still be there in a month time.  

I believe the film was correct in its reporting the Joseph Kony is skilled at jungle warfare. I bet here not silly enough to hid out in a compound laughing at us and the small band of the US army because we can't find him.  This is a highly intelligent trained solider with 30 years experience, I don't think you can begin to compare him with a radical lead like Bin Larden, nor the highly structured dictatorship of Hitler and Husiam. 

No one knows Kony's where abouts!

Where is Kony? That is anyone's guess. To promise his capture is wrong. Was I too quick to jump on the band wagon of the KONY 2012 movement? Yes? Do I regret purchasing my supporters kit? NO!  If I have  support an organization that is not doing the right thing but it donners  then that is their ethical problem. (They have since put a full finical statement on the website as the reply to the critrism )  The great problem I see in the world is inaction to do something is far better to do nothing at all.  If we worry if we've got the balance right our fear would cripple any attempt to bring about change.  

World Wide Out Cry

STOP KONY 2012

The campaign to find Joseph Knoy is one of fasters growing campaigns we having ever scene. Since its launch a few days ago, millions of social network users have pledge their support for the KONY 2012 campaign, including myself.  However, were we suck into this cause with too little information?

If nothing else the events of the last 24 hours reveals the true potential of social media sites to influences and mobilized millions of people around the world very quickly.  I think marketers are only just realizing what a powerful tool the web of social network sites are. There are not many websites left that don’t access social media tools.

Despite my natural scepticism urspion and some conflicting posts on my facebook wall I jumped on the band wagon after watching the carefully produced utub clip.  I was capture by the produces focus on two young boys.  But was he like Knoy exploiting these children to achieve his groups own political agenda.

From an analytical  view that answer is undeniable yes. The man used a child about the age of there or four to answer questions we as adults struggle to answer each day through about the video. If children in the video drew the conclusion that this evil man must be stopped then like everyone else my heart strings were pulled no wonder this thing multiplied so quickly.

A wise person once told me there is ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in everything.  We should remember that no where more true than in the media.  Every news story has some element of  truth in it.  The real issue or debate is how much truth is being report by who and why?

So rest assured regardless of what you have read and herd of Joseph Kony and the organization behind this clever utube and social media campaign, each story and report on reports the facts they want you to know.  They give you only the facts the need to support their side of the story.  I cringe when I think how I failed my own principles of research after watching the clip last night.

I do think after my more in-depth research today my conclusion and reaction would have been the same.  In reading the responsible to criticism of invisible children website points of their campaign has three phases and argues each phase has been allocate roughly the same budget. They have gone to great pains to present their budget and finances for 2011 after being criticised for only spending 30% of money raised on the actuarial search for Kony.

If we criticise this organization for over simplify the message, then we need to be aware those on the other side of argument are guilty as well. It is logical if the charity has a three stage plan they have only allocated 30% present of the budget.  In there reporting we are somewhat mislead to where  the other 70% that was raised was spent.  

Just to add this group has taken 8 years to get there message out.  Putting Kony's name on people lips through public awareness is only  one activity. They have also worked with the people of Uganda rebuilt schools; set up rehabilitation centres, provide scholarships and set up radio transition system to warn people that the army approaching the village.  It wasn’t spelt out so we concluded it was admin costs.  Critics want us to stop supporting this cause, so the didn’t give us the whole picture.

Just as the documentary took careful steps to show Joseph Kony was the top of the International Crimes Court list, I like many drew the conclusion that is was because of the nature and the scale of his crimes, not that it had to do with being on the wanted list for the longest. What ever side of the fence you sit you can’t deny this man as escape justice for the last 25 years

.

Whether there film was correct or not this group has achieved its first objective to make known Kony’s name and his terrorization of most of Northern Africa for decades. As to whether the next phases are correct, I do not know.  I am not a humanitarian and I have never visited Africa.

I do know I want Kony stopped and my involvement in the campaign is the best way to make than known.  I just hope in the future I do my homework better before jumping on the band wagon. 

Social Justice . . . A Christian Response

Should Christians get involve in Social Justice? From the out set, I want to make it clear my answer is YES!  While Jesus made it clear our primary  roll here on earth is to be embarrasses of the gospel I believe his Sermon on the Mount give a clear mandate for .  Christians to be involved in seeks justice while we are on earth.

While we are not saved by our works our faith without works are dead.  Then Jesus answered them What I am about to tell you is the truth. Anything you did for the least of these, you did for me (Matthew 25:45) Jesus added the people who failed to care for people in need should depart from him.

Is there a better way to represent the gospel than to been seen as caring for the most at risk member members of our community?  Have said that, as a member of Pay It Forward community, I am a firm believer that every member of our community is deserving of being the recipient of kindness from another human being.

It is easy to see the needs of the homeless, single mums, people with disabilities, the poor, the hungry and those who are perhaps ‘broken in spirit’ in our community.  However, people’s needs are not always visible. 

We have not way of knowing if the person sitting next to us in the bus or the check-out chick is suffering emotionally, or even if they have a hidden disability. If we are fair dinkum about showing the compassion of Christ, then we should not be looking for the person ‘we think needs to be shown kindness the most.

Let us all act with compassion to out felloe man.

 

Online Poetry Festival by Australian Poetry on Pozible

Online Poetry Festival by Australian Poetry on Pozible

Hi As a writer with a significant physical disability, I have to appreciate the power of social connecting. Though facebook, twitter and blogger, I have been able to connect with other writers and industry expertise not just in Australia but around the world. Travelling is one for the many challenges I face as a writer. I am accurate aware of the disadvantage I am at because book fairs, conferences and writers festivals are difficult to attend.

I know this because on the few occasions I have been able to attend such events I have gained a wealth of knowledge, skills, had creative ideas sparked and add key contacts to my networks. Writing events is where my passions most feel alive. For all its perceived glamorization the process of sitting and writing and rewriting and then editing and proof reading, read is only 10% of the product of a book or creation of an artwork. When you click that last full stop - the real work begins.

That last 90% of the project are where the hard yards lie for me. Working with publishers, editors, illustrators, proof readers. Pouring over proofs, cover design . . . . and then there's the market and sales. Books no matter how well they're written, sorry to tell you don't sell themselves. I know you need well developed networks and other authors around you before those first few pagers roll off the printing press.

Traditionally the place where network development occurs and marketing is at writers festivals. What a valuable tool the Internet and social media sites have become to me as a writer. I can be part of writers group; self publish on blogs, promote myself, research heaps and even attend conferences and festival online.

So that's why I excited to learn about Australian's Poetry Online Poetry project and a new way for artist to raise funds for their projects through Pozible. I would like to encourage you to take time to look at both the opportunities and to get involved.

Walk for epilepsy!

Purple Day Fundraising

If you want purple shoe laces Please email

The time to act is now

The Queensland State election are looming, the political boxing gloves are on and the mud is beginning to stick . . . But as the ballot box day draws nearer, so do does my tension of who to  vote for.  Over the years I have developed a healthily skypetism about politicians ability to create any real change.

This year I fine myself unusually unsettled, as our leaders throw mud at each other, I’ve heard little on the polices that affect me the most and nothing on the economy, debit reduction or costings. Three weeks before I vote all I see are over stressed government department long for restructuring or a recent restructuring which has only added to systemic failure to keep demand with our population growth. On health, caring for the homeless, mentally ill and people with disabilities, their families and careers I have heard nothing.

Its like Queensland politicians are buying time until hopefully the federal government takes the problems of their hands.  There’s plenty of talk, facts and figures currently being bantered around Canberra and lot of smiles behind NAIDS T-shirt and photo opportunities, but smiles don’t pay for my medical costs, my health needs, my mobility aids or my support costs.

The current disability sector in Queensland is at crisis point. Historically it was established in response to de-industrialization, to support people to live in the community. But failed in its initial recognization that there were other community members with disabilities who needed assistance.  Thus, while the department recognized the need, its foundation resources didn’t and still doesn’t have the compasity to meet these previously unidentified needs. But successive governments have chosen not to deal with the fundamental issues.

As a person with a disability it feels like everyone wishes the issues would go away, because so many people who are in this position to address these fundament issues put it in the too hard basket. This election  both sides of politics have failed  to offer any solution to correct these and other mistakes. This history of failure to care for the most vulnerable members in our community has recently become personal.

As I discovered the true position I face living with a disability which has increasing  impact as I age, places me in.  If you like `the crunch time' has arrived.  Without gaining funding through the Department of communities my support needs become unfunded able until I reach 60 yr. There is little provision for some my age, with my ‘perceived’ level of disability to be able to afford to live independently in the community.

My only hope of holding on to the few hours a week help I get, is to get political. Yet how do I chose which candidate to vote for when no candidates are willing to discuss the issues that matter to me, because the federal government is making a few noises about taking over.  We herd that with water and with hospitals and yet this issues with these departments still exist with only a few bandaid solutions been apply without any new major funding.

Without political discussion at state level how do I begin to decide who to vote for? Right now Mickey Mouse is sounding like a better candidate to address these and other issues come March 24.

I can not support anyone without someone willing to put ideas on the table and admit we can survive with political ifs, whens and maybes’.  Please help us members of the community who maybe less in numbers ask the hard questions we need to ask. We still need our voice herd at state level. Please tell everyone you know about my blog post.  The TIME TO ACT IS NOW!

Thank you

Going Purple on March 26!

Hi! I bet you didn't know my favourite colour is purple.  But I like it even move now, because I discovered March 26th is Purple Day! Wow!  But if you watch this video clip for the Launch of Purple Day 2012 you will discover the serious side to the fun behind purple day!

Purple Day was started in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, because She wanted people with Epilepsy to know they are not alone".  March 26th has become a day where people with epilepsy and seizure disorders, their families, friends, school mates and work colleagues stand in solidarity by wearing purple. 

This year I want to invite you to stand out in crowd on March 26 and wear purple, or should I say not stand out, because hopefully everybody's gone purple in support of someone they know who suffers an seizure disorder.

Many people may recognize a grand mal seizure, but did you know the are now over 40 different types of seizure disorders that have been identified. I believe I experienced a type  of seizure long before I was diagnosed with epilepsy.  I was told because I have a normal EEG I can't not suffer form epilepsy and yet for all intensive purpose it looks to bystanders like I am having a 'mild' form seizure. Eventually, a neurologist diagnosed me as having a complex-partial seizure or 'epilepsy'. My epilepsy is a common secondary disability to Cerebral Palsy. 

Relief! Over the I have been wrongly diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.  Despite me and my friends identifying definite triggers such as me overheating and crowds.  I like the majority of people with a seizure disorder do not have grand mal seizures.  I do not loss total consciousness, although I appear to be unconscious I remain fully aware of what in happening around me but like someone who experiences a grand mal, I have abnormal body movements which generally only last 30 to 60 seconds. I am left feeling pretty washed out and exhausted afterwards. 

Like me 50% of people who experience seizure they can not be controlled by medication. When you can experience something like this at any time, you do feel like a bit of a 'misfit' and going out alone makes me feel awarked. When I have a seizure I do feel like I making a sceptical, a bit like waring bright purple before it became the 'in colour' to wear. 

Sadly there are many misconceptions about epilepsy and seizures.  Many are too afraid to step in and help and yet that's the best thing.  While someone is convulsing, unless their at risk of serious injury the best thing is not to touch them until the movement has stopped and then you just need to roll them into a recovery position and make sure the airways clear.  Don't go sticking objects in the mouths, or trying to hold the tongue. You can't swallow your tongue you we might bite it and that's about it.  I not sure where that came form.  

You can get the facts and figures at http://www.epilepsyqueensland.com.au/site/ and download free first aid posters with your there!

"Having epilepsy doesn't define who I am. On March 26 spread the word by wearing purple!" You can also make a donation to purple day at Epilepsy Queensland.