Kony 2012 Creator Has Public Meltdown, but that’s Not
What’s Most Important
by Dianna Hobbs, EEW Magazine Prresident & CEO
What’s Most Important
by Dianna Hobbs, EEW Magazine Prresident & CEO
It’s been all over the news that Jason Russell, co-founder of the nonprofit organization Invisible
Children, and director of the viral video “KONY 2012” had a very public meltdown. A video acquired
by gossip site, allegedly features Russell naked and engaging in some sort of erratic public behavior,
and it has racked up tons of views.
But I fear the sensationalism surrounding the story will cause the true intent of the movement to get
lost. I regret the fact that the public will zone in on the breakdown of the man who brought global
awareness to the brutal terrorist Joseph Kony, and dismiss one important fact.
A war criminal that has not paid for his vicious crimes against humanity is still on the loose, although
his exact whereabouts seem unknown.
Amama Mbabazihe, Prime Minister of Uganda, who is concerned about protecting the image of
Uganda, says Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have not been stationed there in
six years. “Intelligence and security agencies throughout the world are in accord,” said Mbabazihe
via video. “The United Nations and the CIA agree that Joseph Kony has not based his criminal
organization in Uganda since 2006.”
The Ugandan official also tells the public that the LRA is now operating with only a couple hundred
fighters based in the the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the
Republic of South Sudan.
“Uganda is not in conflict,” the Prime Minister says. “Uganda is a modern, developing country which
enjoys peace, stability and security.”
But Mbabazi does not deny the fact that Joseph Kony is a criminal. He has killed and brutalized many
Ugandans, has forced young boys to become soldiers in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and has
used young girls as sex slaves.
So let’s not lose focus here. The children who are in Kony’s custody, whether one or one thousand,
are souls. They are important. And this wicked leader needs to be brought to justice.
That is the truth of the matter.
Also, don’t overlook the fact that some are feeling threatened by the discovery that Jason Russell is a
born-again Christian who is a savvy media evangelist. A YouTube video from November 7, 2011
shows Russell at Liberty University participating in a Convocation of North America's largest weekly
gathering of Christian students.
He talks about his goal to end human genocide by modeling what Jesus did while walking on the
earth—tell stories.
“We believe that Jesus Christ was the best storyteller and we believe that He truly said go out and tell
stories because that’s the most powerful thing. That wins the heart and the mind,” said Russell. His
goal is to get the world focusing on “the least of these”—the powerless that cannot defend or fend for
themselves.
So instead of becoming too consumed with Russell’s obvious breakdown, let’s be sensitive and pray
for him. And by all means, let us not forget the importance of this issue.
Russell’s wife Danica said, “We thought a few thousand people would see the film, but in less than a
week, millions of people around the world saw it. While that attention was great for raising awareness
about Joseph Kony, it also brought a lot of attention to Jason and, because of how personal the film
is, many of the attacks against it were also very personal, and Jason took them very hard.”
With over 100 million views on YouTube, and thousands of opinions—many harsh—being shared
about the video, the 33-year-old is no doubt feeling the heat.
Prayerfully, those of us who profess to love Christ will do what Jesus would do. Lift Jason Russell up
in prayer and keep standing up for the invisible children the organization set out to help in the first
place.
What are your thoughts on this? Are we losing sight of the real issue? Share your thoughts by
emailing feedback@eewmagazine.com.
Children, and director of the viral video “KONY 2012” had a very public meltdown. A video acquired
by gossip site, allegedly features Russell naked and engaging in some sort of erratic public behavior,
and it has racked up tons of views.
But I fear the sensationalism surrounding the story will cause the true intent of the movement to get
lost. I regret the fact that the public will zone in on the breakdown of the man who brought global
awareness to the brutal terrorist Joseph Kony, and dismiss one important fact.
A war criminal that has not paid for his vicious crimes against humanity is still on the loose, although
his exact whereabouts seem unknown.
Amama Mbabazihe, Prime Minister of Uganda, who is concerned about protecting the image of
Uganda, says Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) have not been stationed there in
six years. “Intelligence and security agencies throughout the world are in accord,” said Mbabazihe
via video. “The United Nations and the CIA agree that Joseph Kony has not based his criminal
organization in Uganda since 2006.”
The Ugandan official also tells the public that the LRA is now operating with only a couple hundred
fighters based in the the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the
Republic of South Sudan.
“Uganda is not in conflict,” the Prime Minister says. “Uganda is a modern, developing country which
enjoys peace, stability and security.”
But Mbabazi does not deny the fact that Joseph Kony is a criminal. He has killed and brutalized many
Ugandans, has forced young boys to become soldiers in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and has
used young girls as sex slaves.
So let’s not lose focus here. The children who are in Kony’s custody, whether one or one thousand,
are souls. They are important. And this wicked leader needs to be brought to justice.
That is the truth of the matter.
Also, don’t overlook the fact that some are feeling threatened by the discovery that Jason Russell is a
born-again Christian who is a savvy media evangelist. A YouTube video from November 7, 2011
shows Russell at Liberty University participating in a Convocation of North America's largest weekly
gathering of Christian students.
He talks about his goal to end human genocide by modeling what Jesus did while walking on the
earth—tell stories.
“We believe that Jesus Christ was the best storyteller and we believe that He truly said go out and tell
stories because that’s the most powerful thing. That wins the heart and the mind,” said Russell. His
goal is to get the world focusing on “the least of these”—the powerless that cannot defend or fend for
themselves.
So instead of becoming too consumed with Russell’s obvious breakdown, let’s be sensitive and pray
for him. And by all means, let us not forget the importance of this issue.
Russell’s wife Danica said, “We thought a few thousand people would see the film, but in less than a
week, millions of people around the world saw it. While that attention was great for raising awareness
about Joseph Kony, it also brought a lot of attention to Jason and, because of how personal the film
is, many of the attacks against it were also very personal, and Jason took them very hard.”
With over 100 million views on YouTube, and thousands of opinions—many harsh—being shared
about the video, the 33-year-old is no doubt feeling the heat.
Prayerfully, those of us who profess to love Christ will do what Jesus would do. Lift Jason Russell up
in prayer and keep standing up for the invisible children the organization set out to help in the first
place.
What are your thoughts on this? Are we losing sight of the real issue? Share your thoughts by
emailing feedback@eewmagazine.com.
MARCH 19, 2012 EEW MAGAZINE
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