Invisible Children in Africa: "Are We Not All Human Beings?"

This is my first blog post, so bare with me. Although I have a very limited amount of experience with blogging, the idea of blogging about progressive principles, is very exciting. The first topic that comes to mind is prosperity from a global standpoint.

The United States is a nation where since the dawn of our existence, we have stood firm on certain ideals. Such includes spreading Democracy and freedom to all. When applied to foreign policy, America has used this to intervene in other nations. Plenty of examples come to mind, such as the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and even the War in Iraq.

So what does this have to do with Invisible Children? Plenty. But before I begin explaining this, I'd like to make a point.

The US has never intervened in a nation that, at the time, had no benefits for the US. By intervening in the Spanish-American War, the US gained economic dominance in the countries they annexed AND became a dominant world power, for the first time. War usually furthers our economy, as it has done in the past.

With a nation so rich and exerts so much power, why are we forgetting other nations that are so poor and in need of American help? Must we be selfish and only think of how beneficial it will be for us?

I'm not talking about Iraq, because to be frank, they don't want us there. We've become unwelcome guests. Instead, I'm about talking Invisible Children in Uganda who really want the US to intervene in the political instability occurring right now in their country.

Notice I said children. That's because they are the ones suffering the most.

In Uganda, 23 years ago, a group of rebels known as the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) tried to seized control of the country. To acquire soldiers, they acquired children. Is acquired the right word? The better word would be steal or kidnap or abduct.

Children as young as 5 are taken from their beds at night and forced to be children soldiers. LRA wants them young so they can be easily brainwashed. They are taught to kill and if they don't, they are killed instead. This is a great tragedy. To lower their chances of abduction, they travel far distances to spend the night in a safe place. This includes hospitals, verandas and even wet underground areas. These children pile up by the hundreds because they don't want to get abducted.

What happened to their parents? Most are dead. Either killed by AIDS or by weapons.

They are called 'Invisible' Children because the rest of the world has forgotten about them. What they want more than ever is be safe - yet the kids in America want the latest iPod or video game. I want to next president of the United States to intervene in this matter. I want, whoever it is, to help restore political stability and ensure the safety and well-being for these children in Uganda. A whole generation has experienced violence and turmoil. It's not fair to them.

If we can be in Iraq, considered 'a war with no purpose' by some, why can't we stick to our ideals and help another country, in far more need of help? It's not as if it would be difficult for the US. Our military superiority will have no problem against the LRA. The Ugandan government just needs the support from the US.

In America's history, we have stood firm on spreading Democracy and freedom to all. That has been our reason for staying in Iraq. What about those Invisible Children? As said by an individual affected by the political instability in Uganda, "Are we not all humans beings?"