KONY 2012

[Zulthus]

No, this doesn't belong in the Politics section.

KONY 2012 - YouTube

There's been something going around the internet lately, a campaign to stop a rebel leader in Uganda. The movie was pretty moving and I definitely support it. Give it a watch yourself, it seems like something that should be spread.

[Warhound]

Just got done watchin this about an hour ago, and to tell the truth I never knew about him up until that video. Its very moving and I like how they spread the news of it in a "Viral" fashion. I would have never known until my friend posted it on Facebook, shows how much I pay attention.

[Crazyduckling]

I actually had to work with some of the people from this organization within the last year (I dont remember if it was last fall or spring). I am part of my university's auditorium tech staff, so I watched one of their earlier films.

Its a good cause, but when I watched it (their older film), they gave me a big 'wtf' moment when they talked about how they spent some of their money. It basically went like this: "So we got this really nice office, and eventually we were broke. We decided to use the money that we didn't have to buy an entire fleet of new 12 passenger vans, and all of them had custom paint jobs."

Obviously not a direct quote, but I was left thinking: "They could have used that money for better things...like their goal."

[Sirisian]

Watched the video earlier. Second time hearing about the problem. Extremely disturbing. Would be a good use of the US forces in securing Uganda's borders for them and destroying all threats while training their forces. I remember hearing about the 100 people they sent earlier and thought it was kind of insufficient. I mean you'd think with proper satellite photography and other tools they'd be able to locate the guy. It can't be that easy hiding an army of 500 to 3000 people.

[Baneblade]

I saw the video on FB, I didn't even know his name before that, but I knew who he was and what he did.

[Warborn]

Watched the video earlier. Second time hearing about the problem. Extremely disturbing. Would be a good use of the US forces in securing Uganda's borders for them and destroying all threats while training their forces. I remember hearing about the 100 people they sent earlier and thought it was kind of insufficient. I mean you'd think with proper satellite photography and other tools they'd be able to locate the guy. It can't be that easy hiding an army of 500 to 3000 people.

Maybe after the elections. If Obama were to commit to this in any big way, the right wing media would spin it the same way they spun death panels. Just look at how Rush Limbaugh interpreted the 100 guys sent as military advisors to Uganda: "Obama Invades Uganda, Targets Christians" (http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2011/10/14/obama_invades_uganda_targets_christians)

Any significant military action would immediately become "Obama is waging war against Christians at home and abroad!", and just as people ate up the "Obama wants to let doctors kill your grandmother!" without doing any actual research into it, so too would that become a new rallying cry in the 2012 general election.

[Vancha]

I haven't watched the video, but I gather it's about Kony and his child army, how he kidnaps children, rapes people, mutilates and kills people etc. Is that about right?

I've found the whole thing quite distasteful so far. It's the most manufactured "cause" I've ever seen. If people were told about this individually, they wouldn't give a damn any more than they give a damn about every other injustice that continues to be perpetrated in Africa, but because it's become a "thing", people are jumping on the bandwagon.

[Firefly]

Internet slacktivism at its best. Three days from now no one will give a shit about this, and nobody will have lifted a finger other than to share it on their Facebook page... just like "change your profile picture to your favourite cartoon character to raise awareness about child abuse!" Oooh, my Cobra Commander picture made you aware of Li'l Timmy getting the shit kicked out of him or perhaps diddled by Father O'Murphy?

Call me a skeptic.

Nobody gives a shit about Africans, not even other Africans. Nick Nolte had a line in "Hotel Rwanda" that sums it up best about how the Western world treats Africa but I'm not gonna repeat it because I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and lump me into the "hateful bigot" category with Traak.

When anyone actually does something about this besides post on the internet, let me know. My faith in humanity might twitch a little towards the "perhaps we can be redeemed" peg.

[Whalenator]

I try to get in my fair share of humanitarian service with my local catholic parish every Sunday. We do a good job... We feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, renovate old churches. I get acquainted with unfortunate. They're fun people. I can safely say I've missed a bus or two having in-depth conversations with people whose original intent was just to come up and ask for some change.

But I've never gone abroad for my service. I've traveled on vacation to Mexico and beyond, of course, but when on vacation people tend to bed in the more affluent areas of a country. It's a bit of a sheltered situation, almost looking for a miniature version of your own culture with a little bit of change or flair just so you know you're in another country.

God though, this video is just too sad. I used to be on my school's debate teams, and we often had psuedo-united nations meetings to practice our debate skills and discuss the world's problems. It was fun, but at the same time a bit depressing. Global Warming. Human Trafficking. Territorial Wars. ANYTHING about the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sad, sad stuff. Now what's more important; hundreds of thousands of lives being abused and starved in central Africa... or Planetside 2? (Don't answer that question)

I just makes you wonder.
It really does.

not to be a debbie downer or anything

[Vash02]

I actually had to work with some of the people from this organization within the last year (I dont remember if it was last fall or spring). I am part of my university's auditorium tech staff, so I watched one of their earlier films.

Its a good cause, but when I watched it (their older film), they gave me a big 'wtf' moment when they talked about how they spent some of their money. It basically went like this: "So we got this really nice office, and eventually we were broke. We decided to use the money that we didn't have to buy an entire fleet of new 12 passenger vans, and all of them had custom paint jobs."

Obviously not a direct quote, but I was left thinking: "They could have used that money for better things...like their goal."

Their financial statements say only about 35% of donations actually goes to africa.
Dont be BS'd about their 80% figure, 'awareness' campaigns count as fundraising in my book.

Thats not to dissuade from the goal of killing/capturing (lets face it, its going to be much easier to kill him) Kony. Just dont use this group to help achieve it through.

[SKYeXile]

Fucking shits been going on for years, oh look a news flash...apparently Africa is fucked up, oh thanks youtube.

[Coreldan]

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/264/455/c5e.png

[Garem]

apparently Africa is fucked up, oh thanks youtube.

No it's not. Parts of it are in trouble obviously, but most of Africa is doing okay and getting better all the time.

Even if I were to assume everything you said was right, you're still crass and foolish to give such petulant criticism to this massive group of people bringing awareness of an important civil rights issue, even if it isn't perfectly tailored to your preferences or doesn't delve into the gritty details.

Vash, you're also wrong. You don't understand the scope of Invisible Children. Do a little research before making claims of critics you saw on Facebook. About a third of the donations go towards... a third of their major program divisions.

There are real criticisms to make. I'm not crazy about the MTV-esque shock-umentary style, but hey, I'm very well educated on the subject. Some people need flash to grab their attention, and if it serves a good purpose I'm willing to overlook a minor annoyance. There have been allegations that the IC leaders are making $85,000 a year or so, too, which is of course up for criticism.

Just make sure you know what you're talking about before you jump on the cynics or supporters bandwagons. It also wouldn't hurt to have a good grasp on modern Africa outside of the DRC, Central African Republic, and Uganda as well as a basic understanding of African history during the last 100 years. A little international relations knowledge dashed on top would be nice.

Nobody who knows what they're talking about takes Afro-pessimism seriously, Somalian and maybe the DRC as exceptions. If you seriously think, "lol it's africa, they're backwards and fucked up and not our problem" then I pity your ignorance and/or inhumanity.

@ Firefly, of course people actually do something. I've raised and spent about $8000 (I'm a grad student, I don't MAKE any money :( ) and spent countless hours (4 weeks in sum actually IN Africa) in helping to found and partake in an AIDS orphans/medical mission into rural Kenya. I couldn't have gone without financial supporters from my community. Then there are guys like this, who are fucking beasts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Childers . Yes, people do things based upon their convictions. Some more than others. And often they are prompted to do so by being informed by Youtube videos, word of mouth, or social media. :gasp:

[SKYeXile]

Nobody who knows what they're talking about takes Afro-pessimism seriously, Somalian and maybe the DRC as exceptions. If you seriously think, "lol it's africa, they're backwards and fucked up and not our problem" then I pity your ignorance and/or inhumanity.


is that what i said?

[Whalenator]

Don't even bring up the DRC in here.
That place is a lost cause.

[Firefly]

@ Firefly, of course people actually do something. I've raised and spent about $8000 (I'm a grad student, I don't MAKE any money :( ) and spent countless hours (4 weeks in sum actually IN Africa) in helping to found and partake in an AIDS orphans/medical mission into rural Kenya. I couldn't have gone without financial supporters from my community.
Well bully for you! Clearly you wouldn't be in the group that I was mocking and scorning.

The key word in all that should have been "some people". In fact, not even "some". Less than some. The majority of people post bullshit on Facebook and assuage their guilt by sharing/liking a video and saying "omg i cant believe this!!!11!". So you would be in the less-than-some class.

My entire point was this: the disingenuous factor makes me sick. If people aren't going to do something, spare us all the histrionics and the tugging of heart strings. It makes people like me think less of those who say "what a tragedy!" and then go back to eating their bucket of fried chicken in the suburbs before retiring to the couch to watch reality TV.

[Graywolves]

It makes people like me think less of those who say "what a tragedy!" and then go back to eating their bucket of fried chicken in the suburbs before retiring to the couch to watch reality TV.

I don't watch reality and I've been trying to eat healthy!!!!

[krnasaur]

Don't flame me for this, but IMO Africa just needs a do-over. That place is so volatile it is scary. They just need to re write all of the boarder and make it like 6 or 7 large countries. When the Europeans wrote the boarders for Africa most of the countries were left land-locked and have 0 way to trade. give each of the countries access to the ocean atleast they will have some way to trade/export and the governments there won't be as dirt poor as they are now. Right now if we go and send troops to stop this rebellion in 6 months another rebellion will pop up in another shitcan country.

My other idea (which will probably be less liked) is we pull ALL support from africa. Right now it seems all of our money and effort (that could be spent at home fixing our problems) are being wasted in africa because we want to build a school and teach little afika how to read, and will most likely die anyway from contaminated water or something in 6 weeks. I say let Darwinism run its course down there in Africa and they can fix their own problems.

[Whalenator]

Don't flame me for this, but IMO Africa just needs a do-over. That place is so volatile it is scary. They just need to re write all of the boarder and make it like 6 or 7 large countries. When the Europeans wrote the boarders for Africa most of the countries were left land-locked and have 0 way to trade. give each of the countries access to the ocean atleast they will have some way to trade/export and the governments there won't be as dirt poor as they are now. Right now if we go and send troops to stop this rebellion in 6 months another rebellion will pop up in another shitcan country.

My other idea (which will probably be less liked) is we pull ALL support from africa. Right now it seems all of our money and effort (that could be spent at home fixing our problems) are being wasted in africa because we want to build a school and teach little afika how to read, and will most likely die anyway from contaminated water or something in 6 weeks. I say let Darwinism run its course down there in Africa and they can fix their own problems.

I understand how you could think that an entire continent housing well over one billion people, all with their own opinions, thoughts and culture, could be reclaimed with such simple and arrogant ideas as rewriting borders or withdrawing support. Oh wait, scratch that. I don't understand how you could think that.

The problems that exist in Africa today -- War, Poverty, Oppression -- are all products of humanity, formed over thousands of years. The widely-believed "fact" that Africa is most a barren landscape comprised mostly of grasslands and deserts is a lie. Take it from somebody who's been there that Africa is one of the lusher continents out there. So I suppose while a hostile environment could have been a contributor to the massive humanitarian crisis Africa is today, a more likely cause is (as you mentioned) the rapid withdrawal of European influence that began in the 50's with Libya's independence. Most of the newly birthed nation-states creating during said withdrawal were in no way prepared to govern themselves, and corrupt leaders usually came to power, beginning a tradition of corruption and negligence from the top that continues to this day.

If I could choose one problem that plagues the poorer half of Africa the most, it would be leadership. Those who are in power and those struggling for power. But at this point the populace of Africa have become so accustomed to their corrupt dictators they are to the point of defending them, and the civilized part of the world can't help those that don't want help (We do anyways though).

[Baneblade]

Yeah...

[Fenrys]

disclaimer: I'm not really sure what's happening in Africa, and I don't support or condone brutality of any kind.

It seems like this could be a propaganda piece created by the Pentagon to get support for expanding military operations in Africa, which would allow multinational corporations to exploit the natural and human resources of the area and open new markets where usurious central banks could offer loans that will keep the population in debt-slavery for generations.

What are the Facebook Like-ers going to do other than beg somebody else, like the government, to fix the problem for them? To me, it's implied that the "somebody else" already has a plan to "fix" things, and that same "somebody else" is probably the one who created this indiscriminate memetic virus. It smells like traditional black magic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialectic#Hegelian_dialectic).

[Accuser]

Would be a good use of the US forces in securing Uganda's borders for them and destroying all threats while training their forces.Double-plus good brother, Oceania salutes your devotion.

I'm pretty sure one government office or another put out a memo reading something like:
31 year "President" of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has faced allegations of corruption and vote fraud which have culminated in armed conflict. Continuing our traditional role as a peacekeeping leader, we will be able to suppress armed dissent against his regime and curry favor for our economic interests in a way that other nations will be unable to.

But how are we going to convince the American people to increase military involvement in Africa? China is quickly advancing its business interests there (http://www.economist.com/node/18586448) and we want to dominate the continent's commodities (particularly new-found oil reserves) going forward. We've gotten some degree of military buildup under the American people's radar (http://www.economist.com/node/18586448) using the Islamic extremist rhetoric, but a greater military presence is required to dominate the region's resources.

Sadly, "the Communists" are no longer around to justify invasions and regime changes. But we are still able to overstate the threat of WMDs in the Middle East. Fortunately, no one remembers statements like "We know where they are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south and north somewhat." (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Donald_Rumsfeld) or "It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months." (http://www.usatoday.com/educate/war28-article.htm) So since we have a new face as President and a few years behind us, we're free to use similar rhetoric once again. Unfortunately, no sub-Saharan nation has a peaceful nuclear program for us to accuse of weapons research.

Therefore, this office will be relying on sympathy-based techniques such as those used during the first Gulf War (see Nayirah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nayirah_(testimony))). To this end, several soon-to-be notorious figures are available to present to the public. Domestic psi-ops will begin by turning American sentiment against Joseph Kony. Follow-ups will include a massive increase in news coverage of African conflict. Finally, Mr. Museveni will welcome American peacekeepers and a permanent American military presence in Uganda.

[Warborn]

It seems like this could be a propaganda piece created by the Pentagon to get support for expanding military operations in Africa

I hope you were wearing your tinfoil hat while you wrote that. There isn't anything preventing foreign multinational corporations from operating in Uganda, and I don't see how some airstrikes on rebel groups living in jungles would necessitate US corporate involvement where previously there was none.

And as much as Obama is a puppet of corporate interests, assuming there were a serious benefit for corporations if the US were to blow up some jungle creatures and also some African guys, it would be political suicide for Obama to get the US seriously involved in Uganda when he's just ramping up for a general election. To engage in hostilities with a group called the "Lord's Resistance Army" would be ridiculous. Muslims who the government can spin as being a threat to the world via WMDs? That's something Americans can be down with murdering en masse, but even that is unpopular with people at this point. Only 40% of Americans think military action against Iran is a good idea according to recent polls, and they hit all the check boxes for people who it's okay to explode with bombs.

But Africans, who are ostensibly Christian, and who pose no threat to the USA? Never going to happen. Who'd support it? A few hipsters who want to appear proactive and apathetic douche bags who clicked "Like" on Facebook. Conversely, by the time the new year rolls around and Obama is in his second term or President Frothy Mixture or Romney are getting situated, the interest in this Kony shit will be a distant memory.

[Accuser]

There isn't anything preventing foreign multinational corporations from operating in Uganda, and I don't see how some airstrikes on rebel groups living in jungles would necessitate US corporate involvement where previously there was none.
And which multinational corporations get the contracts? As I mentioned above, the "President" of Uganda who's in his 31st year in office has a lot of control over that. The Chinese were making inroads on the East African political landscape, but here the U.S. is in a unique position to do a favor for Museveni by eliminating an armed opponent and solidifying his regime through the presence of U.S. military bases.


But Africans, who are ostensibly Christian, and who pose no threat to the USA? Never going to happen. Who'd support it? A few hipsters who want to appear proactive and apathetic douche bags who clicked "Like" on Facebook. Conversely, by the time the new year rolls around and Obama is in his second term or President Frothy Mixture or Romney are getting situated, the interest in this Kony shit will be a distant memory.
Right. The U.S. would never put military forces in a country that poses no threat to us... We've never overthrown a government for economic reasons, and our bombers drop lollipops and gumdrops for all the children of the world.

[Warborn]

The corporations that get the contracts are the ones who offer the best deal and grease the most palms. The only thing keeping corporations out of Uganda is their own personal interest. While certainly the US could level the whole place and then hand out no-bid contracts to companies in favour with members of the administration, there's not a lot in it for the elected officials involved in that.

And, again, how will blowing up some patches of jungle help in any way secure footholds for corporations which are otherwise shut out by competitors? Or are you suggesting the USA topple the entire Ugandan regime and commence to nation building there?

I'm as cynical as the next far-left democratic socialist, but even I wouldn't expect the US to make a habit out of bombing countries and then having their friends rebuild them. It's just not something that is sustainable, by either their politicians or, as the recent instance of a US soldier murdering a fuckload of civilians including children in Afghanistan shows, or their military.

This Kony thing is horseshit. It's ignorant or naive or self-serving assholes who want to save the world drumming up a bullshit scheme to do just that. The US government doesn't give a fuck in any real sense because there's nothing in it for them. They will do whatever will boost their numbers amongst their constituents, and at this point that means not waging war in yet another country which has nothing at all to do with the interests of Americans.

[Accuser]

The corporations that get the contracts are the ones who offer the best deal and grease the most palms...
...The US government doesn't give a fuck in any real sense because there's nothing in it for them.
Let's imagine for a moment that a corporation greases American palms. Let's imagine that those politicians then do favors for the Ugandan government and ask that American corporations get special treatment in return.

Maybe it's cheaper for these American corporations to do this than to out-bid Chinese companies... particularly when ensuring U.S. control of the region is an added long-term benefit for the U.S. government.

If you think that control of regional resources (energy in particular) isn't powerful, I suggest you take a look at Russia's influence over Eastern Europe.

EDIT:
Epic grammar fails fixed

[Blitzkri]

Should make a video of children getting manipulated into joining street gangs. Then forced to sell or do drugs. Who have their own daughters and sisters become street walkers.
We couldn't care less about our own sick and homeless."Look its a homeless guy eating out of a trash can." Most answer "So?"
You wanna help people? Help yourselves first. Yea its a shame that is happening somewhere over there. Easy to ignore if you ask me. Hard to ignore our own problems... At least for me it is.

[Warborn]

Let's imagine for a moment that a corporation greases American palms. Let's imagine that those politicians then do favors for the Ugandan government and asks that American corporations get special treatment in return.

Maybe it's cheaper for these American corporations to do this than to out-bid Chinese companies... particularly when ensuring U.S. control of the region is an added long-term benefit for the U.S. government.

If you don't think that control of regional resources (energy in particular) isn't powerful, I suggest you take a look at Russia's influence over Eastern Europe.

I'll ask it a third time. How will the USA blowing up areas of Uganda's jungles change the situation on the ground for US corporate interests intent on making money there? Or are you suggesting the US destroy the entire Ugandan regime commence to nation building as in Iraq?

If the US had any interest in toppling the Ugandan government to install a friendly regime, they'd have done what they do all the time. They'd have simply funneled money secretly to the LRA, maybe drop in some CIA personnel to help advise them in the fight against the existing Ugandan regime, and simply ask of them that, when they win and seize control of Uganda, they bow completely to US demands. That's how the USA does it. That's how they've done it over and over around the world. They would not be best suited by waging direct war against Uganda when they could wage a proxy war.

Should make a video of children getting manipulated into joining street gangs.

At a time when South American leaders are deliberating the legalization or decriminalization of the failed and disastrous "war on drugs", I think trying to inspire a grassroots movement to make a difference there would have been better. It's a pretty close call between the people who think drugs should be legalized vs. those who don't, but it's a better bet than waging war on guerrillas in Uganda.

[Warborn]

Behold the douchebags who are going to save all poor African babies: http://i.imgur.com/bGrbR.jpg

The entire Kony scheme is nothing more than self-aggrandizement. There isn't any conspiracy here beside the conspiracy for these guys to make themselves seem important and advance their careers while making empty gestures toward "fixing" Uganda.

[Blitzkri]

|Impressive movement non the-less. I have a son. I would end things for him. I feel for the issue.

But...“My mama always used to tell me: 'If you can't find somethin' to live for, you best find somethin' to die for.”
― Tupac Shakur

good job Invisible kids. Metallica - Invisible Kid | with lyrics - YouTube

[Sirisian]

Double-plus good brother, Oceania salutes your devotion.
Who's Oceania?

I was merely suggesting it for political control. It's harder for them to do anything atrocious ideally if we're interleaved into their military and police system. I suggested this years ago on another forum to stabilize the region. I tend to be more hawkish though when it comes to things like this which is frowned upon since it could potentially do much more harm than good (by creating an unnecessary reliance). The real fix will probably be investing in their education which is usually a cheaper alternative too.

[Firefly]

Oceania is, traditionally, Australia and New Zealand, plus any nearby South Pacific nations.

[Accuser]

I'll ask it a third time. How will the USA blowing up areas of Uganda's jungles change the situation on the ground for US corporate interests intent on making money there?

Ok, I'll make it very simple.
Museveni benefits: A political opponent is eliminated, his 31 year regime gains international legitimacy and physical security through U.S. military bases.

U.S. corporations benefit: The (surprise) corrupt Museveni gives preference to U.S. corporations through exclusive or no-bid contracts as a reward for his benefits.

American politicans benefit: Campaign contributions from corporations able to operate with preferential treatment in Uganda.

U.S. geopolitical benefit: Access to resources even in the event of future crisis' (war, price spikes, etc) with the muscle to secure it. Operating bases in the event of future African conflict.

Or to put it VERY simply... ask yourself what the U.S. gains from having nearly 200 military bases scattered in dozens of countries, then apply that to Uganda.

[Fenrys]

http://vigilantcitizen.com/vigilantreport/kony-2012-state-propaganda-for-a-new-generation/

However, the problem of child soldiers has existed for decades and there are literally hundreds of Joseph Konys across the African continent. In some cases, some of the armies are actually funded by Western countries. If we would truly go to the root of the issue, we’d discover that Africa has been plagued with the problem of warring factions and rebel guerrillas ever since Western forces “liberated” their colonies and divided the continent of Africa according to Western interests. Indeed, instead of setting the boundaries of each country according to the geographic location of the ethnic groups and tribes that live there, countries were created according to the economic needs of colonizing forces such as Great Britain, France and others. The net result is: A bunch of artificial countries that each contain several tribes, ethnic groups, languages and religions. When one group takes power, the others are repressed, which leads to violence and rebellion. Add to the mix extreme poverty due to resources being siphoned out of Africa by Western countries and you’ve got a breeding ground for merciless warlords. As long as this problem exists, Joseph Konys will continue to emerge in Africa.

But the video mentions none of this. All it says is that arresting Kony would “make the world better”. KONY 2012 is all about identifying a bad guy, “making him famous” and have people demand his death by U.S. forces. Fixing the true cause of problems in the third world has never been on the Agenda.

[Warborn]

Ok, I'll make it very simple.
Museveni benefits:

He's been in power 31 years, what does he care about legitimacy?

U.S. corporations benefit:

Are US corporations shut out right now? What corporations tied to the government serve to benefit from this? How will the US becoming involved create an atmosphere better for US interests? Look at Iraq and Afghanistan. Those places fucking hate the US because the US shits all over anything it tries to "save" pretty much every time.

American politicans benefit:

These people have no shortage of corporate backers or at least very wealthy individuals in their corner, provided they aren't independently wealthy like Romney already. This also goes back to the previous point. In Iraq, the US blew up the country and awarded the rebuilding contracts no-bid to their friends. If the US doesn't blow up Uganda, then where are the corporate contracts coming from?

U.S. geopolitical benefit:

They can setup bases places without needing to stage military intervention. Look at Australia, there's a US base there and those two nations have only ever been friendly. With a country possessing as much influence as the US, they could easily work out some sort of deal which is quite apart from any sort of military adventure.

[Baneblade]

http://i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/264/259/d4f.jpg

[Geist]

*snip*

:rofl:.....:( Funny...but sad since it's probably close to the truth

[Accuser]

Warborn:
I think we're talking past each other at this point. The U.S. doesn't want to blow up Uganda, they want to have large military bases there that would let them secure resources in the long term. The most likely scenario is that large military bases are installed, the U.S. lends a few trainers to the Ugandans, and we take credit for any Ugandan success domestically to justify our presence.

More importantly though, you've made one of the most ridiculous posts I've read on PSU.
An African dictator in Spring 2012 doesn't care about legitimacy? Because the people have never overthrown a 31-year "President" before, particularly not recently, right?

You're implying that said "President" has no ability to make business easier for U.S. corporate interests. Corporations bribe U.S. politicians for preferential treatment, but you're saying this "President" doesn't have the power to make things easier on one international corporation as compared to another? That couldn't be more ignorant.

I guess Sobekeus has explained better than I could anyway :)

[Warborn]

More importantly though, you've made one of the most ridiculous posts I've read on PSU.
An African dictator in Spring 2012 doesn't care about legitimacy? Because the people have never overthrown a 31-year "President" before, particularly not recently, right?

You need to get your story straight here. Is the conspiracy theory that the USA wants to regime-change Uganda or not? If not, then what does Museveni care about perceived legitimacy, and in what way does the LRA -- a group which has existed for decades -- undermine that legitimacy?

If the plan is to simply build a base in the region, then why would the US even bother with this Kony 2012 shit? Who cares? It's a military base. They get built all the time. Since when did the US government try to build a popular movement amongst young, Internet-savvy people before they engaged in imperialism? On what planet does the opinion of people least likely to vote dictate US foreign policy?

Honestly, you're right though, there's not much to say, is there? Conspiracy theorists are conspiracy theorists. People who think 9/11 was an inside job, or the moon landings were faked, or that Kony 2012 is an inside job to create a cassus beli to do [something] in Uganda, didn't arrive at their position through sound logic, so using sound logic to dissuade them is a losing proposition.

[Firefly]

An African dictator in Spring 2012 doesn't care about legitimacy? Because the people have never overthrown a 31-year "President" before, particularly not recently, right?
Africans are a different breed or cut from North Africans and Arabs. So, no. I mean, it would be great... but... regime changes in Africa usually come about through genocide, extermination, brutal civil wars, and a distinct lack of support from white people.

The Western world will only care about Africa once it has stripped the rest of the planet bare of resources. Then we're coming to Africa.

Again.

[BNuts]

Dude, if I get deployed to Africa because of this, I am kicking people in the balls. Stupid youtube.

[Graywolves]

Dude, if I get deployed to Africa because of this, I am kicking people in the balls. Stupid youtube.

It's ok, the Hipster Volunteer Initiative Army will take care of it.

[Accuser]

The Western world will only care about Africa once it has stripped the rest of the planet bare of resources. Then we're coming to Africa.

Again.

indeed (http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/117/014/GsE3k.jpg)

[Shanesan]

I have a great idea guys.

There's this warlord called Kony, right? He does terrible things, supposedly. Lets take the troops out of the now liberated and Mission Accomplished Iraq & Afghanistan and put them in Africa.

That'll work.

[BNuts]

http://youtu.be/P7NRCkxivwo

AFT's Ranger responds to KONY 2012

[krnasaur]

http://youtu.be/P7NRCkxivwo

AFT's Ranger responds to KONY 2012

haha i thought it said ATF.... wtf is alcohol tobacco and firearms doing there

[Baneblade]

It's ok, the Hipster Volunteer Initiative Army will take care of it.

Hipster Initiative Volunteer Army Intending Detention of Suspicious Konys

[Firefly]

HAHAHA! All the rubes that donated to this charity?

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10721745-report-invisible-children-co-founder-detained-by-police-charity-made-kony-2012-video

Your money went to support this emo hipster's "strange substance" habit and his defense fund for when he finally got caught jerking off in public.

[Hamma]

:lol:

[Zulthus]

HAHAHA! All the rubes that donated to this charity?

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10721745-report-invisible-children-co-founder-detained-by-police-charity-made-kony-2012-video

Your money went to support this emo hipster's "strange substance" habit and his defense fund for when he finally got caught jerking off in public.

LMAO, you beat me to posting this. Whatever he was on was a hell of a drug.

[Warborn]

It's even better because he's an evangelical Christian, a group known more for secret homosexual rendezvous and defrauding gullible followers than public wanking. What a fucking glorious end to this bullshit, though.

Oh, and I look forward to whoever that guy was telling us how this dude jerking off in the middle of a street is an integral part of the secret government plan to established military bases in Central Africa.

Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpuB11d0Gog&feature=youtu.be

[Hamma]

Here is the video of him going nuts. He is naked in the video - but it is blurred out.

New Jason Russell Video -- UP-CLOSE Naked Meltdown -- Kony 2012 - YouTube

[Warborn]

Kony 2012 NWO sinister logo***39;s and invisible children - 10 o***39;clock live 14.03.12 - YouTube

[TheBladeRoden]

How much money did TMZ make rain on the people who shot that I wonder?

[Hamma]

I know right :lol: And all they had to do was turn on their camera phone.