http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc
please spread the word.
Watched it all the way through, reshared on Facebook.
Truth be told, I had no idea who Kony was, or what the situation in Uganda was before this. In fact, I didn't even know that Invisible Children was about Africa, I thought it was about underprivileged children in general. It's amazing how things like this can go completely unnoticed by everybody who takes luxuries of life for granted.
Quote from: EpicPhailure on March 06, 2012, 10:36:15 PM
Watched it all the way through, reshared on Facebook.
Truth be told, I had no idea who Kony was, or what the situation in Uganda was before this. In fact, I didn't even know that Invisible Children was about Africa, I thought it was about underprivileged children in general. It's amazing how things like this can go completely unnoticed by everybody who takes luxuries of life for granted.
Took the words right out of my mouth. :P
Quote from: http://www.reddit.com/r/DAE/comments/qlqzd/am_i_the_only_one_who_is_suspicious_about/Lets try this in a better sub reddit...
I've done a fair bit of looking into it, and everything doesn't add up. Heres my findings and I have included sources. Will probably get down voted to hell but I hope to give at least one of you a better understanding of whats going on.
Theres ALWAYS two sides to every story. This viral film has caught the attention of heaps of young folk but you are all far too late. Watching that Kony video is essentially watching old news. They started filming in 2003, and northern Uganda has been free of LRA violence and war for over five years. In fact, the LRA have signed a peace accord! They are rebuilding and are restoring the peace.
Yes the leader is still out there however the recruitment of children has decreased 80%. This isn't due to the Invisible Children organisation, its because Ugandan military and the ICC have intercepted. The Invisible Children group are trying to pass a bill that allows America to militarise the region... They are providing misinformation to woo idealistic followers. The group have combined multiple regional conflicts to make it appear that this is one rapidly increasing issue. When confronted about their dodgy tactics, the head spokesperson stated;
“I agree with you that leading people to believe that the war is still happening in Uganda is not ethically right. It's something we've been addressing internally, focusing on getting all staff and supporters on the same page (of communication)."
If you read the news, or even had an ounce of interest in the on-going unrest in Africa you would already know this and not be fooled. Yes, awful things happen to people in 3rd world countries but this has been occurring for centuries, it isn't a recent occurrence.
I think its only fair if I am to make such comments I provide sources (unlike the people over at Invisible Children...)
SOURCES: Michael Kirkpatrick, a long-time Independent Global Citizen, he has resided in Uganda and other regions of Africa. He has no political, religious or financial agenda. He wrote this article and gave an in-depth insight to whats really going on. He also questioned important members of Invisible Children about their motives. http://www.blackstarnews.com/news/122/ARTICLE/6586/2010-06-02.html
Charity Navigator is a website that breaks down the proceeds and donations given to Invisible Children and subsequently shows what percentile of that is REALLY going towards these impoverished kids. A measly slither of what is going into the founders pockets. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429
I've read an interesting passage from Northern Ugandan man however it is not 100% verified - he has advised the Northern Ugandan parliament have listed IC as their main priority on their "fraudulent activity" list. (See 2nd comment, username Livingstone). http://www.topix.com/forum/city/stuart-fl/TQJSGHMES035Q6OI0
THIS article asking Invisible Children why they were pressuring poor AND illegal piece of legislation has since been removed and deleted. http://blog.invisiblechildren.com/2010/03/oklaholdout-update-letter-from-lisa-dougan/
ADDITIONALLY - There were members of Invisible Children were saying what their "allowance" could purchase them, it was on a forum on the official website, and this has also been REMOVED. http://blog.invisiblechildren.com/?p=5901
Also: http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/1320/18249/Barry-from-Look-What-I-Did-responds-to-Invisible-Children-Organization.html I have a few more sources if anybody is looking for a specific answer, or where I got a certain fact, please just feel free to ask.
idk what to think at this point
Quote from: ARTgames on March 07, 2012, 02:14:57 PM
Quote from: http://www.reddit.com/r/DAE/comments/qlqzd/am_i_the_only_one_who_is_suspicious_about/Lets try this in a better sub reddit...
I've done a fair bit of looking into it, and everything doesn't add up. Heres my findings and I have included sources. Will probably get down voted to hell but I hope to give at least one of you a better understanding of whats going on.
Theres ALWAYS two sides to every story. This viral film has caught the attention of heaps of young folk but you are all far too late. Watching that Kony video is essentially watching old news. They started filming in 2003, and northern Uganda has been free of LRA violence and war for over five years. In fact, the LRA have signed a peace accord! They are rebuilding and are restoring the peace.
Yes the leader is still out there however the recruitment of children has decreased 80%. This isn't due to the Invisible Children organisation, its because Ugandan military and the ICC have intercepted. The Invisible Children group are trying to pass a bill that allows America to militarise the region... They are providing misinformation to woo idealistic followers. The group have combined multiple regional conflicts to make it appear that this is one rapidly increasing issue. When confronted about their dodgy tactics, the head spokesperson stated;
?I agree with you that leading people to believe that the war is still happening in Uganda is not ethically right. It's something we've been addressing internally, focusing on getting all staff and supporters on the same page (of communication)."
If you read the news, or even had an ounce of interest in the on-going unrest in Africa you would already know this and not be fooled. Yes, awful things happen to people in 3rd world countries but this has been occurring for centuries, it isn't a recent occurrence.
I think its only fair if I am to make such comments I provide sources (unlike the people over at Invisible Children...)
SOURCES: Michael Kirkpatrick, a long-time Independent Global Citizen, he has resided in Uganda and other regions of Africa. He has no political, religious or financial agenda. He wrote this article and gave an in-depth insight to whats really going on. He also questioned important members of Invisible Children about their motives. http://www.blackstarnews.com/news/122/ARTICLE/6586/2010-06-02.html
Charity Navigator is a website that breaks down the proceeds and donations given to Invisible Children and subsequently shows what percentile of that is REALLY going towards these impoverished kids. A measly slither of what is going into the founders pockets. http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=12429
I've read an interesting passage from Northern Ugandan man however it is not 100% verified - he has advised the Northern Ugandan parliament have listed IC as their main priority on their "fraudulent activity" list. (See 2nd comment, username Livingstone). http://www.topix.com/forum/city/stuart-fl/TQJSGHMES035Q6OI0
THIS article asking Invisible Children why they were pressuring poor AND illegal piece of legislation has since been removed and deleted. http://blog.invisiblechildren.com/2010/03/oklaholdout-update-letter-from-lisa-dougan/
ADDITIONALLY - There were members of Invisible Children were saying what their "allowance" could purchase them, it was on a forum on the official website, and this has also been REMOVED. http://blog.invisiblechildren.com/?p=5901
Also: http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/1320/18249/Barry-from-Look-What-I-Did-responds-to-Invisible-Children-Organization.html I have a few more sources if anybody is looking for a specific answer, or where I got a certain fact, please just feel free to ask.
idk what to think at this point
Yeah I read this after I made the thread...I think it's still a good idea to know about who this guy is. If you don't donate to the charity then it's fine.
Also in the link that poster provided, you can see only 3% of total expenses are paying the owners. AND a 3/4 stars on Charity Navigator is a pretty good score.
Something to consider before you start telling people to sell their homes to buy Kony 2012 merchandise (http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/18890947431/we-got-trouble)
Quote from: Hikarikuen on March 07, 2012, 10:02:38 PM
Something to consider before you start telling people to sell their homes to buy Kony 2012 merchandise (http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/18890947431/we-got-trouble)
I just heard about the whole thing shortly before seeing this topic, but one way or another, that article against the whole campaign didn't seem to make any strong or significant point. It was my understanding that the whole purpose of this campaign was to raise awareness of the problem, which will hopefully ultimately spark a resolution, not to directly support invisible children and let them be the ones to actually do the fixing themselves. Basically, I don't think it matters if the organization that came up with the idea for the "Kony 2012" program is totally perfect or not, as long as the ultimate result and cause is good.
Quote from: Meiun on March 07, 2012, 10:16:02 PM
Quote from: Hikarikuen on March 07, 2012, 10:02:38 PM
Something to consider before you start telling people to sell their homes to buy Kony 2012 merchandise (http://visiblechildren.tumblr.com/post/18890947431/we-got-trouble)
I just heard about the whole thing shortly before seeing this topic, but one way or another, that article against the whole campaign didn't seem to make any strong or significant point. It was my understanding that the whole purpose of this campaign was to raise awareness of the problem, which will hopefully ultimately spark a resolution, not to directly support invisible children and let them be the ones to actually do the fixing themselves. Basically, I don't think it matters if the organization that came up with the idea for the "Kony 2012" program is totally perfect or not, as long as the ultimate result and cause is good.
Invisible Children wants to raise awareness AND donations to their cause. The awareness is fine, and even if a bit misguided, I hope it ends up getting people who want to be involved into other problems and situations. Stopping Kony is a good start, so I hope it just doesn't end there (because stopping Kony isn't going to stop everything, contrary to popular belief).
I have no problems with the ultimate message of Kony 2012 - I have problems with Kony 2012 as sponsored by Invisible Children. If you are going to support anyone, support charities that put most of their money forth to the cause, and don't want to escalate armed conflicts by providing weaponry.
Quote from: Cactuscat222 on March 07, 2012, 11:14:27 PM
(because stopping Kony isn't going to stop everything, contrary to popular belief).
Anyone who thinks we can topple a terrorist army by killing the leader is clearly stuck in the WWII mentality. The International Crimes Court has all 5 of the LRA's top leaders on their list, and it ain't Santa's list. I guarantee that if they just take out Kony, another is going to step up. I guaran-damn-tee it. I've seen it first hand in the Middle east many, many times over with many less organized and smaller terrorist cells. Amplify it up to the magnitude of an Army and I can guarantee they've got a line of people waiting for the person ahead of them in line to get whacked.
The LRA spans 4 countries, one of which is suspected to be harboring Kony, maybe other key figures as well. The only way you can put an end to the LRA and discontinue their efforts are to militarize in all four countries, and be prepared to make the hard choice when it's children on the other side. Something we as a country cannot financially sustain, and we as humans may not be able to do mentally (seeing a full grown adult that wants you dead is one travesty, a child is something entirely different). Not to mention what happens when Sudan decides to side with the LRA, now we've got a full blown conflict against a country all over again.
I think something needs to be done, but at this point, unless the United Nations is willing to address the issue as a whole and take action, this is going to be less productive than both OIF and OEF combined. What starts out as good intentions is going to quickly turn to discontent among the collective US and world population.
EDIT: To tie this into the whole Kony 2012 movement, my opinions are that I support the goal, but not the effort, much like the previous blog. The long dick of the ICC needs to come down on Kony (and all of his fellow leaders), but I don't know that Kony 2012 is the way to do it. I don't really now how to do it, or what to think of most of this to be honest. One thing I know though is that removing Kony from power isn't going to solve the problem. Unless the majority of the estimated "500-3,000" members are stopped, the LRA is going to continue to operate.
Found another article: http://thedailywh.at/2012/03/07/on-kony-2012-2/ (http://thedailywh.at/2012/03/07/on-kony-2012-2/)
One of the quotes from the article that summed it up for me was 'emotional blackmail'. The article is a bit biased but it definitely makes you think about it.
Honestly I won't buy any of the shirts/bracelets etc., because now that I have read these articles about their spending and what the money goes toward, I don't want to be a part of it. It's great that they are raising awareness about it but it just seems like they are after money to me.
I give IC props for creating so much awareness on the subject. I agree Kony is bad, he should be stopped, and as many articles and people have stated, I don't think military intervention is the way to go about it.. Because you'd have to kill a crap ton of kids to get to him. Plus the accusation that the Ugandan military is not a whole lot better than the LRA...
I think the IC has their heart in the right place, but at the same time they're filled with anger for what was done to these children and aren't really thinking about the little war that they're trying to start; just thinking about the end goal of no future kids abducted.
have you guys ever gotten that feeling when you feel like someones trying to do something good, but at the same time there also a douche. Thats what i got watching it but im a meanie towards everything so i dont know.
So, I thought that there was no oil in Uganda and that's why everyone jokes that we haven't gone there sooner...
Well my friend just said that US found oil there a few years ago, sent troops in, and now "that's why US wants to stop Kony"
I personally don't think that's correct information, but does anyone know?
Quote from: DarkTrinity on March 12, 2012, 12:57:05 AM
So, I thought that there was no oil in Uganda and that's why everyone jokes that we haven't gone there sooner...
Well my friend just said that US found oil there a few years ago, sent troops in, and now "that's why US wants to stop Kony"
I personally don't think that's correct information, but does anyone know?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uganda+oil
Quote from: sayers6 on March 12, 2012, 09:59:45 AM
Quote from: DarkTrinity on March 12, 2012, 12:57:05 AM
So, I thought that there was no oil in Uganda and that's why everyone jokes that we haven't gone there sooner...
Well my friend just said that US found oil there a few years ago, sent troops in, and now "that's why US wants to stop Kony"
I personally don't think that's correct information, but does anyone know?
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=uganda+oil
The point was for you to do that for me, duuuuuuuuh.
I looked pretty deeply into Invisible Children, I found them to be a complete scam.
This is also worth a few laughs: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/jason-russell-san-diego-invisible-children-kony-2012-142970255.html
This video made made change my view on this whole Kony 2012 thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DO73Ese25Y&list=FLrW87-8XvWV9hCE67WKIVZQ&index=7&feature=plpp_video
She makes a few very good points on what their goals really are (or aren't...)
I think this is a great example of how the media brainwashes the masses in United States. Imagine if more of our youth actually delved into the real issues and challenged their accuracy when portrayed in the media.
I was relieved when I saw this post, because my peers and teachers swallowed this propaganda. I hadn't done any research myself since I felt apathetic towards the subject, but I can find the inspiration and support here to form a structured argument against the whole Kony Campaign now.
That being said, I still give the Invisible Children crew credit for bringing awareness of some of the issues in Uganda, but I don't like how they tried to profit from the "movement". It makes me ask, if there was no profit margin, would they really be trying to help all these children?
It's a scam watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DO73Ese25Y
Quote from: darkflash on March 19, 2012, 01:12:46 AM
It's a scam watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DO73Ese25Y
You just posted the same video HeroicHero posted...
She doesn't really make any new points, just ones I've already heard... And she's pretty boring TBH. Not saying she's wrong or anything like that. All she really gives is firsthand experiences/opinions from her and her family which just re-establishes what we've already figured out.
Quote from: DarkTrinity on March 21, 2012, 12:18:48 PM
Quote from: darkflash on March 19, 2012, 01:12:46 AM
It's a scam watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DO73Ese25Y
You just posted the same video HeroicHero posted...
She doesn't really make any new points, just ones I've already heard... And she's pretty boring TBH. Not saying she's wrong or anything like that. All she really gives is firsthand experiences/opinions from her and her family which just re-establishes what we've already figured out.
I like how seemingly everyone's assumptions that it's a scan (that's right, assumptions), are based pretty much off speculation.
"In the fiscal year ending June 2011, Invisible Children garnered nearly $13.8 million in revenue. However, the group spent about $8.9 million in 2011 on expenses, including compensation for the group?s highest-ranking officials and budgeting the production of the group?s films."
Sounds pretty damn shady to me...
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 21, 2012, 05:47:45 PM
"In the fiscal year ending June 2011, Invisible Children garnered nearly $13.8 million in revenue. However, the group spent about $8.9 million in 2011 on expenses, including compensation for the group?s highest-ranking officials and budgeting the production of the group?s films."
Sounds pretty damn shady to me...
What is shady about that? An organization is spending revenue? That's how all organizations work. Even non-profits have expenses. How the hell else would they be able to do anything? The only thing a non-profit is not able to do is take a draw on profits. It can hire people as employees to do work related to its cause.
Kony Vegas - Jason Russel Tells the Truth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hemfIhEBY44)
A short but kinda funny video which generalizes whats going on. Kind of.
If your on the anti Invisible Children side. imo.
prevideo warning, it swears a bit.
Quote from: Lingus on March 21, 2012, 06:02:18 PM
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 21, 2012, 05:47:45 PM
"In the fiscal year ending June 2011, Invisible Children garnered nearly $13.8 million in revenue. However, the group spent about $8.9 million in 2011 on expenses, including compensation for the group?s highest-ranking officials and budgeting the production of the group?s films."
Sounds pretty damn shady to me...
What is shady about that? An organization is spending revenue? That's how all organizations work. Even non-profits have expenses. How the hell else would they be able to do anything? The only thing a non-profit is not able to do is take a draw on profits. It can hire people as employees to do work related to its cause.
Than I guess I'm against charitable organizations in general. I don't quite get a good vibe knowing that for every dollar I donate, only 30 cents or so is actually getting around to the cause.
Anyways, I don't see what the goal of Kony 2012 is... Sure, bring this this total douchebag Kony to justice, but by what means? If they want more troops (unconstitutionally) sent overseas, then we're only setting ourselves up for trouble. Possibly war?
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 22, 2012, 10:48:54 AM
Anyways, I don't see what the goal of Kony 2012 is... Sure, bring this this total douchebag Kony to justice, but by what means? If they want more troops (unconstitutionally) sent overseas, then we're only setting ourselves up for trouble. Possibly war?
Please explain to me how sending troops over is unconstiutional with the approval of congress, which is what they're wanting. According to that, our military can't do a thing.
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 22, 2012, 10:48:54 AM
Quote from: Lingus on March 21, 2012, 06:02:18 PM
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 21, 2012, 05:47:45 PM
"In the fiscal year ending June 2011, Invisible Children garnered nearly $13.8 million in revenue. However, the group spent about $8.9 million in 2011 on expenses, including compensation for the group?s highest-ranking officials and budgeting the production of the group?s films."
Sounds pretty damn shady to me...
What is shady about that? An organization is spending revenue? That's how all organizations work. Even non-profits have expenses. How the hell else would they be able to do anything? The only thing a non-profit is not able to do is take a draw on profits. It can hire people as employees to do work related to its cause.
Than I guess I'm against charitable organizations in general. I don't quite get a good vibe knowing that for every dollar I donate, only 30 cents or so is actually getting around to the cause.
Anyways, I don't see what the goal of Kony 2012 is... Sure, bring this this total douchebag Kony to justice, but by what means? If they want more troops (unconstitutionally) sent overseas, then we're only setting ourselves up for trouble. Possibly war?
Sure, you definitely have to check on the organization you are giving money to, but it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how much of your money is "going to The Cause". What do you think that really means? The organization you are giving money to isn't just going to spend x amount of dollars, and then send the remainder on to "The Cause". That's just not how it works. Some organizations do work that way. They gather money and determine what organization or company can use it to make some kind of a difference. But ultimately the money gets to an organization that is going to use it for some reason or another that benefits "The Cause". What you always need to make certain of is whether they are putting the money to go use. If they use most of their money on executives that sit around and do nothing, then it's probably not a great group. But even then, if that structure is necessary, and they actually are making a big difference, then I wouldn't see a reason to question their methods. The main point is that throwing money at something doesn't always fix it. If they spend that money to hire people who are going to innovate and get things done, then that's perfectly acceptable. All you need to know is that your money is going to a group that is making a difference one way or another.
By the way, I will qualify this by saying that my statements are entirely generic. I have not been following this Kony thing and I know nothing about the organization. So it's possible that they are just lining their executive's pockets and not actually doing anything. But the fact alone that they pay executives to do their work does not actually prove anything about the effectiveness of the organization.
Quote from: sayers6 on March 22, 2012, 11:23:25 AM
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 22, 2012, 10:48:54 AM
Anyways, I don't see what the goal of Kony 2012 is... Sure, bring this this total douchebag Kony to justice, but by what means? If they want more troops (unconstitutionally) sent overseas, then we're only setting ourselves up for trouble. Possibly war?
Please explain to me how sending troops over is unconstiutional with the approval of congress, which is what they're wanting. According to that, our military can't do a thing.
Oops, I meant in violation of international law. Not sure why the constitution popped into my head. Anyway, a friend told me that they were only deployed to train Ugandan troops, so it's not quite violating it.
Edit: Obama says the troops were deployed to "to provide assistance to regional forces that are working toward the removal of Joseph Kony from the battlefield".
That can means a lot of things...
Regardless, I still do think we should be very careful with what we do with our troops.
@lingus Thanks for the explanation.
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 22, 2012, 04:02:01 PM
Quote from: sayers6 on March 22, 2012, 11:23:25 AM
Quote from: HeroicHero on March 22, 2012, 10:48:54 AM
Anyways, I don't see what the goal of Kony 2012 is... Sure, bring this this total douchebag Kony to justice, but by what means? If they want more troops (unconstitutionally) sent overseas, then we're only setting ourselves up for trouble. Possibly war?
Please explain to me how sending troops over is unconstiutional with the approval of congress, which is what they're wanting. According to that, our military can't do a thing.
Oops, I meant in violation of international law. Not sure why the constitution popped into my head. Anyway, a friend told me that they were only deployed to train Ugandan troops, so it's not quite violating it.
Edit: Obama says the troops were deployed to "to provide assistance to regional forces that are working toward the removal of Joseph Kony from the battlefield".
That can means a lot of things...
Regardless, I still do think we should be very careful with what we do with our troops.
@lingus Thanks for the explanation.
First off, I'm not assuming they're scamming people. I just don't agree with how they want to take care of people. Yea, they started that video years ago, but to use money on making such an excessive film and then not completing it and not showing it too the world? That seems like more of a waste of peoples' money.
That being said, we already have troops over there already aiding in the stopping of Kony. Which from many people I've heard that that job is already being done and his forces are diminishing, they don't really know if he's even still in Uganda, etc. The IC support a bill that would let the US further militarize the region.
Honestly, I feel bad for the people that had to go through this in Africa or anywhere else for that matter. It makes me feel even worse that it took a flashy video with a cutesy blonde child to make people come to the realization that their situation is in the crapper when this has been happening for years.
Quote from: DarkTrinity on March 22, 2012, 11:09:25 PM
Honestly, I feel bad for the people that had to go through this in Africa or anywhere else for that matter. It makes me feel even worse that it took a flashy video with a cutesy blonde child to make people come to the realization that their situation is in the crapper when this has been happening for years.
See, but that's where Invisible Children scored big. We've become desensitized to images of children in Haiti whom have succumbed to malnutrition, or pictures of women severely massacred from explosions in the middle east. When I saw the child in the video, I immediately knew the father was playing on the stereotype of "Children see things from a simple angle that adults often overlook due to maturity." Matured adults obviously don't see eye-to-eye with children due to maturity differences, and we often perceive the expected immaturity of children as cute, and often times more obvious than our nature to "over-analyze" situations. That's why the Invisible Children were successful at making their point. They brought in a child to re-affirm us at a very basic level that Joseph Kony is a bad man, and needs to be brought to justice. If a child can agree that he's evil, than we can damn well agree he needs to be brought to justice. Take the talking child out of the equation and we have a boring cable infomercial with a man holding a starving child in his lap pleading for donations that only gets aired between 3AM and 7AM. Invisible Children is no amateur organization; they know how to attract hoards of civilized people to their cause. I can't count how many of my Facebook friends posted his video, and how many turned around the next day, or two, when they realized "Oh no, someone pulled the wool over my eyes! I can't look like an idiot now!!!"