Not sure if this has been addressed, but according to a blog, Joseph Kony, as depicted in this documentary, has apparently been driven out of Uganda for at least six years and the LRA has been non-existent for the same period of time. Apparently there have been some pretty significant misrepresentations. Plus, we again have to look at both sides of perspective here. The invisible children campaign is implementing propaganda to help promote their documentary. How do they achieve such motive? They simply use emotional manipulation and imagery to help elicit a profound response from audiences watching their films. Yes, from 1999-2004, Uganda faced persistent issues with KONY and the LRA. However, what has become problematic has been the inability to cure Nodding Disease, which claims over 4000 children and has even baffled many world renowned doctors as to how to treat this incredibly debilitating disease. Uganda is also home to the highest amount of child prostitutes inhabiting the area. These are the issues that are plaguing the streets of Uganda, not Kony and the LRA, which have deteriorated into obscurity. <br /><br /><br />Congratulations, America. You have given recognition to a video about events that have already been neutralized, and although Kony may still pose as a substantial threat, he has been driven out of Uganda for years now and The goal of the video was to attend to such notion. Can't say i'm surprised, and unfortunately, this is a harsh reminder that Americans yet again have failed to look beyond the detail and not get easily drawn in by compassionate images and heart wrenching stories. We need to be mindful of what the media portrays, even social media such as Youtube. remember to keep an open-mindset and before you make any donationsa nd support this documentaries efforts, try your best to look validity and try to be informed on what is presently presiding in that area of the world.<br /><br />http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/03/07/guest_post_joseph_kony_is_not_in_uganda_and_other_complicated_things<br /><br /><br />"To call the campaign a misrepresentation is an understatement. While it draws attention to the fact that Kony, indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court in 2005, is still on the loose, its portrayal of his alleged crimes in Northern Uganda are from a bygone era. At the height of the war between especially 1999 and 2004, large hordes of children took refuge on the streets of Gulu town to escape the horrors of abduction and brutal conscription to the ranks of the LRA. Today most of these children are semi-adults. Many are still on the streets unemployed. Gulu has the highest numbers of child prostitutes in Uganda. It also has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.<br /><br />If six years ago children in Uganda would have feared the hell of being part of the LRA, a well documented reality already, today the real invisible children are those suffering from "Nodding Disease". Over 4000 children are victims of this incurable debilitating condition. It's a neurological disease that has baffled world scientists and attacks mainly children from the most war affected districts of Kitgum, Pader and Gulu."<br />
<br />"KONY 2012" is certainly getting world attention because the message with its heartbreaking images and film reports has that effect on our emotions. When I saw this film I was wondering what the mission of Invisible Children is and if there is more behind their motives. I do not want to be skeptical about this movie because it is a fact that it reached public awareness about these horrible crimes, which is VERY important! <br />In the next video some research about KONY 2012 has been discussed and they came up with interesting arguments. It is a complicated matter because although only 31% of the donations is spent on charity, the biggest amount is spent on film production and publicity for this movie with the purpose to create high public awareness. Still, the question is: has charity money reached the right hands or the wrong hands? Probably we will never know.. my question is: should I keep believing in good intentions...? Because if I should not and everyone should not, being skeptical and suspicious, this will bring us not any further either....to change, to make this a better world :?.<br /><br />with L.O.V.E.<br /><br />
<br /><br />"KONY 2012" is certainly getting world attention because the message with its heartbreaking images and film reports has that effect on our emotions. When I saw this film I was wondering what the mission of Invisible Children is and if there is more behind their motives. I do not want to be skeptical about this movie because it is a fact that it reached public awareness about these horrible crimes, which is VERY important! <br />In the next video some research about KONY 2012 has been discussed and they came up with interesting arguments. It is a complicated matter because although only 31% of the donations is spent on charity, the biggest amount is spent on film production and publicity for this movie with the purpose to create high public awareness. Still, the question is: has charity money reached the right hands or the wrong hands? Probably we will never know.. my question is: should I keep believing in good intentions...? Because if I should not and everyone should not, being skeptical and suspicious, this will bring us not any further either....to change, to make this a better world :?.<br /><br />with L.O.V.E.<br /><br /><br />
<br /><br />He's in the Congo now.<br /><br />Look at it this way: something is better than nothing. If 33% of monies gathered reach the area, it's better than some charities which only have to give 10%!<br /><br />Also, you need to be aware that it's about EMPOWERMENT for the PEOPLE who live there! Education is #1, so they don't become victims in the first place.<br />#2, is that they are able to create sustainable economies, so working for Kony isn't desirable on any level.<br /><br />It's about economics. Just be careful that doesn't become "Whitey saves the day, with their idealism." Of course you've got some morons being jerks! They'd rather ignore the entire situation, like they've been doing for decades.<br /><br />We need to capture or kill Kony, then educate and teach his ex-soldiers, and re-integrate them. Teach them it's wrong to abuse women. Not all can be saved,<br />but I bet you, 90% can be!<br /><br />Believe in the best of humanity - for these people need help. But remember, they need advisors who understand the area. Kony is a wolverine hiding in sheeps clothing, and is abusing the Lord's word! He's a False Prophet, and is trying to keep his followers ignorant - just like the Mullahs in the Middle East.<br />His Charisma and weapons have gotten him far - but once you cut his financial source off, which from what I can see is HUMAN trafficking, prostitution,<br />& weapons dealing, possibly drugs, then he's undone.<br /><br />Don't listen to the propaganda - for he wants you to. Take a stand, help the Lost Children! For though many are adults, they carry the souls of children,<br />locked in the agony of being kidnapped and forced to do atrocities. They need help with PTSD, and only God knows what else.<br /><br />I strongly believe, THIS is one of the goals we all should meet this year - WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE!
Sorry, but this all seems like a hoax. Someone who NEVER reads anything about conspiracies or politics asked me about this today, so somehow this message has come from out of nowhere overnight and gone viral. But who is behind it? There are so many problems in the world and ANYone can identify one particularly aggregious one, make a video and appeal to people's natural concerns for their fellow men. <br /><br />And we have been defrauded repeatedly. Here's just one example. I live in a small rural area and the local university managed to get Greg Mortenson to appear at both the university and the high school to talk about his book Three Cups of Tea. Both venues were sold out which speaks to his popularity and people's innate concern for their fellow man. In a subsequent expose on 60 Minutes, it was revealed that much of what he wrote about was fiction and there was a question as to how the contributions were used.<br /><br />And how often have stories like these been used by the US government to justify 'humanitarian intervention.' Most people are not aware, but the shocking photo of a seemingly starving man behind barbed wire in an alleged concentration camp Bosnia used to justify humanitarian intervention was a FAKE! The photo made him appear to be behind the barbed wire when in fact he was starving and was seeking help and trying to get IN the facility! People are easily manipulated. Who knows that the money given to 'stop KONY' might not. be going directly into the hands of his supporters. <br /><br />Good intentions and a generous heart need the guidance of a discriminating mind to be effective. There's a reason 'bleeding heart liberals' are thought of with such disdain. <br /><br />On the other hand, it's easy to become so cynical that one does nothing! <br /><br /><br /><br />
http://gawker.com/5891610/how-you-should-feel-about-kony-2012-the-campaign-thats-taking-over-the-internet-a-guide<br /><br />How You Should Feel About Kony 2012, the Campaign That’s Taking Over the Internet: A Guide<br />If you have been on the internet in the last 48 hours (you have), you've probably heard something about "Kony 2012," a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of Ugandan guerilla leader and war criminal Joseph Kony. And if you're anything like me, you've probably avoided thinking about it too much. But the time has come to form an opinion. And we're here to help. Below, all the opinions it's possible to have about Joseph Kony and Invisible Children's campaign to stop him. <br />Opinion 1: Joseph Kony is a horrible human being and war criminal<br /><br />Who believes this: everyone, basically, except Rush Limbaugh and, we assume, Joseph Kony.<br />What it entails: There's almost no dispute that Kony is a very bad dude. As the head of the Lord's Resistance Army, a violent syncretic Christian guerilla group, he's conscripted somewhere in the neighborhood of 30,000 children to fight as soldiers over the last 20-plus years, and his army committed unbelievable atrocities in northern Uganda before being forced out of the country. He's now believed to be in the Central African Republic — on the run from the Ugandan army — where (a greatly reduced) LRA continues to inflict harm and sow chaos.<br />The problem with this opinion: Actually, there's no problem with the opinion that Joseph Kony sucks. The problem is figuring out the next step: given that Joseph Kony sucks, what's the best thing that the U.S. can do to help Ugandans and other Africans affected by him? <br />
<br /><br />Opinion 2: the U.S. military should intervene to find and arrest Kony<br /><br />Who believes this: Invisible Children, the charity behind the "Kony 2012" campaign<br />What it entails: Currently, there are 100 military advisors deployed to Uganda to assist the country's army in hunting down Kony. Invisible Children, a charity that's been agitating around the issue of child soldiers and the LRA through totally hip/cool/gnarly/extreme filmmaking and social media campaigns, appears to believe that the U.S. government is wavering on its commitment to the mission. Kony 2012, with its, you guessed it, 30-minute film and extensive social-media component, is designed to not just raise awareness about Kony — to "make him famous" — but also to ensure that the government knows that "people care about Kony." Not, like, his mom, or whatever — care about capturing him.<br />The problem with this opinion: Well, it's at best a gross oversimplification of a really complicated situation, and, at worst, an actively unhelpful misuse of resources and attention. Also, guys, that video? Was there not a black kid available? <br />
<br /><br />Opinion 3: the U.S. military should not intervene<br /><br />Who believes this: Writers in Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs<br />What it entails: Not only are U.S. troops deployed in Uganda right now, but the U.S. military has assisted with operations to capture — or, failing that, kill — Kony in the past. They've never succeeded (duh), and in many cases have made the situation worse, prompting vicious retaliatory strikes by the LRA and killing whatever small chance at peace talks might be left. Oh, and the Ugandan government and its army have a good human rights record only in comparison to Kony — they've been accused of rape and looting, and their efforts to stamp out the LRA have involved forced relocation of civilians to terrible living conditions in poorly-protected camps.<br />The problem with this opinion: Invisible Children argues that the Ugandan government and military — not to mention the governments and militaries of the other countries affected by the LRA — can't effectively deal with Kony without the equipment, training and coordination that the U.S. could provide. <br />
<br /><br />Opinion 4: Invisible Children is misusing funds, misrepresenting facts and possibly making the situation in Uganda worse<br /><br />Who believes this: A number of journalists, NGO workers, African activists and academics — most prominently the blog "Visible Children"<br />What it entails: Invisible Children is more like a hip social media filmmaking company than a charity — last year just under a third of the money it spent was on "direct services." The video is misleading and simple — it glosses over the fact that Kony left Uganda years ago, and that his army has been reduced to a few hundred people. There's a whiff of the "change your profile picture to a cartoon character to protest child abuse" about the whole campaign ("share this video and you've done all you need to do to help Africa") especially because Uganda faces more pressing issues and problems than Kony. Plus, there's that nagging sense of weird racial and colonial politics: the fact that Invisible Children's film centers around a white kid, the way its main objective is to guarantee U.S. involvement (no matter the cost), the picture that's been circulating (see it above) of the founders posing with the not-exactly-the-good-guys of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army while holding heavy-duty weaponry and putting on their best gangster grills. All of which adds up to the unfortunate message of "well-meaning westerners will save Africa," when history has generally proven the opposite to be true.<br />The problem with this opinion: Not to gloss over the complexity of the situation, but: What could possibly be the problem with raising awareness? How on earth can it be a bad thing to call attention to the fact that a horrible war criminal is still at large? <br />
<br />
Not to gloss over the complexity of the situation, but: What could possibly be the problem with raising awareness? How on earth can it be a bad thing to call attention to the fact that a horrible war criminal is still at large?
<br /><br />People get very cynical and lacking in generosity when they discover these efforts are misleading. Such hoaxes cast doubt on genuinely helpful charities.
<br />The world is a village. The web is a billboard. Opinion is a target. <br />Power belongs to those who design the next maps.<br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /><br />VERY insightful. Let's just hope Michael is as good a cartographer as he is a dancer!
<br /><br />"KONY 2012" is certainly getting world attention because the message with its heartbreaking images and film reports has that effect on our emotions. When I saw this film I was wondering what the mission of Invisible Children is and if there is more behind their motives. I do not want to be skeptical about this movie because it is a fact that it reached public awareness about these horrible crimes, which is VERY important! <br />In the next video some research about KONY 2012 has been discussed and they came up with interesting arguments. It is a complicated matter because although only 31% of the donations is spent on charity, the biggest amount is spent on film production and publicity for this movie with the purpose to create high public awareness. Still, the question is: has charity money reached the right hands or the wrong hands? Probably we will never know.. my question is: should I keep believing in good intentions...? Because if I should not and everyone should not, being skeptical and suspicious, this will bring us not any further either....to change, to make this a better world :?.<br /><br />with L.O.V.E.<br /><br /><br />
<br /><br />He's in the Congo now.<br /><br />Look at it this way: something is better than nothing. If 33% of monies gathered reach the area, it's better than some charities which only have to give 10%!<br /><br />Also, you need to be aware that it's about EMPOWERMENT for the PEOPLE who live there! Education is #1, so they don't become victims in the first place.<br />#2, is that they are able to create sustainable economies, so working for Kony isn't desirable on any level.<br /><br />It's about economics. Just be careful that doesn't become "Whitey saves the day, with their idealism." Of course you've got some morons being jerks! They'd rather ignore the entire situation, like they've been doing for decades.<br /><br />We need to capture or kill Kony, then educate and teach his ex-soldiers, and re-integrate them. Teach them it's wrong to abuse women. Not all can be saved,<br />but I bet you, 90% can be!<br /><br />Believe in the best of humanity - for these people need help. But remember, they need advisors who understand the area. Kony is a wolverine hiding in sheeps clothing, and is abusing the Lord's word! He's a False Prophet, and is trying to keep his followers ignorant - just like the Mullahs in the Middle East.<br />His Charisma and weapons have gotten him far - but once you cut his financial source off, which from what I can see is HUMAN trafficking, prostitution,<br />& weapons dealing, possibly drugs, then he's undone.<br /><br />Don't listen to the propaganda - for he wants you to. Take a stand, help the Lost Children! For though many are adults, they carry the souls of children,<br />locked in the agony of being kidnapped and forced to do atrocities. They need help with PTSD, and only God knows what else.<br /><br />I strongly believe, THIS is one of the goals we all should meet this year - WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE!<br />
<br /><br /><br />
I strongly believe, THIS is one of the goals we all should meet this year - [size=12pt]WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE[/size]!<br />
Absolutely Tink beerchug<br /><br />and I believe in the best of humanity and that is not gonna change either. I believe that people can make a change to believe strongly in the best of humanity. I've done fundraising for charity organizations for almost a decade now and it has struck me that people are having more and more doubts whether their money reach the charity goal (because they've read "negative news about that charity organization"), so many have decided not to donate. Although I respect their choice I hope people will not loose their faith, in good purposes and best of humanity. <br /><br />L.O.V.E.<br />
I've been hearing that this has illuminati written all over it..(not my opinion though). The fact that the film maker uses the word "New World" constantly..and the symbolism of a triangle turned upside down.<br /><br />The Americans don't need another reason to go the war either....they are fed up.<br /><br />Did you know that UGANDA is OIL rich?? Richer than Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />Is this another way of trying to gain control over the oil, by sending military troupes to fight another non-existant war, for no reason other than control? Does this not sound like the work of the NWO trying to take over the world financial market?? Lots of money to be made with OIL..<br /><br />Just keep an open mind, and certainly, I agree that KONY is an evil man that needs to pay for what he has done...but is this really the way to acheive it? We don't want another reason for WAR...I'm personally over it in a big way. <br /><br />I feel relieved to see just how many people are willing to stand up and be heard...and this is what keeps me fighting for justice...POWER TO THE PEOPLE....Alot can be done if we raise our voice as one.....
<br />I've been hearing that this has illuminati written all over it..(not my opinion though). The fact that the film maker uses the word "New World" constantly..and the symbolism of a triangle turned upside down.<br /><br />The Americans don't need another reason to go the war either....they are fed up.<br /><br />Did you know that UGANDA is OIL rich?? Richer than Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />Is this another way of trying to gain control over the oil, by sending military troupes to fight another non-existant war, for no reason other than control? Does this not sound like the work of the NWO trying to take over the world financial market?? Lots of money to be made with OIL..<br /><br />Just keep an open mind, and certainly, I agree that KONY is an evil man that needs to pay for what he has done...but is this really the way to acheive it? We don't want another reason for WAR...I'm personally over it in a big way. <br /><br />I feel relieved to see just how many people are willing to stand up and be heard...and this is what keeps me fighting for justice...POWER TO THE PEOPLE....Alot can be done if we raise our voice as one.....<br />
<br /><br />2good2btrue: Here's the TRUTH on Uganda's Resources, which in NO WAY match what you said about oil:<br /><br />"UGANDA<br />Natural Resources and the Environment<br /><br />Mineral resources<br />Small deposits of copper, cobalt, iron-ore, limestone, and salt as well as less viable fields of tungsten, beryl, columbo-tantalite, gold, bismuth, tin, limestone and phosphates.<br /><br />Water resources<br />Annual internal renewable water resources: 1,829 cu m Per Capita (1998); Sector withdrawals - domestic 32%; Industrial 8%; Agricultural 60%<br /><br />Land<br />Conditions for the cultivation of food and cash crops are favourable in most areas. More than 75% of the land is available for cultivation or pasture and large areas are under-utilized, including up to three-quarters of the arable potential.<br /><br />Key Environmental Concerns:<br />Draining of wetlands for agricultural use; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; widespread poaching"<br /><br />They are truly, truly a poor country - but cultivating land is their prize! If they were able to utilize properlyeven 3/4s of their good land, they'd be in the money. But instead, they're doing "Hack & slash" of the Rain Forests, which is tragic all around! Soil erosion, the soil is bad for anything else BUT the Rain Forest! Education matters here.<br /><br />There's no Illuminati going on there; it's lack of education, and being taught how to be proper farmers, and be better caretakers of our wild animals - instead of friggin' poaching!<br /><br />Teach the people to become part of the solution, such as arts & crafts - instead of part of the Global problem, which poverty always does - out of desperation.<br /><br />Here's a link where you can purchase things made by people around the world, artisans making a living and now their work is for sale online: http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock-Fair-Trade/6/store.html
Uganda turns Into oil-producing country<br /><br />October 10, 2006 - after years of careful work of exploration, Ugandans Heard What They Have Been Wanting to hear: the discovery of oil in Their Country. The President of the country, Yoweri Museveni, made the official announcement to the nation this weekend in the capital of the country, Kampala. Commercial production will start in 2009, said President Museveni.<br />Museveni Explained That the search in Uganda's oil, Which cost at least $ 70 million, the companies Began in the western regions of the country, With The blocks of Waranga 1, Waranga 2 and Mputa in 1989. An Australian company of petroleum exploration, Hardman Resources Ltd, discoveries made in June This Year, But The Appropriate Government Waited a day to make public the news to STI Citizens<br /><br />Hardman is operator and has 50 percent of block 2, which is located in the northwest and covers the northern part of Lake Albert and the surrounding land area. The most recent discovery, Waraga, is similar to the place of discovery, Mputa, the company said.<br /><br /><br />Hardman believes that Waraga oil in all areas of good quality, indicating that the warnings of President Museveni are consistent with the predictions of the oil company.<br /><br /><br />Museveni said his government would begin production soon and begin to build an oil refinery. Describing oil as a blessing to Uganda, President Museveni promised to use the new resource to finance the country's development. President of Uganda said he hoped production began in 2009 with an initial production of 6,000 to 10,000 barrels a day. This Uganda will be among the oil producing nations in Africa, led by Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Libya.<br /><br /><br />But the speech of President Museveni did not report on how the oil will be produced if the oil fields will lead bids or if the government itself will take over the work of exploration. Museveni said that Uganda has simply studied various oil production contracts around the world. And he denied criticism from some opposition politicians to predict that oil will become a curse and lead wars, as has happened in other African countries.<br /><br /><br />President Museveni thanked God first blessed with a good quality oil. "Secondly, we thank God who has given us wisdom and foresight to develop the ability to discover this oil while all previous efforts had failed," told the nation.<br /><br />Museveni explained that shortly after taking control of the government in 1986, a group of representatives of Shell BP and Exxon wanted to obtain the rights to oil exploration around Lake Albert.<br /><br /><br />"I called mine first scientists, led by Janet Opio, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Water and Earth. these officials wanted to know if there were people on the spectrum of the system of Uganda, who were well informed about oil. She said there was an 'expert' in oil at the Bank of Uganda, "said Museveni.<br /><br /><br />"I asked him for bringing me to this 'expert'. The 'expert' came one afternoon. First, he was not Ugandan, he was Ghanaian, and, most amazingly, he was not scientific! He was an economist who worked at the Bank of Uganda on everything related to the importation of petroleum products, "Museveni told his astonished countrymen.<br /><br /><br />Therefore, the President refused to sign an agreement with Shell BP and Exxon because "there was no one in Uganda oil well informed on issues and did not want to sell the interest of ugandanses." President Museveni acknowledged that his government was forced to send two young Ugandans to study geology, physics and chemistry, to build toward his specialty in oil industry.<br /><br /><br />"Today, it has a team of 25 professionals," said the president, noting that 20 of them have the highest training in these fields. After an initial period of five years of training and improving the capacity, the unit Oil has become a department of oil exploration and production with sophisticated equipment, Museveni said. President of Uganda found that, after fifteen years of hard work, his government has now discovered the "oil of good quality."<br /><br /><br />Thomas Male, Energy Ministry official in Uganda, reported the findings in the three fields have reserves of between 100 and 300 million barrels. According to "Associated Press', just the news of the discovery, rumor has it that wealthy Ugandans have taken to the struggle for the purchase of the land on which oil exploration takes place.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />By staff writer<br /><br />http://www.afrol.com/es/articulos/21848
November 25, 2011 <br />Uganda’s Oil Could Be Gift That Becomes a Curse <br />By JOSH KRON KAMPALA, Uganda <br /><br />— When billions of barrels of oil reserves were found in Uganda five years ago, the discovery seemed like a gift from heaven to many in this poor, landlocked country. <br /> Despite Ugandans’ dreams of industrialization, the country’s most lucrative export is coffee, and fish is second. Nearly 40 percent of the population survives on less than $1.25 a day, according to the World Bank. But when oil starts pumping within the next several years, the expected revenue of up to $2 billion a year could propel Uganda into the strata of middle-income countries, where few sub-Saharan African countries rank. A refinery will be built; infrastructure is promised. <br /> Yet there are growing worries that the oil may prove to be more of a curse than a gift, similar to the fates of other countries in sub-Saharan Africa that have joined the petroleum bonanza. Uganda is considered by international experts to be among the most corrupt nations in the world, and even before oil production has begun, several senior government officials, including the prime minister, have been accused of pocketing millions of dollars in bribes from oil companies, forcing at least one of the politicians to resign. <br /> The web of scandals may delay the much-anticipated starting date of oil production, adding to the already volatile politics in Uganda, which has recently been the scene of one of the most active protest movements in sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda’s Parliament voted in an emergency session in mid-October to freeze all oil contracts and begin investigations of the country’s prime minister, internal affairs minister and foreign minister, all of whom are close to the president and have been accused of taking money from Tullow Oil, a British company in Uganda that was scheduled to complete a $2.9 billion deal with the Ugandan government and two other companies to produce Uganda’s oil. Tullow has denied the accusations. <br /> Despite governing for nearly 26 years and handily winning re-election again this year, President Yoweri Museveni now finds that his popularity seems to be waning, along with his grip on the economy and his own party. Many here say that the bribery allegations are part of a campaign by some politicians to determine who comes next. <br /> “Most obviously, the jockeying is for positions,” said Mahmood Mamdani, an anthropology professor at Columbia and Makerere University in Uganda, “especially given the expectation that Museveni will not run the next time.” <br /> Mr. Museveni’s rise, from rebel to leader of a regional power, has paralleled Uganda’s. In the capital, Kampala, vendors sell posters of the president’s image edited into Terminator outfits, next to dictionaries and Bibles. He is prickly about criticism and refers to himself at times in the third person. <br /> “Museveni can never be given money by anybody,” the president said at an impromptu news conference he held last month in Kampala, lashing out when the bribery allegations were publicized. “General Yoweri Museveni. To get money from a Muzungu, or anybody, for my personal use, is contempt of the highest order,” he said, using Ugandan slang for Westerner. <br /> What could happen in Uganda has happened before in Angola, Gabon and Nigeria, all countries with deep corruption where oil intensified class disparities. <br /> “The next generation of Ugandans could grow up in a very different country to that of their parents and grandparents,” the advocacy organization Global Witness said in a 2010 report. “But the risk of the resource curse phenomenon taking hold in Uganda cannot be ignored.” <br /> Uganda has been rocked by a series of demonstrations over surging commodity prices — particularly petroleum — as inflation has hit 30 percent. Protesters say they are inspired by the Arab Spring revolts. <br /> It is not just the decreasing value of Uganda’s currency that critics are complaining about; it is the way the money is being spent. The government was criticized in April for buying fighter jets from Russia for approximately $740 million, which some analysts saw as being costly status symbols rather than useful weaponry. According to the director of the Bank of Uganda, Mr. Museveni ordered the bank to release millions of dollars to pay for the fighter jets, which Mr. Museveni promised would be reimbursed with oil money, a prominent Ugandan newspaper reported. <br /> Uganda’s oil lies underneath the forests and lakes lining the border with its troubled neighbor Congo. Oil industry and government officials estimate that Uganda will be able to pump about 200,000 barrels a day. But Uganda’s oil is waxy, difficult to pump and expensive to refine. <br /> Still, the country has stated its intention to build a pipeline through Kenya to the port of Mombasa, and lawmakers have already accused Mr. Museveni of secretly selling off some crude oil to foreign nations. <br /> As private investors come and go from Uganda, there are worries that hundreds of millions of dollars are up for grabs in kickbacks and secret deals. <br /> According to American diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks, Tullow Oil accused the Italian company ENI of trying to bribe Ugandan politicians, including Mr. Museveni and the prime minister, with more than $200 million to secure oil rights held by Tullow’s onetime partner, Heritage Oil, a British company. One cable cites a Ugandan intelligence report given to the American Embassy by Tullow. But Tullow Oil itself helped write the intelligence report, the cable said. <br /> As for the new bribery allegations, there are questions about their veracity, and some analysts believe that the politicians singled out — all close to Mr. Museveni (the foreign minister is an in-law) — are victims of a smear campaign to hurt their chances of succeeding Mr. Museveni. <br />“I have never let Uganda down,” Mr. Museveni said during the news conference. “Uganda will not lose, and cannot lose under my leadership. O.K.?”
21 Feb 2012<br />$2.9bn Farm-down of Uganda licences completed<br /><br />Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) is pleased to announce that it has completed the farm-down of 66.6666% of its Ugandan licences to CNOOC Limited and Total for a consideration of $2.9 billion. The farm-down follows the recent signing of Production Sharing Agreements (“PSAs”) and the Kingfisher production licence with the Government of Uganda.<br /> <br /> Tullow, CNOOC Limitedand Total (“the Partners”) have been working closely since March 2011 on development options for the Lake Albert Basin and are looking forward to discussing them with the Government of Uganda later this year. It is currently expected that small-scale oil and gas production for the local power market will commence in 2013 from the Kaiso-Tonya area. Major production from the Lake Albert Basin is anticipated to commence approximately 36 months after a basin-wide plan of development is approved by the Government of Uganda. Based on this timetable, ramp-up to major production would commence in 2016.<br />In accordance with the Government of Uganda farm-down consents, operatorship responsibilities within the basin will be divided between the Partners. Total will operate Exploration Area-1 (EA-1) and Tullow will operate Exploration Area-2 (EA-2). In the former Exploration Area-3A, CNOOC Limitedwill operate the new Kanywataba licence and the Kingfisher production licence.<br />The Partners are now re-commencing drilling activities in the area to undertake a wide-ranging exploration and appraisal programme in 2012. Immediate exploration priorities include drilling the Kanywataba prospect, a series of prospects west of the Nile starting with the Omuka well in EA-1 and further appraisal work in both EA-1 and EA-2.<br />Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive Officer of Tullow, commented today: <br />“I am delighted that we have completed this farm-down with CNOOC Limitedand Total, two experienced partners with whom we have already built a strong working relationship. The Lake Albert Rift Basin is one of Africa’s most exciting oil discoveries and I look forward to working with our new Partners and the Government of Uganda in driving this project towards major production.”<br /><br />FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:<br />Tullow Oil plc <br /> (+44 20 3249 9000)<br />Chris Perry – Investor Relations<br />James Arnold – Investor Relations<br />George Cazenove – Media Relations<br /><br />Citigate Dewe Rogerson <br /> (+44 207 638 9571)<br />Martin Jackson<br />Kate Lehane<br /><br />Murray Consultants <br /> (+353 1 498 0300)<br />Ed Micheau<br />Joe Heron<br /><br /> Tullow Group Overview<br />Tullow is a leading independent oil & gas, exploration and production group, quoted on the London, Irish and Ghanaian (symbol: TLW) stock exchanges and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Group has interests in over 90 exploration and production licences across 22 countries and focuses on four core areas: Africa, Europe, South Asia and South America.<br />In Africa, Tullow has production in Ghana, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Congo (Brazzaville) and Equatorial Guinea with two large appraisal and development programmes in Ghana and Uganda. Tullow also has exploration interests in Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Madagascar, Namibia, Kenya and Ethiopia.<br />Tullow’s European interests are focused on gas in the UK Southern North Sea where it has significant interests in the Caister-Murdoch System and the Thames area and in the Netherlands where it has offshore gas production, development and exploration opportunities.<br />In South Asia, Tullow has exploration and production in Bangladesh and exploration interests in Pakistan. In South America, Tullow has exploration interests in Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname.<br />For further information please refer to our website at www.tullowoil.com.
Rinse. (Brain)Wash. Repeat. <br /><br />It's like deja-vu all over again...the only thing that changes is the 'boogey-man'. And the masses gobble it up and ask for a second heaping. Speak of the need for education! 'Their' game plan couldn't be any more clear....the 'dots' are there for anyone to connect. Yet, people keep falling for the tried-and-true heartstings pull.<br /><br />Kony IS a bad person, no doubt about that. But who nominated the US government to be God? I must have missed the press conference where they were handed the title(s) of worldwide 'educators', 'liberators', and/or 'saviors'. And somehow, in the course of their 'humanitarian aid'....they always manage to end up occupying countries. Is that supposed to be their 'just' reward? I, personally, have a hard time trusting anyone that quotes God and/or Bible scripture in one breath...and in the very next, condones breaking God's commandments.<br /><br />I wonder how many children....both in the US and abroad....have suffered or died due to the direct actions of the US government in the past 25 years? Who should the world 'hunt down and kill' because of that...'shock and awe' style? The hypocrisy is getting old...and it stinks. People should educate themselves before claiming to have the 'solution' for anyone else.<br /><br />The face of 'terrorism' is vastly different depending on which end of the bomb you're on....and the face of 'manipulation' is one that the world has had plenty of examples to recognize.<br /><br />'They' aren't even creative or imaginative, for God's sake. It's the SAME 'game plan', over and over again. But then again, why change it? It works every time.<br /><br />With L.O.V.E. always.
I agree that this kind of manipulation is quite sick. The public gets swayed and falls for the same tactics every time. Kony hasn't been seen in over 5 years and this is an easy way to invade Africa. Uganda is first, def. won't be last to be invaded in Africa, we know Africa is the richest in resources. An absolute goldmine compared to all the other continents. The elite need to invade Africa, and now they have the peoples support
Now just watch history repeat itself, the future targets will be shown<br />to us in the same way.<br />All to enrich a bunch of men. Thousands will die, children and women<br />and whoever will be there. They will die because of others' GREED and desire to<br />control the world. I have no idea what can be done to shake humanity<br />and wake them up, so they realize NO WAR should be supported. Especially<br />if we speak of foreign military intervention! We approve<br />Mass Murder. And do not even "get" it. Aren't everyone dead TIRED of war?<br />No idea if this all gonna end some day. Minority woke up, majority plays deaf.
sorry but i couldnt find the joseph kony thread,so please feel free to move this one,I just thought it was a coincidence that I have been on jury service this week,and just happened to be talking to a lady,and she mentioned she used to travel to africa alot when she was younger,she used to do charity work with her church,and she mentioned uganda,I said i was reading something on the net,and before i could mention his name,she said,Joseph Kony,and I said yes.I was so suprised to think that all the people that were there and i ended up chatting to her,why I was suprised is because noone i know has heard of kony,so it was good to be able to talk to someone about him,and had seen the video,and knew about what he had done,apart from people on this site.She has helped alot in africa and her church has sent people over to help build orphanages and schools,just as she was talking about Kony though our names were called and they told us we could go home,so maybe I will get to talk to her again another day.
KONY 2012: State Propaganda for a New Generation <br /><br />The overnight viral sensation KONY 2012 brought worldwide awareness to the African war criminal Joseph Kony. Beneath this commendable cause, lies however an elaborate agenda that is presented in the video in a very manipulative way. We’ll look at the agenda behind KONY 2012 and how it uses reverse psychology to not only justify a military operation in Africa, but to actually have people demand it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a viral sensation that swept the entire world in less than 24 hours. Its main subject is the African rebel leader Joseph Kony, his war crimes and the clearly defined “movement” to stop him. Countless celebrities have endorsed the movement, news sources have reported it and social media is buzzing with it. While the problem of guerrilla warfare and child soldiers has plagued Africa for decades, and several documentaries have already been produced regarding the issue, this particular 29-minute video made managed to obtain mass exposure and support.<br /><br />KONY 2012 is less of a documentary than it is a highly efficient infomercial that is tailor-made for the Facebook generation, using state-of-the-art marketing techniques to make its point. Young people like “underground movements” and want to feel like they are changing the world. KONY 2012 taps into these needs to bring about something that is not “hip” or “underground” at all: A military operation in Uganda. Not only that, it urges the participants of the movement to order stuff, to wear bracelets that are associated with an online profile and to record their actions in social media. This makes KONY 2012 the first artificially created movement that is fully track-able, monitor-able and quantifiable by those who engendered it. In other words, what appears to be a movement “from the people” is actually a new way for the elite to advance its agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br />A Propaganda Experiment<br /><br /><br /><br />The video begins with an interesting statement: “The next 27 minutes are an experiment. But in order for it to work, you have to pay attention”. It is an experiment as it tests a new, groundbreaking way to get an agenda accepted by the Facebook generation. In the past, when the government needed to justify the invasion of a country, the President would sit in front of the camera and tell the public why war should be declared in this area of the world. In the case of KONY, the military agenda is disguised as grassroots activism, where the US army entering Uganda would be perceived as a “victory of the people”, effectively reversing the communications model.<br /><br /><br />Towards the end of the video, an image is displayed explaining how decisions (and messages) start from the top of the pyramid (the elite) and are communicated to the masses through mass media and such<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Due to the advent of social media, the above diagram has become a lot less effective to get a message across to the young generation. It is not CNN reports and the President addressing the nation anymore, it is about “liking” Facebook pages and viral YouTube videos. This is where messages now come across. Always studying, analyzing and exploiting the most effective ways to persuade public opinion, KONY 2012 appears to be an attempt to test out the effectiveness of a “viral” propaganda campaign. By creating this “movement” and making young people actually DEMAND the U.S. government intervene in Africa, the masterminds behind this campaign would manage the impossible: Reversing the propaganda model in order to make it emanate from the people. By doing so, the elite’s agenda is not only accepted by the masses, it is perceived as a victory by them.<br /><br /><br /><br />"We are living in a new world" indeed. The KONY 2012 logo aptly represents how a viral video and social media can reverse the propaganda model. Don't be fooled however. Power is still not in the hands of the base of the pyramid ... far from it. It is all about appearances.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When the war on Iraq was declared, a great portion of young Americans opposed the war. How is it they are now begging the government to send troops to Africa? A simple video, specifically conceived for the Facebook generation did the trick. As it is the case in most campaigns to justify a war, the first goal was to identify a bad guy.<br /><br /><br />Identifying the Bad Guy<br /><br />By associating Kony with Bin Laden and Hitler in this poster, KONY 2012 is promoting war.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have absolutely no intention of defending Joseph Kony or to say “he’s not that bad”. He, along with many other guerrilla factions across Africa, has committed despicable atrocities. 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.<br /><br />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. But picking out a “bad guy” to justify military action has always been part of it. If in the case of Saddam Hussein, “facts” (that ultimately proved false) were given to justify the invasion of Iraq. A different technique is being used with Kony, one that originates from advertising.<br /><br />Any marketing specialist will tell you: “Facts don’t sell, emotions do”. The first part of KONY 2012 solely addresses emotions. It is about making the filmmaker likeable, showing gut-wrenching images of African kids in pain, in misery and in despair. Then, the turning point: Joseph Kony is the cause of all of this. Not centuries of exploitation and devastation by Western forces in Africa that lead to chaos, lawlessness and poverty. No, it’s Kony. That bastard. George Clooney is really mad at him right now. He even tweeted about it.<br /><br />Another marketing strategy is to appeal to the lowest common denominator. In other words, to get a message across, one must address the audience as if it was made of kids. KONY 2012 does exactly this by ridiculously oversimplifying the problem and explaining it to an actual child – who represents the viewers. This is not surprising though, as this is how the masses are perceived by the higher ups.<br /><br /><br />Here's what this scene implies: "Look, dumb-ass, even this little kid gets it. So you better get it."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once the viewers had their emotions stirred, got infantilized and had the problem spelled out to them as if they were in kindergarten, the table is set for the true goal of the video: Defining the agenda.<br /><br /><br />Defining the Agenda<br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a movement backed by some of the world’s most powerful entities and has precise goals. As the movie’s intro states, it is an experiment. It is an opportunity to create a movement that can be fully trackable, quantifiable and manageable through social media whose culmination is a U.S. military intervention in Uganda. The carrying out of this mission will not only be perceived as a victory, it will restore young people’s faith in democracy. What the members of this movement might not realize is that they are helping the advancement of the elite’s agenda towards a New World Order.<br /><br />This poster aptly summarizes how the Illuminati works. Political parties are irrelevant as both work towards the same Agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The second part of the movie let’s go of emotions and describes to the viewers what the elite expects from them. U.S. troops are already in Uganda, but, according to the movie, Kony “changed his tactics”… Damnit Kony, you and your sneaky tactics. Apparently, high tech satellites, unmanned drones and all kinds of radars are not enough to catch this guy. Nope, in order to catch him, a complicated plan, involving the purchase of an “Action Kit” and the registering an ID bracelet on a website is required. Makes sense.<br /><br /><br />Those who want to "Stop Kony" are required to wear a bracelet bearing a unique code which needs to be registered at a website. Of course, personal information is requested.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once the bracelet is registered, members can associate it with their Facebook account, which will keep track of all KONY-related actions. The end result is: every single member of KONY 2012 will be known, identified and easily tracked – with constantly updated information. All of this data will of course be collected, scrutinized and stored by those in charge.<br /><br />Furthermore, members are asked to contribute a “few dollars a month” to TRI, an organization whose ultimate goal is American military intervention in Uganda.<br /><br /><br /><br />TRI's logo is an inverted "Peace" sign. In symbolism, an inverted sign means that it stands for the opposite of the regular sign. In other words, TRI is about war. Peace does not involve "equipping" and "training" government forces to fight rebel factions. As the novel 1984 states, WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To support the cause and to make it popular, a bunch of elite-sponsored artists and politicians have been enlisted, including Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Oprah, George Clooney, Bono, etc. Don’t be fooled, they are not there because they give a damn about child soldiers in Africa. They are pawns of the elite and used to promote its agenda. Basically, they are there to promote what the NWO wants.<br /><br /><br /><br />Am I seeing warmongering George W. Bush in here? The dude that lied to the whole country in order to attack Iraq for its oil and stuff? Hmm. Weird.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After going past the celebrities and the emotions, the end result of this campaign is simple and steeped in real politik: Since the fall of rival superpower USSR, Western forces have sought to bring down and to control regional powers around the world, mostly in third countries. Uganda is part of that plan. The same way the spectre of Bin Laden was used to invade Afghanistan, Kony is being used to enter Uganda.<br /><br /><br /><br />The video clearly shows what is the goal of this "movement": U.S. troops taking charge of the Ugandan army, the same way it took charge of the Iraqi, Libyan and other armies in the past few years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In Conclusion<br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a cleverly orchestrated campaign specifically aimed at today’s youth, the future citizens of the world. Using state-of-the-art techniques and new technologies, the campaign is a first attempt at “reverse propaganda”, where the agenda APPEARS to emanate from the people. By using emotions, irrational thoughts and superficial explanations, KONY 2012 attempts to trick well-meaning people, who desire to make a positive change in the world, to instead fuel a gigantic war machine that is controlled by the world’s elite.<br /><br />Is KONY 2012 trying to eradicate child-soldiers or is it attempting to create a new kind of child-soldiers?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />…Right.<br /><br />http://vigilantcitizen.com/vigilantreport/kony-2012-state-propaganda-for-a-new-generation/<br />
<br />sorry but i couldnt find the joseph kony thread,so please feel free to move this one,I just thought it was a coincidence that I have been on jury service this week,and just happened to be talking to a lady,and she mentioned she used to travel to africa alot when she was younger,she used to do charity work with her church,and she mentioned uganda,I said i was reading something on the net,and before i could mention his name,she said,Joseph Kony,and I said yes.I was so suprised to think that all the people that were there and i ended up chatting to her,why I was suprised is because noone i know has heard of kony,so it was good to be able to talk to someone about him,and had seen the video,and knew about what he had done,apart from people on this site.She has helped alot in africa and her church has sent people over to help build orphanages and schools,just as she was talking about Kony though our names were called and they told us we could go home,so maybe I will get to talk to her again another day.<br />
Wow, Paula-c, that's the best Kony 2012 expose yet! Thanks! I made a copy for my friend at work who has 2 teen girls really into the blitz.<br />TPTB, Illuminati, NWO, whatever you want to call them--have been strategizing for a long time, since long before WWI.<br /><br /><br />Speaking of Sadam Hussein (and Osama Bin Laden), I'm reminded of 1991 and Desert Storm with its "shock and awe". I remember being glued to our TV in horror thinking this could be the start of WW3. Previously we had seen the clips of babies in incubators in Kuwait and were told his soldiers had put them on the floor to die. Now we find out this was a total lie. http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/incubatorlie.html<br />We saw Saddam Hussein with the group of children he had held hostage, and were thinking what a horrible horrible man, just like we think now of Kuny. Some estimate nearly 1 million died as a result of USreal invasion of Iraq.<br /><br />I remember my strong emotions at the time, and then again 10 years later with 911 and Osama Bin Ladin. So my guess Uganda's going to be experiencing increased suffering in the next few years. :x http://www.oilempire.us/warcrime.html <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Kony video shows Louis Morano Ocampo of The International Criminal Court. The number one on their list is Kony, and the others are also African. Hmm... When there are so many troubled areas around the world, why is Kony number 1? Therefore this Kony media phenomena must be from TPTB or NWO, not grassroots. http://www.icc-cpi.int/Menus/ICC/Structure+of+the+Court/Office+of+the+Prosecutor/<br /><br /><br /> So who is really in charge of this court?
"The International Criminal Court itself claims to be, “an independent, permanent court that investigates and prosecutes persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.” A visit to the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) site reveals just who is behind the ICC, who is actively promoting it and networking with the ICC’s various NGO partners, and the fact that all involved boast the same financial and political supporters.
<br />
<br />The CICC claims to include, “2,500 civil society organizations in 150 different countries working in partnership to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC; ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent; make justice both visible and !important universal; and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.” The CICC however, also is “deeply appreciative of the generous support” provided by the European Union, the Ford Foundation, the Fortune 500-lined John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, George Soros’ Open Society Institute, and Humanity United.
<br />KONY 2012: State Propaganda for a New Generation <br /><br />The overnight viral sensation KONY 2012 brought worldwide awareness to the African war criminal Joseph Kony. Beneath this commendable cause, lies however an elaborate agenda that is presented in the video in a very manipulative way. We’ll look at the agenda behind KONY 2012 and how it uses reverse psychology to not only justify a military operation in Africa, but to actually have people demand it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a viral sensation that swept the entire world in less than 24 hours. Its main subject is the African rebel leader Joseph Kony, his war crimes and the clearly defined “movement” to stop him. Countless celebrities have endorsed the movement, news sources have reported it and social media is buzzing with it. While the problem of guerrilla warfare and child soldiers has plagued Africa for decades, and several documentaries have already been produced regarding the issue, this particular 29-minute video made managed to obtain mass exposure and support.<br /><br />KONY 2012 is less of a documentary than it is a highly efficient infomercial that is tailor-made for the Facebook generation, using state-of-the-art marketing techniques to make its point. Young people like “underground movements” and want to feel like they are changing the world. KONY 2012 taps into these needs to bring about something that is not “hip” or “underground” at all: A military operation in Uganda. Not only that, it urges the participants of the movement to order stuff, to wear bracelets that are associated with an online profile and to record their actions in social media. This makes KONY 2012 the first artificially created movement that is fully track-able, monitor-able and quantifiable by those who engendered it. In other words, what appears to be a movement “from the people” is actually a new way for the elite to advance its agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br />A Propaganda Experiment<br /><br /><br /><br />The video begins with an interesting statement: “The next 27 minutes are an experiment. But in order for it to work, you have to pay attention”. It is an experiment as it tests a new, groundbreaking way to get an agenda accepted by the Facebook generation. In the past, when the government needed to justify the invasion of a country, the President would sit in front of the camera and tell the public why war should be declared in this area of the world. In the case of KONY, the military agenda is disguised as grassroots activism, where the US army entering Uganda would be perceived as a “victory of the people”, effectively reversing the communications model.<br /><br /><br />Towards the end of the video, an image is displayed explaining how decisions (and messages) start from the top of the pyramid (the elite) and are communicated to the masses through mass media and such<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Due to the advent of social media, the above diagram has become a lot less effective to get a message across to the young generation. It is not CNN reports and the President addressing the nation anymore, it is about “liking” Facebook pages and viral YouTube videos. This is where messages now come across. Always studying, analyzing and exploiting the most effective ways to persuade public opinion, KONY 2012 appears to be an attempt to test out the effectiveness of a “viral” propaganda campaign. By creating this “movement” and making young people actually DEMAND the U.S. government intervene in Africa, the masterminds behind this campaign would manage the impossible: Reversing the propaganda model in order to make it emanate from the people. By doing so, the elite’s agenda is not only accepted by the masses, it is perceived as a victory by them.<br /><br /><br /><br />"We are living in a new world" indeed. The KONY 2012 logo aptly represents how a viral video and social media can reverse the propaganda model. Don't be fooled however. Power is still not in the hands of the base of the pyramid ... far from it. It is all about appearances.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />When the war on Iraq was declared, a great portion of young Americans opposed the war. How is it they are now begging the government to send troops to Africa? A simple video, specifically conceived for the Facebook generation did the trick. As it is the case in most campaigns to justify a war, the first goal was to identify a bad guy.<br /><br /><br />Identifying the Bad Guy<br /><br />By associating Kony with Bin Laden and Hitler in this poster, KONY 2012 is promoting war.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have absolutely no intention of defending Joseph Kony or to say “he’s not that bad”. He, along with many other guerrilla factions across Africa, has committed despicable atrocities. 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.<br /><br />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. But picking out a “bad guy” to justify military action has always been part of it. If in the case of Saddam Hussein, “facts” (that ultimately proved false) were given to justify the invasion of Iraq. A different technique is being used with Kony, one that originates from advertising.<br /><br />Any marketing specialist will tell you: “Facts don’t sell, emotions do”. The first part of KONY 2012 solely addresses emotions. It is about making the filmmaker likeable, showing gut-wrenching images of African kids in pain, in misery and in despair. Then, the turning point: Joseph Kony is the cause of all of this. Not centuries of exploitation and devastation by Western forces in Africa that lead to chaos, lawlessness and poverty. No, it’s Kony. That bastard. George Clooney is really mad at him right now. He even tweeted about it.<br /><br />Another marketing strategy is to appeal to the lowest common denominator. In other words, to get a message across, one must address the audience as if it was made of kids. KONY 2012 does exactly this by ridiculously oversimplifying the problem and explaining it to an actual child – who represents the viewers. This is not surprising though, as this is how the masses are perceived by the higher ups.<br /><br /><br />Here's what this scene implies: "Look, dumb-ass, even this little kid gets it. So you better get it."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once the viewers had their emotions stirred, got infantilized and had the problem spelled out to them as if they were in kindergarten, the table is set for the true goal of the video: Defining the agenda.<br /><br /><br />Defining the Agenda<br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a movement backed by some of the world’s most powerful entities and has precise goals. As the movie’s intro states, it is an experiment. It is an opportunity to create a movement that can be fully trackable, quantifiable and manageable through social media whose culmination is a U.S. military intervention in Uganda. The carrying out of this mission will not only be perceived as a victory, it will restore young people’s faith in democracy. What the members of this movement might not realize is that they are helping the advancement of the elite’s agenda towards a New World Order.<br /><br />This poster aptly summarizes how the Illuminati works. Political parties are irrelevant as both work towards the same Agenda.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The second part of the movie let’s go of emotions and describes to the viewers what the elite expects from them. U.S. troops are already in Uganda, but, according to the movie, Kony “changed his tactics”… Damnit Kony, you and your sneaky tactics. Apparently, high tech satellites, unmanned drones and all kinds of radars are not enough to catch this guy. Nope, in order to catch him, a complicated plan, involving the purchase of an “Action Kit” and the registering an ID bracelet on a website is required. Makes sense.<br /><br /><br />Those who want to "Stop Kony" are required to wear a bracelet bearing a unique code which needs to be registered at a website. Of course, personal information is requested.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once the bracelet is registered, members can associate it with their Facebook account, which will keep track of all KONY-related actions. The end result is: every single member of KONY 2012 will be known, identified and easily tracked – with constantly updated information. All of this data will of course be collected, scrutinized and stored by those in charge.<br /><br />Furthermore, members are asked to contribute a “few dollars a month” to TRI, an organization whose ultimate goal is American military intervention in Uganda.<br /><br /><br /><br />TRI's logo is an inverted "Peace" sign. In symbolism, an inverted sign means that it stands for the opposite of the regular sign. In other words, TRI is about war. Peace does not involve "equipping" and "training" government forces to fight rebel factions. As the novel 1984 states, WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, and IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To support the cause and to make it popular, a bunch of elite-sponsored artists and politicians have been enlisted, including Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Oprah, George Clooney, Bono, etc. Don’t be fooled, they are not there because they give a damn about child soldiers in Africa. They are pawns of the elite and used to promote its agenda. Basically, they are there to promote what the NWO wants.<br /><br /><br /><br />Am I seeing warmongering George W. Bush in here? The dude that lied to the whole country in order to attack Iraq for its oil and stuff? Hmm. Weird.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After going past the celebrities and the emotions, the end result of this campaign is simple and steeped in real politik: Since the fall of rival superpower USSR, Western forces have sought to bring down and to control regional powers around the world, mostly in third countries. Uganda is part of that plan. The same way the spectre of Bin Laden was used to invade Afghanistan, Kony is being used to enter Uganda.<br /><br /><br /><br />The video clearly shows what is the goal of this "movement": U.S. troops taking charge of the Ugandan army, the same way it took charge of the Iraqi, Libyan and other armies in the past few years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In Conclusion<br /><br /><br />KONY 2012 is a cleverly orchestrated campaign specifically aimed at today’s youth, the future citizens of the world. Using state-of-the-art techniques and new technologies, the campaign is a first attempt at “reverse propaganda”, where the agenda APPEARS to emanate from the people. By using emotions, irrational thoughts and superficial explanations, KONY 2012 attempts to trick well-meaning people, who desire to make a positive change in the world, to instead fuel a gigantic war machine that is controlled by the world’s elite.<br /><br />Is KONY 2012 trying to eradicate child-soldiers or is it attempting to create a new kind of child-soldiers?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />…Right.<br /><br />http://vigilantcitizen.com/vigilantreport/kony-2012-state-propaganda-for-a-new-generation/<br /><br />
<br /><br />Thank god Paula C...you have hit the nail on the head...this is what I was talking about.......<br /><br />Thank God this forum has taught us to be open-minded and always question everything. <br /><br />That's what I mean't when I said it had "Illuminati all over it" the campaign that is...<br /><br />Lets "boycott" KONY2012....just like the non-believers are doing.......this is a pathetic attempt of control by the masses..in the good name of a NEW WORLD ORDER..........<br /><br />Thank god we can stop this before it gets out of hand.......Its time for the ARMY of LOVE to take action..!!!
<br /><br />If only we could remind ourselves of this each time another "OMG it's so terrible" campaign is washed ahore.<br /><br />The fact that I heard first about this video in TV news sealed it for me.<br /><br />Plant a new key word and then search the web for it - cluster the results and put them into context.<br />Millions are still falling each day into the spider's claws and truly believe it is meant for the better.<br />If they only would READ first and KNOW and then WRITE. <br /><br />Child soldiers are paid by Western interests since decades. <br />Worldwide Child labor serves our "cheap, cheaper, the cheapest - I made a deal" interests.<br />Konys will be rebuilt each generation as long as this serves Western money making interests.<br />That's the truth nobody wants to hear. Start with the one in the mirror.<br /><br /><br />Paula, are there any chances we could clone you?<br /><br /><br />
Comments
<br /><br />Opinion 2: the U.S. military should intervene to find and arrest Kony<br /><br />Who believes this: Invisible Children, the charity behind the "Kony 2012" campaign<br />What it entails: Currently, there are 100 military advisors deployed to Uganda to assist the country's army in hunting down Kony. Invisible Children, a charity that's been agitating around the issue of child soldiers and the LRA through totally hip/cool/gnarly/extreme filmmaking and social media campaigns, appears to believe that the U.S. government is wavering on its commitment to the mission. Kony 2012, with its, you guessed it, 30-minute film and extensive social-media component, is designed to not just raise awareness about Kony — to "make him famous" — but also to ensure that the government knows that "people care about Kony." Not, like, his mom, or whatever — care about capturing him.<br />The problem with this opinion: Well, it's at best a gross oversimplification of a really complicated situation, and, at worst, an actively unhelpful misuse of resources and attention. Also, guys, that video? Was there not a black kid available? <br />
<br /><br />Opinion 3: the U.S. military should not intervene<br /><br />Who believes this: Writers in Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs<br />What it entails: Not only are U.S. troops deployed in Uganda right now, but the U.S. military has assisted with operations to capture — or, failing that, kill — Kony in the past. They've never succeeded (duh), and in many cases have made the situation worse, prompting vicious retaliatory strikes by the LRA and killing whatever small chance at peace talks might be left. Oh, and the Ugandan government and its army have a good human rights record only in comparison to Kony — they've been accused of rape and looting, and their efforts to stamp out the LRA have involved forced relocation of civilians to terrible living conditions in poorly-protected camps.<br />The problem with this opinion: Invisible Children argues that the Ugandan government and military — not to mention the governments and militaries of the other countries affected by the LRA — can't effectively deal with Kony without the equipment, training and coordination that the U.S. could provide. <br />
<br /><br />Opinion 4: Invisible Children is misusing funds, misrepresenting facts and possibly making the situation in Uganda worse<br /><br />Who believes this: A number of journalists, NGO workers, African activists and academics — most prominently the blog "Visible Children"<br />What it entails: Invisible Children is more like a hip social media filmmaking company than a charity — last year just under a third of the money it spent was on "direct services." The video is misleading and simple — it glosses over the fact that Kony left Uganda years ago, and that his army has been reduced to a few hundred people. There's a whiff of the "change your profile picture to a cartoon character to protest child abuse" about the whole campaign ("share this video and you've done all you need to do to help Africa") especially because Uganda faces more pressing issues and problems than Kony. Plus, there's that nagging sense of weird racial and colonial politics: the fact that Invisible Children's film centers around a white kid, the way its main objective is to guarantee U.S. involvement (no matter the cost), the picture that's been circulating (see it above) of the founders posing with the not-exactly-the-good-guys of the Sudanese People's Liberation Army while holding heavy-duty weaponry and putting on their best gangster grills. All of which adds up to the unfortunate message of "well-meaning westerners will save Africa," when history has generally proven the opposite to be true.<br />The problem with this opinion: Not to gloss over the complexity of the situation, but: What could possibly be the problem with raising awareness? How on earth can it be a bad thing to call attention to the fact that a horrible war criminal is still at large? <br />
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