No one (including myself) could figure out why in the world we were sending 100 troops into Uganda. Especially right after the unconstitutional use of our troops in Libya. It seems the pieces are lining up.
I think this played a huge part into why troops were sent into Uganda. I think someone saw the Invisible Children thing as an opportunity and political expediency.
IF I were to put forward a conspiracy theory, mine would look something like this:
Obama has been struggling with the youth vote. Kony2012 pretty much promoted Obama as a hero for sending in these troops. This video has gone viral through what avenues and among what age groups? The avenue is twitter and Facebook rallying primarily (or initially) college age “the youth vote.” My conspiracy theory would say Kony is captured or killed around September or October 2012. What a way to rally the youth vote.
Who has access to all of the sign ups that are happening through the IC website? I have no idea, there isn’t a privacy statement stating who has or who will have access to this information. IC may be completely genuine in their intentions and motivations. But that doesn’t mean those around them (in the political sphere) have the same motivations. You can have a good heart but still be naive to think everyone that is helping you shares your compassion.
IC is a good emotional film. But it is not lacking in politics. It appears to be apolitical but it is not. I’m no Romney supporter (if he or Santorum gets the GOP nomination I’m probably voting Gary Johnson) but watch the film again. It has only the highest praise for the current president. Then they talk about crossing political bridges and whatnot. While talking about this they show a Romney sign and for some reason (because this isn’t supposed to be a political film) it flashes “Flip-Flopper” across the sign. Really? Romney is a flip-flopper but what does that have ANYTHING to do with Uganda, Kony or their viral campaign. Why is that in this movie? That was a HUGE red light for me and made question (if not IC’s motivations) the motivations of those advising them. And there are $45 million tax payer dollars going to their cause. A small price to pay for the biggest viral video in history.
I would suggest this is more guerrilla marketing than viral video. Viral video suggests something organic. I’m pretty certain Rebecca Black didn’t have a $9 million dollar budget in 2011 and legislation providing her with an additional $45 million dollars in 2012.
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