"KONY 2012"

So, what would you say should be done about instances like this? Just leave them alone and let them continue to grow worse over time, until it becomes a direct threat to first world countries and much more difficult to fix? One thing is for sure, doing nothing will not fix it; doing something and failing is better than doing nothing, even if we lose time and money doing so. Otherwise, I feel that our morals take a bigger hit than the material losses.

I suggest you read other posts before writting.
It's Kony 2012 we're talking about not the whole issue. Supporting it is wrong, bad help is just, well... bad. It's not like Invisible Children is the only organization related to that situation, not supporting them isn't the same as "leaving them alone and let them continue grow worse". However, the other way around is true: supporting Kony2012 is making the problem grow worse over time.
You're not only losing money and time, you're making the situation worse. I already gave an example of a similar situation... even articles people have posted earlier point to the same conclution.
Also, your posts make me tear my hair out too.