Never thought I would become anti AVAAZ. The concept seemed so great. To enable the voices of thousands, millions of people around the world to be heard. Sometimes by the right people, but sometimes simply by others.
A recent article in the Guardian (see here) questioning the wisdom of AVAAZ in calling for a No Fly Zone, generated a response by many (for and against) but also Ben Wikler, the AVAAZ Campaign director.
His comments can be found in the comments section, but basically his comment (through my interpretation) goes like this…
1. AVAAZ has decided on regime change, and has agents working on the ground with the rebels.
2. AVAAZ now requires NATO/US/UN to engage militarily to support our program of regime change.
3. AVAAZ uses crowd sourcing to solicit large numbers to back it, and funds for its programs.
As already said, (apart from 3.) this is exactly the methods used/promoted by the CIA and the NeoCons over the last few decades.
If the CIA were doing this, would huge numbers support it. Of course not. But AVAAZ gets support through deceit. I also was seduced by it early on.
The deceit is that people believe it is a civilian action group, like protesters. But this is a direct campaigning for military attacks on a foreign government. Yes. The government in Libya may be distasteful, and may have lost all legitimacy, but that was not any different from 3 weeks ago (as of 10/Mar/2011).
I have already spoken of the difficulty I have with this organisation. Currently they have over 7 million people from all over the world who have registered themselves, email, name, location and their political beliefs with the US government. I can’t understand that being the smartest thing in the world (I have, because I was one of those on a previous campaign. Can’t delete now).
AVAAZ is acting as a organisation for the promotion of US Hegemony through covert Soft Power manipulation. Strong statement, but difficult to dismiss.
UPDATE: 29/05/2012 – It seems as though Jillian Cork from the EFF also has her doubts on the organisation and how they run politically (and incorrectly and damagingly)
Read here: My own distrust of the organization, however, is based on four distinct issues… Read More
About SocTrap
how the movement Avaaz could be a lie if they are protecting the internet just for the simple reason to warn the world that she might end up? When I say internet I´m refering to the means that you are communicating your ideas and I´m responding. and believe, in my country the policies of anti-web are resulting.
Protection of the freedom of the internet is a noble thing. The problem is the other activities they are involved in and how they mix that all up together.
The other aspect is that they collect millions of peoples emails/details and register them with certain campaigns/programs and belief systems.
So whoever does anything good is suspect … we got it! ….
In other words … are we doomed ?….
Not that criticism is not good but is there a solution here? No one can be involved to do anything good otherwise is involved with the crooks, the thieves, the terrorists, etc, etc, etc, ?!……
You highlight a good point. Where does cynicism end so that you can just get on with life.
Personally I go for the absolute faith in an idea. Eg. Human rights. I then pick and choose to between different organisations and people who may further that goal. Over time these people/organisations flow in and out of favour with me.
Unfortunately people want to believe in a person, organisation, political party, activist group and praise, follow and worship it while the organisation starts promoting the idea and slowly allows the mission to creep and expand (with the support of many cheering followers) and spends a lot of its time self-justifying to continue (either through PR or fund raising).
I agree it’s easy to feel we’re doomed because ultimately how can you be sure of trusting any organisation? But I think placing trust in people and organisations is ok, it’s just important to keep an open mind and a watchful eye. Avaaz have increasingly acted like a corporation trying to sell something, using emotive language and *urgent statements*, and not being very transparent. And now with Libya and Syria they have actively promoted Western military intervention. I used to be a big fan, now I don’t trust them at all.
Couldn’t agree more. Excellent comment.