My Nonprofit Reviews
john34
Review for The Center For Organizational Research And Education, Arlington, VA, USA
The deceptively-named "Center for Consumer Freedom" is an industry front group founded by Richard Berman. In Berman's own words, CCF exists to "shoot the messenger", to discredit public interest groups that expose corporate greed and illegal activity. CCF is a vocal opponent of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Center for Science in the Public Interest, The Humane Society of the US, and unions. Although it is organized as a 501(c)(4) charity, CCF serves no charitable purpose, is operated out of Berman's PR firm's offices, and funnels 92% of its "donations" into the hands of Richard Berman. It's an appalling personal enrichment scheme that exploits a loophole in the tax code in order to undermine REAL charities. CCF operates a number of sham websites designed to fool consumers into thinking that CCF is a public interest group. These websites frequently cite each other as "reputable" sources, and offer questionable research conducted by their "Director of Research", David Martosko. Martosko's background prior to joining CCF consists of a degree in opera, and experience as an AM radio talk show director. He has no scientific training, and has no means of evaluating the accuracy or worth of the conclusions CCF publishes. For example, CCF urges pregnant women to eat mercury-contaminated fish, claiming that they can safely eat 10x the government's recommended limits. They make this claim without scientific backing and without regard to safety margins. Their sponsor in the matter? Disreputable companies in the seafood industry. If it furthers their message, CCF will publish it, even when the information has been widely discredited or proven to be false. On May 14, 2009, WSB-TV in Atlanta broadcast a segment examining the HSUS handling of funds raised for Hurricane Katrina rescues. The reporter relied on false information provided by CCF. When the deception was discovered, WSB-TV immediately pulled the story. (The reporter was fired.) However, CCF continued to publish propaganda claiming that the story was true -- and used the broadcast based on THEIR misinformation as "proof"! WSB-TV promptly issued an angry cease and desist letter to CCF demanding that they stop misrepresenting the story, and that they reference the correction whenever they reference the original story. CCF still points to the original, discredited broadcast to this day, even though they have to link to an illegal copy on an Iranian file sharing site to do so. That's just a sample of CCF's duplicity and sleazy behavior. To find out more, visit http://www.bermanexposed.org http://www.humanewatch.info http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/about/wsb_letter_re_berman.pdf http://www.startribune.com/local/96226034.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/18/us/politics/18berman.html http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/05/60minutes/main2653020.shtml?source=search_story http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/politics&id=4140447
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
constant attacks on charities, and an unbelievable stream of lies, distortions, and deception that surfaces throughout the internet. CCF is a "hired gun", paid by various industries to harass the public interest groups that achieve meaningful change.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
liquidate it, and put its employees to work stamping license plates in a federal prison for tax fraud.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
watching them backpedal when they spew a lie so ridiculous, even their core supporters take offense.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
amoral liars.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
take out another full-page smear campaign in the NY Times, and use the rest to line Richard Berman's pockets.
Ways to make it better...
they had never existed.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
their imminent conviction for tax fraud.
One thing I'd also say is that...
true evil is a rare thing in this world. CCF falls under that heading. Find out more about CCF and HumaneWatch from unbiased sources, and draw your own conclusions.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Review for The Humane Society of the United States, Washington, DC, USA
The HSUS is a fantastic organization that's earned its reputation as the most effective, most influential animal welfare advocate in the world. Unfortunately, that's placed them squarely in the crosshairs of industries that profit from animal cruelty. Puppy mills, inhumane factory farmers, irresponsible breeders, "sport" hunters, dogfighting fans, and other animal abusers have banded together behind an industry front group (deceptively named the Center for Consumer Freedom). CCF is waging a well-funded, aggressive campaign to discredit the HSUS with lies and misinformation. "HSUS wants to outlaw all pets, wants to force everybody to be vegan, wants to confiscate your grandmother's guide dog, etc." Don't fall for the smear campaign. The real motivation for the attack? 93 animal welfare laws passed in 2008, 53 anti-animal laws defeated, 18 major animal cruelty cases won, 57 raids on animal fighting rings assisted by the HSUS, 301 suspects arrested as a result of HSUS investigations, 2,649 abused animals confiscated, and 2,000 dogs saved from horrible puppy mills. And that's just a hint of what HSUS accomplishes *every year*. There's also shelter training and evaluation programs, wildlife sanctuaries, large-scale disaster rescues, no-cost veterinary care provided to underserved areas, animal care professional training, public awareness campaigns, Spay Day events, shelter adoption campaigns, rewards for tips leading to the arrest of dogfight rings, protection of endangered species, and so much more. My name is John Doppler Schiff, and I am not affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States, other than being an enthusiastic supporter and frequent donor. I invite you to explore the real facts at www.humanewatch.INFO, www.bermanexposed.org, and of course, www.hsus.org.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
rescue operations in California, the decrease in dogfighting activity in Los Angeles, and the results of public awareness campaigns nationwide.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
increase fundraising efficiency and eliminate the use of telemarketers. It takes money to make money, especially in a depressed economy, but fundraising operations have room for improvement. This doesn't diminish my respect for an amazing charity!
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
its tremendously effective strategy of pursuing long-term change to eliminate animal cruelty.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
without exception, motivated solely by their love for animals and concern for animal welfare.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
continue to achieve amazing results in the reduction of animal cruelty.
Ways to make it better...
corporate animal abusers were not permitted to hide behind a phony charity (CCF) to attack the HSUS with a multi-million dollar smear campaign.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
slanderous attacks from an "astroturfing" corporate front group, and the ignorance and malice of its followers.
One thing I'd also say is that...
opponents of HSUS are motivated by money. If you dig into the backgrounds of the most vocal supporters, you find bad breeders, factory farmers, rodeos, fast food companies, and other abusers. In HSUS, you'll find only devoted animal lovers.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
