There has been an absolute crush of information online about how you, in your own small way, can be part of the movement to "save" Anheuser-Busch.  You know all the details of the attempted takeover by Belgian brewer InBev, so I'll spare you that.  What I'm wondering is whether the speed and access of the internet is actually harming efforts to create a unified, grass roots, uprising.

Just look around online.  There's SaveAB.com, which claims more than 66-thousand online signatures.  Second on the Google list is SaveBudweiser.com.  with over 59-thousand signatures and a catchy little song!  On Facebook, there are 28 different groups pushing the cause with as many as 3500 members in one, and as few as 4 members in another.  Another slew of Save A-B entries shows up on MySpace.

I'm sure I'm just scratching the surface, but my point is that, to use a military analogy, our forces are horribly scattered.  I'm sure there are many repeat members in those varying online groups out there, but imagine if they were all somehow organized into one!  If you can assemble a vocal, active group of a quarter million people or so, then you're starting to accumulate enough grass roots power to at least be a voice in the process. 

Whether it's enough to win or lose the battle remains to be seen.  One thing is clear, however.  InBev is intent on buying Anheuser Busch.  The deal will only be stopped if a)stockholders are somehow convinced not to sell their individual shares, or b)the possibility of backlash, and damage to the brand, is so great that InBev decides its not worth the money.  Those are things a grass roots movement might be able to impact.

For the moment, it looks like SaveAB.com is the most organized of the bunch. Of course, if everyone wants to use ToastedRav.com as a point of connection, let me be the first to say that all are welcome!

So what do you think?  Can any of this make a difference or is it all pointless posturing by beer guzzlers?