Please observe Wikipedia:Etiquette and Talk Page Etiquette in disputes. If you submit complaints or insults your edits are likely to be removed by the mediator, any other refactoring of the mediation case by anybody but the mediator is likely to be reverted. If you are not satisfied with the mediation procedure please submit your complaints to Wikipedia talk:Mediation Cabal.
Hi there! I am Cowman109 Talk and I have volunteered to mediate this case. Before we jump into the details I'd just like to make some suggestions.
Basically, your edits are much more likely to be interpreted in a positive light if you make efforts to use edit summaries and if your name is not in red as it would be for an IP address or a new user.
Right, then. Onto the matter.
From what I've seen, this incident involves you and User:Gnarlyocelot both making changes to the Primerica article that are in conflict with one another. You have made attempts to fix the situation by [posting on the talk page. Looking for consensus is a very beneficial thing to do in Wikipedia, so you have taken the right steps in going to the talk page there to settle the dispute.
I feel that both you and User:Gnarlyocelot are both editing in good faith, though this conflict is clearly making some tension. While you have posted in the talk page of the article in question, it may be a good idea to also request that User:Gnarlyocelot sees the discussion by speaking to him on his talk page. Just remember to state the contents of this disagreement in a calm, thoughtful manner so he does not feel that you are being hostile in any way.
The thing is, without having Gnarlyocelot's input on the matter little progress will be done, so the first step would be to get him involved in the talk discussion. Once that happens mediation should be able to proceed. Could you do this and then we can see where things go from there?
Feel free to reply to my comments right after this one by simply adding a colon ( : )before your comment to indent it. Thanks. Cowman109 Talk 22:01, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
Update 19:02, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Thank you for coming here to give your view on the matter, Gnarlyocelot. I have looked over the source of conflict and in my opinion, it would indeed be a good idea to mention who, specifically, criticizes this company. While sources are given in all cases, it should be made clear that these views are not necessarily a wide viewpoint. The majority of the negative criticism of the company appears to be from that one webpage, so saying 'some' people may be incorrect unless more, possibly neutral sources are given. It is for reasons like this that it is usually best to get information from multiple sources on papers, for example, so that the information recieved can be confirmed in other sources.
The only thing that seems slightly odd about the paragraph, as I stated above, is that all the criticism comes from one person. So, I think that Gnarly's version may adhere more to a neutral point of view because otherwise readers of the article will imply that it is a wide belief that Primerica has these specific problems. Unless more sources are given to explain these viewpoints, it would seem most appropriate to have the particular person who criticizes it mentioned.
So, in conclusion, would you be alright with keeping Gnarly's version of the paragraph, Anazgnos? There is nothing wrong with your paragraph either, it's just that it should be made clear who, whether it is a single person or a group of people, who believe these certain things about the company.
Cowman109
Talk
19:02, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Compromise paragraph
Ken Young, a former insurance executive, has accused Primerica of "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [1]
Some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check and pays the $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of experience, education, or competency.
Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led some to speculate that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [2]
Some have also charged Primerica with being a cult [3].
There is my compromise paragraph. It doesn't include as many 'somes', but it clarifies that the viewpoint is held by certain people, and not necessarily a wide audience. I also removed the part, Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and some identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Some potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [4] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of state. This seems to contradict itself, so I removed it as it doesn't appear to add much to the criticism section if it also says that it is not true.
I also removed The average Primerica sales representative is reported to earn about $15,000 a year. [5] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on.. I personally don't see how the contents of this quote add to the idea of criticism against the company, and it is very confusing in itself and does not, in my opinion, clearly state why it is negative criticism of the company.
Also removed is Primerica has been referred to by some as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [6]. This sentence does not make much sense to the average reader (or at least myself), so unless it is expanded as to why this is criticism, I don't feel it needs to be mentioned.
How does this new version look to the both of you? Cowman109 Talk 19:40, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Primerica requires a $199 fee for state licensing courses from all new hires, and some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check and pays the fee, regardless of experience, education, or competency.
I might look to expand the content later on, for instance with some of Primerica's own acknowledgements (on their sites) of their critics (and criticisms). Anazgnos 23:25, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Compromise 2
GNARLY OCELOT: To be honest, i think Anazgnos covered some fair points that shouldnt be left out. Most who research Primerica do so in response to an invitation to a recruiting opportunity meeting. They do so because generally they are invited to a big dog Citigroup company and the inviter hardly knows anything about the invitee, much less his qualifications. It understandably sounds fishy and researchers visit wikipedia to find otu whats going on. Primerily the "pyramid" and "multilevel" critique belong. The Ken Young quote, however, does not belong (for reasons explained in the "compromise offer" earlier). Although i would rename the heading to "Common Misunderstandings" (or something of the sort), this is my new resolution:
"Most questions concerning Primerica are in response to it's unorthodox recruiting structure and methods. Primerica is the only entrepreneurally driven entity of Citigroup. As usual with most companies, the Regional Vice President owns the office of business and overrides, to different degrees, the sales of all downlines. However, those downline agents who wish to promote to RVP themselves have the unconventional opportunity to recruit, train, and permenantly override future business of their own trainees. When certain structure and production requirements are met, those agents may open an office of their own. This is how Primerica builds distribution. Offices "hire anyone" who pass their background check regardless of experience or education. As a result, many mistakenly consider Primerica to be an illegal "pyramid", where commissions are paid for the actual recruiting itself and no products are actually sold. Recruits must be submitt 199$ with their "Independant Business Application" to contribute to licensing cost and the 2 day cram course and materials Primerica provides, preparing agents for the first state exam (Group 1- Life and Health). Primerica is also frequently mistaken for Multi-Level Marketing (defined as any organization where money is made internally, recruiting consumers who recruit consumers). Primerica only pays commissions on regulated business transactions done with clients; agents must be state-licensed in their respective field of business (Securities Series 6 license, Mortgage Broker License, Long Term Care etc.). Very few clients are also recruits."
We have yet to find a legitimate critique (aside from perhaps the limited ability of the company to fully prevent recruiters from misleading invitees into believing they are attending to hear about a salaried position).
Cowman, I haven't heard any responses from Anazgnos, have you? As long a.s it's ok with you, im going to go ahead and use the new compromise paragraph, if you have any suggestions to make it better- feel free.
Please report evidence in this section with {{
Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence}} for misconduct and {{
Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence3RR}} for
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Wikipedia:Etiquette: Although it's understandably difficult in a heated argument, if the other party is not as civil as you'd like them to be, make sure to be more civil than him or her, not less.
Here reprinted are my preferred edition of the "criticism" section, followed by Gnarlyocelot's current revision.
My version:
Primerica has been criticised for engaging in "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [7]
Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and generally identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [8] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for "state licensing", regardless of state. Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check (and pays the $199 fee), regardless of experience, education, or competency. The average Primerica sales rep is reported earn $15,000 a year. [9] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on. Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led to speculation that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [10] Primerica has been referred to as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [11] Primerica has also been charged with being a cult [12].
Gnarlyocelot's version:
Ken Young, a former insurance executive, has accused Primerica of "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [13] Some Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and some identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Some potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [14] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of state. Some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check (and pays the $199 fee), regardless of experience, education, or competency. The average Primerica sales rep is reported earn $15,000 a year. [15] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on. Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led some to speculate that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [16] Primerica has been referred to by some as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [17] Some have also charged Primerica with being a cult [18].
This section is for listing and discussing compromise offers.
1. I think the purpose of Wikipedia is to be a credible resource for learning. Efficient learning requires articles to be pertinent. Would it be pertinent to state "there are redheads working in the government" or would that just be a waste of space? I think the latter, because everyone knows it already. Likewise, unless useful information is given, the "primerica has been criticised" quote is really a waste of space that everyone knows is true of every company. In other words, I dont know why you stopped at Ken Young (a nobody). Primerica has also been "accused of" harboring aliens by Ned Hamlett (a nobody) on Myspace.com and its been accused of being in cahoots with the government to take over the world by Sarah Jackson (a nobody) at her website. Primerica, along with every other large company, has been "accused of" just about anything the human mind can imagine, and people already know this so "why would a prestigious website like Wikipedia go through the trouble of explaning it unless there were sufficient evidence to merit debate". People aren't interested in checking your ridiculous link out to learn that this ornate quote is simply coming from a competetor sitting at his computer, they rightly expect Wikipedia to have done that "screening for pertinence" work for them, and thats what im calling us to do now. Otherwise, under criticisms, we need to include quotes from Ned Hamlett and Sarah Jackson and link readers to their Myspace and personal website; Wikipedia will have officially gone down the toilet.
2. I think the rest of those accusates do belong in the criticism section. Enough people wonder if Primerica is a cult, or if its a Multi-Level to merit discussion. However, avoid the links unless you are willing to qualify their credibilty by putting a "Ken Young" in front of them. I prefer us to be honest a say "some Primerica agents" because that is the truth, not what you are (perhaps ignorantly) portraying.
GnarlyOcelot: True, i dont deny they are out there. I wouldnt dare dismiss criticism, however, aside from rogue agents characterizing Primerica as a salaried job, no legitimate criticism has yet been brought up (only misconceptions which, admittely, are not discussed on any official primerica site. Agents get canned for that stuff, they cant even communicate through e-mail.) Anyways, I have no problem including worthy and accurate criques.
While using the talk page of the article in question to solve a dispute is encouraged to involve a larger audience, feel free to discuss the case below if that is not possible. Other mediators are also encouraged to join in on the discussion as Wikipedia is based on consensus.
Here is a reprinting of the relevant discussion thread, to which I am the only contributor to date.
These criticisms exist, and are being reported on fairly and neutrally. This portion of the article should not be treated as an opportunity to defend the company or discredit criticisms as they are stated. If needed, a seperate paragraph or section regarding responses to criticisms may be entered. 70.183.63.108 21:49, 26 May 2006 (UTC)
Please observe Wikipedia:Etiquette and Talk Page Etiquette in disputes. If you submit complaints or insults your edits are likely to be removed by the mediator, any other refactoring of the mediation case by anybody but the mediator is likely to be reverted. If you are not satisfied with the mediation procedure please submit your complaints to Wikipedia talk:Mediation Cabal.
Hi there! I am Cowman109 Talk and I have volunteered to mediate this case. Before we jump into the details I'd just like to make some suggestions.
Basically, your edits are much more likely to be interpreted in a positive light if you make efforts to use edit summaries and if your name is not in red as it would be for an IP address or a new user.
Right, then. Onto the matter.
From what I've seen, this incident involves you and User:Gnarlyocelot both making changes to the Primerica article that are in conflict with one another. You have made attempts to fix the situation by [posting on the talk page. Looking for consensus is a very beneficial thing to do in Wikipedia, so you have taken the right steps in going to the talk page there to settle the dispute.
I feel that both you and User:Gnarlyocelot are both editing in good faith, though this conflict is clearly making some tension. While you have posted in the talk page of the article in question, it may be a good idea to also request that User:Gnarlyocelot sees the discussion by speaking to him on his talk page. Just remember to state the contents of this disagreement in a calm, thoughtful manner so he does not feel that you are being hostile in any way.
The thing is, without having Gnarlyocelot's input on the matter little progress will be done, so the first step would be to get him involved in the talk discussion. Once that happens mediation should be able to proceed. Could you do this and then we can see where things go from there?
Feel free to reply to my comments right after this one by simply adding a colon ( : )before your comment to indent it. Thanks. Cowman109 Talk 22:01, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
Update 19:02, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Thank you for coming here to give your view on the matter, Gnarlyocelot. I have looked over the source of conflict and in my opinion, it would indeed be a good idea to mention who, specifically, criticizes this company. While sources are given in all cases, it should be made clear that these views are not necessarily a wide viewpoint. The majority of the negative criticism of the company appears to be from that one webpage, so saying 'some' people may be incorrect unless more, possibly neutral sources are given. It is for reasons like this that it is usually best to get information from multiple sources on papers, for example, so that the information recieved can be confirmed in other sources.
The only thing that seems slightly odd about the paragraph, as I stated above, is that all the criticism comes from one person. So, I think that Gnarly's version may adhere more to a neutral point of view because otherwise readers of the article will imply that it is a wide belief that Primerica has these specific problems. Unless more sources are given to explain these viewpoints, it would seem most appropriate to have the particular person who criticizes it mentioned.
So, in conclusion, would you be alright with keeping Gnarly's version of the paragraph, Anazgnos? There is nothing wrong with your paragraph either, it's just that it should be made clear who, whether it is a single person or a group of people, who believe these certain things about the company.
Cowman109
Talk
19:02, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Compromise paragraph
Ken Young, a former insurance executive, has accused Primerica of "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [1]
Some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check and pays the $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of experience, education, or competency.
Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led some to speculate that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [2]
Some have also charged Primerica with being a cult [3].
There is my compromise paragraph. It doesn't include as many 'somes', but it clarifies that the viewpoint is held by certain people, and not necessarily a wide audience. I also removed the part, Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and some identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Some potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [4] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of state. This seems to contradict itself, so I removed it as it doesn't appear to add much to the criticism section if it also says that it is not true.
I also removed The average Primerica sales representative is reported to earn about $15,000 a year. [5] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on.. I personally don't see how the contents of this quote add to the idea of criticism against the company, and it is very confusing in itself and does not, in my opinion, clearly state why it is negative criticism of the company.
Also removed is Primerica has been referred to by some as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [6]. This sentence does not make much sense to the average reader (or at least myself), so unless it is expanded as to why this is criticism, I don't feel it needs to be mentioned.
How does this new version look to the both of you? Cowman109 Talk 19:40, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Primerica requires a $199 fee for state licensing courses from all new hires, and some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check and pays the fee, regardless of experience, education, or competency.
I might look to expand the content later on, for instance with some of Primerica's own acknowledgements (on their sites) of their critics (and criticisms). Anazgnos 23:25, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
Compromise 2
GNARLY OCELOT: To be honest, i think Anazgnos covered some fair points that shouldnt be left out. Most who research Primerica do so in response to an invitation to a recruiting opportunity meeting. They do so because generally they are invited to a big dog Citigroup company and the inviter hardly knows anything about the invitee, much less his qualifications. It understandably sounds fishy and researchers visit wikipedia to find otu whats going on. Primerily the "pyramid" and "multilevel" critique belong. The Ken Young quote, however, does not belong (for reasons explained in the "compromise offer" earlier). Although i would rename the heading to "Common Misunderstandings" (or something of the sort), this is my new resolution:
"Most questions concerning Primerica are in response to it's unorthodox recruiting structure and methods. Primerica is the only entrepreneurally driven entity of Citigroup. As usual with most companies, the Regional Vice President owns the office of business and overrides, to different degrees, the sales of all downlines. However, those downline agents who wish to promote to RVP themselves have the unconventional opportunity to recruit, train, and permenantly override future business of their own trainees. When certain structure and production requirements are met, those agents may open an office of their own. This is how Primerica builds distribution. Offices "hire anyone" who pass their background check regardless of experience or education. As a result, many mistakenly consider Primerica to be an illegal "pyramid", where commissions are paid for the actual recruiting itself and no products are actually sold. Recruits must be submitt 199$ with their "Independant Business Application" to contribute to licensing cost and the 2 day cram course and materials Primerica provides, preparing agents for the first state exam (Group 1- Life and Health). Primerica is also frequently mistaken for Multi-Level Marketing (defined as any organization where money is made internally, recruiting consumers who recruit consumers). Primerica only pays commissions on regulated business transactions done with clients; agents must be state-licensed in their respective field of business (Securities Series 6 license, Mortgage Broker License, Long Term Care etc.). Very few clients are also recruits."
We have yet to find a legitimate critique (aside from perhaps the limited ability of the company to fully prevent recruiters from misleading invitees into believing they are attending to hear about a salaried position).
Cowman, I haven't heard any responses from Anazgnos, have you? As long a.s it's ok with you, im going to go ahead and use the new compromise paragraph, if you have any suggestions to make it better- feel free.
Please report evidence in this section with {{
Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence}} for misconduct and {{
Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Evidence3RR}} for
3RR violations. If you need
help ask a
mediator or an
advocate. Evidence is of limited use in mediation as the mediator has no authority. Providing some evidence may, however, be useful in making both sides act more civil.
Wikipedia:Etiquette: Although it's understandably difficult in a heated argument, if the other party is not as civil as you'd like them to be, make sure to be more civil than him or her, not less.
Here reprinted are my preferred edition of the "criticism" section, followed by Gnarlyocelot's current revision.
My version:
Primerica has been criticised for engaging in "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [7]
Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and generally identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [8] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for "state licensing", regardless of state. Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check (and pays the $199 fee), regardless of experience, education, or competency. The average Primerica sales rep is reported earn $15,000 a year. [9] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on. Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led to speculation that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [10] Primerica has been referred to as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [11] Primerica has also been charged with being a cult [12].
Gnarlyocelot's version:
Ken Young, a former insurance executive, has accused Primerica of "false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company." [13] Some Primerica recruiting agents contact potential recruits through online resume listings and other resources, and some identify themselves as representatives of Citigroup. Some potential recruits have reported being offered a management or salaried position when in fact essentially all applicants enter the company at a bottom-level, commission only sales position. [14] New hires are a required to pay a $199 fee for state licensing, regardless of state. Some Primerica offices are reported to "hire anyone" who passes their background check (and pays the $199 fee), regardless of experience, education, or competency. The average Primerica sales rep is reported earn $15,000 a year. [15] Primerica resembles Multi-Level Marketing in structure. There is a tiered commission structure or broker-agent relationship and commissions are paid only when products are sold. Proceeds from a given agent's sales flow upwards to their recruiter, and to their recruiter, and so on. Recruitment of new agents is not compulsory but strongly promoted as a means to increase earnings, and this has led some to speculate that the organization is more focused on recruitment of agents than the sale of financial products. [16] Primerica has been referred to by some as "the Amway of the insurance industry". [17] Some have also charged Primerica with being a cult [18].
This section is for listing and discussing compromise offers.
1. I think the purpose of Wikipedia is to be a credible resource for learning. Efficient learning requires articles to be pertinent. Would it be pertinent to state "there are redheads working in the government" or would that just be a waste of space? I think the latter, because everyone knows it already. Likewise, unless useful information is given, the "primerica has been criticised" quote is really a waste of space that everyone knows is true of every company. In other words, I dont know why you stopped at Ken Young (a nobody). Primerica has also been "accused of" harboring aliens by Ned Hamlett (a nobody) on Myspace.com and its been accused of being in cahoots with the government to take over the world by Sarah Jackson (a nobody) at her website. Primerica, along with every other large company, has been "accused of" just about anything the human mind can imagine, and people already know this so "why would a prestigious website like Wikipedia go through the trouble of explaning it unless there were sufficient evidence to merit debate". People aren't interested in checking your ridiculous link out to learn that this ornate quote is simply coming from a competetor sitting at his computer, they rightly expect Wikipedia to have done that "screening for pertinence" work for them, and thats what im calling us to do now. Otherwise, under criticisms, we need to include quotes from Ned Hamlett and Sarah Jackson and link readers to their Myspace and personal website; Wikipedia will have officially gone down the toilet.
2. I think the rest of those accusates do belong in the criticism section. Enough people wonder if Primerica is a cult, or if its a Multi-Level to merit discussion. However, avoid the links unless you are willing to qualify their credibilty by putting a "Ken Young" in front of them. I prefer us to be honest a say "some Primerica agents" because that is the truth, not what you are (perhaps ignorantly) portraying.
GnarlyOcelot: True, i dont deny they are out there. I wouldnt dare dismiss criticism, however, aside from rogue agents characterizing Primerica as a salaried job, no legitimate criticism has yet been brought up (only misconceptions which, admittely, are not discussed on any official primerica site. Agents get canned for that stuff, they cant even communicate through e-mail.) Anyways, I have no problem including worthy and accurate criques.
While using the talk page of the article in question to solve a dispute is encouraged to involve a larger audience, feel free to discuss the case below if that is not possible. Other mediators are also encouraged to join in on the discussion as Wikipedia is based on consensus.
Here is a reprinting of the relevant discussion thread, to which I am the only contributor to date.
These criticisms exist, and are being reported on fairly and neutrally. This portion of the article should not be treated as an opportunity to defend the company or discredit criticisms as they are stated. If needed, a seperate paragraph or section regarding responses to criticisms may be entered. 70.183.63.108 21:49, 26 May 2006 (UTC)