I don’t know how many actually remember reading “The Scarlet Letter“, nor how many have actually read this classic Nathanial Hawthorne novel. It takes place in Boston in the seventeenth century. A woman named Hester was sentenced to wear a large Scarlett Letter on her breast after it was discovered that her child was conceived from having an adulterous affair. She was deemed a sinner, and was publicly displayed as such. As a result, the town would hurl insults to humiliate her for having sinned.

Hester was publicly shamed – socially isolated and alienated for her indiscretion.

Three centuries later, most of us would consider such a public display barbaric – or at the very least uncivilized. I still see plenty of examples, mostly from my kids experience in school with one child’s attempt to shame another in front of their peers. (Remember seeing the “Kick Me” signs on the back of the class nerd?) As adults, we develop a higher sense of self-worth and self confidence in our own abilities that such behavior is no longer necessary.

The act of shaming another person is an attempt to gain power over another. The desire is to alter and shape another’s behavior or belief. It’s a way to communicate who is the outcast and who are the elite. Who is down-and-out and who is one-up. It produces an immense sense of power and control for the person dishing out the insults – using the other as a punching bag – while deflating the self-esteem and self-worth of the person being shamed.

I’ve never bought into shaming another person as a form of control – it’s just not something that I believe is effective or worthwhile. My recovery from alcoholism 20 years ago enabled me to develop a higher standard of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence. My recovery also changed my perspective when dealing with individuals who attempt to shame others.

It was during that time I found they were the ones who are weak and insecure – not the other way around.

Think about it – if your position and confidence resided where you felt secure there wouldn’t be a need to fill any type of void by stepping on someone else to prop yourself up. Likewise, there wouldn’t even be a need to respond because your own experience and beliefs override any outside attempts to change that belief.

You’d already be whole or complete.

Seeing random acts of humiliating and alienating has increased for me over the last few years. In part, because I’m involved in a very emotional industry which provides average people an opportunity to run a home based business. On the one side, these same average individuals see an opportunity to get themselves out from under the bottom of the pyramid known as traditional business. (Starting at the bottom and never finding a way to work their way up the ladder, or pyramid.) On the other side, you find those who have either failed themselves in a short stint with MLM, or have bought into all the myths and stereotypes they find from reading.

A simple observation will quickly form the conclusion that those who have the least experience on either side are by far the ones who are the loudest and most obnoxious. Why? They don’t have enough experience or documentation to fall back on to support their beliefs or convictions.

Look at Coach, Scott, and Kim. All three have been extremely successful in MLM and their experiences extend back to the early 1980′s with A.L. Williams. Attempting to insert any of the myths, rumors, or stereotypes about MLM into their belief system is like trying to tell YOU the sky is purple. The opposition can jump up and down – scream at the top of their lungs – provide example of others who also think the sky is purple but you’re not going to budge. All those years of looking up to the sky and seeing blue simply can’t be overwritten or changed.

Think that example is oversimplified or outrageous? Possibly – for you. But those of us who’ve been a part of this industry and work it the right way know exactly what I mean. It’s something you can’t explain – like how kids will change your life. You have to experience it to realize the importance or relevance.

I was talking with my father last week about all the egg tossing and mudslinging that I see others get so wrapped up in. He told me he sees it all around us, and is thankful that he’s somewhat isolated now with my younger brother on their farm up in Pittsburgh. While my father is now retired, he still writes and teaches to keep himself occupied during the winter months on the farm. He sent out a publication to his subscriber base yesterday (of which I am a part of) and this one paragraph struck a chord with me after our conversation last week.

I know that rancor and incivility has existed before in the history of this nation’s politics. But seldom if ever has it been in the ugly stalemate we now experience. Neither major party will allow the other party to press any part of its agenda. Senators who argue vociferously on the floor of congress no longer later sit down to lunch or dinner with their other-party colleagues. The scene is ugly and disappointing.

Ugly and disappointing is something our entire Country appears to be trapped in right now. Incivility certainly isn’t reserved for critics of YTB or MLM. It’s a trait that’s been learned and developed throughout the years that frankly, like my father, makes me sick to my stomach. How humans can treat other humans in this fashion is deplorable and unconscionable. For someone to demand respect or a voice by using these tactics goes beyond any boundaries I’ve ever known. It’s a big reason why I have the rules that I do on this blog.

I’ve spent years documenting about my experience and what I know to be true about YTB and MLM here on this blog. You don’t have to agree with it or even read it if it bothers you. But it does have boundaries for those who are incapable of being civil or rational. It’s simply not a trait I’ve been willing to tolerate since I started this blog – and I’m certainly not going to change that position now.

For the life of me, I can’t think of a single example of how insults or humiliation changed or resolved anything. All it did was heighten emotions, not logic. You’d think some would get that. But as we’ve seen – even the brightest, most talented, most promising of individuals fall woefully short of reaching any resolution because they’re just too wrapped up in their own egos.

We can only hope (and pray) that someday they might grow up to become confident, respectable adults.

You never know…it could happen.

In the meantime, just put these people aside and focus on the things you can control and find enjoyable. There’s no pleasure or knowledge in reading insults.

If I can do it, so can you, and you’ll never know how much better life can be until you actually let it all go.

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Do You ZamZuu?

I’m not a fan of “Big Government”. I believe in capitalism, self-reliance, personal responsibility and that everyone needs to carry their own weight. That being said, there are instances that arise where Government intervention is not only necessary, but needed in order to stop greed and consumer fraud. One of those instances is the Banking and Credit industry.

Yesterday, the first phase of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act went into effect. Credit card companies are notorious for holding payments until after the due date, jacking up interest rates, and changing terms and conditions without much written notice at all. If you’re unfortunate enough to have just one of these creditors “hold your payment” until after the due date, it starts a snowball effect where the rest of the creditors follow suit in raising rates. Before long, responsible consumers and users are in over their head with no feasible way out. I found the top five tricks used by credit card companies in this Fox 5 news report here that exposed their tactics.

Because this has been such a large problem affecting hundreds of thousands of consumers across the entire industry new legislation was signed back in May by President Obama. The first phase went into affect yesterday to protect consumers and keep the banks from pulling these underhanded stunts. (Video to the left) The second phase of the act will complete the reform in February 2010, preventing these tactics and placing the power back to the consumer.

While the new Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act has been big news this past year it’s only half the story of the injustice perpetrated by credit card companies and credit collectors. Creditors and collectors get even more brazen with even more consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, and false advertising when you attempt to stand up and fight the deplorable tactics now corrected by the new legislation.

In the past, one of the fist things that happens when you decide to dispute a charge, an interest rate, or one of the many fees is a letter from a credit collector, (in our case Mann Bracken) to submit your case to an “impartial, independent and neutral administrator of arbitration proceedings”. The mission of the NAF (National Arbitration Forum) is as follows:

“Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a more efficient, predictable and amicable way to resolve conflicts and achieve legal decisions without the expense and inconvenience of going to court.”

Ronda and I have personally experienced this process, but found the entire proceeding a complete sham. What ADR does is find in favor of the Defendant (the bank) 94% of the time. In addition 64% of all cases sent to the National Arbitration Forum were handled by the law firm of Mann Bracken.

As a result, all of our disputes ended up in court anyway, (because we opposed the decision made by the NAF) and Mann Bracken was able to use the judgments handed down by the NAF to place a court order and judgment of “payment in full” in some cases. To make matters even worse, and show the desperation of the banks, who know changes are coming, Mann Bracken used one of the judgments against Ronda to garnish our joint bank account in an attempt to collect the payment in full.

No warning, no notice, just gone.

Ronda and I were able to file a “traverse” to keep the money out of the hands of Mann Bracken while we fought this hideous stunt in the courts. As a result, the court granted a 60 day continuance in order to settle the dispute. While Mann Bracken agreed in front of the courts, when negotiations again proceeded, nothing less than payment in full, including thousands of dollars more in interest, fees and court expenses would suffice.

Because of the deplorable behavior of Mann Bracken, our legal counsel advised that Ronda file for bankruptcy in order to protect our assets. Therefore, on July 14th, Ronda filed for bankruptcy, unaware of what was going on the very same day up in Minnesota.

On July 14, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a complaint against the National Arbitration Forum, alleging that it had concealed financial ties to Mann Bracken and worked behind the scenes with creditors against the interests of both Ronda and I.

From The Wisconsin Law Journal

The complaint mapped out a “complex web” which boiled down to a cozy financial relationship: the arbitration services of NAF and sister organizations as well as the debt collection services of the law firm Mann Bracken and other companies have all been owned by the same New York hedge fund since 2007.

The complaint alleged that the NAF violated state consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices and false advertising statutes through “complex and opaque corporate structuring” that concealed its financial ties and represented itself as a neutral party.

“The ability of a class action litigant to get all of these other court cases undone is limited because of comity. Definitely a federal court will not be able to tell state courts to set aside judgments,” said Rubin, who hopes that other state attorneys general or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will step in and order that profits be disgorged.

As a member of YTB, I’m fully aware of complaints filed by Attorney Generals with allegations of consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices. While YTB fought the unfounded and meritless accusations eventually settling the dispute a year later, what do you think big business did when allegations of the same were placed on them?

They folded like a wet noodle.

Five days later, NAF agreed as part of a consent decree that it would cease consumer debt arbitration by July 24.

The ink was barely dry on the settlement when the American Arbitration Association announced on July 22 that it too would be getting out of debt collection arbitration until it can develop standards of practice.

As a result, when the continuance for the traverse came up on the court calendar to oppose the garnishment, Mann Bracken didn’t even show up. The case was dismissed, we got our money back, and our joint bank account was restored.

Unfortunately, because papers and proceedings for bankruptcy were already filed, Ronda may be living with the stain of this gross injustice for years to come. I say may because of what has transpired and the fraud committed against thousands of consumers, the entire proceeding may be able to be expunged. (Not guaranteed, but possible.)

In the meantime, the one last account I have with Bank of America (FIA Card Services) which also has a judgment against me via the NAF and Mann Bracken is still pending. I haven’t decided or been advised as yet how hard I can squeeze to retaliate against this deplorable and fraudulent company. Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin in Chicago, has already filed the first class action against MBNA/FIA and Mann Bracken, exposing it’s financial ties to the NAF. If successful, it will aside thousands of arbitration awards and judgments entered against Illinois consumers since 2007.

I will also be filing a complaint with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and the FTC against Mann Bracken. The state of Georgia is also suing Mann Bracken for FDCPA and for violations of the Georgia Business Practices Act.

I’m fully aware of the bizarre comments and speculation about our personal finances out there on the internet right now. I didn’t feel it necessary to react to a bunch of shallow halfwits who have once again proven how delusional, vindictive, and ignorant they really are.

I was talking with Candi May earlier in the week and she gave me a very interesting quote:

If facts are are on your side discuss the facts. If you don’t have facts plead the law. And if you don’t have the law, drag a dead cat into the room.

Because critics can’t fight the facts about YTB they deflect with personal attacks. One month ago a District Court not only threw out, but severely spanked the perpetrators of a hideous class action lawsuit filed against YTB International. The Judge called the entire document redundant, immaterial, impertinent, and scandalous. Their false illusions of a scam also been compounded with the settlement in California, and the Convention held earlier in the month. In addition, they are now facing the best compensation package available in the travel industry.

Because these punks can’t argue the facts and findings found here, they’ve resorted to these types of personal attacks and finger pointing to discredit or make me simply “go away”. (Cha…RRRRIGHT!)

For the record: The nameless and faceless punks who have been vilifying my wife and family over the internet about this situation owe her an apology. Unfortunately, when you lack class, morals, ethics, and judgment cowards never man up and do what’s right or respectable.

In other words, don’t count on it.

Me…I got what I wanted and that’s exposing a true scam, and telling the truth. Something critics know nothing about.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Not the way you would like to start the year.

Earlier in the week news of a civil lawsuit came out against two time Super Bowl Champion of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. Just weeks before he heads to St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Ben finds himself the center of media attention accused of rape. Ben and the Steelers will be defending last years Lombardi Trophy going into the 2009 season. (Make that SIX Lombardi Trophies.)

A 31-year-old Nevada woman filed the civil lawsuit alleging the Super Bowl winning quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse last year. The woman was working as a VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe at the time, and claims in the lawsuit the rape took place in Roethlisberger’s room after he called her saying that the sound on his TV was not working.

I read a news report that said that Ben was the one who made the bogus complaint, (that being the sound not working) but after a full year of silence, and this woman not even filing a police report makes me question which complaint is bogus. Roethlisberger made his first public statement yesterday afternoon and vowed to fight what he called “outrageous allegations.” Clearly agitated about the fact the he is in the public eye over something like this he spoke these words yesterday at the Pittsburgh training facility:

“The allegations against me are reckless and false,” Roethlisberger said. “As much as I’d like to answer everyone’s questions I’m going to respect the legal process and I’m confident that the truth will prevail.”

Roethlisberger’s attorney, David Cornwell, released a statement also saying the charges were false:

“The timing of a lawsuit and the absence of a criminal complaint and a criminal investigation are the most compelling evidence of the absence of any criminal conduct,” he said.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of stunt. Back in 2002 “The Bus”, (Jerome Bettis) was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Westmoreland County. When police went to investigate, about two dozen people and learned of a plan by the woman’s Uncle to get money from Bettis by manufacturing a sexual misconduct charge.

The charges against “The Bus” were soon dropped.

While I don’t personally know the two time Super Bowl Champion, from what I’ve read about him, seen of him, and the leadership I’ve witnessed over the last 5 years on the football field, I’m betting that this case will be dropped as well.

There, I think lies the crux of this issue. This isn’t about rape, but about Ben’s status. Like the money grab that was thrown out of court filed against YTB earlier in the week, this too is about taking unfair advantage of a situation in search of an easy buck. From what I’ve seen in some reports, the allegations in the suit filed against Ben are so flimsy that it too could be thrown out by a Judge when the time comes to put it on the docket.

Call it jealousy, bitterness or anger over someone being more successful than you are. People find all kinds of creative ways to bring someone down to their level, and it doesn’t have to be about money. Because of my status here on the internet, and doing what I love to do, people poke at me all the time. This week is a perfect example.

I broke the story here on the internet about YTB’s class action being thrown out, and admittedly rubbed it in the face of all the critics who had been yammering for almost a year about how this would crush YTB. While we in YTB have been celebrating that the truth finally coming to light, critics have pulled the egg off their own face and are attempting to throw it back in mine.

I read late last night in amusement a day long dialog concerning my inability to support my wife and my family. The claims of being an embarrassment to children for being an MLM junkie and that my wife of 12 years is ready to throw me out of the house surrounded the conversation. In addition, I found out that I’m also broke.

Apparently being open about participating in an MLM and writing about my experience, makes me powerful and important enough that some spent time and energy digging for anything they could find to convince themselves and others that I’m not worth listening to. (Ironic I know.)

What they dug up was a credit card battle we are entangled in to anger and feed the illusions and myths surrounding MLM’ers. In 2008, two of our credit card companies decided to jack up our interest rates to what we felt was excessive, and were unwilling to lower their rates. After seeking legal counsel, the only way we could get their attention was to cut all the cards off, and stop paying them. What resulted was a list of law suits from every one of the credit card companies demanding their money. While this has been unpleasant and time consuming, we are in fact making settlements on amounts that we mutually agree upon to resolve the debt owed. Under the advisement of counsel, it was the only way we would be able to pay only the amount we owed for the purchases we actually made, and not the exorbitant interest that the banks wanted.

But alas, the pitch is that we got in so deep that we couldn’t get out and are now putting the burden on them (as taxpayers no less) so it can feed their anger and resentment towards yours truly. None of these spineless weasels would realize how to stand up for ones self or how to take personal responsibility if their life depended on it. It’s never about them and how they can spend an entire day posting on the internet instead of being productive and providing income to put food on the table for themselves and possibly their families.

And through it all, not a peep surrounding a reckless and false class action that was just thrown out which previously was thought to be a “powerful” lawsuit by the same group. Misguided as it is, none of them dare call out the Judge who spanked the Plaintiff’s in their redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous class action lawsuit.

Instead, yours truly is called out for “pimping”, while others see value in what I’ve done switching over to WordPress for their own business blog, and not only using Aweber for their own newsletter, but using a similar look and feel with the same logos I have for Twitter and Facebook.

Me thinks thou dost protest too much.

Angry? Hardly. While they do say one thing on the internet slamming me, the actions of following my lead show signs of respect for which I am flattered. Not to mention the attention and time spent obsessing and talking about little ol’ me. The lesson learned here is that if you don’t like the heat, you need to stay out of the kitchen. Being in the public eye, and being open about who you are and proud of what you do will attract pot shots and blows below the belt from people who need to focus on someone else’s faults so they don’t have to look at their own.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s perfect and doesn’t have a few skeletons in their own closet. I’ve been very open about my alcoholism for example. The difference is, I’m able to use it as an advantage after 20 years of sobriety. I wrote a piece yesterday on my Examiner column about using credit cards responsibly. Personally, I think taking my own experience, good or bad, can be used as a lesson for someone else who might be in the same boat. Of course that’s why so many appreciate what I do here and on my newsletter because I inform and educate those that are willing to grow both personally and professionally. Those that aren’t spend their time as some anonymous screen name on a message board picking apart someone else’s life.

Sad and disappointing to be sure, but that’s the life they choose. The key however is not to give them the same power and control you apparently have on them. Correct it, disarm it, and let it go so you can move on. Those that are able to see the truth for what it is will follow, and those who don’t…

Thanks for sharing.

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Do You ZamZuu?

The 1999 Texas Electric Choice Act, which went into full effect in January 2002, changed the electricity and power industry. In 2005 Rob Snyder committed $1.5 million of his own equity and after clearing a few hurdles with the Texas Public Utilities Commission, Stream Energy had a REP license and company to sell energy to its customers. They began switching customers over to their new energy plan with 40,000 customers by June. In August of that same year, Katrina hit, devastating the area and threatened to do the same with this new emerging MLM.

Even after so many hurdles, Stream made it through its first number of years and today is flying high. If you’ve never heard of Stream Energy, they’re a retail electricity and gas provider in Texas and Georgia. Stream is now the 29th largest private company in the Dallas/Fort Worth area based on revenues of more than $800 million in 2008. Stream’s marketing division, Ignite, has fueled Stream’s growth through what the company calls a “multilevel marketing program.”

There they are…those three little words…”multilevel marketing program” also known by three letters: “MLM”. One would think it was four letters based on the reactions of some extremely overzealous critics. Because YTB is also a “multilevel marketing program”, you’re well aware of how it brings out some real nut cases who for whatever reason feel they need to save everyone from themselves. Some of us have mothers who use to be in in charge of protecting us as children. Apparently mom needs help now that we are grown adults as some try to warn us of the danger surrounding Multilevel Marketing. (I actually asked someone last week if they were my mother.)

Attorneys from Houston’s The Clearman Law Firm have announced a federal class action lawsuit filed last week under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act against Dallas-based Stream Gas & Electric, Ltd., Ignite Holdings, Ltd., their related companies and several affiliated individuals. The press release issued by Clearman looks to be a simple copy and paste from the pages of Wikipedia or Scam.com.

“Some of the individuals at the top of the Stream and Ignite pyramid earn millions of dollar a year, while most of those that are now joining the scheme will likely never recover their investment,” says Scott Clearman of The Clearman Law Firm, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “Stream promises recruits that they can make vast sums of money, but the fact is that most will lose their money.”

Nothing new there. It’s the same line we’ve heard for years from a select few who are too stupid or too lazy to figure out that companies like Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, Fuller Brush, Amway, NuSkin, Primerica, and Pre-Paid Legal have been operating as an MLM for far longer than this myth about running out of people has been pitched. None of the listed companies have hit this invisible bottom few claim to be inevitable.

I absolutely LOVED the response from Rob Snyder that I found which points directly to the ignorance we find surrounding the MLM model.

The fact that the Texas Attorney General’s office has previously confirmed the legitimacy of Stream Energy’s network marketing effort speaks volumes to the veracity of Mr. Clearman’s assertions. Moreover, the further reality that Stream Energy serves as a Provider of Last Resort as requested by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas also attests as to Stream Energy’s standing and repute within the state’s deregulated retail electricity market.

Simply put, the direct selling models used by firms such as Mary Kay and Stream Energy have been repeatedly found to be unquestionably legal. And, unfortunately, it seems these days that any clown with a bow tie can file a lawsuit on behalf of a purported class of injured parties.

We look forward to seeing Mr. Clearman in court.

While I’ve yet fully investigated this situation I suspect there are a few Reps with Ignite who were unsuccessful in obtaining customers in the first couple of weeks. Instead of improving themselves with knowledge, sales skills, or self-confidence, it was easier to find an Attorney who could file a law suit on their behalf so they could play the role of victim.

I actually know a couple of people who are with Ignite and have been asked to become a Rep and/or a customer of the company. While I did take a look, both the program and product didn’t tickle me the way a cruise would. Energy, like phones, cable (or satellite), and internet service are commodities that most everyone uses and I’m sure there is money to be made in all of these areas. Personally, I’ve always gone after things that I have a passion for. (Trust me, it helps in the sales process.) Entrepreneurship however, does solve a problem with a solution. The timing was right back in 2005 for Ignite to capitalize on a market shift after the deregulation of power and many made money with this MLM.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston alleges that Stream and Ignite induced the plaintiffs and others to invest in the “Ignite Services Program” at a cost of $329 and purchase an “Ignite Homesite” web page for a charge of $29 per month. The lawsuit claims that a large portion of the $329 is paid to those higher in the pyramid.

I found another article while researching and invite you to read what it took to start Stream Energy. (Found in the middle of the article in Arial font.) The millions of dollars invested to start and maintain a power company makes $329 and $29 per month literally chump change. We’re not even talking about the monthly overhead and lapse in time between being charged for the power used and when the customer actually pays (if they pay) their bill. But because the company uses “multilevel marketing” with thousands of independent representatives who now have a legitimate power company they can invest in and sell power through, (which in turn generates revenue for the investor), it’s a raw deal.

The way I see it the raw deal here are the idiots who think they need to save you from yourself instead of educating and training you to become self-sufficient. Like I said, I’m not a part of Ignite or Stream Energy, but I would place very good odds that this company’s focus is empowerment (pun intended) not some bogus pitch that you don’t have what it takes.

It will be interesting to see how all this unfolds. But like we’ve seen with YTB over the last year, we know that these types of allegations (and that’s all they are at this point) take time to reveal the truth. At this point, I can’t predict the future for Ignite or Stream. My hope is however, it will serve as a notice to others who can’t get past their own fears and self-imposed limitations that multilevel marketing is not only here to stay, but a legitimate business model.

All the best to Mr. Snyder, the Corporate Heads of the company, the independent representatives of Ignite and the customers of Stream Energy.

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Do You ZamZuu?

Looks like the move over to the OTC-BB didn’t take very long. As of Monday, YTBLA.OB became the new ticker symbol for our Class A Common Stock.

I told you that some critics would be yammering that this was no big deal, or something is STILL fishy and like a book, I found many of the watering holes attempting to discredit what just happened. I even paid a visit to an old board that I grew tired of just to see how some of the old favorite Anti-YTB Zealots would try to spin all this.

True to form, I found one of the most obnoxious and outspoken critics of YTB steeling bandwidth over on Scam.com. I’ve mention this Zealot before. Or should I make that plural? I’m not sure, because this same cat went by the name of MJ363 before he was officially shown the error of his ways last summer and sent packing, only to come back as ChrisN to start his whole “YTB looks like a pyramid” theory all over again.

My guess is that because he could never find anyone who would agree with him as MJ363, he decided to create an alias of ChrisN to make it look like somebody actually agreed with what he was yammering about.

Apparently, YTB managed to slide under the radar of the SEC once again, and the argument is that if the Government would actually look at our Financials we’d be found to be an illegal pyramid scheme.

We’ve been doing this for years and the frustration is that even with all the attention and mud they try to throw up on the internet, the Government is just being slow to catch on. To be honest, I can appreciate that particular theory, but there are instances when it just gets a little too obvious that someone had to have looked at our financial picture and put two and two together the way these Anti-MLM Zealots have.

One of the favorite pieces, that got thrown up all the time, but don’t see much of any more is a Los Angeles BBB report from July 2005 which stated that they believe YTB to be an illegal pyramid. Many confused the BBB as an actual Government entity, and claims that YTB’s days were numbered were running all over the internet. One of the most popular threads that remain on the front page of Scam.com was started on July 14th, 2005. While pyramid theories are still going strong after more than 89 pages of banter and 3500 posts, YTB is still here.

Two years ago, they also came close in July of 2006, when the Attorney General in Florida opened up an “investigation” concerning one of our top producers. It was truly the first sign for them that the Government was finally catching on and our days were numbered. By November, YTB was told that the corporate entity had been cleared, and the investigation was closed concerning our Top Producer without any Civil or Criminal case ever being filed.

If we fast forward to Monday, April 21st, we find that someone of authority gave the all clear to upgrade our company listing from YTBLA.PK to YTBLA.OB. Last I checked the SEC is a Government entity, but apparently we’re back to having YTB slip through the cracks of obvious illegal activity once again, and questions are still swirling concerning inaccurate accounting practices, and questionable “Pump and Dump” by Directors in our company.

And yes, I have been told both here and on various forums that my post on Friday is nothing more than an “opinion” and I have no proof that the FIRNA Member YTB filed with even looked at the forms and paperwork in order to grant this move from Pink Sheets over to the OTC. For some, there are still questions and concerns that have been unanswered, and the frustration for them seems to be mounting, especially after yesterday’s development.

It’s my belief that part of that frustration may stem from the fact that many of the Critics used Yahoo link too, and while there have been years and years of messages, press releases, and financials tied to YTBLA.PK on Yahoo, none of them are working as of Monday morning. Now, when anyone finds a link or thread attempting to provide documentation to what they are talking about, they’ll find a dead link. All those years of posts and links just gone.

I was with my Second Level Director last night, and during the Opportunity Presentation he mentioned something that just made me laugh. With all the attention YTB has been getting these days, all the moves that are analyzed and scrutinized to death, when do you think the Critics might begin to simply tire of all the meaningless activity and just accept the fact that YTB is here to stay?

I guess you’ll have to ask them, but I got to warn you, don’t hold your breath for any answer. YTB is already in it’s 8th year of existence, and while we have only just started to expand Internationally to Canada, Bahamas, and Bermuda, and the OTC-BB listing is only the first step to moving to a National Exchange, some still want to hang on to unanswered questions in a feeble attempts to slow this company down.

All part of the FEAR tactics of the Anti-MLM crowd. Problem is that some are starting to figure out that FEAR is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real. Much like Royal Caribbean didn’t produce the onslaught of suppliers pulling the plug, and IATA didn’t stop us from selling, booking, or obtaining commissions on those bookings, now we find that the Pink Sheets didn’t destroy the company either.

One last note before I move on with my day.

I’m pleased to see that either nobody is reading, or that it simply doesn’t seem to matter one iota to any of us in YTB that John Frenaye totally missed the fact that YTB Cars now has an Authorized Dealer in Florida for YTB Cars program on Monday. (It’s archived in the Biz Report in your back office for 4/18/08)

I remember the days when this oversight would have produced quite a stir because John missed the mark, once again. Now it appears that like me, nobody really cares what this “Critic” pumps. Like RCCL, IATA, and the OTC listing, the truth eventually comes to light, and there’s really very little anyone can do to help educate those that already know all they need to know.

Those of you who are subscribed to my free Newsletter are free to find an archived call on March 13th, and listen in on how this program is moving forward and expanding. (Just click the archived calls on my weekly newsletter.) If you’re not part of this Newsletter and are part of YTB, you’re more than welcome to sign up, it’s free and full
of information about all that’s new with YTB. I have all the Newsletters archived through RSS.

I can promise you, it’s going to be a lot more worthwhile than reading any Anti-MLM or Anti-YTB dribble that quickly proving to be nothing more than a bunch of hot air.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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