LegendaryLife Blog

If your life was counted using a meter stick, with 0 representing your birth and 100 the year of your death… how much of it would you like to dedicate towards having a job you didn’t love?

I don’t honestly care what people believe as long as it does no harm towards others, they don’t try to brainwash others into believing what they do and mutual respect is observed but I found this video rather interesting… sure, there are many out there like this but so far, this is the clearest.

Although believe only in MYSELF, I rather enjoy watching people with different points of view on a topic and seeing their line of reasoning. The way people convince themselves of things, even to the point of absurdity, reveals just how fragile our minds really are to exterior inputs. I think if we believed more in ourselves before allowing others to mold our conscious and unconscious mind, the better civilization would be.

I saw the debate between Kirk and the evil Athiests a little over a year ago, what amused me was his Photoshop pictures and saying “there is no bullfrog” with a picture half bull, half frog. He’s a funny guy who gets the point across but his push is a little too extreme in my opinion as it isn’t needed.

You either believe or you don’t, end of story. Confusing science (based on facts) and religion (based on beliefs) is never a good thing for either side, regardless of the foundations for your decision.

Are Athiests bad? NO. Are Catholics bad? NO. Are Muslims bad? NO. Are (insert movement) bad? NO. What makes people bad are their actions and the excuse used more often than not lie in their belief structures and the segregation that occurs because of them. Why is there hatred between different movements or groups of people? It’s built into us, we are a tribal people, we enjoy people who share the same customs, rituals and beliefs as us and dislike those that don’t. Sure, there are exceptions, but if you look at history… those who weren’t part of the “in crowd” often get the pointy end of a stick for the benefit of those that are.

I decided to do a little research online regarding my (so far), two cease and desist orders originating from Mannatech’s legal department and guess what, they sent the same identical letter to others as well! Each time, to people who disprove or question the validity for their sales people’s claims that their products cure diseases and illness. Same situation, the blogger writes that their products are essentially a scam, a Mannatech representative says the opposite and voila, Mannatech’s legal department springs into action against, no, not the Mannatech representative telling their lies but the person who put into question their products. I am seeing a pattern here.

Background story regarding my joy of Mannatech here:

• Mannatech cease and desist… again!
• Mannatech sends me a cease and desist
• Mannatech: Overpriced Sugar Pills
• Mannatech Strikes again with Holy Water!
• Herbal Remedies’ aren’t without risks

First question, am I legally liable for comments posted on my blog?

Technically you are not liable for blog comments/forum posts on your site posted by others. You are responsible and liable for comments that you make, but it is very difficult to prosecute or pursue, primarily because of jurisdiction. The Internet is global and there is not one single governing force. Not only is the location of the blogger/poster a factor but the  location of the web host and the laws that govern their locations are a factor.

Source: http://businesscommunicationblog.com/newsletters/?p=43981

Makes sense… I agree Mannatech is barking-up the wrong tree, their threats are as empty as their distributor’s promises.

Where Mannatech learned about Cease and Desist letters…

http://www.rickross.com/reference/mannatech/mannatech49.html

Now I know where the idea for Cease and Desist Orders comes from… the SEC! It seems that the seeds they have sowed all these years are finally starting to sprout weeds!

Mannatech’s SEC problems are on top of a complaint filed by the Texas attorney general’s office last year. In July 2007, the attorney general filed a lawsuit accusing Mannatech of exaggerating the therapeutic benefits of its products for people with cancer, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and other serious conditions. That suit is pending in Travis County District Court. Mannatech CEO Wayne Badovinus acknowledged last quarter that dealing with the attorney general’s complaint, as well as related shareholder lawsuits, was taking a financial toll on the company.

This is starting to make sense, they are covering their ass as much as possible with these legal orders as they face an increasing amount of lawsuits based on the practices of their distribution channel.

Deja vue?

Here is a great link to somebody who had exactly the same situation happen to them! Mannatech lawyers go after him instead of commentators working for Mannatech and accuse him of something he never did! I sent his response to Mannatech as well, it’s fantastic! Peter’s response is a very good read – well worth it!

I thought I had made this clear last year when I received a similar complaint from you. I do wish that you would actually take the time to read the page you are complaining about, but just in case you can’t do that I will reiterate what I said last time (and which appears on that page).

At no place on my site do I state, suggest or imply that Mannatech nutritional products prevent, treat or cure disease, or state, suggest or imply that Mannatech nutritional products are a substitute for a doctor’s standard of care. I would not do either of these things because I do not believe that such statements would be true. I do not care what Mannatech’s policies are with regard to such statements because I am not a Mannatech distributor.

Before you write to me again with complaints about things I do not do please try to read my clearly expressed opinions about Mannatech. You only make yourself look foolish by displaying a total lack of comprehension.

Again, I would like to thank you for implicitly informing me that Mannatech products have no role in the prevention, treatment or cure of any disease and that they do not provide an alternative to professional medical care. I will cite this to Mannatech distributors who contact me with anecdotes suggesting otherwise.

As is my usual policy, your email and this reply will be published on my web site.

I have a wish

I wish that Mannatech would spend a few million dollars and perform a clinical, double-blind study relating the the effectiveness of their products… so far, they have a legal department that is unable to comprehend their mother tongue and sales people who must believe their own lies in order to sustain their financial health. I see nothing positive nor progressive coming out of Mannatech. Please perform this completely unbiased study so you can implode.

Here is a fantastic article by ABCNews, Cure for Your Disease or Empty Promises?

The Bottom Line

You reap what you sow.

Apparently Mannatech’s lawyers still do not know how to read English, think that their web compliance policy applies internet-wide and freedom of speech is as worthless as their own products . I wrote repeatedly that Mannatech’s products have never been proven to work but Mannatech’s own sales people write that it cures everything known to man. They go after the guy speaking the truth in order to maintain their web of lies.

I wrote about Mannatech previously here…

• Mannatech sends me a cease and desist
• Mannatech: Overpriced Sugar Pills
• Mannatech Strikes again with Holy Water!
• Herbal Remedies’ aren’t without risks

Now, let me prove my point, first a little background, this is not me but outlines how Mannatech works.

• Using the term nutraceutical implies that the product has a demonstrated physiological benefit or provide protection against a chronic disease without having to PROVE nor back-up this statement with fact (in other words, it’s marketing BS). Demonstrated isn’t fact, it’s a very subjective and “blurry” word.
• Mannatech’s products are sold around the world, they are A BIG COMPANY
• Mannatech is a MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) company, not a pharmaceutical one
• Sales people only profit by recruiting others to sell their products, something that sales people selling REAL health products such as drugs wouldn’t be able to do unless they had a license and education to back them up.
• 90% of the distributors in a MLM scam leave within the first 90 days

Interesting video huh? Here is what happens, one person says something bad about the company

(from fotwunny (1 month ago))

my mother got involved with this crap!…it’s insane…It was all she talked about for about 2 years..she thought she was going to be making 6 figures while doing something good…..she ran herself ragged and made nothing after expenses

… and you guessed it, somebody from Mannatech says that it cures diseases etc.

Alright, let’s hear from a Mannatech distributor

• She has seen the Mannatech fallout after Texas Attorney General and ABC News Interview about how much bullshit Mannatech’s sales people where shoveling in the name of religion in order to sell their products, promising that it would cure AIDS, Cancer and everything else under the sun
• “The rules have changed, this can happen to any company.” What she doesn’t say is that you cannot make a health claim without backing it up with FACTS which Mannatech hasn’t been able to do. They were also caught red handed lying to sell their products, so yes, if you run a company based on lies, I sure as hell hope that the government cracks down onto you!
• “Don’t lead with the company, don’t lead with the product, lead with yourself”… so in other words, put your own reputation on the line because Mannatech’s products can’t hold water (Tensa Water no less) on their own, no scientific data, no scientific work, just a MLM scheme that works on ignorance and greed.
• “People don’t buy companies or the product until they buy you”, I sure hope she doesn’t work for Nike, Fiat or any other company out there. When the company you stand behind has no value and depends on YOUR PERSONAL VALUE for a sale, you know you are in big trouble!
• I completely tuned-out after 4 minutes of her babble filled with MLM and “get rich quick” keywords

Now, let’s look at the comments

5/5/2009

TO: Jonathan

RE: Impermissible Use of Health Claims Attributed to Mannatech Products

http://blog.legendarylife.com/mannatech-strikes-again-with-holy-water/comment-page-1

Dear Jonathan:

This is a final reminder concerning a critical issue about your website which
requires your immediate attention. We have previously asked you to permanently
remove any statements which are or could be construed to be unauthorized health
claims. The statements made on your website are contrary to Mannatech policy.

Demand is hereby made that you immediately remove from your website any
statement or reference which (i) states, suggests or implies that Mannatech
nutritional products prevent, treat or cure disease, (ii) states, suggests or
implies that Mannatech nutritional products are a substitute for a doctor?s
standard of care, and/or (iii) is in any manner in contradiction with
Mannatech?s existing policies and procedures. Demand is further made that you
refrain from engaging in this activity in the future.

If you have not already done so, you have three (3) days from the receipt of
this letter to send the undersigned written confirmation stating such statements
and/or references have been removed from your website and that you will refrain
from engaging in this activity in the future.

This issue is very important to us, and we are sure you understand our
concerns. We are monitoring your website, and failure to fully comply may result
in legal and compliance action up to and including litigation in which Mannatech
will seek injunctive relief, damages, attorney?s fees and costs as allowable
under Texas law. Mannatech will undertake all actions necessary to secure your
compliance.

We thank you for your assistance if you have already complied with this
demand. If you have yet to fully comply, please take advantage of this final
opportunity to comply and avoid further action being taken by Mannatech.

Nothing herein shall be construed as a waiver of any rights Mannatech has at law
or in equity, all of which are expressly reserved.

Your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Mannatech Legal, Ethics & Compliance Department

I just watched this and I can’t help but think of zombie movies. If a virulent form of the H1N1 flu strikes, buy lots of ammo and a shovel as the government will stick its head in the sand (protecting itself of course) and everybody else around you will freak-out and die in short order. Societies around the world fall one by one over the course of a year or two as wave after wave goes around the world. Masks don’t work against viruses unless you know how to put one one and take it off properly.

Not a nice picture is it, ah well, time for a trip to the local hardware store, I hear they have a big discount on shovels! Alternatively, you can build a log cabin in the bush and stay there the rest of your life, hoping the duck you eat doesn’t get infected and caught its last breath onto you.

Here is a possible solution to confirm your upcoming bout with mortality… It’s always nice to know ahead of time that you are about to die and there is nothing you can do about it right?

Before you pre-emptively go out there on a binge of population control, there is some hope.

Fell all better? Yes? No? Well, that’s life… it will end one day, it isn’t a choice. Time to live everyday as if it was your last and stop procrastinating!

The Bottom Line

Life is precious, appreciate it!