[Peace will be here soon]

I don`t think this is about tires. Firestone makes tires, yes, but they have a rubber division as well.

The companies official name is : The Firstone Tire AND RUBBER CO.

Not taking sides on this lawsuit though. I`ll wait for more details.

[Cleburne]

Natural rubber still makes up a significant market, though it is obviously much less than synthetic.

Do a Google search on the Firestone Plantation: it is apparently the largest farm in the world- I'm guessing by the number of people employed, which is around 20,000. That number is down from what it once was. It is the second largest population centre in Liberia, after Monrovia.

I would not be terribly surprised if the allegations are true; nor would I be surprised if they are either fradulant, or, more likely, not as severe. Capitalism is hardly a flawless system, particularly when it is removed from an atmosphere of freedom and more-or-less responisble government.

[Peace will be here soon]

Not sure if that "official" name still exists, its been awhile. I would have to go and look that up. But I`m sure this suit is not about tires.

[IronJack]

Firestone makes tires, yes, but they have a rubber division as well.

I thought about that, but how much natural rubber (latex) is used these days? Can the Natural Rubber Division of Firestone actually account for a significant part of the company's revenues? Sure, latex is used in condoms, and with Bill Clinton still stalking the earth, there will always be SOME demand, but enough to make a whole company?