We remember, not long ago, when Wal-Mart collected more negativeheadlines than Kobe Bryant hit fade-away jump shots.Towns didn'twant the retailer to open a store in its borders. The companytreated its employees like dirt. It was destroying the environment.Mom and pop stores were being laid to waste by Wal-Mart'sexpansion. There were countless critics and a well-publicizeddocumentary wasreleased.Sure, the largest retailer in the world stillhas its detractors, especially some blogs in particular.But we have certainly noticed a decrease in this negativity.Arecent New York Times articlesheds some light on this development. Apparently two anti-Wal-Martgroups, Wal-MartWatch and WakeUpWalMart.com are scalingback their operations and making more of an effort to work with theretail giant in changing its practices instead of going tobattle.It seems like Wal-Mart has done a lot on the publicrelations end. And in regards to the environment, many green-mindedprofessionals we've spoken with surprisingly point to the chain asbeing a trailblazer in sustainability.Have you noticed a drop inthe criticism of Wal-Mart? And if so, what do you think is drivingit? Or is this only a temporary lull that will be followed by moreintense criticism of the company, for whatever reason?