It wasn't intended as a cheap shot. If you (and others) really, truly believe that the first (or second, etc.) batch of NEAs is really "top tier" material, well - far be it for me to convince you otherwise. Warranty aside, I think their track record with respect to quality control can attest for itself.
Maybe NEA will finally get their act together. Only time will tell... It's interesting to note that their "2nd generation" NEAs will feature a lot of the suggestions (mil-spec tubes, better LPKs, QD mounts, etc.) that quite a few of us suggested. Suggestions, I might add, that were casually dismissed out-of-hand as "unimportant or insignificant to their main customer base".
For those of you who do own a problematic NEA, I hope you're able to resolve any issues expeditiously and without incident. And for those of you running a relatively problem-free NEA - all the best!
PS. You have to admit that the 'headquarters' thing was pretty funny.