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Blackwater Is Dead! Long Live ... Xe?
This should do the trick.
Blackwater Worldwide, the contractor that emerged over the last few years as Exhibit A for ugly Americans in Iraq, has decided that the best response is to ... change its name.
And check out the name they picked: "Xe." (Apparently it's pronounced like the letter 'Z.' Raising the question: Why not just call it "Z"?)
They've also renamed Blackwater Lodge & Training Center, the subsidiary that does much of their controversial overseas operations. It's now the "U.S. Training Center Inc." (Which doesn't exactly mesh with "Xe," but whatever.)
According to the Associated Press, Blackwater (or should we say "Xe"?) president Gary Jackson said in a memo to employees, announcing the changes, that they reflect a shift in the company's focus away from private security and toward operating training facilities around the world.
You can see how "Xe" would be the obvious name to reflect such a shift.
It's not hard to guess why Blackwater (or wait, Xe) wants to get out of the private security business. In 2007, Blackwater guards opened fire in a Baghdad square, killing 17 Iraqis. Five ex-Blackwater guards were charged with voluntary manslaughter and are awaiting trial.
And recently, thanks largely to that incident and other cases where Blackwater has been accused of using excessive force, the Iraqi government declined to renew the company's contract to operate in the country. Soon after, the State Department announced that, in any case, it wouldn't renew Blackwater's contract to operate in Iraq.
No word yet on whether Iraq and State will reconsider now that that the company is called "Xe."
Josh
Zachary
It seems like if you're going to change names to rehabilitate your image, you might want to pick a name that doesn't sound like the evil conspiracy corporation from a bad spy movie.
February 13, 2009 5:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, I have to give them credit for picking a very smart name for thier goals: being recognizable and known within military circles, while remaining under the radar of the general public and difficult to transmit useful information online.
XE. It's like a codeword. Difficult to pronounce correctly. It requires explanation from one person to another. It's Google unfriendly.
"U.S. Training Center " is totally meaningless out of context. Google searches are useless.
All of which is great, if you're avoiding public awareness of future operations.
February 13, 2009 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is a very interesting angle, something I wouldn't have thought of, and something I wouldn't put past Prince & Co. And it is going to be important to keep tabs on these mercenary thugs.
And it is Google-unfriendly. (I just tried.) Smart people need to start thinking of ways around this.
February 14, 2009 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn. We have a Preview button (which I didn't use -- stupid) but no Edit button.
Let's try that again.
That is a very interesting angle, something I wouldn't have thought of, and something I wouldn't put past Prince & Co. And it is going to be important to keep tabs on these mercenary thugs.
And it is Google-unfriendly. (I just tried.) Smart people need to start thinking of ways around this.
February 14, 2009 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
All conversations on the subject need to refer to Blackwater/Xe as "the armed wing of the Republican Party/GOP." Likewise, we may need to refer to the Republican Party/GOP as "the political wing of Blackwater/Xe."
As Pete Sessions hisownself puts it, his party is the Taliban. I had always prefered to compare them to Hezbollah, but the Taliban will do.
February 15, 2009 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
You mean like the School of the Americas changing its name to Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC)? One great democracy crushing organization; two great names.
February 15, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just hope reporters keep reminding people that they used to be called blackwater, so that the wealth of information on these creeps on the interwebs does not go down the memory hole
February 13, 2009 5:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not getting my hopes up. When Premier Election Solutions gets into the news I very rarely see reporters pointing out that they were formerly known as (and are still owned by) Diebold...
February 13, 2009 6:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, exactly. If Orwell updated 1984 to 2009, all the nasty groups would have obscure names difficult to Google.
February 13, 2009 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
So they'll be known as "The Firm Formerly Known as Blackwater." Like Prince. Except that the little weenie who owns the firm is actually named Prince. They must be related. Its a family joke. More than they know.
February 13, 2009 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
As my wife is a former Minneapolis native who has seen Prince live, I must add that Prince is the singer's first name. His full name is Prince Rogers Nelson. Thankfully, the Mighty Funky Purple One is no relation to Mr. Blackwater.
February 13, 2009 5:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cockroaches always run faster when someone sheds light on them.
February 13, 2009 5:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Xe"... hmmmmm....
If the name is derived from Nahuatl, it would be pronouced "She". Probably not the connotation they were going for.
February 13, 2009 5:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's "Xe" as in "Xenophobe"
February 17, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Among recreational vehicles, graywater comes from the kitchen sink, and blackwater from the toilet.
February 13, 2009 6:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
In Chinese, using the pin-yin romanization, it would be pronoucned like "sheh", rimes with "che" except the 'x' sounds is a bit 'sharper' then the 'sh' sound.
February 13, 2009 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I see they rejected my suggestion for a new name:
Chthulhu
February 13, 2009 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
How many ways are needed to pronounce "criminal private military operation"?
Blackwater found one more.....
Rhetorical Q, I know...but why aren't these yahoos in jail yet?
February 13, 2009 6:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
If there is any location in the United States that deserves sustained aerial bombardment for several days, it is the Blackwater compound.
February 13, 2009 6:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
No doubt that Black Water would rather change the meaning of every word in the English language than take responsibility for it's actions. Accountability is for suckers, and these guys ain't gonna take the fall.
Didn't Phillip Morris change it's name to Altria for pretty much the same reasons? Now they can say we're an entirely different company, and we disavow any past actions by that *other* company. So you can't sue us.
These guys are Cheney and Rummy's BFFs. How's Obama doing at reining them in?
February 13, 2009 7:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Xe is just about right. It goes right along with his Blue Steel.
February 13, 2009 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Xe? Xe? But I suggested Amor de Muerte, and co-opting the Grateful Dead logo. So much for my marketing savvy.
February 13, 2009 8:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I heard someone on the radio say that "Xe" is the symbol for the element Xeon. "...A colorless, heavy, odorless noble gas.."
They certainly want to become colorless after having been bloody red for so long. Not sure how heavy fits in, but odorless sounds good after the stench of scandal after scandal which Bush and Republican congress kept a lid on.
February 13, 2009 9:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Remember that "control" + "z" on the keyboard erases your last action; perhaps Blackwater wishes to simply erase their history and begin anew. I hope Iraq and the world won't let them.
February 13, 2009 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Xe? So that's like Che? Like Guevara? Wasn't he a dirty stinking pinko?
Let the meme commence.
February 13, 2009 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the deal with Berlin circa 1938 haircut?
February 13, 2009 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
His wife likes it. "Oh, invade me, Eric. Sieg ... heil. Xe. Xe."
February 14, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe they are using Chinese words because their true purpose is to create and support a one-party system like China? At the end of the day, with all the industrialization and commercialization of China, the sole remaining difference between China and the US political system is that they have one politcal party and we have two, for as long as it lasts.
February 14, 2009 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to see that reactionary Chrisrofacist, Erik Prince, in "Xe" federal prison at Leavenworth, busting rocks.
February 14, 2009 3:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
So basically they share a common delusion with their wholly owned subsidiary, the Republican Party: "its not the product, its the branding."
(Umm, and for the record, I became "formerly known as" because my original moniker was eaten by the last commenting system upgrade.)
February 14, 2009 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Does anyone know of a website that keeps a list of all the companies that change their names to try to distance themselves from their bad image?
February 14, 2009 10:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well in Greek iconography "XE" or "XC" is a common abbreviation for Christ. IE|XE NI|KA written above and below on the Greek cross means "Jesus (IE) Christ (XE) conquers (NIKA). Who knows if this the real meaning but American fundamentalist Christians see themselves as returning to the true practice of Christianity before it was perverted by the churchmen. They have adopted many ancient and now obscure Christian symbols like the Christian fish to reflect their fidelity with ancient Christianity and their status as persecuted saints in pagan society.
February 14, 2009 10:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very interesting, thanks for posting. And of course Prince is a real mucky muck in Corporate Christian Fundamentalist circles with his father founding the Family Research Council, being close to James Dobson, and knowing many prominent Republicans.
February 16, 2009 12:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Contractors?? These are mercenaries who owe their allegiance not to the U.S., but to their right-wing, fundamentalist Christian political masters. This remains true no matter what their corporate name is.
They are the epitome of twisted values that the Bush team stained America with. They should be outlawed and disbanded.
February 14, 2009 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Xe - sounds like Xena's warrior band.
"My Xe's attack the fortress on my command."
"As you command Princess Xena."
Unfortunately the Xe's of today have automatic weapons.
February 14, 2009 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I run a business that is very joint venture heavy, and I learned long ago that it is not the company or its name with whom you do business, it the people running it and doing the work. Hopefully, governments around the world see it that way also.
Aside from the name issue, I have always been extremely distressed about the fact we employ mercenaries. This great nation should never have the need to do that. I know somewhere, Mr. Prince knows somebody (perhaps Cheney?-don't know myself) who thinks the US Treasury is their own private stash to enrich their friends, regardless of how inappropriate a particular thing may be.
I thought that the State Department had its own Security Service (DSS) to provide "security" for our diplomats. WTF is the State Department doing hiring mercenaries for its security!
Does anyone know if it was Secretary Powell or Secretary Rice that hired Murder, Inc., Sorry, Blackwater, Oops, XE?
One last thought, why the F are we allowing a mercenary training camp anywhere on US soil. That could sure look like we are sponsoring terrorists to the rest of the world, say like we say Libya and Syria with their PLO, IRA, et al training camps!?!
February 14, 2009 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why mercenary training camps on US soil? Neo-cons have been as busy as can be talking up US values but at the same time busy as can be corrupting those very same values vis-a-vis governmental policies that undermine those values. There are mercenary training camps on US soil exactly because the such are corrupting of how Democracy's fight wars and undermine Democratic values. Corruption is part of the neo-con game plan. TPM has done the US a world of benefit by focusing on the corruption issue which is I think a key issue today.
February 14, 2009 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like the idea of using the term "the mercenary company formerly known as Blackwater..."
I mean, there's mucho precedent, doncha know...
Not only do we have Prince for an example, we have our own illustrious NC Steve.
February 14, 2009 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Do these arrogant f••ks think this is a goddamn video game?
Xe?
Really?
I cannot see how this could possibly do anything but reinforce the public perception that these cowboys see Iraq as a big sandbox in which to play war.
February 14, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Raising the question: Why not just call it "Z'"
um, because "Z" is both a leftie magazine and a film by the noted leftist director Costa-Gavras?
February 14, 2009 6:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blackwater Worldwide, Xe, whatever nom de guerre is decided upon they shall always be:
Mercenaries
February 14, 2009 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The element Xe (Xenon) takes it name from the Greek word "xenos," meaning "stranger." I suspect the intent is "A" or "The" Stranger, but "stranger" seems to capture it quite nicely.
February 14, 2009 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, I guess ignorance really is bliss....I'm amazed at how quick people are to judge when they are completely uneducated and far from understanding the day to day complexities that the men & women with organizations like BW face in areas like Iraq. Its true that unfortunate events have occured and tragedy has been laid upon some innocent families. Militaries all over the world are guilty of the same and far worse but I don't see anyone screaming to dimantle them. I don't defend the poor judgement of others but for ignorant people to pass judgment on an organization as a whole based on the poor performance of a few shows just how ignorant the world really is. If you haven't experienced life in a war zone, carried the dead & bloodied bodies of your friends or watched your comrades die trying to protect Local National Civilians, then you should probably STFU. You people are the clueless riders of convienance and inconsistent truths. Thank god you all have the media to keep you abreast of whats real.
February 15, 2009 3:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Its true that unfortunate events have occured and tragedy has been laid"
That's a pretty weak attempt at trivializing what civilized people call war crimes. Using the passive voice doesn't fool anyone, except perhaps your own conscience.
No, most commenters here haven't participated or been complicit in killing-for-hire as employees of a private corporation, an avocation historically known as "mercenaries". Yet along with many of those brave enough to join the US armed forces, we civilians will continue to refuse your disingenuous plea to 'STFU' until the disgrace, dishonor, and destruction wrought by such moral low-lifes in our name and with our dollars is renounced by our elected civil servants.
February 15, 2009 5:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
What's the phrase used here? Co-sign?
Agree with melior. Mistakes were made in WAR's disingenuous but unsurprising post.
February 15, 2009 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your view is exactly the type of editorial comment I am referring to. You have pretty much epitomized my reference to ignorance. "Killing for Hire", yep that pretty much sums up the entire profession of what you call "mercenaries".
Your an idiot and have know idea what you are talking about. You are basing your opinion on a few unfortunate cases that you have heard about or seen in the media. Again it doesn't mean that the institution or profession as a whole is worthless. There are many consumate professionals working in this industry and their presence is essential to the missions they support.
My voice isn't a passive attempt at anything. It's a frank, experienced, and knowledgeable reply to others like yourself that are wholey clueless. The only thing trivial in this editorial is your rebuke of that which you know nothing about. I would have to kindly suggest again that you STFU.
BTW- Many, not all, but many proffesionals in this field are commendable veterans that have proudly served their country, some several times over. Not everyone in this line of work is deserving of your uneducated slanderous comment.
February 16, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
WAR -- Been, done, got the t-shirt. OIF-1 03-04.
The day to day 'complexities' faced by Blackwater and other PMCs are no different than the day to day complexities faced by men and women wearing the uniform of the United States of America.
The difference is that members of the armed forces are, except at the margins, governed by, and accountable to, a transparent set of laws under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Blackwater, the armed guys at DynCorp, and the rest are not.
You're right to suggest that some PMCs are more professional, accountable, and reliable than others; the Ghurkas come to mind.
Blackwater is by and large a bunch of hillbillies without control; their core cadre of former Special Operations personnel was dangerously diluted by the waves of yahoos who were recruited from the back pages of Army Times.
You want to defend Private Military Companies? There's a defense to be made, but pretending that (a) they're no different than anyone else, (b) that "mistakes were made" (always phrased in the passive voice that avoids accountability), and (c) they are not mercenaries doesn't help you make the case.
February 15, 2009 7:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
First let me say thank you for your service. I welcome your debate as an experienced veteran. I would like to point out sir that the A,B,C paragraph at the end of your comment does not at all illustrate my point and further, those words were not used by me in my original comment.
I will say again that I do not defend the poor actions of others. Condemn the actions and the persons accountable, thats reasonable enough. But for individuals in this forum to suggest that all men and women in the private security industry are moraless, souless, killers for hire is utterly absurd. Many of these people were former brothers in arms that proudly served in our nations military. Many of them perform their duties with utmost professionalism and dignity. Some of the programs supported by PSC's are honorable and notable, necessary to our nations democratic goals. They could not complete their missions without the support of companies like BW, DynCorp, etc.
It is entirely reasonable to condemn those directly responsible for their atrocities and cry for a regulatory commision to hold people in this industry accountable; but leave out the general categorization of worthless to describe ALL professionals and organizations in the private security industry.
February 16, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sorry Zach but to answer your first question in the essay, it's because "Z" is not pronounced like it is in the US in most other English speaking countries. (A more cynical answer might mention that Xe is similar to the sound for "Z" in China, a place Blackwater may be hoping to work next.)
February 15, 2009 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
How is "Xe" hard to pronounce? Do you people know how to pronounce "xenon" or "xylophone"?
I don't mind seeing liberals resorting to the same kind of grade school mocking and name calling as the conservatives (hey, it works) but I mind seeing them act as stupid as conservatives.
February 15, 2009 4:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
They aren't naming it plane "Z" because it's pronounced zed in pretty much everywhere but the US. Though I believe the name change is a smart move, seeing as they can't go on with the stain of the Blackwater name, but they could have picked a better name then something that is resembling a company Dr. Evil would put together.
February 16, 2009 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
This rebranding is getting out of hand.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/BTK-Killer-rebrands-deman-by-Jeff-Leon-090214-164.html
February 16, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink