# Blackwater Changes its Name **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2009, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763 "2009-02-14T00:02:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/21 "2009-02-14T02:51:19Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Call it a “Cerebral Air Kitten” and people will find it much more palatable. Earlier tonight in another thread I posted a link to a pick of [me and my sea kitten](http://my.tbaytel.net/culpeper/ShipsCat.html) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10825125#post10825125](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10825125#post10825125) Perhaps Blackwater should have renamed itself Safety Kitten. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/22 "2009-02-14T03:06:07Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Prince, Nike, now Backwater. You forgot Philip Morris [Altria]. ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/23 "2009-02-14T06:13:24Z")
Instead of thinking of malaria, hemolysis, and kidney failure, I’ll now think of a noble gas when I hear their name. [Xe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon) ---
**Author:** ![AllWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@AllWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllWalker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/24 "2009-02-14T06:38:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Blackwater said Friday it will no longer operate under the name that came to be known worldwide as a caustic moniker for private security, dropping the tarnished brand for a disarming and simple identity: Xe, which is pronounced like the letter “z.” The letter “z”? You mean Xe is pronounced _zed_?! Don’t assume we all pronounce the letter like you, you American fuckbags! Oh sorry. That’s… not what this pitting is about, is it? _clears throat_ Carry on. Please. I’ll just… _sneaks off_ ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/25 "2009-02-14T06:46:07Z")
I was disappointed when CBC cancelled [Zed](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460387/). I miss access to cutting edge shorts, music, etc. I don’t think that Blackwater, however it is re-labeled, will ever be able to replace Zed. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/26 "2009-02-14T06:58:18Z")
I think it’s a little late in the game for them to be trying to hide behind an alias. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/27 "2009-02-14T07:02:53Z")
> [@AllWalker](#): > > The letter “z”? You mean Xe is pronounced _zed_?! Don’t assume we all pronounce the letter like you, you American fuckbags! > > Oh sorry. That’s… not what this pitting is about, is it? > > _clears throat_ Carry on. Please. I’ll just… > > _sneaks off_ _Cough_SamepointImadeinpost#13_Cough_ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/28 "2009-02-14T07:15:50Z")
I’m so glad they’re getting out of the business of providing security personnel and focusing on their core mission of training civilians, police officer, and military… oh, good God. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/29 "2009-02-14T07:50:51Z")
How about [Springshield](http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/SpringShield)? ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/30 "2009-02-14T09:05:54Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > “Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy.” > > - Niccolo Machiavelli Nice quote! Haven’t seen that one before. (It’s been years since I read The Prince, if that’s the source.) ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/31 "2009-02-14T14:40:01Z")
Slightly off topic, but Blackwater is not alone in embracing ‘change’ at this time: [Leaders often identified with the Religious Right want journalists and academics to lay the term to rest.](http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/februaryweb-only/106-42.0.html) > [@](#): > > “Terms like ‘Religious Right’ have been traditionally used in a pejorative way to suggest extremism,” Schneeberger said. “The phrase ‘socially conservative evangelicals’ is not very exciting, but that’s certainly the way to do it.” ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/32 "2009-02-14T15:12:54Z")
Wow, imagine that. Somehow the Religious Right has become associated with extremism. How could this have happened. Unfortunately for the social conservative evangelicals (SConEs?), the term ‘conservative’ has also lost a lot of its luster over the last several years, for some mysterious reason. I therefore humbly propose the alternate name “Jesus Kittens.” Just remember, you need to clear it with the mods first or you’ll be banned for sock puppetry. _Ol’ Blackwater, keep on rollin’…_ ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/33 "2009-02-14T15:20:27Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Slightly off topic, but Blackwater is not alone in embracing ‘change’ at this time: > > [Leaders often identified with the Religious Right want journalists and academics to lay the term to rest.](http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/februaryweb-only/106-42.0.html) That’s a hoot! Both “socially conservative” and “evangelical” are already tainted terms. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/34 "2009-02-14T15:26:00Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > I therefore humbly propose the alternate name “Jesus Kittens.” I used that term a few years ago. A stray cat passed out on my fire escape deck. It was still marginally alive, so I brought it inside to let it lie in peace rather than under the hot sun. It lived. After a couple of days it started walking about. A few nights later I was woken by the cat giving birth on my head. “JESUS, KITTENS!” exclaimed I. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/35 "2009-02-14T15:50:51Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > I used that term a few years ago. > > A stray cat passed out on my fire escape deck. It was still marginally alive, so I brought it inside to let it lie in peace rather than under the hot sun. > > It lived. After a couple of days it started walking about. > > A few nights later I was woken by the cat giving birth on my head. > > “JESUS, KITTENS!” exclaimed I. Still, wasn’t that much better than having a stray socially conservative evangelical give birth on your head? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/36 "2009-02-14T15:59:29Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > Still, wasn’t that much better than having a stray socially conservative evangelical give birth on your head? Can’t . . . stop . . . . laughing . . .! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/37 "2009-02-14T16:13:56Z")
I want to take this occasion to express my vigorous and unflinching support for programs to spay and neuter stray socially conservative evangelicals. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/38 "2009-02-14T16:18:57Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I want to take this occasion to express my vigorous and unflinching support for programs to spay and neuter stray socially conservative evangelicals. You guys are killing me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/39 "2009-02-14T16:19:42Z")
> [@Sebastienne](#): > > As a (civilian) sailor, I was always rather amused by the name “Blackwater.” I mean under certain circumstances it is a substance that inspires much fear indeed, but definitely not something I’d find inspirational to rally under. Explain, please. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763/40 "2009-02-14T16:24:40Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Explain, please. I assume he refers to the sewage of a ship, called blackwater. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blackwater-changes-its-name/485763.md?page=3)