Now, Blackwater is attempting to purify their tarnished image by changing their official name to “Xe” and using the good name of Southwestern Community College to act like just another educational institution, which they are not.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed to by the governing board in Feb, 2009, allowed students to use the XBW shooting range, ostensibly for free, but then proceeded to provide that XBW would be reimbursed, that XBW would have access to on-campus conference rooms (apparently for mercenary recruiting) and imposed a “gag-order” on the Board of Governors, forcing approval of their statements by XBW in writing, among other problems.
On March 11, the Board reconsidered the MOU but voted to leave it in place and instead just renegotiate the many questionable provisions. Although an improvement, the college should STAY AWAY from BLACKWATER! (Four federal cases will be heard in San Diego later this year on their murderous behavior in Iraq.)
THIS AGREEMENT MUST BE STOPPED! We must say loud and clear that Blackwater-Xe cannot use our community colleges to purify their bad reputation.
PROTEST PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING. Bring Signs, etc. THEN COMMENT DURING THE MEETING at 7pm. ARRIVE EARLY TO GET A SEAT.
Southwestern Community College will have a revised Memorandum of Understanding on the ballot for the meeting THIS WEEK at Southwestern College (Wednesday, 5/13). Please review the new agreement.
http://www.copswiki.org/w/bin/view/Common/M781
We want this REVOKED. Even if you love the idea, the agreement still has some problems, as follows:
1. Allows Blackwater-Xe to promote that it has this agreement with Southwestern College to purify its reputation. It should have a provision stating that XBW will not be allowed to include any reference to the agreement in any promotional material, on its web site, etc. We note that it now calling itself "U.S. Training Center, Southwest" to hide from the past and to muddy the water between the college and themselves, in a further attempt to look like an educational institution.
2. Allows Blackwater operatives to make presentations to the staff, and possibly to students. The schedule is "to be determined" but we want it determined now.
3. Use has been expanded from shooting range to using classrooms and mat area, and perhaps using the "kill house". These uses are not stated in the justification for the agreement.
4. The college should be able to terminate AT WILL. Why is 4 months required?
5. (New one) Restricts access to the facility so that observers can't find out what they are doing inside. Must have the ability for citizens to provide healthy oversight of this situation. What are they afraid of?
Please take a look and let me know if you see any other issues.
PLEASE PLAN to attend this meeting. It will be held at the main Board room (Room 214) on the main campus of Southwestern College. WE NEED FULL DEPLOYMENT!
Stop Blackwater Protest/Comment at Southwestern College. (6:30pm) Put a stop to agreement between SWC and Blackwater to allow the firm to use on-campus conference rooms for mercenary recruiting. After the rally, attend Governing Board meeting at 7pm in Room 214. The college is located at 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Info: 619-820-5321 See: Blackwater In Southwestern College for background.
-- --------------------------------------- Raymond Lutz, Coordinator Citizens' Oversight Projects (COPs) 1265 Avocado Blvd, Suite 104 (#335) El Cajon (San Diego Cty), CA 92020 USA Voice 619-820-5321 http//www.CitizensOversight.org
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