An employee of Blackwater USA, maker of Barbie and the Nintendo Wii, has curtailed his bid as a Republican for Indiana’s 2nd District House seat, according to the South Bend Tribune. Despite Blackwater’s reputation for heroic feats of derring-do, Chris Minor of Kokomo (he’s from a Beach Boys song??) has recognized that “The vital work of providing intelligence analysis for our country’s diplomatic efforts in Iraq demands my full attention.”

Ex-Army officer drops out of race for Congress [South Bend Tribune]

Now that Blackwater has softened its logo, Wired has drummed up some alternatives.

Vote: Blackwater’s New Logo [Wired.com] MORE »

Yesterday, we brought you the New York Times roundup of crappy campaign swag, an action which virtually guarantees that within a couple of weeks, college campuses will be rife with ironic hipsters strutting around with Huckabee messenger bags. Today’s shopping trip is to the wonderful, wonderful Blackwater store, a shop bursting with a fabulous array of fashions for him, her and baby, too! MORE »

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If you look closely at Blackwater’s website, you’ll see a slight change. It’s barely perceptible, but it is there. Apparently, in an attempt to soften its deadly cowboy ways, the outfit is changing its logo from a bear track in crosshairs of a rifle scope to a softer, less-butch version of the original that looks exactly like the Clemson Tigers logo. Well, almost. MORE »

Blackwater claims its murderous thugs are independent contractors (1099) rather than employees (W2); now Congressman Waxman wants to nail this sinister mercenary army for tax evasion.

* Hey guess what all these nutcases think? If you guessed, “the same thing,” you’d be correct. [Right Wing News]
* It’s not easy to defend Christmas against Jews and Mexicans, but every year a group of heroes steps forward to do just that.[WorldNet Daily]
* Now that you can’t use the word “rape” in a Nebraska court, and that in Nebraska, a prostitute can’t be raped since what they’re selling is sex, well, let’s just say Nebraska is safe for the GOP this year. [MoJo]
* Blackwater gets the sack, because apparently “freedom” means there’s no room for indiscriminate killing of unarmed women and babies and whatever. [Capitol Hill Blue]
* Colbert may be breaking federal election law, but we’re not going to act like we care. [Fresh Intelligence]
* Dennis Hastert may be a fat, washed-up old pawn of the power elite who has announced retirement plans, but he’s not going to let that force him into retirement. [Political Wire]
* If Arlen Specter has his sites set on a Wonkette internship, he better throw some fucking cuss words into the mix. [Swamp]

Looking for a sadistically corporate way to spruce up your Christmas tree? Best check out the sparkly new Blackwater ornament! A great way to complement your Fallujah Snow Village, Halliburton poinsettia and Cheney tinsel. [Copyranter]

Hillary’s new top strategist is also Blackwater’s top strategist! [Political Machine]

“Hey — there is someone moderately major visiting the Post offices on 15th street today … the street is not blocked off to traffic but there are close to twenty black vehicles and assorted security folk loitering around. all the construction in the neighborhood has been stopped so there are lots of construction workers loitering around as well which is why i am writing you from the safety of my desk rather than the ogling-encouraged zone of the street. i work at 15th and M — will probably pop out for a check in a little bit.”

BY MANCHUCANDIDATE: “In 2007 a crack mercenary company was forced to testify in a senate hearing for a crime they did commit. These men promptly escaped from minimal harsh questioning to their NC compound. Today, still paid by the government, they thrive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find the dough to pay for them, maybe you can hire Blackwater.” [Comments]