According to Xanga :

badges are given to the best of Xanga...Only our best users are being chosen and you can only get it if you're a hardcore Xanga user."

My Conspiracy Charge (where I play both prosecutor and judge):

Right.  Do you buy that?  Many getting the TRUE badge are surprised and skeptical (though most pleasantly) of this claim.

I'd rather have you think about the business end of this.  Xanga Gear is new!  True Badges are new!  Coincidence?   No.  They go hand-in-hand.  Truth be told: True Badges are little scratch-n-sniff enticements to get xangans to layout bucks for the real Xanga Badge available exclusively on Xanga Gear.  I can almost hear it now: "You got the Badge, now get the Gear!"

 ...and "Hardcore Xanga users wear Xanga Gear!"

Having ultra-subliminal hearing is a mixed blessing.   I don't like to diss Xanga at all.  But I feel that those who didn't get the TRUE Badge and feel slighted about it should understand the TRUE marketing that's involved with this seemingly elitist gesture.

Personally, I earned a chestful of medals while a sergeant in the military.  I got badged-out, so to speak. Finally got tired of medals/badges and left the military.  And no graphic badge awarded now as a marketing ploy is going to make a difference to me one way or the other.   

john, Xanga CEO, in Xanga's defense (in comments):

steve, i'm going to be open with you. i think we've sold two shirts total. gear isn't a high priority for us. it's something we added because people asked for it, and it was pretty easy to do. if you'd like to prove me wrong and buy a shirt, you can increase our gear sales by 50%.

regarding the rank thing: it's true, we have created a badge. but unlike the LIFE badges (which have been very popular), you can't buy these... you can only earn them by using the site. i'll be posting about true soon - i want to change some wording on that help page about them first tho.

I, as judge, deliberate and come back with a verdict:

*takes pity on the poor xanga gear sales report*  ok john, i didn't know how bad things were.   i'll let you work out the LIFE Badge PR thing without any more criticism from these corners.  i'm satisfied with your answer and moving on.  hopefully this post will popularize your gear and lead to more sales.  *slams gavel*   case dismissed.

I, as prosecutor, mumble my disappointment as the court clears:

i can't believe what a wuss that judge is.  he must be tight with the defendant.

I leave you with the most famous badge quote of all:

"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabron and ching' tu madre! Come out there from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."

-B. Traven's "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre"