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Swastika Navy Building via Google Earth
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Google Earth has changed the way we go about observing our world.
Occasionally the satellite photos reveal some very cool new areas to explore. Other times they reveal oddities not visible from the ground.
This was the recent case with the Naval Base Coronado near San Diego, California. The building, constructed in 1967, happens to be in the exact shape of a swastika. Navy officials admitted to having discovered this many years ago but since there is a no-fly zone above the navel base, they figured no one would see it.
Well, the eagle eyes of Google Earth miss nothing. The naval base has become a favorite virtual destination for Google Earth fanatics, who are always seeking out bizarre sights buried in the reams of footage.
And now that the secret is out, the Navy has announced that they will be spending $600,000 to alter the shape of the building into something less offensive, like a square, for example.
Filed under: Gear, Internet Tools
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Audioduck Mar 23rd 2008 12:01PM
Education is the key.
Before commenting please read: http://reclaimtheswastika.com
John Oct 1st 2007 11:28AM
I live by a subway station in New York that was built in the 1920s. On the floor of the station there used to be an original geometric pattern that included swastikas. Those swastika's were there for more than 70 years even though the neighborhood had become mostly Jewish with many of those families having escaped from Europe after WWII. Then, along came the politically correct 90s and the floor tiles were torn up and replaced with plain unsightly ones.
Even an old friend of mine who had relatives killed in the Holocaust thought that was stupid.
Robobagins Oct 1st 2007 11:56AM
Good god that 600,000 could be spent to better use then altering the building to appease the uninformed. Though I'm sure a campaign to inform people the history of the swastika would cost just as much.
Will Oct 1st 2007 12:58PM
I agree that the Navy building is a bit of overstretch on the part of highly sensitive people. But the example in comment (1) is plain Fox TV BS: swastikas in a public building might be entirely reasonable to someone who knows the history of the building, but, you know, words and symbols change. The world moves on. And I'd hate to have someone today or in 40 years misunderstand my country's stand on fascism--and risk forgetting the sacrifices of millions in World War II--just for the sake of a subway tunnel. A recent survey showed that a majority of young Americans believes that World War II was fought between the US and Germany, on one hand, and the Soviet Union, on the other.
Richard Phelps Oct 2nd 2007 2:09AM
I was under the impression that prior to being hijacked by the Nazis the symbol was meant to be good luck
guy uomo Oct 31st 2007 10:43AM
Well, if we change this building, we should probably destroy the whole of Indian culture for good measure as well... since it is their symbol. The swastika existed long before the Nazi party, and I think the Anti-Defamation League is giving the symbol too much credence ... and that, ironically is the best way to keep the negative aspects of the symbol alive. I say get bent and leave the building alone and take the money and reteach people the true origin of the symbol ... and if you disagree with me, go learn something yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
geotrotter Nov 2nd 2007 6:11AM
Here is other "Swastikas" on Google Earth
geotrotter Nov 2nd 2007 6:12AM
Voici d'autres "Swastikas" vues sur Google Earth : http://www.geo-trotter.com/cat-swastika.php
geotrotter Nov 2nd 2007 8:59AM
Here is other "Swastikas" on Google Earth
geotrotter Nov 2nd 2007 9:23AM
Here is other "Swastikas" on Google Earth : http://www.geo-trotter.com/cat-swastika.php