Google Earth Reveals Nazi Swastika -shaped Navy Barracks

This article is old, but I figured it's worth posting:

Back in February of 2005, someone named 'James_A' was looking around at Google Earth and discovered that the US Navy barracks at a base near San Diego are shaped just like a Nazi swastika. This of course captured the attention of many Google Earth users for a while and has even been the subject of lots of bloggers and Diggs. It turns out the unfortunate building design has been standing since the 1960s, but it wasn't until now that so many people could look at it from above . Soon, some outraged citizens in the San Diego community were began complaining to the Navy about the building.



Yesterday, CNN reported that after two years of complaint the US Navy has announced plans to change the appearance of the building using solar panels, new landscaping, and structural changes. The changes will cost about $600,000 - but, at least the offensive symbol will be gone.

Or will it? It sometimes takes a few months or years before new imagery makes its way into Google Earth for any one location. Although, I guess Google might make a special case and update the image sooner. One has to wonder though - wouldn't it be cheaper to just get Google (and all the other mapping companies) to agree to use a photo-shopped version of the building that would have a different look? :-) But, then Google would be in a quandary because they don't want to be showing re-touched photos.

Google Earth Blog