US Navy Howler...
 

The US Navy is planning to spend up to $600,000 (£350,000) to give a barracks a makeover after images on Google Earth showed they resemble a swastika from the air.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/grap.../09/27/wus.jpg

"Camouflage" landscaping and adjustments to the complexes roof and walkways will help disguise the four L-shaped buildings which make up the 1960s Naval Base Coronado, near San Diego in southern California.

Google Earth image shows swastika design Navy officials said the resemblance to a Nazi swastika went unnoticed by the public for decades until the advent of Google Earth.

Aerial photos available from the internet company revealed the shape of the complex to a wide audience of computer users, and sparked concern from bloggers.

Officials admitted that the resemblance to the Nazi symbol was discovered at the time of its opening in 1967, but since the offending shape was not visible from the ground, the navy decided not to make any changes. However, following complaints this year from the Anti-Defamation League and congressmen, the US navy officially budgeted the face-lift into its 2008 budget.

A Navy Spokesperson said "We don't want to be Associated with something as symbolic and hateful as a swastika."

Morris Casuto, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said: "The Navy came to realise that this is a symbol that thousands of people died to defeat and it was inappropriate to have that shape on a military base."

"We didn't presume there was any evil intent. We understood this was not the number one priority of a nation at war. The navy decided it was the right thing to do."

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

It's embarrassing, but no-ones really going to notice it from the ground level.

I can't see what right some mickey mouse, bully boy organisation such as the Anti Defamation League has to stick their noses in. America, nuff said.

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

So what, the Swastica is actually a religious symbol.

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

Exactly. It will offend someone it seems.:smt014

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

they should ask the anti defamation league to pay for the alterations as the American taxpayers probably have more important things to deal with.
Anyway wont it offend the Hindus covering up their holy symbol?;)

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

The swastika has an extensive history. The motif seems to have first been used in NeolithicEurasia. The symbol has an ancient history in Europe, appearing on artifacts from pre-Christian European cultures. In antiquity, the swastika was used extensively by the Indo-Aryans, Hittites, Celts and Greeks, among others. In particular, the swastika is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism — religions with over a billion adherents worldwide, making the swastika ubiquitous in both historical and contemporary society. The symbol was introduced to Southeast Asia by Hindu kings and remains an integral part of Balinese Hinduism to this day, and it is a common sight in Indonesia. It also was adopted independently by several Native American cultures.

Therefore Americans drawing from their roots? Dont see how anyone could be offended by that Viney?

Re: US Navy Howler...
 

I wonder who the designer was?