Navy agrees to camouflage 'swastika' base
Dan Glaister in Los Angeles
The Guardian, Thursday September 27, 2007
Painting a swastika on a public building is a hate crime. But what happens when the building itself is the swastika? While appearing innocuous from the ground, the striking shape of a construction in San Diego, now on view to internet users accessing Google Earth, is unmistakable - it resembles the Nazi symbol.
Ground-breaking began for the six-building complex at the Coronado US navy base in southern California in 1967. While the original plans called for two central buildings and a single L-shaped barracks, Naval Amphibious Base Complex 320-325 evolved in design. By the time it was finished in 1970 it had four L-shaped buildings - set at right angles. That was when the problem was spotted.
Forgotten about after the initial controversy, the buildings' form has emerged again as an issue thanks to the internet and Google Earth. It has led an unlikely alliance - of bloggers, anti-discrimination activists, lawmakers and one talk-radio host - to take action. And now the navy has added $600,000 (£300,000) to its 2008 budget for camouflage. Landscaping, rock structures and solar panels should help disguise its shape.
The Guardian, Thursday September 27, 2007
Painting a swastika on a public building is a hate crime. But what happens when the building itself is the swastika? While appearing innocuous from the ground, the striking shape of a construction in San Diego, now on view to internet users accessing Google Earth, is unmistakable - it resembles the Nazi symbol.
Ground-breaking began for the six-building complex at the Coronado US navy base in southern California in 1967. While the original plans called for two central buildings and a single L-shaped barracks, Naval Amphibious Base Complex 320-325 evolved in design. By the time it was finished in 1970 it had four L-shaped buildings - set at right angles. That was when the problem was spotted.
Forgotten about after the initial controversy, the buildings' form has emerged again as an issue thanks to the internet and Google Earth. It has led an unlikely alliance - of bloggers, anti-discrimination activists, lawmakers and one talk-radio host - to take action. And now the navy has added $600,000 (£300,000) to its 2008 budget for camouflage. Landscaping, rock structures and solar panels should help disguise its shape.