Tweaks send Google critics into orbit
WASHINGTON — Should the world’s most-used search engine be more of a Yankee Google Dandy? Google Inc. occasionally features light-hearted doodles on its colorful home-page logo to commemorate special occasions. But now they are drawing criticism from conservatives for not being more patriotic. The Mountain View, Calif., company bathes its logo in stars and stripes every Independence Day, but last week’s decision to honor the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch — the second “g” in Google was replaced with a drawing of the Soviet satellite — is being blasted by some conservatives. Not only did Google honor an achievement by a totalitarian regime that was our Cold War enemy, they griped, but it did so without having ever altered its logo to commemorate U.S. military personnel on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.
Of all the things that Conservatives could reasonably get themselves worked up over- an immoral war in Iraq, a lack of universal health care, unemployment, yada yada yada- they’ve chosen a corporate logo? What? And I suppose it would all be made right if only Google would slap a couple of magnetic ribbons on their corporate jet, eh?
At times, I can’t help but be amazed at some of the things Conservatives take on as “legitimate” issues. The sad thing is that Conservatism is nowhere nearly as morally, ethically, or ideologically bankrupt as so many of the people who profess to follow it. Unfortunately, in too many cases, Conservatism is merely cover for ignorance, reaction, and an absence of anything resembling intellectual acuity and agility. Yeah, I suppose it IS easier than thinking, eh?
“It’s a kick to your belly,” said conservative blogger Giovanni Gallucci, 39, a social media consultant from Dallas. “I understand these guys are scientists and engineers and they have their quirks and want to make sure people are recognized who might not normally be recognized … but why not celebrate the struggles that we’ve come through as a people?”
Yeah, why not vent your spleen over a corporate symbol? It’s sure a Hell of a lot easier than doing something constructive….
Conservatives see the Sputnik logo as particularly galling because the search giant’s in-house artist has tweaked the Google logo for a variety of obscure events, including World Water Day, Persian New Year, painter Edvard Munch’s birthday and China’s Dragon Boat Festival.
Uh, well…their company, their logo, THEIR CHOICE, no? If Google chooses to do up a logo commemorating International Man-Boy Love Day, then why shouldn’t they be able to do so? You certainly don’t have to like it, and if a logo offends you…well, there’s always Ask.com or Yahoo.
“When they ignore Veterans Day and Memorial Day, I think they’re telling us something about the way they view America,” said Joseph Farah, editor of WorldNetDaily.com, a conservative website that has criticized Google’s logo decisions.
Uh, first of all, I don;t think Google is “forgetting” Veteran’s Day. What they’re telling us is that they simply choose not to trumpet the causes Conservatives find important. It’s not that Veteran’s Day isn’t important, but for whatever reason, Google made the decision it did. Again: their logo, their choice. You don’t have to like it, and you’re certainly free to use another search engine if your precious, fragile sensibilities have been so thoroughly insulted.
Here’s a piece of advice to Conservatives: stop whining and get over yourself. While you’re focused on cheap, meaningless symbols and artificial, plastic, knee-jerk patriotism, you’re completely missing the point. It’s not about satisfying you or your narrow, ignorant agenda. And how about using something of that righteous indignation to actually try to make our world a better place. Then again, if you mode d’emploi involves destroying and tearing down, you’re not going to be too terribly concerned with being constructive, are you?
Actually, it’s kinda fun watching Conservatives getting their panties in a wad for no good reason, isn’t it? I really rather enjoy listening to Conservatives pissing and moaning about artificial issues that matter only to them. At least when they’re bleating and beating their chests, they can’t be doing any actual damage- or trolling airport men’s rooms.
