This is an open and shut case of a big media power using its presence and influence to advance a liberal, internationalist agenda. Google has no qualms about censoring its searches within China, but does not see fit to honor US Memorial Day. As the great socio-historian Christopher Lasch wrote in The Revolt of the Elites, its a qood question whether the new technology-bred-and-bound intelligentsia even consider themselves Americans. And given that one of the founders is Russan-born, they feel even less devotion to American ideals of freedom and sacrifice.

This is an open and shut case of a big media power using its presence and influence to advance a liberal, internationalist agenda. Google has no qualms about censoring its searches within China, but does not see fit to honor US Memorial Day. As the great socio-historian Christopher Lasch wrote in The Revolt of the Elites, its a qood question whether the new technology-bred-and-bound intelligentsia even consider themselves Americans. And given that one of the founders is Russan-born, they feel even less devotion to American ideals of freedom and sacrifice.

Oh, those scary liberal internationalists with their agendas and their creepy, blood-bathed ceremonies in dark basements- how dare they try to take over freewheeling conservative isolationist thought with their subversive logos of turkeys and mountain streams!

Clearly, an honor for Sputnik is an endorsement of "Communist" dictatorships! Obviously, the red-white-and-blue logo with the eagle is really only meant to trick us into rejecting military might!

It's so apparent that they are using subliminal tricks to con us into recognizing quirky anniversaries that don't show up on you everyday calendar and thereby rejecting all that is good and decent and American!

Seriously? <link>

1) Yeah, I don't agree with their decision with regards to China (though it is considerably more nuanced than you describe-- they run a separate Google.cn service that complies with Chinese law. The Google.com domain does not cooperate, it's just harder to get to (and still subject to the Great Firewall). It is the legitimate decision with regards to shareholder value, and as such something that should be addressed through legislation such that this is not the correct business decision.

But what the hell does that have to do honoring national holidays?

2) They're an international business. Why would they pander specifically to an American audience, particularly where that would alienate customers elsewhere?

3) In 2007, Google put up 18 doodles. One of these was an American eagle for Independence day. One was (American) Thanksgiving. One was (American) Veterans' day. One was MLK day (on the American national observation of the date). Of the rest, the majority were international holidays celebrated in many countries, including America-- Christmas, New Years, St. Patrick's day (mostly American too), Mother's day (on the American version of the date), Father's day (on the American version of the date), et cetera.

Is the demand zero non-American doodles, or the commemoration of each-and-every official state holiday that celebrates American-ness?

Just how many flag lapel-pins does Google have to wear?

4) "Sacrifice" is about as American an ideal as borscht. Seriously.

5) While I don't mean to suggest that Google shares my views, as someone who generally does consider himself a human being first and an American second, I am generally offended at your suggestion that there's something wrong and/or untrustworthy about this. Frankly, I look askance at those whose nationalistic sentiments lead them to reverse the order of this identification.

Wow! I thought this post was a parody, it was so ridiculous. I think I'll go click through some google web ads in case it gives them extra revenue. Because any company that inspire such idiocy, cut and paste conservative ridiculous claptrap is my favorite.

Selena, I recommend you get hold of yourself. My comments were very pointed and direct, and addressed Google's double standard which I think are very apparent. Methinks you protest too much!

dm, if anyone needs to chill here it's you. You made a fool of yourself with that laughable, paranoid first post, and you deserve to have that pointed out to you.

dmckinleyp:

This is an open and shut case of a big media power using its presence and influence to advance a liberal, internationalist agenda. Google has no qualms about censoring its searches within China, but does not see fit to honor US Memorial Day. As the great socio-historian Christopher Lasch wrote in The Revolt of the Elites, its a qood question whether the new technology-bred-and-bound intelligentsia even consider themselves Americans. And given that one of the founders is Russan-born, they feel even less devotion to American ideals of freedom and sacrifice.

It's a 10 year old company.

And the reality is that young people, born and bred on the web, are fundamentally more internationalist than their parents. They don't see it as a dirty word, and while they certainly think of themselves as Americans, you'd probably be very disheartened to learn that their version of that word doesn't share a whole hell of a lot with your conception of it.