China and Google?

I came across something last night that I wanted to put out there for some thoughts. I find it rather disturbing if what I think is happening...is truly happening.

I'm a big fan of Google Earth. Whenever I see a news report or a TV show about a large building or complex that is big enough to be seen from a satellite...I go looking for it in Google Earth. Recently in the news was the Chinese testing of an anti-satellite weapon and they made mention of the launch site in Xichang. As usual...I fire up Google earth and figure to have a looksee at China's launch facility. Now keep in mind...with Google Earth you can actually zoom in on the roof of the White House....as well as numerous Air Force and Army bases.

Anyway.....off to China I go and hope that Google is up-to-date with high resolution images of the area. Well...it had high resolution alright, but guess what...it is censored! I double-checked the area against Microsoft's Virtual Earth (a similar program) and although MS isn't up-to-date with a high resolution image....it isn't censored.

So why does Google feel we shouldn't be seeing the Chinese launch facility.....but it's perfectly fine to show top secret US military bases (yes....you can even see area 51)? In doing some searches to see if anyone else has noticed this, I came across an article describing how Google has just inked a deal with China-Mobile, the largest cellular phone service in China, for a mobile phone based search engine. Hmmmm.....any connection?

Well....here's a couple screen shots to explain this. The first is Microsoft's lower resolution, but uncensored image...and the second is Google's high resolution but censored image.

Latitude 28°12'37.64"N
Longitude 102°2'59.48"E

As Maxwell Smart would say..."hmm...very in-ter-esting, 99!"

Spock: "Curious..."

Wasn't it just recently that Google was also involved with allowing internet censorship on or thru it's site in China?

All I know is that I can see NASA's Kennedy Space Center clear as day on Google Earth....but for some reason, Google doesn't think I should see the Chinese equivalent.:eek:

Can't wait for Google to come out and say it's just a data corruption on that one spot where this facility is.:rolleyes:

I'm having a real hard time believing that gray box is just a coincidence....:rolleyes:

BTW...here's a place where the subject at least got mentioned...so I know it isn't "just me".....:D

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...d.php?t=102854

Down at the bottom of the thread....post #13

pretty bizarre they would just delete it like that. Maybe it has something to do with that censorship thing with China :confused:

Max...that site is great...I just spent about 30 min.there...could spend literally days & days and not get thru all of the pixes...good forum...good info....

I just stumbled across it while trying to get some info on the gray box....had never seen it before.

Maybe they're using stealth technology.