Google Doodle Snafu

For years, Google has occasionally tweaked its search page logo to honor noteworthy dates on the calendar; these "doodles" usually mark fun moments in art and science, such as the invention of the laser, in keeping with the company's identity as a nest of creative and quirky dorks. Because Google is now an indispensable feature of American life, some right-wing patriotism cops have taken it upon themselves to raise hell whenever Google doesn't commemorate 9/11 or Pearl Harbor Day or Easter. Yesterday, the company posted a Veterans Day doodle, which pleased top cop and National Review Online Editor Kathryn Jean Lopez. But not everyone was as thrilled.

Google's particular design featured four helmets, perched atop the letters in its logo, that represented the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Unfortunately, the company forgot about the Coast Guard. Within hours, Google heard from a gaggle of irate Coast Guarders, who let 'em have it. By the end of the day, Google added a fifth helmet atop the logo and posted an apology on its blog: "Our sincere apologies for what may seem like a slight—this was not in any way our intention. Our thanks to those of you who were alert enough to catch our omission and diligent enough to tell us about it. Thank you very much to all current and former Coast Guard members for your outstanding service."

We're happy to rip on Google when it helps the Chinese government censor the truth or collects mountains of personal data on its users. But forgetting about the Coast Guard? Come to think of it, why weren't the Seabees or the USO up there? Why does Google hate America?