Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

I mean if I was in an govt intelligence agency, every time a new “blur” popped up (IF google doesnt just release the original images to intel agencies) I would take an immediate interest and make sure my countries sat’s got a good pass on that area next time by. As a govt, why would you want to bring attention to a sensitive area, by blurring it, why wouldnt you just cut in something basic.

Then again, any country with the ability to go after covert targets and take an interest, have their own sat’s to get original imagery, at a much greater detail, so I guess it is just moot. More of a keep the public in the dark, vs another govt. I suppose it probably serves a decent purpose in areas like Russia where there are potential rebel groups that would love a high value target, and by blurring the area it takes it out of a rebels cross hairs, since chances are they dont have the intel or people to go see what it really is, nor have access to raw sat imagery.

The thing that yanks me the most about US “blurs” and “black holes” is the fact that it is obviously an attempt to hide something from the casual citizen, and in a supposed Democracy / Republic, you cant convince me that hiding these institutions from sat photos, esp at a range that doesnt really give you much, is making us safer…it just makes the informed more concerned about the lack of honesty and transparency in our govt.

I have a fairly good knowledge of US Intel S.O.P. and how they handle info to the public, along with multiple levels of Fed, Regional, and Local LE agencies, and the amount of data kept from the public is ridiculous.

I know it all gets thrown under the umbrella of “National Security” but BS. The Taliban, or whomever can gain LOADS of high value intel from gmaps such as power grids, nucular power stations, water supplies, etc. The amount of avail data to enemies on how to undertake an attack against the US in multiple non-traditional ways (aka 9/11, mail anthrax, etc) outweighs the hiding of the majority of these locations from the general public.

Then again, if you believe This Guy that spot in Alaska is a secret “space beacon” stolen (now returned) from space from the “alien watchers” of our galaxy.

For a good [jovial] read checkout: Space Beacons
Beacons Returned

You would think they would just superimpose some “nothing-ness” in those areas instead, but they dont…

And remember it’s not paranoia that the gov’t is covering up thing from US, our enemy’s can use GMaps too.

RE the Alaska photos, I know there is another “Air Station” that was built to monitor a possible attack from the Soviets from Alaska, but I have no idea where that facility is. I know in the ’80s the number one “enemy attack location” in the US was the AK facility, and #2 was NORAD. (Having grown up in CO and going to school a few miles from NORAD, that was always a “worry” of our parents….)