I'm such a trouble starter...

Ok, the other day, capt_tourettes posted that he was the proud owner of a giant chocolate bar. As a comment, I posted this image:



capt_tourettes then observed that the the candy bar appeared to feature a swastika** as part of it's design. And, um... well, maybe it did. I thought it would be fun to write the company. Soo...


**2006-04-27: Note... I see the admin of the site with the image has actually edited the image to remove the swastika-like design! I consider this proof of my allegations.

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Hi...

I had posted a link to your giant chocolate bar on livejournal, and
someone commented that it appears to feature a Nazi emblem on it. No,
I explained, that's the Ghirardelli logo.

But then I got to looking at it. I think there really is a swastika
pictured on your giant candy bar.

Here's your pic:
http://greatbigstuff.com/prodpics/candybar.jpg

Here's the Ghiardelli site:
http://www.ghirardelli.com/
You can see their logo on the page, and on the chocolates. Same eagle
as your pic, but your pic adds the wreath with what appears to be a
swastika in the middle.

Compare your image with a Third Reich Nazi Eagle:
http://www.thirdreich.ca/images/content/eagfront2.jpg

So my question is, was the image photoshopped? Does your webmaster
goose-step about the property?

Or if the giant chocolate bar really does have a Third Reich swastika
on it, do you plan to balance it out with a giant Menorah, or are you
all Nazis?

Thanks for clearing this up-

Vaughn

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They wrote back:

Vaughn,

First, thank you for promoting our products.

I have attached a close-up of the portion of the candy bar that is in question. The portion in question is actually interlocking letters "D" and "G" - for Domingo Ghirardelli, the chocolate company's founder.

While not wanting to make light of you concerns, I think that you can begin to see any image in anything if you look at it long enough. The man in the moon is a perfect example. I think the area in question looks like a cat carrying a hammer.

So, in conclusion, there seems to be no need to balance the image. Unless, Ghirardelli begins to offer the giant candy bar in white chocolate. At that time we will offer those as well.

Thank you for your commentary.

Warm regards,

Jeff B-

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Lies!!! There is no attachment!

Jeff-

No attachment!!
The conspiracy grows.

Vaughn

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Vaughn,

I had included the image within the email, not as a separate attachment. It
seems that your email is text only and must not support inline images
because I view my sent items and the image is in the email as I sent it. I
have attached it now.

Please note that I have also revised the webpage with a photoshopped picture
to avoid further confusion. But so you don't think I am trying to hide
anything, the old image is still viewable at
www.GreatBigStuff.com/prodpics/candybar.jpg.

So much for your conspiracy theory.

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Jeff-

After reviewing the picture, my concerns are alleviated. I thank you
for helping to put this ugly matter to rest.

Uh, sorry about the goose-stepping thing.

Vaughn

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I obviously need a hobby or something. Amusingly though, he's photoshopped the alleged swastika out, and replaced it with a big G.
http://greatbigstuff.com/candybar.html