The Chinese claim it's an off course weather balloon. Everyone knows it's not. Surveillance? That could be done from space. EMP? Covid 2023? Just fucking with us? So WTF is this thing?
I know Trump would have blown it out of the sky, but what do you do with this thing?
I'm not sure they have quite the level of surveillance abilities we have from high altitude or space. You would think, but I think it's very possible this is exactly a "spy" balloon.
I also feel like this happened a few years ago, but it disappeared or something. I do remember a very similar story not that long ago. So I don't know if they're "testing" us, or trying to ascertain how the current Admin will respond to provocations.
And, yes, shoot it down or whatever but I think it's worth doing so in a manner that we can recover it relatively intact to examine the purpose.
Shoot it down. Our government is run by morons.
posted by gutI'm not sure they have quite the level of surveillance abilities we have from high altitude or space. You would think, but I think it's very possible this is exactly a "spy" balloon.
I also feel like this happened a few years ago, but it disappeared or something. I do remember a very similar story not that long ago. So I don't know if they're "testing" us, or trying to ascertain how the current Admin will respond to provocations.
And, yes, shoot it down or whatever but I think it's worth doing so in a manner that we can recover it relatively intact to examine the purpose.
I think its a "trial balloon" or "testing" as you put it. I think yes you shoot it down at some time with the point of gaining intelligence.
posted by iclfan2Shoot it down. Our government is run by morons.
The USA - where people hate their political foes more than foreign adversaries.
posted by Dr Winston O'BoogieThe USA - where people hate their political foes more than foreign adversaries.
What does that even mean? “Our government” encompasses everyone. China sucks. There is no explanation to let this thing exist. Don’t care what country it came from or why it is here. Are you a simp for the CCP?
Pretty sure if something was really a threat, it would be shot down.
As it is still in the air, guessing it is just various surveillance tools.
Also, shooting it down now risks it hitting something or someone on the ground.
They are probably blocking its signals and monitoring it
Then, once it hits the ocean, it will be shot down.
Pretty old school way to spy. Satellites now a days can probably get more precise information.
What's funny is the Pentagon won't confirm where it is. Come on guys. We can see it.
posted
Are you a simp for the CCP?
Yep, my cover is blown I guess.
posted by ptown_trojans_1Pretty old school way to spy. Satellites now a days can probably get more precise information.
What's funny is the Pentagon won't confirm where it is. Come on guys. We can see it.
The purpose obviously not to spy. Something else is afoot. As you said we can see it.
Should’ve been shot down the second it was identified as a Chinese “aircraft.
Incompetence at best for our current regime, but I’m leaning that they are just pussies.
China’s fucking around. Not sure if they’re gonna find out or not.
posted by ptown_trojans_1When it was over Montana they were probably just trying to keep cowboys from shooting at it.What's funny is the Pentagon won't confirm where it is. Come on guys. We can see it.
They shot it down over the Atlantic. I want to know wtf it is, but I’ll doubt we’ll get the details.
posted by AutomatikThey shot it down over the Atlantic. I want to know wtf it is, but I’ll doubt we’ll get the details.
Figured. Least risky to people or items on the ground.
posted by like_thatShould’ve been shot down the second it was identified as a Chinese “aircraft.
Incompetence at best for our current regime, but I’m leaning that they are just pussies.
Sure shoot it down not knowing what it is and where it could land and hurt someone or destroy something on the ground...
There’s also another one over my SO’s hometown in Venezuela.
Shot down over Myrtle Beach
posted by ptown_trojans_1The question that will never be answered is why was is not detected and shot down before it ever endangered anthing on the ground.Sure shoot it down not knowing what it is and where it could land and hurt someone or destroy something on the ground...
posted by majorspark
The question that will never be answered is why was is not detected and shot down before it ever endangered anthing on the ground.
And, again, seems like this is the second time in the last 4-5 years this has happened.
So the even better question is how did this happen again?!?
My other question is did this have any sort of propulsion? How did it just magically happen to float over several major military installations?
posted by justincredibleChina’s fucking around. Not sure if they’re gonna find out or not.
They found out they can float a balloon over the US mainland and it will not be touched until it reaches the other side,
posted by ptown_trojans_1Sure shoot it down not knowing what it is and where it could land and hurt someone or destroy something on the ground...
In Montana? LOL.
Also, they needed numerous days to figure out how to shoot it down? Is that how low the bar is set for you and the DoD? Certainly not for me. I can't imagine you applying this same logic if China actually sent a bigger threat via the sky.
Something tells me that not even you are buying the bullshit that you are trying to sell here.
posted by majorspark
The question that will never be answered is why was is not detected and shot down before it ever endangered anthing on the ground.
According to Ptwon they needed nearly a week for the most powerful military in the world to figure out how to strike a balloon.
The real answer is they didn't want to address it during Blinken's visit to China. Their plan was thwarted when it was exposed in to be a Chinese balloon.
posted by like_thatIn Montana? LOL.
Also, they needed numerous days to figure out how to shoot it down? Is that how low the bar is set for you and the DoD? Certainly not for me. I can't imagine you applying this same logic if China actually sent a bigger threat via the sky.Something tells me that not even you are buying the bullshit that you are trying to sell here.
I dunno, looks risky.
If something got destroyed in Montana, would the rest of the country even notice?
