Suspected Chinese spy balloon shot down off South Carolina coast

It’s certainly attracting quite a bit.

Would people feel differently if the balloon was from Japan or South Korea? Why? China is an adversary, not an enemy. I’m much more concerned with what they did with the P-3 when Bush was president. Our response? Nothing.

If governments shot down every airship violating another country’s airspace without permission we’d be killing aircrews left and right. The military tracked this thing, jammed it, and shot it down when it was safe. The rest is just outrage for outrage’s sake.

 

A stupidity gathering device would have flown over Florida.

 

Senior U.S. government sources tell that the remains of the balloon shot down by the U.S. over the Atlantic Ocean were taken to an FBI processing lab in Quantico, Virginia.
Congressional leaders also are poised to receive a top-level briefing on the intelligence gathered from the suspected Chinese spy balloon — which was said to be carrying sensors and surveillance equipment.

 

The Components of the Balloon Had English Writing on Them

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/09/politics/spy-balloon-technology/index.html

 

Yeah. I think it said "Spicy Chicken McNuggets are back!"

 

Hmmmm.

Considering that a large foreign object is entering U.S. airspace making it a matter of national security (since even if one doesn't think it's a problem they can't know for sure), shouldn't that be considered a threat? Besides, if a foreign surveillance device is entering without security's knowledge, how is that not automatically considered a threat on that basis alone? Just doesn't sound like something to ever take chances with. So either there is more to it that they're not saying publicly, or this was just a failure of the system.

 

Saying parts of it had English writing is like saying it was a balloon: duh! English labeling is often used in non-English speaking countries. Sometimes, it's because it looks "cool". Sometimes, it's because it's a product that's meant for export to a multiple countries with different languages - putting a single English label on it that can be replaced by a sticker or a pamphlet in the destination countries is easier than the manufacturer putting a dozen or more languages onto the product.

 

The House voted unanimously Thursday to condemn China's balloon surveillance program as a “brazen violation” of U.S. sovereignty, a rare and swift bipartisan rebuke of Beijing as questions mount about the craft the U.S. says was part of a vast aerial spy program.

The 419-0 action came as lawmakers clamoring for information about the balloon that flew across American skies were being briefed by U.S. officials in a classified session. The Senate also held a hearing Thursday about the balloon, which was shot down by the U.S. military last weekend.

 

English labeling also meant to confuse the observers in to thinking the object is American metallurgic balloon.
Usually defense systems are looking for more sophisticated flying devices, a balloon can be observed by non military observers as well.

If I saw a weather balloon is the sky, used my binoculars or telescop and maybe a sticker in English language would make me think its US weather balloon?

 

If China really wanted to get U.S. riled - they should slap on stickers in Russian!

 

I know you mean "meteorological" balloon, but can't help but chuckle. Think about the idea of smelting, like, steel in the skies! What can go wrong?

 

Breaking News: UFO Flying 40,000 Feet High Over Alaska Shot Down By US Jets
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-fighter-jet-shoots-down-high-altitude-object-over-alaska-3772621

 

Yep. Whole idea goes over like a ...lead balloon. (Groans.)

 

Enough with the balloons. I'm waiting for Mexican spy churros, coming to state fairs everywhere.

 

¡Ay! ¡Tiene cuidado con lo que desea! (Be careful what you wish for!)

 

Latest - from ChatGPT News:

"A fleet of Mexican Spy Churros has been sighted crossing the Sonoran Desert. Intelligence suggests they will fly over both Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. A breakaway contingent is heading North-West in the direction of Palm Springs, CA. Film at 11."

(Would you like a cerveza with your churros, Señor?)

 

No, no beer with churros - gracias, camarero. But a café con leche would be very nice.

 

Can't wait to see balloons and churros in new CSI seasons and Marvell movies.

 

They're already featured in a long-running, wacky comedy series - called "DI" (Degreeinfo). Isn't that enough?

 

And another one was shot down yesterday. It was said to have an "Octagonal shape".

SIGH. Can only imagine what's brewing.