@earl-of-trumps saidbringing it down over the ocean BEFORE it got here would have been wise…bringing it down AFTER it completed its mission is a complete failure.
I think it is feasible for the Chinese to have some "substance" on board that would be released when the US shoots it down.
Waiting for it to get over the ocean before shooting it down was prudent, wise. IMO
@earl-of-trumps saidHere is hitting close to what I imagined.
I think it is feasible for the Chinese to have some "substance" on board that would be released when the US shoots it down.
Waiting for it to get over the ocean before shooting it down was prudent, wise. IMO
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Fmr Clinton Defense Secretary Cohen: Inspect Chinese Balloon for ‘Biological Component’
Former Defense Secretary William Cohen, also a former Republican U.S. Senator from Maine, said Friday on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” that the Chinese balloon should be taken down and inspected to determine if there is a “biological component” that could pose a threat
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It does not seem wise to shoot it down if it is ladened with something like ricin, does it?
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2023/02/03/fmr-clinton-defense-secretary-cohen-inspect-chinese-balloon-for-biological-component/
@earl-of-trumps saidor covid 20
Here is hitting close to what I imagined.
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Fmr Clinton Defense Secretary Cohen: Inspect Chinese Balloon for ‘Biological Component’
[i]Former Defense Secretary William Cohen, also a former Republican U.S. Senator from Maine, said Friday on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” that the Chinese balloon should be taken down a ...[text shortened]... ips/2023/02/03/fmr-clinton-defense-secretary-cohen-inspect-chinese-balloon-for-biological-component/
@jj-adams saidWeather balloons have to be announced to the world? Since when?
Why didn't they inform the world in advance?
Or post notice to ICAO, and warn the countries involved that their balloon was headed their way and would be violating their air space?
Was the good year blimp a spy aircraft? Balloons are not exactly a stealthy way to spy. Either China is really stupid or the USA is extremely paranoid.
Now that they popped the balloon did they find out it is a weather balloon yet?
I would like to see photos of this allegedly nefarious spy craft that sticks out like a sore thumb. Are we supposed to believe this is comparable to the U2 spy plane incident?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_U-2_incident
This whole thing is so silly. You have to laugh.
05 Feb 23
@earl-of-trumps saidU.S. Uses $400K Missile to Shoot Down Chinese weather balloon.
I think it is feasible for the Chinese to have some "substance" on board that would be released when the US shoots it down.
Waiting for it to get over the ocean before shooting it down was prudent, wise. IMO
Destroys All Its Electronics so nobody can say it wasn't a spy balloon.
I could have taken it down with a twelve gauge shotgun for a lot less and without destroying the evidence.
05 Feb 23
@earl-of-trumps saidBut that would have revealed it was a weather balloon and embarrassed US officials. Official jackasses. This whole incident is a laugh. It was a weather balloon.
@Metal-Brain
Agreed. I think a good blast of machine gun fire would have sufficed
05 Feb 23
@metal-brain saidAt 60,000 feet vertically? Ya right
U.S. Uses $400K Missile to Shoot Down Chinese weather balloon.
Destroys All Its Electronics so nobody can say it wasn't a spy balloon.
I could have taken it down with a twelve gauge shotgun for a lot less and without destroying the evidence.
05 Feb 23
@athousandyoung saidWhat is your source of information?
At 60,000 feet vertically? Ya right
I suppose an idea could be so stupid it is brilliant because nobody would think China is stupid enough to use a balloon to spy with, but I am very skeptical. The two words "spy" and "balloon" together should result in laughter. If I were to accept that I would have to entertain the possibility the Hindenburg was a spy zeppelin and it's destruction was an act of sabotage.
Spy zeppelin. Try not to laugh.
@earl-of-trumps saidAnalysis of the wreckage should clear up this whole business. Until then, speculation is best left to conspiracy theorists.
I think it is feasible for the Chinese to have some "substance" on board that would be released when the US shoots it down.
Waiting for it to get over the ocean before shooting it down was prudent, wise. IMO
@moonbus saidLOL!
Analysis of the wreckage should clear up this whole business. Until then, speculation is best left to conspiracy theorists.
The allegation that is was a spy balloon is the conspiracy theory.
If it was a spy balloon it would have been taken down before it crossed the whole continent so it would not sink into the ocean. Instead they destroyed the evidence so nobody could find out it was a weather balloon just as China said it was.
If they honestly believed it was for spying they would have gone out of their way to bring it down without damaging it so they could learn all about the technology being used to spy with. If the Russians were able to find an un-exploded switchblade drone what would they do with it?
A: Destroy it because they are bad
B: Reverse engineer it so Russia can make them
C: Give it back to Ukraine because it belongs to them
A, B or C?
05 Feb 23
@metal-brain said1. No, but this is not a small weather ballon and it is flying within civilian controlled airpace over many different countries. It's an enormous object and civilian aviation agencies should have been notified of its presence. ICAO flight rules require it so that its presence could be put in the daily NOTAMS aircrews have to read before taking off.
Weather balloons have to be announced to the world? Since when?
Was the good year blimp a spy aircraft?
(NOTAMS = Notice To Airmen).
2. The Goodyear blimp has to file flight plans like any other aircraft and it doesn't violate anyone's airspace. It certainly doesn't fly over China, so why even mention it?
05 Feb 23
@metal-brain saidYeah just step out on your lawn with a 12 gauge and shoot at something 12 miles high.
I could have taken it down with a twelve gauge shotgun for a lot less and without destroying the evidence.
Brilliant.