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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be concerned about the balloon discovered hovering over Montana

262 replies

MeetPi · 03/02/2023 05:57

The balloon is said to be a Chinese spy balloon up to three football fields long. In the last few minutes, another balloon has possibly been spotted over Canada - where the first balloon apparently came through to the US.

Purportedly President Biden wanted to shoot the balloon down, but the Pentagon convinced him otherwise, as this could prove a risk to people on the ground.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/feb/02/pentagon-chinese-spy-balloon

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
MrsCarson · 03/02/2023 16:18

greenspaces4peace · 03/02/2023 15:35

from what I read it’s huge, 3 USA size football fields. If it was brought down, birds wildlife trees homes people houses so so much potential damage. The weight of it must be significant.

It's Montana, it might hit a cow or an Antelope.

jcyclops · 03/02/2023 16:28

Has it got "Virgin" written on the side? Has anyone seen Beardie?

By the way, it's not the balloon itself that would cause a problem if it is shot down, but the payload which could be around a tonne, and the debris from the missile used.

itsgettingweird · 03/02/2023 16:29

Switchwitch · 03/02/2023 06:01

I'm amazed they can have a balloon that tracks people and spies on nuclear sites but my Amazon Alexa tries to play me house music rather than time my pasta on the hob.

Grin
Original poster
MeetPi · 03/02/2023 23:57

@UdoU

What has that got to do with the US?

(Re: China's activities in the South China Sea.)
This feeds into the entire geopolitical picture, as I explained earlier. Perhaps google it. The US is involved in defence of the area, too.

OP posts:
LemonSwan · 04/02/2023 00:04

What idiots! And where are they going to send it after. Into the sea to float around 3 football pitches wide. Ridiculous idea.

LemonSwan · 04/02/2023 00:06

You can tell I am in a bad mood today. I just despair! What is the point of this and what a waste of material/ plastic/ resources. So much for global warming, and poverty.

Original poster
MeetPi · 04/02/2023 00:20

It's now over Missouri. The image below shows where it roughly is, and the blue line is the track of a USAF aircraft circling it.

To be concerned about the balloon discovered hovering over Montana
OP posts:
MissConductUS · 04/02/2023 00:21

MeetPi · 03/02/2023 23:57

@UdoU

What has that got to do with the US?

(Re: China's activities in the South China Sea.)
This feeds into the entire geopolitical picture, as I explained earlier. Perhaps google it. The US is involved in defence of the area, too.

The US recently announced an agreement with the Philippines government to access military bases there, which provides proximity to Taiwan. Sending the balloon to the US is thought to be a gesture from the Chinese to show that they are properly pissed off about it.

Orangepolentacake · 04/02/2023 00:23

Allthelego · 03/02/2023 06:38

Clicked before I read the title properly. Was sad it’s not hovering over Madonna.

Omg same, read Madonna, how weird

Orangepolentacake · 04/02/2023 00:26

BroadwayMalady · 03/02/2023 08:01

I read this initially as a balloon hovering over Madonna!

Who are we, the ones that read Madonna instead of Montana?! What is this phenomenon??

Oakbeam · 04/02/2023 00:29

What idiots! And where are they going to send it after. Into the sea to float around 3 football pitches wide. Ridiculous idea.

It isn’t that big and I dare say that they will be eager to recover it.

Original poster
MeetPi · 04/02/2023 00:30

Another image - this one is a close-up, enhanced shot of the balloon clearly showing the instrumentation underneath. This part is extremely large in itself and likely one of reasons the US doesn't want to bring it down.
(Image credit .@Stormchaser_ts)

To be concerned about the balloon discovered hovering over Montana
OP posts:
LemonSwan · 04/02/2023 00:31

Oakbeam · 04/02/2023 00:29

What idiots! And where are they going to send it after. Into the sea to float around 3 football pitches wide. Ridiculous idea.

It isn’t that big and I dare say that they will be eager to recover it.

Well I bloody hope so!

Oakbeam · 04/02/2023 00:37

Well I bloody hope so!

It will eventually come down by itself anyway. Presumably in the sea somewhere.

LemonSwan · 04/02/2023 00:52

Hahaha oakbeam your just pulling my leg now 🤣

In the sea, not in the sea.

Well you have given me a giggle at-least so thank you.

Still think the whole thing is bloody ridiculous.

Gentleness · 04/02/2023 01:04

Happysalley · 03/02/2023 06:28

Not exactly stealthy is it?

😂 I do wonder if there is a room full of people watching the reaction with great amusement - "Make it jiggle - that'll freak them out!"

MichaelKeaton · 04/02/2023 01:07

I wonder if the balloons are elaborate distractions. While we’re all looking up and pondering wtf they mean, something is happening elsewhere…

I need to put down the dystopian fiction and read a nice cosy crime novel.

Gentleness · 04/02/2023 01:09

Seriously though, it's clearly meant to be a message and a show of power/technology. Posturing. Politics mirroring the playground yet again.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2023 01:44

My very limited understanding of interventionism is that the Chinese basically want to expand in their area. They want Bhutan, the South China Sea, Taiwan, keep what they have, expand in the area. They don't want military control over a bunch of Westerners. They want (and have been very successful obtaining) economic power in the rest of the world. Not military.

Whereas the Americans have buggered Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, SE Asia, and the Middle East in living memory. They've had drome attacks in Pakistan (supposedly a friend) and do whatever the fuck they like. Damn right I care more what the Americans do and if anyone is a psycho, it's them. Bush Senior and Trump? Utter crazies. Just because they look like us doesn't make them OK.

Original poster
MeetPi · 04/02/2023 01:52

Another balloon has been spotted over Latin America. This brings the total to three (that we know about, including the balloon in Canada).

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/china-spy-balloon-latin-america-b2275624.html

OP posts:
EllieM27 · 04/02/2023 02:37

The US hasn’t taken it down because they’ll want it intact. Whatever is on there is probably more than enough to incriminate China several times over. I would imagine that they’re scrambling to form a plan to get it down without destroying the device underneath, hence why they’ve mentioned waiting until it reaches the Atlantic.

Frankly I’m curious to see just how reckless the CCP has been.

QueenCamilla · 04/02/2023 02:58

"It's too big to be a moon"

Me: So it's bigger than The Moon? Woooow 😮😳

EllieM27 · 04/02/2023 03:01

For anyone curious it's currently in Georgia and looks like it’s heading right towards Fort Stewart, which is around 50 km from the Atlantic.

MichaelKeaton · 04/02/2023 05:14

“That’s no moon…”

EllieM27 · 04/02/2023 05:21

It’s now changed course and is headed towards Georgetown and Hunter Army Airfield. Not sure how the CCP is going to keep claiming it’s a civilian weather balloon or whatever when it clearly appears to be guided and is actively maneuvering over US military installations.

Quite curious to see how this unfolds.

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