By the time a Chinese spy balloon crossed into American airspace late last month, U.S. military and intelligence agencies had been tracking it for nearly a week, watching as it lifted off from its home base on Hainan Island near China’s south coast.
U.S. monitors watched as the balloon settled into a flight path that would appear to have taken it over the U.S. territory of Guam. But somewhere along that easterly route, the craft took an unexpected northern turn, according to several U.S. officials, who said that analysts are now examining the possibility that China didn’t intend to penetrate the American heartland with its airborne surveillance device.
really ?
The balloon was launched from the ground, part of a program run in part by the PLA air force, and it may have been taken off course by strong high-altitude winds, officials said. It was partly directed by air currents and partly piloted remotely, they said. With propellers and a rudder, it has the capability to be maneuvered.
one of the authors is Ellen Nakashima who won a Pullitzer for coverage of Russian 2016 election interference (which was BS)
February 15, 2023, 05:06 PM
Ozarkwoods
quote:
Originally posted by parabellum: That Trudeau is one bad mamma jammah, ain't he? Right now, he's probably sitting around with his buddies after tuning their motorcyles. Got his smokes rolled up in the sleeve of his T-shirt and they're all throwing back the Johnnie Walker. Later on, they'll go out to a bar and Trudeau will kick some pussy's ass.
All the girls want get with him, all the men want to be him. And some of the girls, too- they want to be him.
No what I heard is that he was in the process of picking out a big gerbil for his next escapade.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
February 16, 2023, 02:03 PM
OKCGene
I like this guy Dustin, has just under 11 Million followers on his YouTube channel Smarter Every Day. Always an interesting to very interesting subject. This video directly relates to this topic thread.
February 16, 2023, 03:11 PM
Flashlightboy
So today Joe had his physical and a presser on the balloons.
I wouldn't be surprised if he said, "I went to the doctor today and they want insert a balloon and I've given the order to shoot it down once it comes into the US. No matter where the balloon comes from it has no right to be here unchallenged."
February 16, 2023, 03:59 PM
911Boss
quote:
Originally posted by sdy:
…
U.S. monitors watched as the balloon settled into a flight path that would appear to have taken it over the U.S. territory of Guam. But somewhere along that easterly route, the craft took an unexpected northern turn, according to several U.S. officials, who said that analysts are now examining the possibility that China didn’t intend to penetrate the American heartland with its airborne surveillance device.
really ?
The balloon was launched from the ground, part of a program run in part by the PLA air force, and it may have been taken off course by strong high-altitude winds, officials said. It was partly directed by air currents and partly piloted remotely, they said. With propellers and a rudder, it has the capability to be maneuvered.
one of the authors is Ellen Nakashima who won a Pullitzer for coverage of Russian 2016 election interference (which was BS)
So now our own people are making excuses and explanations for the Chinese?
And this interesting plot development… Possible that the recent unidentified balloons being downed are hobbyist weather/HAM radio balloons
This administration is seriously making us a laughing stock on the world stage.
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
February 16, 2023, 04:17 PM
YooperSigs
I just punched up Guam on Google Earth. And what do I see? Multiple B-1s sitting on the ramp. Pretty obvious what the Chinese interest in Gaum may be.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
February 16, 2023, 06:15 PM
flashguy
quote:
Originally posted by YooperSigs: I just punched up Guam on Google Earth. And what do I see? Multiple B-1s sitting on the ramp. Pretty obvious what the Chinese interest in Gaum may be.
They're checking to see if it has turned over.
flashguy
Texan by choice, not accident of birth
February 16, 2023, 06:27 PM
Ironbutt
quote:
Originally posted by 911Boss: [QUOTE]Originally posted by sdy: And this interesting plot development… Possible that the recent unidentified balloons being downed are hobbyist weather/HAM radio balloons
An excerpt from the fox article: Small pico balloons range between $12 and $180 and are naturally buoyant above 43,000 ft. These objects carry an 11-gram tracker, with HF and VHF/UHG antennas to update their positions around the world, according to Aviation Week.
The outlet noted that the shape, altitudes, and payloads of small pico balloons matched the descriptions of all three unidentified objects shot down between Feb. 10 and Feb. 12.
Please tell me this isn't true. What-A-Fucking-Clown-Show!
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"It's hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions, than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." Thomas Sowell
That's the link to the club whose balloon Joe shot down. It's a club who launch balloons according to the Code of Federal Regs and this particular balloon had already circumnavigated the globe 7 times before the administration gave a shit. It just drifts and broadcasts location and other info.
The balloon was a mighty beast that warranted tremendous firepower to shoot down - 32" diameter and a 100" circumference, and a payload that weighed less than a bird.
We have a clown running the WH and the people around him who advised him on this are just idiots. All of the balloons had made prior trips around the world over a number of months. Launch info and the routes are at the link and blog date is prior to the shootdown.
That's the link to the club whose balloon Joe shot down. It's a club who launch balloons according to the Code of Federal Regs and this particular balloon had already circumnavigated the globe 7 times before the administration gave a shit. It just drifts and broadcasts location and other info.
The balloon was a mighty beast that warranted tremendous firepower to shoot down - 32" diameter and a 100" circumference, and a payload that weighed less than a bird.
We have a clown running the WH and the people around him who advised him on this are just idiots. All of the balloons had made prior trips around the world over a number of months. Launch info and the routes are at the link and blog date is prior to the shootdown.
Top men...
The Chinese spy balloon was the top story for days on CNN. It was all they talked about. If you believe CNN, Biden is a hero for keeping Americans safe from the evil Chinese terrorist balloon.
This they spent about two minutes on this and quickly glossed over the fact that this was a club’s weather balloon.
February 17, 2023, 05:54 AM
gearhounds
At this point, can it be verified that any of the balloons were of Chinese origin? (Other than being ordered on Alibaba of course…)
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown
February 17, 2023, 06:26 AM
Broadside
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds: At this point, can it be verified that any of the balloons were of Chinese origin? (Other than being ordered on Alibaba of course…)
At this point, it appears the original balloon was of Chinese origin. At least one of the others belonged to a balloon club.
February 17, 2023, 07:16 AM
Ironbutt
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds: At this point, can it be verified that any of the balloons were of Chinese origin? (Other than being ordered on Alibaba of course…)
Official reports say the one that was shot down off SC was Chinese, but the others are still being officially called "objects."
That could mean that they have no freaking idea what they sent a $200M+ plane to shoot down, OR more likely, they know exactly what they shot down..... somebody's hobby balloons.
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"It's hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions, than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." Thomas Sowell
February 17, 2023, 09:01 AM
Rightwire
So we shot down 1 Chinese spy balloon and several hobby balloons? Nice.
I am curious as to how these hobby balloon teams think letting a balloon float uncontrolled at altitudes that could conflict with private and commercial air traffic is a good idea. I can only imagine what one of those would do if it was sucked into the engine of an A320 or collided with a single engine Piper.
Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys
343 - Never Forget
Its better to be Pavlov's dog than Schrodinger's cat
There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive.
...I am curious as to how these hobby balloon teams think letting a balloon float uncontrolled at altitudes that could conflict with private and commercial air traffic is a good idea. I can only imagine what one of those would do if it was sucked into the engine of an A320 or collided with a single engine Piper.
Me too, and I fly a single engine Cessna! The club link posted by Flashlight Boy says they comply with 14CFR Part 101 (see link below), presumably the FAA has determined that balloons of a certain size are not hazardous.
Kamala & Joe are the Republican's best campaign ads for 2024. They could make commercials of nothing but gaffs, and just plain stupid crap they say.
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"It's hard to imagine a more stupid or dangerous way of making decisions, than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." Thomas Sowell
February 17, 2023, 04:06 PM
TMats
quote:
Originally posted by Broadside:
quote:
Originally posted by gearhounds: At this point, can it be verified that any of the balloons were of Chinese origin? (Other than being ordered on Alibaba of course…)
At this point, it appears the original balloon was of Chinese origin. At least one of the others belonged to a balloon club.
Any truth to the rumor that one was a NWS weather balloon, or is that the club balloon we fired a $400,000 missile into?
_______________________________________________________ despite them
