Posted on 02/03/2023 10:50:48 AM PST by Right Wing Vegan
GOP lawmakers are calling for the United States to shoot down the alleged Chinese spy balloon found floating over Montana on Wednesday.
The Pentagon said it would not shoot down the balloon, arguing it "does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time," and China blamed the incursion into U.S. airspace on a civilian aircraft that had deviated off course. Montana is home to sensitive nuclear military installations.
"It was a mistake to not shoot down that Chinese spy balloon when it was over a sparsely populated area," Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted. "This is not some hot air balloon, it has a large payload of sensors roughly the size of two city buses & the ability to maneuver independently."
"President Biden should stop coddling and appeasing the Chinese communists," Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) tweeted on Friday. "Bring the balloon down now and exploit its tech package, which could be an intelligence bonanza."
A defense official said Thursday the intelligence value of the destroyed balloon would be minimal and that the Defense Department doesn't want to risk hurting people on the ground.
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) dismissed what he called "bowing" to China's "provocation."
"Shoot. It. Down. The Chinese spy balloon is clear provocation. In Montana we do not bow. We shoot it down. Take the shot," he tweeted on Thursday.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) emphatically agreed, saying the Pentagon's argument on safety "doesn't sell."
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) told Fox News the presence of the spy balloon is "disturbing."
Why hasn't the Biden administration shot this spy balloon down?" she asked. "It's very disturbing to know that it's still up there in the air near our military installations. The time is now. Let's get this thing out of the air."
Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said the U.S. government continues to monitor the balloon closely.
Lots happening that many are unaware of.
There’s is the spy ballon(s) and crazy stuff being watched off the east coast as well.
Also check the no fly zones for Biden in DC, Philadelphia (speaking), Delaware (home) and then to Camp David (?) this afternoon and weekend.
The balloons must have drifted over Hawaii and Alaska, undetected?
As long as the motive is good. Apologies for the vertical dyslexia.
It’s all good. I have no personal animosity towards anyone here. I sometimes get abrasive but I love the back and forth here. Even with grey_whiskers.
I am waiting for the Photoshop showing ‘TRUMP 2024’ plastered on the balloon!
I like the idea.
But let's get some actual such balloons to fly over China.
With Biden as POTUS, we can expect only shit to happen to America and nothing else. This is but the beginning. Stolen election is bringing America’s demise.
Not sure why you don't see the issue here/future ramifications.
Why is she calling it a "spy balloon"?
I actually don't care if they are spying, since they can and do do that from low Earth orbit.
What I care about, especially now that there are (at least) two of them, is that this is not a new weapons delivery platform which, once 3-4 are in place, will deliver an EMP attack or worse.
God, Republicans are so stupid. Some idiot tells them "Spy balloon, spy balloon" and they're off chanting whatever they are told.
China doesn't (or shouldn't) have overflight privileges of CONUS with unidentified devices of unknown composition and purpose. Period.
"Spying" is the least problematic thing this could be.
The balloon may have a barometric switch which triggers an event(such as self destruct) at a predetermined elevation. It is like opening a Chinese fortune cookie.
Biden should be charged for allowing this.
The Pentagon is saying it is expected to hang around for 3 or 4 more days so maybe they do know something we don’t ??
Thank you. Who the hell would say a Chinese spy balloon inside America is a big nothing ? SMH.
In the duh department, if the U.S. sent a balloon over Chinese airspace, the Chicoms would shoot it down in a Beijing second.
5.56mm
Will Joe get the 10% for the balloon’s right of way?
People are assuming we don’t know what it is.
People are assuming that we haven’t spoken with China, or vice versa.
Most in the military and civilian contractors for military and scientific purposes don’t magically become Communists because of elections.
These same workers have families in the country.
They are unknown professionals doing their duty and jobs.
I recommend a glass of scotch and a Zoloft for many here and in DC.
Egad! Now I'm worried - do you realize the diseases that thing is probably carrying?
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