By Milt Harris ——Bio and Archives--February 3, 2023
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A large Chinese spy balloon, said to be the size of three busses, was recently spotted over Montana. The balloon contains a technology bay which means it has the capability of taking high resolution pictures of missiles and military bases, which it most likely has been, is currently doing, and will continue sending back to China.
Naturally, the Biden administration has decided to handle this in the manner they do best, by doing nothing.
Yesterday, Brigadier General Pat Ryder had this to say:
"The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is flying over the continental United States right now. NORAD, (North American Aerospace Defense Command) continues to track and monitor it closely.”
NORAD then issued a follow up statement, from General Glen VanHerck, their commander:
"Assesses the balloon does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time. The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic."
NORAD also stated that they were working with the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada’s Department of National Defense and other partners to assess the situation.
The statement also included this curious line:
“Canada is taking steps to ensure the security of its airspace, including the monitoring of a potential second incident."
Here’s a suggestion, Shoot It Down.
One defense official had this to say:
"Instances of this activity have been observed over the past several years, including prior to this administration. It's happened a handful of other times over the past few years. It is appearing to hang out for a longer period of time this time around."
Here’s a suggestion, Shoot It Down.
A senior U.S. official told ABC that the balloon was designed for a specific purpose and was traveling a purposeful path along areas where there are missiles and military bases. He then added this:
"I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but the goal was surveillance and clearly they're trying to fly this balloon over sensitive sites to collect information."
He went on to say:
"We have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people and our homeland and that if the risk does increase then "we will have options to deal with this balloon."
Weighing in from the other side, Retired Colonel Steve Ganyard, stated that he believed the balloon was a standard research vessel that simply drifted with the jet stream. He suggested that it was possibly an experiment gone amiss.
“Such balloons are not controlled after their release and while they are normally equipped with mechanisms to deflate over an open area, the mechanisms can fail. So it's possible the balloon would have drifted over from China after multiple days, rather than being nefariously deployed. China intentionally deploying a reconnaissance balloon over the U.S. would be highly provocative, with little value since Chinese satellites are able to collect information in a similar manner.”
Debate, Debate, Debate.
Here’s a suggestion, Shoot It Down.
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On Wednesday they had their chance. The balloon, as well as some Airforce F-22 Raptors and early warning aircraft which were scrambled from Nellis Air Force Base, were seen over a remote area of Montana. The FAA ordered a ground stop at the Billings Airport and the stage was set—but the decision was made not to shoot it down.
Apparently, the elite brain trust of confused Joe Biden, General “Full Retreat” Mark Milley and U.S. Northern Command General Glen VanHerck decided to not:
“take kinetic action due to the risk to safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field."
Right, because we all know there isn’t any open land in Montana.
Here’s a suggestion, Shoot It Down.
On Wednesday night, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for a briefing of the “Gang of Eight,” which consists of the top House and Senate leaders, as well as the heads of the intelligence committees in each chamber.
After the briefing on Thursday afternoon, Senator Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi and the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee said in a statement:
“that information strongly suggests the Department failed to act with urgency.”
The top Republican and Democrat on the House's Select Committee on China, Chair Mike Gallagher, Republican from Wisconsin and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat from Illinois, issued a statement saying:
"This incident demonstrates that the CCP threat is not confined to distant shores, it is here at home and we must act to counter this threat."
They added, it is a clear “violation of American Sovereignty.”
Montana Republican Representative Ryan Zinke Tweeted:
“The Chinese spy balloon is clear provocation. In Montana we do not bow. We shoot it down. Take the shot.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Any clue as to what this is in the sky? It’s moved a little bit in the past 40 minutes, but it was just as bright in daylight hours. pic.twitter.com/sNRnJSfJ7G
— John Martin (@MartinInMontana) February 2, 2023
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Milt spent thirty years as a sales and operations manager for an international manufacturing company. He is also a four-time published author on a variety of subjects. Now, he spends most of his time researching and writing about conservative politics and liberal folly.