This report was first published on February 2nd, 2022. New information has been added.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder issued a statement earlier today on the incident:
The United States Government has detected and is tracking a high altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now. The U.S. government, to include NORAD, continues to track and monitor it closely.
The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground. Instances of this kind of balloon activity have been observed previously over the past several years.
Once the balloon was detected, the U.S. government acted immediately to protect against the collection of sensitive information.
Nevertheless, the Billings Gazette reported that fighter jets, AWACS (long-range radar surveillance aircraft), and air tankers were sent to the area to investigate.
Domestic flights in the surrounding airspace were also canceled but were later allowed to resume.
When briefed over the incident, President Joe Biden reportedly said that he wanted to shoot it down, but was recommended not to because the debris would have reportedly fell on civilians, as noted by the Daily Mail and many other mainstream outlets.
This balloon is apparently the size of three buses in length, ABC News claims, calling the sighting “unsettling.”
However, most outlets would not show the supposed spy balloon very closeup. But the Billings Gazette shared a video by a civilian on the ground who was able to get a much closer look at it.
UPDATE – China Responds
Since the initial onslaught of concern Chinese officials have responded to requests from the Pentagon to explain what this balloon is and what it is doing there. The Chinese foreign ministry has urged both sides to act “calmly and prudently.”
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning did not necessarily deny if it was a spy balloon or not, but did say Beijing was still “learning about the verification of the matter,” the South China Morning Post reported.
I want to emphasize that before the facts are clear, any speculation and hype are not conducive to the solution of the problem.
China is a responsible country and has always abided by international law. We have no intention of violating the territory or airspace of any sovereign state.
Ning added
Nevertheless U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a trip to Beijing that had already been scheduled ahead of time.
We have noted the PRC statement of regret, but the presence of this balloon in our airspace is a clear violation of our sovereignty as well as international law.
After consultations with our interagency partners as well as with Congress, we have concluded that the conditions are not right at this moment for Secretary Blinken to travel to China.
[He] conveyed to [director of the general office of the Central Foreign Affairs Wang Yi] earlier this morning that the trip would need to be postponed but the secretary indicated that he would plan to travel to the PRC at the earliest opportunity when conditions allow.In the meantime, we will maintain open lines of communication with the PRC to address our concerns about this ongoing incident and to responsibly manage the competition between our countries.
A senior State Department official told reporters, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
This just screams of pure propaganda. The thing looks like a weather or helium balloon.
Here is a helium balloon flying over Karunya University, Coimbatore, India:
Just look up weather and helium balloons online, and they bare a striking resemblance to the one the media calls “unsettling.”
Besides, if China really wanted to spy on us, do you really think they need a giant balloon to do it?
This to me is just more problem, reaction, solution stuff. The media is creating another reason for the public to freak out whilst justifying even further souring Chinese relations.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Isn’t there one person in Montana that who could shoot that balloon down? It’s an eyesore. Where’s Ted Kazinsky when you really need him?, lol
Psyop.
Agreed.
Why China? I have a feeling this ‘thing’ originated from a source MUCH closer to home, IMHO.
Nothing the Media, or this (current) REGIME, do I trust. NOTHING. They LIE through their teeth about everything . And “IF” this thing originated in China, why was it allowed to ‘drift’ from the West coast, all the way to Carolina, before something was done about it? I CALL B.S.
Luke 6:25
“Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now!
for ye shall mourn and weep.”
2 Timothy 2:16
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
i know its tough but you gotta keep trying you not ready nir chosen to carry to roll of ministry yet if you still use foul language.
but heres encouragement keep trying and the Lord will help you to win victory over that sin, youbare not alone.
read over these scriptual verses below daily to help you along and to enourage you and to see how you progress and grow:
Ephesians 5:4 – Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Colossians 3:8-10 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Matthew 12:37 – For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 3:8 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Matthew 15:10-11 – And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
2 Timothy 2:16 – But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Matthew 12:36 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
James 3:10 – Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Titus 2:12 – Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ……
hope this helps Mr. mark c
What in the world are you talking about? What “foul language?”