How many out there think that the balloon was purposely launched to rile up the Right Wing

[Norbert]

Xi isn't stupid. He sees these jackasses going apeshit over a princess of color, gas stoves, tan suits, M&Ms and now chocolate milk.

This is just another thing that will promote culture wars and dysfunction in the US. The laughing stock that the right keeps mentioning is them and Xi is probably loving it.

[kimbutgar]

1. I can't help but think of the art of war by Sun Tzu

Last edited Mon Feb 6, 2023, 09:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Xi is watching the division in our country and how the right wing and TFG has radicalized and brainwashed a bunch of Americans and sent in that balloon to set off the MAGAS.

“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

[Eko]

2. Or it could just be a balloon that they lost control of.

If I had to bet that is what I would bet on.

[Sneederbunk]

3. Then they lost control of two.

[Eko]

6. Why two?

[Sneederbunk]

10. They are using the same excuse for their balloon flying over South America.

[Eko]

11. What makes you think they lost control of that one?

[Eko]

14. I trust China 0%.

It makes no sense to have it go over the US when they know we are just going to blow it up. On your second point if you think it was to rile up the GOP then they dont have to go to all that trouble to do that, just post some crazy conspiracy theory on social media will do that, be quicker, cost less and be more effective. I dont trust them saying the second one is lost as I dont trust them at all.
Eko.

[LakeArenal]

9. Why would he fly one over Costa Rica which has a great relationship with China.

[Eko]

12. Maybe to get someplace else?

[sprinkleeninow]

4. The ballons are deliberate to cause a ruckus of one sort or another.

[Ocelot II]

5. No. These things have been floating around for years.

It's an embarrassment for Xi and useful for us, because now we have their equipment.

[Takket]

7. that's what i think..... they didn't roll the dice on a freaking balloon because it was gonig to

provide them with intelligence they aren't already more than capable of gathering in other ways.

it was a political stunt

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. Not me- Occam's Razor and all, you know. Nt

[kentuck]

13. I think it was launched to measure Biden's reaction to it...

...because they have plans for a military action over in Taiwan or the South China Sea sometime soon. Just my hunch.

[roamer65]

17. +1000

Definitely agree.

[onenote]

15. Hopefully not too many of us

Otherwise we might as well merge the general discussion forum and the creative speculation forum into one group and be done with it.

[sarisataka]

19. I was trying to come up with a reply

But it is better to amplify what you have so eloquently stated

[roamer65]

16. Since there were 3 during the Dump occupation, I'd say Chinese hubris.

I think they thought he would just ignore it like Dump did the 3 others.

[brooklynite]

18. Of course not

Life isn't always a conspiracy theory.

[doc03]

20. I don't think the Chinese knew how stupid the wingnuts were, now they

do.

[Chakaconcarne]

21. If it wasn't, it will be now.....