>

I would, guy knows how to tell amazing stories!
“conservatives” are nothing more than hysterical reactionaries at this point. >

For sure. Had Biden ordered it shot down over land they’d just switch and be outraged at the risk he took with American lives and any destruction of property. >

Shooting it down over Alaska or even Montana probably would’ve been a fine call. But yes, you are definitely correct, there will always be the people that just can’t be satisfied no matter what happens. That issue stems far outside of politics. >

My guess is they wanted it relatively intact. In the video it looks like they just deflated the balloon part and dropped the control unit into the ocean for recovery. 
I feel like waiting until it was over the ocean prevented catastrophic damage to the technology on board when they shot it down. >

Falling from 50 thousand feet or whatever, I would think hitting the ocean would be as catastrophic to the equipment as hitting land,  and then it's in salt water until recovery. 
But at least it won't land on someone's house, car, head, etc. >

If they’d shot it down over land the debris would’ve been on eBay before the recovery crew had reached the site. >

Jokes on them I’m diving the wreckage right now >

Stop it James Cameron. I don’t want to watch a 3 hour love story about the balloon.