>

Don't have to be over the maim land just 12 miles out.
Feels like we're getting memed on now >

I’m guessing these weather/surveillance balloons are actually extremely common since they’re probably a lot cheaper and easier than any other type of surveillance. These stories are just generating clicks and interest lately so we’re hearing about them more often. >

It does seem like we only shot the balloon down for political reasons. Spotted by nutty mid west states, pick up by right wing media to harass Biden,  uggh you locals dont know how common this is, but fine we will shoot it down so you dont bitch about it for the next decade. Biden probably saved us from the next Bengazi/Hunters laptop shooting it down >

Nah, Biden wanted to shoot it down immediately, but they were worried about damage on the ground. Pretty much the second it was over the ocean they Aim9x’d it >

Then why'd we wait until it was over the US and not shoot it down while we tracked it over the Bering Sea? >

Because shooting things belonging to other countries out of the sky just because we think it "might" fly over mainland US would look bad.