Stupid World

[pritch]

In Massachusetts legislation is underway to commute prison sentences for prisoners who donate bone marrow or an organ.

The lunatics are running the asylum.

[george formby]

In Massachusetts legislation is underway to commute prison sentences for prisoners who donate bone marrow or an organ.

The lunatics are running the asylum.

The Russians have a scheme which works in a similar way but without guarantees of surviving.

Speaking of loonies. Lauren Boebert..... https://nz.yahoo.com/news/lauren-boe...020303468.html

[pritch]

The Russians have a scheme which works in a similar way but without guarantees of surviving.

I read some years back that the Chinese government executes prisoners by shooting them in the back of the neck then donates their organs. They also charge the family for the bullet.

[TheDemonLord]

In Massachusetts legislation is underway to commute prison sentences for prisoners who donate bone marrow or an organ.

The lunatics are running the asylum.

And who is in power in Massachusetts?

Something something soft on crime something Left wing something.

[pritch]

A sudden change of tactics with regard to *that* laptop generates headlines in the US. Lawyers for Hunter Biden have seemingly posted something of a snowstorm of letters. (Apologies to people afflicted by a lisp.)

Many RWNJs with media connections have long made free with their thoughts on the contents of the laptop(s). Some have now received letters threatening defamation action.

The lawyers have also written to the DoJ requesting a criminal probe into the way the laptops and their contents have been handled - or mishandled. If the DoJ accepts the request it could get complicated. The inquiry will mainly centre on laws related to computers and computing. Such laws in the US, as elsewhere, are already outdated. Who that will work for remains to be seen.


https://www.axios.com/2023/02/02/rea...gation-letters

[pritch]

A balloon has bought the idiots out. By now y'all will be aware of the Chinese balloon which is crossing the United States. It is a massive thing, the payload is reported variously as being two or three school busses in size. The RWNJs are taking its presence as a personal affront. Both Mad Marge Traitor Greene and Donald Trump Jr have suggested people should shoot it down, presumably with their AR15s?.

Problem is that its at an altitude estimated as 50 to 60 thousand feet. Not every jet fighter can operate at that altitude but a few can. Surface to air missiles can reach that high but an airforce general says that there are none of those deployed in the continental United States. If they did shoot it down, then there's the problem of something the size of multiple busses coming back to earth at terminal velocity. Of course the Republicans want it shot down. Any deaths or damage wouldl then be blamed on Joe Biden.

Best thing would seem to be to let it carry on it's way, it'll be over the Atlantic in a day or two, but national honour or rampant idiocy may not let that happen.

[TheDemonLord]

A balloon has bought the idiots out. By now y'all will be aware of the Chinese balloon which is crossing the United States. It is a massive thing, the payload is reported variously as being two or three school busses in size. The RWNJs are taking its presence as a personal affront. Both Mad Marge Traitor Greene and Donald Trump Jr have suggested people should shoot it down, presumably with their AR15s?.

Problem is that its at an altitude estimated as 50 to 60 thousand feet. Not every jet fighter can operate at that altitude but a few can. Surface to air missiles can reach that high but an airforce general says that there are none of those deployed in the continental United States. If they did shoot it down, then there's the problem of something the size of multiple busses coming back to earth at terminal velocity. Of course the Republicans want it shot down. Any deaths or damage wouldl then be blamed on Joe Biden.

Best thing would seem to be to let it carry on it's way, it'll be over the Atlantic in a day or two, but national honour or rampant idiocy may not let that happen.

I mean, it is a violation of national borders. Given the exploits of the U2 and the SR71, kinda ironic, but both of those were attempted to be shot down (and in the case of the U2 - actually shot down) - they are right, it is an affront to national sovereignty and pride.

I'd personally like to see a plan to have it captured - don't ask me how.

[pritch]

I mean, it is a violation of national borders. Given the exploits of the U2 and the SR71, kinda ironic, but both of those were attempted to be shot down (and in the case of the U2 - actually shot down) - they are right, it is an affront to national sovereignty and pride.

I'd personally like to see a plan to have it captured - don't ask me how.

The balloon has reportedly been shot down as it crossed the Carolina coast. Attempts are now being made to recover the payload from the Atlantic.

Heads may roll. It was supposed to be shot down over the Pacific.

Update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNVhLhq3CEQ

[TheDemonLord]

The balloon has reportedly been shot down as it crossed the Carolina coast. Attempts are now being made to recover the payload from the Atlantic.

Heads may roll. It was supposed to be shot down over the Pacific.

Yep - Apparently an F22 with a Sidewinder.

Use of a Sidewinder is interesting - as it's a Heatseeking missile - either there was something quite toasty on the balloon or we are able to infer some interesting capabilities of the Missile.

The video looks awesome too.


On a tangent though - does this count as an Air-to-Air victory/kill?

[george formby]

I read that what really put the wind up the military, heh, was that the balloon was navigating over sensitive areas and holding station.

Can't remember where, though but it wasn't facebook.

[pritch]

I read that what really put the wind up the military, heh, was that the balloon was navigating over sensitive areas and holding station.

Can't remember where, though but it wasn't facebook.

Apparently it had limited ability to steer but I didn't see any comments about holding station. The speed with which it crossed the States suggest it wasn't hanging about.

[husaberg]

Apparently it had limited ability to steer but I didn't see any comments about holding station. The speed with which it crossed the States suggest it wasn't hanging about.

What's really interesting is the claim the US didnt have SAMs to shoot it down.

[TheDemonLord]

What's really interesting is the claim the US didnt have SAMs to shoot it down.

I think this may be due to a combination of factors.

I'm pretty sure that by law, the US Army is not allowed to do operations on home soil, that is the sole province of the National Guard. A Quick Google show that the NG Air Defence units are equipped with Humvee mounted Stinger units - which don't have the range to get that high.

The US Army fields Patriot batteries and THAAD units - which have the altitude to reach something at 50-60,000 ft, I suspect that a live fire against an unknown threat would contravene the legal rules and so wouldn't be allowed.

[R650R]

I read that what really put the wind up the military, heh, was that the balloon was navigating over sensitive areas and holding station.

Can't remember where, though but it wasn't facebook.

Montana Strategic air command ICBM field, there are three major missile fields across mid west farm fields.

[R650R]

Sleep Joe is now saying they new about it since Wednesday they were just waiting for it to be over unpopulated area.
Funny thing is the Chinese just needed to say it was a weather balloon tracking climate change and the greenies would have cancelled the shoot down lol
Really it’s just poking a stick at USA to see what happens, there wouldn’t be any tangible intel benefit to be had on already known weapon locations. I mean I feel the Russians hadn’t already been emailing the locations the Chinese only need to ping the Tiktok laden cellphones of American servicemen to get what they need.
The horse has already bolted