This balloon is there so people talk about it. We do not have to shoot it down. I am sure we have plenty of directed energy, emp, or lasers that could render the electronics useless. It is all for show. Spying is not its purpose. It is not even suited for that. Now as a practice run for floating...
What is patriotism? Love or devotion to ones country is the dictionary definition. How do you differentiate what the government is doing domestically and globally from your feelings about the concept of your country?
I got out of USMC in 85. I don’t see us participating in amphibious operations like in WWII ever again. So the Marines are not necessary and they should just be part of the Army. Why spend the money just to have soldiers in different uniforms?