The John Locke Foundation


** Why is China's Spy Balloon So Worrying
------------------------------------------------------------
The 1950s called, and it wants its spy technology ([link removed]) back.

This weekend, the U.S. military shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, which had traversed much of the country. Beginning its trip via Canada before making its way through Montana, where much of our nuclear arsenal is housed, and then likely traveling through other states, including North Carolina ([link removed]) , before finally meeting ([link removed]) its end off the coast of South Carolina.

The Chinese government claims ([link removed]) that the balloon was merely meant to study weather and had been blown off course. That it happened to hover over our nuclear weapon silos was a complete coincidence.

The whole scenario is very reminiscent of the Cold War-era, when the United States attempted similar tactics to spy on the USSR.

So, was this balloon, which has a sister currently hanging around South America, a provocation towards the United States and the West in general?

Probably.

The technology was cumbersome and obvious, but if the balloon was purely weather related, why not just announce its suspected journey ahead of time? The likely answer is that the Chinese were testing something, but exactly what is unclear. As salvage operations begin off the South Carolina coast and perhaps even into North Carolina ([link removed]) as well, we’ll learn more about the purpose of this balloon.

But in the meantime, it’s still a rather worrying situation. Is it the opening salvo of what could become World War III, or a random weather balloon that happened to simply get blown off course and was heading to the magical land of Oz?

What do you think? Did you see the balloon hovering over North Carolina this weekend?

Have a wonderful week!

Brittany


** More from Locke
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** Parents' Bill of Rights (S.B. 49) Moves Forward
------------------------------------------------------------

S.B. 49 codifies the rights of parents and guardians to direct their children’s education and well-being.

Keep Reading ([link removed])

[link removed]


** Did the Recent Redistricting Favor Democrats?
------------------------------------------------------------

Redistricting Special Master Bob Orr blames California professor for questionable decisions.

Keep Reading ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Consumer Spending Fell, What Does This Mean?
------------------------------------------------------------

Consumer spending fell 0.2 percent in December, making this the second consecutive month of decline.

Keep Reading ([link removed])


** Defining Digit
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** What’s on the Locke Calendar
------------------------------------------------------------
Liberty Launch Party N.C. - Please mark your calendar and plan to join the John Locke Foundation on Feb. 9 in Charlotte, where Guy Benson—Fox News contributor, author, and editor of Town Hall—will speak about the importance of liberty. Benson will share the challenges of speaking up on critical issues and the tactics used to obstruct liberty-minded individuals. For more clickhere ([link removed]) .


** Latest Video
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
Andre Beliveau, John Locke Foundation's strategic projects and government affairs manager, testifies about Parents' Bill of RIghts (S.B. 49), during a Feb. 1, 2023, committee meeting. Video courtesy of ncleg.gov.

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Link ([link removed])
** LinkedIn ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Copyright © 2023 John Locke Foundation, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in with us and we want to keep you informed!

Our mailing address is:
John Locke Foundation
4800 Six Forks Rd.
Ste 220
Raleigh, NC 27609
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.