Jim Stone, Freelance Journalist

HERE IS IRREFUTABLE PROOF THE BALLOON WAS AMERICAN

balloon before first charge went off

The separation charge (to ensure the payload does not stay connected)

14 entire video frames later, the payload explodes

Why would auto destruct have a separation charge? TO MAKE DAMN GOOD AND SURE WHAT WAS LEFT OF IT SANK, AND WAS NOT KEPT FLOATING BY WHATEVER WAS LEFT OF THE BALLOON.

Obviously auto destruct was used, there was no shoot down. And if that be the case, it proves the balloon belonged to America's own DOD. How could China predictably blow it up right when a "shoot down" jet approached for show? OBVIOUSLY they did not, the destruction was perfectly timed by America's own DOD.

I said it before and I'll say it again: The entire charade was a "wag the dog" to cause Americans to not spread the bust of the pfizer director. That story was big enough to need big time action to shut it down.