• Montanans spotted a Chinese spy balloon hovering above the state’s missile silos and bases, prompting a minor national panic.
• The federal government was already aware of the balloon, but had kept it on the “down-low” in order to not disrupt a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and high Chinese officials.
• The incident sparked stereotypes about Montanans being quick to anger and hostile to outsiders.
• A few weeks prior, a New York Times article had portrayed Montana as a quasi-fascist state, which the author of the article claims is exaggerated.
• The author reflects on the state’s lack of power and influence, and how Montanans are often portrayed in a negative light by the media.
• Despite this, the author is proud of Montanans for spotting the balloon and raising an alarm.
Published February 5, 2023
Visit The Free Press to read Walter Kirn’s original post The Chinese Spy Balloon Over My House