Hacker News Reader

> it's that America's adversaries know they can do it without consequences

There was a consequence -- we shot it down.

> That is the irreversible change it signifies, imo.

It's not irreversible. Additional consequences can be initiated at any time.

You don't need to convince me, convince the people who keep sending the ballons, invading allies, and using NATO countries as rocket flyover paths.

Having it shot down is not a consequence.

Diplomatic or economic retribution of some kind would be a consequence.