Child Floats Away in Balloon

[Jim Brennan]

No Joke (http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/21306839/detail.html)

[Batutta]

Watching it now! Crazy!

[Jim Brennan]

Got the balloon. No kid.

[Mark Harris]

I call stunt.

[alveraz]

My assessment as of 1:08pm pst. I don't think he's "hiding in the yard" or anywhere in the close area as newscasters are assuming. My guess is, he climbed in, freaked out (as a 6 year old would do) and spilled out. The experts are saying it lifted fast and far within seconds. I can only imaging the worse here, he fell from a high distance and is hopefully hanging onto life somewhere in that town. Hopefully they find him soon, but all this talk from cops searching the immediate area is ridiculous. If he's that close, he's alive. The prudent move would be to search over a mile radius, where he could be injured from the fall.

Thoughts?

[jkc123]

Total hoax.

The media got punked.

It seemed to me that anyone could look at the balloon and tell that no one was inside by the way it was tilting.

It was funny to see the media go all ape-poo w/o any facts. I mean they actually reported that the "source" of the story was the kids older brother.

Come on now....

[alveraz]

Why would a family create such a horrendous hoax? What do they achieve outside of prison time? How funny is a 6 year old plummeting to his death? Explain the hoax thing, I'm curious.

[ChipG]

I have heard his dads name before in the storm chasing community. He has a history of media stunts in the past, not saying they were bogus but just a different way of going about things that upset a lot of people. I also rememer something about him doing something over the top to get him on last seasons Wife Swap tv show.

Let's hope his kid is ok and he is not crying wolf for PR for another upcoming tv show or media project.

[Jim Brennan]

Total hoax.

The media got punked.

It seemed to me that anyone could look at the balloon and tell that no one was inside by the way it was tilting.

It was funny to see the media go all ape-poo w/o any facts. I mean they actually reported that the "source" of the story was the kids older brother.

Come on now....
It's not a hoax. The basket fell off the balloon before the media had eyes on it.

[jkc123]

Don't get me wrong; I hope the kid is fine.

IMHO the media overreacted (again).

Like ChipG says the dad seems like a wack job and I'm not saying the entire family conspired to form an elaborate hoax but IMHO the dad or the kids cooked this whole thing up.

[alveraz]

They are just NOW expanding the search outside of that immediate area. That's what they should have done in the first place! Every minute they screw around in the neighborhood is another minute this kid clings to life somewhere in the distance.

I have a 6 year old too, that's why i'm freaking out over this. it's just crazy that no one figured out to search wide sooner.

[alveraz]

Don't get me wrong; I hope the kid is fine.

IMHO the media overreacted (again).

Like ChipG says the dad seems like a wack job and I'm not saying the entire family conspired to form an elaborate hoax but IMHO the dad or the kids cooked this whole thing up.

Absurd. He's not whack, he's a meteorologist who has his own show on science and experiments. The media are not overreacting and this is not a hoax. Again, what would be the motive?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

The guy is a meteorologist, scientist, astronomer, hurricane chacer, hence the balloon. Has contributed to CNN.
There was a box attached that they can't find.
Why would these people create this hoax with national agencies involed and risk serious criminal charges?
How are they gonna make money or profit off it if it's fake? How are they going to avoid charges if it's fake?
I suppose anything is possible, but given my reasoning above, don't see why anyon'es mind would go to hoax right off the bat.

EDIT: Ok here's a hoax angle. They're "not sure" the boy was in the box. I suppose they could have contrived to hide him, and have him show up safe later having been napping at a friend's house or something or hiking in the woods or the Appalachian trail. They are a broadcasting / TV family. I suppose that way they'd get all this attention and not get charged with anything. But still ...

Against it being a hoax - they'd have to make a box that would self detatch in a place that wouldn't be found. UNLESS, the box was never attached and they're just claiming it was. That way no risk of anyone finding it.

[alveraz]

Why would these people create this hoax with national agencies involed and risk serious criminal charges?

Exactly, and folks proposing this theory need to check the facts.

[jkc123]

First they report that the kid is "inside" the balloon and now they are saying that a basket "may" have been attached to the balloon.

Again, I pray that the kid is fine but something isn't adding up.

[Jim Brennan]

Who are "they"? We have no idea what the parents reported. We only know what the media said. I've been watching this since about 12:45 and there has not been one single statement from the parents that I know of.

[ChipG]

Don't get me wrong; I hope the kid is fine.

IMHO the media overreacted (again).

Like ChipG says the dad seems like a wack job and I'm not saying the entire family conspired to form an elaborate hoax but IMHO the dad or the kids cooked this whole thing up.

A lady friend of mine is high up at Reuters news and she sent it out on Facebook a while ago, I gave her a heads up about him, they are digging deep into his past as we speak, if it's a PR stunt for an upcoming TV show he has on science or weather (ballon related) and his kid is at a neighbors house he is going to get his ass handed to him.

If his kid is hurt my thoughts and prayers will go out to the family.

I read the article was from today but did this happen today or yesterday?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

It's unfolding right now Chip.


Why would these people create this hoax with national agencies involed and risk serious criminal charges?
....

Exactly, and the idiots proposing this need to check the facts.


My edit from above just to play Devil's advocate:



EDIT: Ok here's a hoax angle. They're "not sure" the boy was in the box. I suppose they could have contrived to hide him, and have him show up safe later having been napping at a friend's house or something or hiking in the woods or the Appalachian trail. They are a broadcasting / TV family. I suppose that way they'd get all this attention and not get charged with anything. But still ...

Against it being a hoax - they'd have to make a box that would self detatch in a place that wouldn't be found. UNLESS, the box was never attached and they're just claiming it was. That way no risk of anyone finding it.

[jkc123]

Who are "they"? We have no idea what the parents reported. We only know what the media said. I've been watching this since about 12:45 and there has not been one single statement from the parents that I know of.

It was reported to the media that the kid was inside the weather balloon; it came from either the parents or the kids older brother.

Surely you saw that on the cable news channels.

As far as the reasoning goes, think about the same folks who on 9-11 knowingly made false reports to the authorities that their loved ones were calling them saying that they need rescue because they are trapped inside the rubble.

Again, I hope the kid is fine. I am simply of the opinion that this rings false.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

CNN says it's "possible" that the boy was in the balloon based on "sibling reports".

[ChipG]

Why isn't they kid in school on a thursday? Or is he?

[Jim Brennan]

It was reported to the media that the kid was inside the weather balloon; it came from either the parents or the kids older brother.

Surely you saw that on the cable news channels.

As far as the reasoning goes, think about the same folks who on 9-11 knowingly made false reports to the authorities that their loved ones were calling them saying that they need rescue because they are trapped inside the rubble.

Again, I hope the kid is fine. I am simply of the opinion that this rings false.

I understand that is what we are hearing from the media. But, that's the media. Obviously something was reported to alert the authorities, but until the story shakes out, everything is speculation. We don't really know who said what to whom at this point.

[ChipG]

Ok, I just saw the ballon land from footage on CNN, it's smaller than I thought. Do you guys think it is big enough to lift a 6 year old? I remember on Mythbusters it was insanley larger than that about 20 times bigger (volume wise) to cary a 100lbs dummy.

Ok, CNN just listed the ballon denensions at 20 feet diameter x 5 feet high.

Is that big enough to lift a 6 year old? How much do 6 year olds weigh?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Why isn't they kid in school on a thursday? Or is he?
Maybe he went up in the morning?

Now a Sherriff's deputy is reporting that he saw the box fall from the balloon.

Not hoax: would mean conrtiving a balloon that would have a basket that would fall after liftoff in a place where it wouldn't be found to avoid criminal charges.

Hoax: Unless, again, the box was intended to fall off and could be found or not found because they're going to play like the kid was hiking in the woods and didn't know he was supposed to be missing.

Not hoax: As per Chip's school point. It might be more plausible to do this on a weekend day for a hoax.

Hoax: unless of course it went up early in the morning.

Not hoax: My gut says not hoax though. Any showbiz family, or Network, or whatever is risking such a backlash and criminal charges.

Hoax: unless it's just the parent's and they turn out to be crazy.

[jkc123]

Who are "they"? We have no idea what the parents reported. We only know what the media said. I've been watching this since about 12:45 and there has not been one single statement from the parents that I know of.

I understand that is what we are hearing from the media. But, that's the media. Obviously something was reported to alert the authorities, but until the story shakes out, everything is speculation. We don't really know who said what to whom at this point.

Fox news had the sheriff's official from the town on air stating that the kids brother called in saying that he was inside the runaway balloon.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Ok, I just saw the ballon land from footage on CNN, it's smaller than I thought. Do you guys think it is big enough to lift a 6 year old? I remember on Mythbusters it was insanley larger than that about 20 times bigger (volume wise) to cary a 100lbs dummy.

Ok, CNN just listed the ballon denensions at 20 feet diameter x 5 feet high.

Is that big enough to lift a 6 year old? How much do 6 year olds weigh?
Their expert said it was big enough to lift of with 100lbs and change.

Six year olds are bout 50lbs or less. So plus box it's possible.

[ChipG]

ok, they are debating if the ballon was big enough to lift him right now on CNN.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

lol you have a delay. they already talked about it and came to the conclusion I posted just before you. At least that was my understanding.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Two developements that they are discussing on CNN now.

- deputy saw object fall from balloon
- a reporter has produced a photo with an "object" apparently descending from the balloon. But the object could be dust or a duck or bug. Classic UFO style photo. Could be a falling basket. Could be nothing.

[ChipG]

Ohh, parent conferense day, no school.

[Jim Brennan]

Fox news had the sheriff's official from the town on air stating that the kids brother called in saying that he was inside the runaway balloon.

And somehow that means that the parents called in a hoax?

I'm not trying to belabor the point, but a newsguy saying that the cops say that the other kids says his brother flew away in a balloon doesn't equate to the parents calling that into the authorities, much less doing that as a hoax.

I'm not saying that the parents did not call that in, I'm just saying that we don't know.

Whether they did or not, neither indicates a hoax to me.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Yeah I was wondering because they were interviewing one of the friends just now and the friend said he was out running errands with his parents when he heard the news. So that make sense.

[ChipG]

An investigator just said that there would be no way the kids arms are long enough to unteather the ropes that hold the box, dosen't rule out a pocket knife or rope failure but things are starting to look fishy.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Now CNN's saying that Police are now saying there was never a box attached to it.

[ChipG]

The kids at home and is ok...

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Boy alive and at home.

[ChipG]

Someone is going to get their ass handed to them in the media...

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

He was hiding in a box in the garage.

[jkc123]

"I'm not trying to belabor the point, but a newsguy saying that the cops say that the other kids says his brother flew away in a balloon doesn't equate to the parents calling that into the authorities, much less doing that as a hoax."

LOL, I hearya. All this hearsay is getting kind of redundant.

Here's to hoping the kid turns up safe.

[jkc123]

WOW!

I guess all of us "idiots" thinking it was a hoax was proven right after all huh?

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I'm not trying to belabor the point, but a newsguy saying that the cops say that the other kids says his brother flew away in a balloon doesn't equate to the parents calling that into the authorities, much less doing that as a hoax.

Sheriff said sibling claiming Falcon was in a box attached to the balloon was interviewed multiple times and his story remained consistant.

Sheriff also said that it was not uncommon for missing children to hide once they learn they are missing because they are afraid they'll get in trouble.

[alveraz]

WOW!

I guess all of us "idiots" thinking it was a hoax was proven right after all huh?


uh, no. a kid was hiding. that's not a hoax, that's a scared 6 year old hiding because he screwed up.

[jkc123]

Wolf Blitzer: "Boys will be boys"

"We want to meet this family and celebrate with them"

The family will be on the cover of People magazine next week

[ugafan]

let this be lesson to all parents that you need to properly tether down your homemade experimental flying saucer shaped helium filled ballooon that you have floating in your backyard.

[Blade Borge]

15 minutes of fame starting....at 1pm or whenever it was.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

WOW!

I guess all of us "idiots" thinking it was a hoax was proven right after all huh?

Truth is no one, not you, not even law enforcement knows what happened right now and may not ever. But they won't even have the potential of knowing until they interview the kids and family more thoroughly later.

A hoax is not a misunderstanding or an accident - two different things.

You can have your suspicions one way or another, but that doesn't make your OPINION or anyone else's a FACT, i.e., right.

[jkc123]

uh, no. a kid was hiding. that's not a hoax, that's a scared 6 year old hiding because he screwed up.

I'm sorry but come on. The media went ape-poo for the past 6hrs. Does a scared 6yr old in "hiding because he screwed up" warrant that kind of coverage.

It's sensationalism at it's worst. I'm sure there were some who wanted to see a kid being pulled out of that crashed balloon (God help them).

This was a car fire that held the media's attn. for hours on end.

[ChipG]

Dad's new science weather show gets picked up next week for a 9 episode series on Discovery.

[ZazaCast]

The kid's o.k., that's all that counts in my book.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

I'm sorry but come on. The media went ape-poo for the past 6hrs. Does a scared 6yr old in "hiding because he screwed up" warrant that kind of coverage.

It's sensationalism at it's worst. I'm sure there were some who wanted to see a kid being pulled out of that crashed balloon (God help them).

This was a car fire that held the media's attn. for hours on end.

What's your argument? The media over reacted or it's a hoax. Sure both can be true but Alveraz says a kid hiding in a box doesn't warrant hoax, and you respond with a non sequitur attack of how the media handled it.

Media over reacts equals hoax how exactly?

[jkc123]

uh, no. a kid was hiding. that's not a hoax, that's a scared 6 year old hiding because he screwed up.

Truth is no one, not you, not even law enforcement knows what happened right now and may not ever. But they won't even have the potential of knowing until they interview the kids and family more thoroughly later.

A hoax is not a misunderstanding or an accident - two different things.

You can have your suspicions one way or another, but that doesn't make your OPINION or anyone else's a FACT, i.e., right.

Let me get this straight, in your opinion you believe that this spectacle was a misunderstanding or an accident?

[ChipG]

The kid's o.k., that's all that counts in my book.

Glad the kid is ok but now someone needs to get the belt out on the brother that lied about seeing him go up in the ballon.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Let me get this straight, in your opinion you believe that this spectacle was a misunderstanding or an accident?

Like about half the posters here, I SUSPECT, that this was some mistake or MAYBE the kids made it up just being stupid kids. But I don't think I'm abolutely assuredly 100% right, because I don't have all the facts. If I had to bet now that's what I'd say. But I don't know. And neither do you.

Here's the only two arguments people can make about this right now and none of it supported by facts.

One group SUSPECTS - this was all a hoax for the meteorologist dad to further his career
One group SUSPECTS - the risk of such a hoax, i.e., instant career ender and criminal charges, make the hoax angle seem unlikely.

That's all.

[Jim Brennan]

Like about half the posters here, I SUSPECT, that this was some mistake or MAYBE the kids made it up just being stupid kids. But I don't think I'm abolutely assuredly 100% right, because I don't have all the facts. If I had to bet now that's what I'd say. But I don't know. And neither do you.

Here's the only two arguments people can make about this right now and none of it supported by facts.

One group SUSPECTS - this was all a hoax for the meteorologist dad to further his career
One group SUSPECTS - the risk of such a hoax, i.e., instant career ender and criminal charges, make the hoax angle seem unlikely.

That's all.

Exactly. Speculate all you want but nobody knows except them. I have an eight and a ten year old. I have no doubt that it's possible the kid was hiding, afraid he was going to get in trouble for letting the balloon go.

It could be something else, but I am not convinced of anything because it's all speculation.

And how did the media over react when (according to reports as pointed out to me in this thread.) they were TOLD THERE WAS A KID IN THE BALLOON?

[alveraz]

I'm sorry but come on. The media went ape-poo for the past 6hrs. Does a scared 6yr old in "hiding because he screwed up" warrant that kind of coverage.

It's sensationalism at it's worst. I'm sure there were some who wanted to see a kid being pulled out of that crashed balloon (God help them).

This was a car fire that held the media's attn. for hours on end.


You're all over the place. What is your point exactly, is this is a hoax or over sensationalized? If it's sensationalism, welcome to the United States media, so what? It was a captivating story, of course they are going to cover it the way they did, it was a kid presumably 5 thousand feet in the air. That's good TV!!!

Would you rather read a below the fold story tomorrow in the paper? What does any of that have to do with this so called hoax you've got cooking? The kid was hiding cause he screwed up. My kids hide all the time when they screw up, that's what dumb kids do. The news, law enforcement nor anyone else for that matter had any idea where he was. All they had was a first eye account from his brother placing him in the balloon. That's a HUGE story and got the coverage it deserved.

Again, what's your point?

[ChipG]

I wouldn't normally be in the 'hoax to further career' area but knowing his dads past and pervious media history I can't help it. Probably losts more to unfold in the next few weeks.

The news just said his dad was grandstanding showing his science videos to the media when the search was under way. HMMMM

[ZazaCast]

One group SUSPECTS - this was all a hoax for the wetherologist dad to further his career
One group SUSPECTS - the risk of such a hoax, i.e., instant career ender and criminal charges, make the hoax angle seem unlikely.



Another group SUSPECTS - The media (once again) jumped on a story with as many facts as we all had. Must have been a slow news day. :happy:

[alveraz]

The news just said his dad was grandstanding showing his science videos to the media when the search was under way. HMMMM

Is that a quote? What news said that? The news actually said, "the dad was grandstanding his science videos"? One, that's not even appropriate grammar and two, no journalist would report that as news without details to back it up. Let me know your source, I'd love to research that one.

[jkc123]

Guys, hoaxes and sensationalism aren't mutually exclusive. The kid was hiding in a box in the garage. On the family property.

You mean to tell me that the family, the police, neighbors, didn't search every inch of that house before using all resources to find that kid.

Come on people.

Someone was mislead. A six year old boy fooled all these people? Alone.

My point has always been that the media over-reacted and that IMHO this story was fishy.

Alveraz, how many times have you called the cops because your kids were hiding from you?

[Jim Brennan]

To me at this point it is not an issue of what did or didn't happen to or with the kid. It's about people acting based on what information they have at the time. There is nothing inappropriate about that. What is the alternative? Saying "Ahh, there's probably no kid up there. This guy is just pimping his meteorology skills."?

[ChipG]

This sucks, it gives storm chasers a bad name...

[ChipG]

Is that a quote? What news said that? The news actually said, "the dad was grandstanding his science videos"? One, that's not even appropriate grammar and two, no journalist would report that as news without details to back it up. Let me know your source, I'd love to research that one.
Grandstanding was my word, news said his dad was showing the media his science videos while the search was underway.

It was on CNN from a reporter that was there.

[Jim Brennan]

Alveraz, how many times have you called the cops because your kids were hiding from you?

My hope would be every time it coincides with a balloon taking off and his other kid saying the first kid was in there.



My point has always been that the media over-reacted and that IMHO this story was fishy.

How should the media have reacted when they were told a 6 year old kid was flying around alone in a balloon?



.

[alveraz]

Alveraz, how many times have you called the cops because your kids were hiding from you?

Every time my 6 year old takes off in a balloon I call the cops.

[ChipG]

Jim, the media and law inforement did the correct thing, that was the search and other investigations. Kudos to them!

Great coverage :) it was all over the internet and every meda outlet in an hour.

[jkc123]

Every time my 6 year old takes off in a balloon I call the cops.

LOL

spot on

[ChipG]

Did the footage of the balloon landing look a little to sharp to you guys?

Could have been a Sony.

[ChipG]

Ohhh, the guy who doctored the basket falling from the ballon pic will be in jail.

[alveraz]

LOL

spot on


Chip/jkc

How old are you guys? I ask because I'm pretty sure I'm arguing with a teenager. No one can be this resolute in the face of logic or reason. I remember being a teenager, and I could argue for hours that black was white.

You're not listening to anything but your own voice at this point. There is no hoax. The kid was hiding for fear he'd get his butt whipped. If there is a hoax at all, it's between two very dumb siblings that thought it would be funny and they will soon enough get what's coming to them by their parents.

To presume either parent were involved in this as a hoax is not only absurd but lacking any merit or valid evidence. You have yet to offer up a reason for them to be involved in this "hoax". All you have left is this strange directional shift toward sensationalism, which has us all perplexed as the media did what they needed to do by covering a story is that is quite frankly, sensational. Incidentally, CNN ended the coverage the moment the kid was found.

[jkc123]

It's confirmed that the pic was a fake?

[ZazaCast]

Am I alone in feeling bad for the balloon? :(

[Jim Brennan]

Mylar is so misunderstood.

[Ian-T]

@JDS "Butterfinger lay me to the bone Jack!!!"

[jkc123]

Every time my 6 year old takes off in a balloon I call the cops.

How old are you man? I ask because I'm pretty sure I'm arguing with a teenager. No one can be this resolute in the face of logic or reason. I remember being a teenager, and I could argue for hours that black was white.

You're not listening to anything but your own voice at this point. There is no hoax. The kid was hiding for fear he'd get his butt whipped. If there is a hoax at all, it's between two very dumb siblings that thought it would be funny and they will soon enough get what's coming to them by their parents.

To presume either parent were involved in this as a hoax is not only absurd but lacking any merit or valid evidence. You have yet to offer up a reason for them to be involved in this "hoax". All you have left is this strange directional shift toward sensationalism, which has us all perplexed as the media did what they needed to do by covering a story is that is quite frankly, sensational.

Ok.

I haven't been a teenager in decades my friend.

It's amazing to me how certain and sure folks seem of something that appears to be, eager to jump to conclusions, and dismissive (in some cases hostile) of any divergent pov.

At the end of the day thankfully there wasn't a kid up there even though many thought that there was and couldn't imagine otherwise.

I simply stated that I thought it was a hoax (i.e. deception/ruse which btw it turned out to be) and the media overreacted (like many) based on what I thought were implausible facts.

We know now that the facts of the story have changed several times and that the dad wants to be on TV.

I find it unlikely that a 6yr old can hide from hysterical parents and police for very long in his own house; did he have help, maybe maybe not.

Alveraz, you say that my opinion lacks any merit or valid evidence, prove to me that it's not a hoax. Where is your evidence?

[ChipG]

Chip/jkc

How old are you guys? I ask because I'm pretty sure I'm arguing with a teenager. No one can be this resolute in the face of logic or reason. I remember being a teenager, and I could argue for hours that black was white.

You're not listening to anything but your own voice at this point. There is no hoax. The kid was hiding for fear he'd get his butt whipped. If there is a hoax at all, it's between two very dumb siblings that thought it would be funny and they will soon enough get what's coming to them by their parents.

To presume either parent were involved in this as a hoax is not only absurd but lacking any merit or valid evidence. You have yet to offer up a reason for them to be involved in this "hoax". All you have left is this strange directional shift toward sensationalism, which has us all perplexed as the media did what they needed to do by covering a story is that is quite frankly, sensational. Incidentally, CNN ended the coverage the moment the kid was found.

I'm 14 going on 12 wishing I was 6 and weighed 45 lbs so I could attempt to go up in a home made ballon I'd like to build.

Assumptions from previous history tend to lead to more accurate predictions. That's all I'm saying. You can add your own meaning however you want and I will do the same :)

[Jim Brennan]

I am still completely baffled how you can think anyone over-reacted when they thought the kid was up in a balloon. What should they have done?

And, a ruse or a hoax is intentional. This (unless shown to be otherwise) does not seem to be intentional.

[ChipG]

This is interesting, I was just told by a reliable source (that i won't name on an nternet thread) that said when the dad was showing the media various sorts of his footage he was making deals selling rights to air it. CNN paid $37k for some to air for thier news program, other news sources also bought rights. This is while the search was going on.

[jkc123]

Ok, so the kid didn't intend to hide in the box. I see.

This story to me seemed too impossible to believe from the get go. I'm watching thinking... ok a kid is inside the balloon.
Funny, doesn't look like there is anyone in that thing. How did he get in there? How is he staying in there? Who said he was in there in the first place?

Oh, the kids older brother...waitaminute...the family tried to get on wife swap...

No one in the balloon...wait... story changes...he wasn't in the balloon...he's was in a basket attached to the balloon...OMG...where's the basket....

No basket....

Kid was found in a box...he was in the garage all this time...eluding parents and police.

Dad gives a press conference...the media fall in love w/this wacky weather ballooning family.

Dad writes a book on child rearing.

EDIT:
The first call the dad made was too a local TV station. Confirmed on CNN. Is that proof enough for ya'?

[Everts]

Am I alone in feeling bad for the balloon? :(


I feel yah Zazacast I feel yah......

[alveraz]

This just in from AP...

The boy's father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon Thursday and that he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on the craft. He said Falcon's brother had seen him inside the compartment before it took off and that's why they thought he was in there when it launched. But the boy fled to the attic at some point after the scolding and was never in the balloon during its two-hour, 50-mile journey through two counties. "I yelled at him. I'm really sorry I yelled at him," Heene said as he hugged his son during a news conference. "I was in the attic and he scared me because he yelled at me," Falcon said. "That's why I went in the attic."

When asked about baseless accusations regarding a publicity stunt, Richard remarked, "That's horrible after the crap we just went through. No."

I'm done with this conspiracy/hoax garbage. Adios.

[jkc123]

This just in from AP...

The boy's father, Richard Heene, said the family was tinkering with the balloon Thursday and that he scolded Falcon for getting inside a compartment on the craft. He said Falcon's brother had seen him inside the compartment before it took off and that's why they thought he was in there when it launched. But the boy fled to the attic at some point after the scolding and was never in the balloon during its two-hour, 50-mile journey through two counties. "I yelled at him. I'm really sorry I yelled at him," Heene said as he hugged his son during a news conference. "I was in the attic and he scared me because he yelled at me," Falcon said. "That's why I went in the attic."

When asked about baseless accusations regarding a publicity stunt, Richard remarked, "That's horrible after the crap we just went through. No."

I'm done with this conspiracy/hoax garbage. Adios.

Did you watch the entire interview?

The dad just admitted that he has a videotape of the entire thing today.

Come on now.

I'm sure that he'll sale it to the highest bidder.

[ChipG]

Did you watch the entire interview?

The dad just admitted that he has a videotape of the entire thing today.

Come on now.

I'm sure that he'll sale it to the highest bidder.

Maybe it's the one he already sold rights to CNN for $37k, didn't know he was taping it. LOL :)

Give it a few days, he is going to get his ass handed to him. Big time!

[ChipG]

The entire family on Larry King tonight. LOL :) just gets better and better, BTW King pays all his guest a LOT of money for those that don't know. It's all BS when they say they don't pay anyone, NDA's out the ass.

[jkc123]

More and more is coming out about this guy. He clearly doesn't have a problem shoving his kids into the spotlight. Did you see him w/his kids in the youtube vid?

Geez

So much for this guys credibility now huh?

[ChipG]

Missed the youtube video, do you have a link?

[jkc123]

They just played a clip of it on CNN

here's the article:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/10/15/heene.wife.swap/

EDIT:

Found it:

http://spectator.org/blog/2009/10/15/balloon-boy-family-rap-video-m

[ChipG]

I Love days like these to watch mass media in action while probing the psychology of viewers.

Ok, out for dinner and drinks with friends! I have a fake ID so it's all good.

[Nektonic]

I haven't been paying too much attention to this, but man, this is some crazy stuff.

Wowzzz!!!!

I think I need to get drunk right now.

[Doc Bernard]

Man, I come home to this? I missed all the fun. Its just not fair.

Where's my balloon? And does anyone have a spare 6 year old lying around? Must recreate this. Put all the speculation to rest. Hmm, I am sensing a funny Craigslist ad coming.

"Needed for project ASAP: 6 year old who is not afraid of heights. Must be ambitious and like to pretend he is an airplane. Must not weigh over 50 pounds. Balloon harness provided, but if you have your own, a bonus.

Pay: Meal (if we can find him when we are done filming), copy and credit."

[Deepfocus88]

And remember - if they were normal people, they wouldn't be on TV.

Allow me to borrow this quote from the thread about getting a gig on reality TV.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Blitzer just asked the family to respond to accusations that this was a hoax.

[ugafan]

falcon, why didn't you come out?

"you guys said that um, we did this for the show."

lol. :cheesy:

[Jim Brennan]

As I said a few pages ago, whatever happened, or however it happened, I do not see how the media and the authorities could have reacted any differently. It's very easy to sit home and say "There's no kid in there" or "the dad is a crackpot", but unless you KNOW that the kid is safe, you have to pursue it as though he could be up there.

[ChipG]

Wow,

This is sooo for reels!

[ChipG]

Jim, media is fine, beyond fine, news is also entertainment BTW (disasters make them x10 $) they did a great job, kid is ok (thank god) now it's payback time.... You'll see an ass handed to someone soon, now police are upping the investigation, county want's their $100k ish spent back, who made money on this deal? Cough, cough

[ChipG]

falcon, why didn't you come out?

"you guys said that um, we did this for the show."

lol. :cheesy:


Dude, just watched that, ha ha ha ha ha....

Good thing in this thread is if you listen, you can play, the kids, media and audience.

Tripple WHAMMY!

I really don't care but if I had kids I'd be pissed, big time. For reels!

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

man that rap video is awful
who'd paint their kid in fake poop and place them in the toilet to be turd and put it on the internet?
Answer, someone who'd concoct a hoax like this.
The guy is bug nuts, addressing my issue that it probably wasn't a hoax - namely that you'd have to be nuts to think the reward warranted the risk for pulling something like this off. He's bug nuts alright.

[ChipG]

man that rap video is awful
who'd paint their kid in fake poop and place them in the toilet to be turd and put it on the internet?
Answer, someone who'd concoct a hoax like this.
The guy is bug nuts, addressing my issue that it probably wasn't a hoax - namely that you'd have to be nuts to think the reward warranted the risk for pulling something like this off. He's bug nuts alright.


JDS sorry for cussing on your board but holly shi*! did his dad really do that?

Link so I can buy rights in the next 10 min to resell to Danny Boil. Slum dog turd stealin pirate.

[ChipG]

Ok, I get it now... Funny :) but after this I really thought a rap video of the kid covered in turds was out. Wouldn't doubt it.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

No it happened it was posted in this thread a page back:
....
Found it:

http://spectator.org/blog/2009/10/15/balloon-boy-family-rap-video-m
He's supposed to be Mr. Henke the christmas poo from Southpark. But he's ostebnsibly naked, covered in hershey's syrup or something and submerged in the toilet bowl.

As I said, covered in fake poo and placed in the toilet.

[ChipG]

It's the gift that keeps on giving...

[Andrew McCarrick]

Wow this is already getting old. Quite annoying at this point. Don't see how this is news anymore. Who really gives a crap what happened.

[jkc123]

man that rap video is awful
who'd paint their kid in fake poop and place them in the toilet to be turd and put it on the internet?
Answer, someone who'd concoct a hoax like this.
The guy is bug nuts, addressing my issue that it probably wasn't a hoax - namely that you'd have to be nuts to think the reward warranted the risk for pulling something like this off. He's bug nuts alright.

Told ya the guy was a wack job.

; )

[Doc Bernard]

Wow this is already getting old. Quite annoying at this point. Don't see how this is news anymore. Who really gives a crap what happened.
I do. I want to see how long this thread will continue.

Call it a "social experiment".

And.................bump

[Erik Olson]

Wolf Blitzer and his Situation Room is the worst format in news. Worse than anything even FOX has given us - and that's pretty desperate stuff over there. This sensationalization of "news" started during the first gulf war - with logos flying in over segments and powerful, driving music pushing the viewer to the edge of their seats and blood pressure up a couple of notches.

Sick ***t. I can't watch CNN. Really - it's become like the national version of local affiliate fringe-slot car accident and burglary reports that have dominated local news for the past decade or two.

[Cranky]

Sick ***t. I can't watch CNN. Really - it's become like the national version of local affiliate fringe-slot car accident and burglary reports that have dominated local news for the past decade or two.
Try this instead. (http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=74&jumival=451)

[Terry_Lasater]

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4108/1521copy.jpg

[Batutta]

Ok, after watching this video of the balloon launch, I'm leaning towards hoax--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QDzPjjoq8Y&feature=player_embedded

[Blade Borge]

^ exactly, the parents were right there as it lifted off, why would the idea of their son being in there ever transpire, just a whole bunch of shennanigans.

[Batutta]

^ exactly, the parents were right there as it lifted off, why would the idea of their son being in there ever transpire, just a whole bunch of shennanigans.

Plus, the dad's reaction feels more like bad acting.

[ChipG]

The police said they aren't going to go back to re interview the family until tomorrow for the hoax theory, so now they have an extra day to get their story straight, no way in hell will the kid be interviewed without an adult or attorney there this time.

[jkc123]

The CNN interview was priceless, watching the parents try and weasel out of being ssoo busted. I can't believe he said that the kid was talking about wife swap.

[ChipG]

I wish I would have tivo'd it, just caught a few replays again.

Ha ha ha ha CNN news anchor just jumped on Wolf Blitzer's ass telling him to get with it, this is a hoax and as phony as a $3 bill... It was pretty funny.

[alveraz]

Chip/jkc

Might I add how big of a jacka*ss I am right about now? I never saw this coming, you both did. I apologize for one, hacking away at you both and two, offending you in the process. I was wrong and I'm sorry for being a douche about it. I gave the father way too much credit. I did so because I'm a father of a 6 year old and couldn't fathom exploiting my own children for personal gain, especially in such a distorted manner. No one could possibly do something like this, I thought. I was wrong.

This is a hoax.

I do however stand by the media argument. They were not sensationalizing the story. That is how any journalist would have covered the story, not knowing all the facts. They handled it as well as can be expected.

[ChipG]

Alveraz,

No worries man, I know you have a 6 year old and it's easy to get emotionally attatched to something that really hits home.

It's all good man! I do appreciate you taking the time out to say something.

Your not a jackass, just a worried parent that can;t conceive of putting their kid in a situation like this.

[jkc123]

Ditto. No need to apologize. We just saw different things that day. Healthy debate is good, great, vital even.

I concur that the cops and rescue responded the proper way.

I say the media overreacted because I just couldn't take them possibly showing a kid being pulled out of that balloon or possibly plummeting from it.

That's too much.

Speaking of which:
http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/2009/10/hopefully-the-last-falcon-heene-post

This Richard guy is a disgrace.

[Cranky]

I do however stand by the media argument. They were not sensationalizing the story. That is how any journalist would have covered the story, not knowing all the facts. They handled it as well as can be expected.
They were. They always do. They always stuff their channels and viewers' minds with worthless fluff instead of covering real news. Thankfully, there are other news agencies and networks that do a better job. Sadly, these networks cannot be found on average Joe's TV.

[Blade Borge]

"This is a castle and we have many tapestries, and if you are a Scottish lord then I am Mickey Mouse!"

[Nektonic]

Wow, this whole fiasco, just, wow... I can't even think straight at the moment. Truly bizarre beyond belief. The media coverage, well, I'm not surprised when the media exploits or blows things out of proportion. The fire and police departments though, have to treat this as a serious issue though. So scolding them for going along with the hoax is not really fair. They have to play by a "better safe than sorry" rule book. I'm sure some of the cops assumed this to be a hoax early on, but had to make sure before they said anything of the sort.

The one thing that is for sure is these parents are total knobs. If you doubt me, watch this disaster -- Balloon Boy Wife Swap. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_zA5E7n7A&feature=related)

I'm actually really pissed now. This type of shi* pisses me off. These kids are gonna have to live with this embarrassment for the rest of their lives, on top of the psychological problems that will come later in life due to being raised by their bat shi* insane parents.

There are 2 other very very very sad things that will happen now:

1) I'm sure the parents will have some charges filed against them soon, maybe jail time, who knows? Whether they go to the slammer or not, they'll get book deals and a movie-of-the-week offer, maybe another appearance on Wife Swap or some other tawdry reality show. They will end up being infamous, but they'll still make some decent to very nice money off this mess.

2) The media could report on real news for the next month, you know, allowing the chance for more important issues and stories to be "news". Instead we'll get this circus fiasco repeated ad nauseam.

Originally Posted by Andrew McCarrick
Wow this is already getting old. Quite annoying at this point. Don't see how this is news anymore. Who really gives a crap what happened.
I do. I want to see how long this thread will continue.

Call it a "social experiment".

And.................bump

Yeah, at this rate we'll top the "On The Lot" thread that got everyone's blood boiling back in 2007.

Your not a jackass, just a worried parent that can;t conceive of putting their kid in a situation like this.

I don't have kids of my own, but I didn't think hoax right away because I thought no one would put their wife and children through this. And who would be stupid enough to believe that they could pull off something like this?

I took it that Alveraz was looking at it more from the mindset of how a parent or a police officer would look at it, focusing on the fact that a little kid could be out there hurt or trapped in a freaking weather balloon. Plenty of time to grill the father and mother later on down the line. First priority is finding the boy. I didn't think hoax right away either, only suspecting it as this thing developed. Initially the term "stranger than fiction" entered my mind, but in the end it turned out as "you couldn't pay someone to write this shi*". That's the information age for ya.

[Gord.T]

I read about this before it became posted and didn't find an issue with it. The police are invloved. It'll be handled.

I feel the same way now. The only reason it's an issue, I'm guessing from reading this thread, is the media attention. I don't watch TV, but if I did, the BBC still has a good rep.

Anyways, the police can sort it out. I'll just wait.
I don't get the frenzy, but then again I do. Fake or not, the guys an ass? Yeah, if faked I'd give him some jail time and fines to let him rethink his assed-ness.
Maybe something under 2 years and around a 200K fine.

[jkc123]

I totally get the whole parental empathy thing and how could any sane person do this to his/her own kid; but there are a LOT of bad parents out there.

Parents put their kids in the middle of adult crap; political debate, parents fighting, divorce, you name it.

Bad parents forget that the kid is the main priority and not whatever delusional crap is going on in the adults head.

I feel sorry for the kid; like nektonic said these kids have live w/this the rest of their lives.

[ChipG]

Yep! It's really the gift that keeps on giving :)

More to unfold soon!

[jkc123]

Perhaps sooner than we think:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/10/17/2009-10-17_balloon_boy_dad_.html

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

from link below
... It is unclear what Richard Heene meant by a "big announcement," but many believed he might come clean with a confession that the Heene family were indeed the perpetrators of a hoax. Others believed he might offer further proof that the balloon boy incident was not a hoax. And there are those who, with tongue in cheek, believe he might use the opportunity to pitch a new reality show.

But 10 a.m. came and Richard Heene stepped outside his Fort Collins house, the spot of so much frenetic activity on Thursday as authorities and volunteers attempted to find the missing boy. CNN reported that he carried a small cardboard box and told the gathered reporters to put their questions in the box and he would answer them later.

And then he went back inside ...
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2296095/heene_family_hoax_or_not_richard_heene.html?cat=9

[ugafan]

criminal charges will be filed against heene.

uh oh (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE59E5H720091018)

[ChipG]

criminal charges will be filed against heene.

uh oh (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE59E5H720091018)

Yea, I know. Now they are trying to up it to a fellony as I type this, I really hope they do, please no class 3 misdemeanor.

SOB gives storm chasers a bad name.

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

Edit: i'm dumb. Just realized Blitzer was filling in for Larry King.

[ChipG]

http://news.aol.com/article/parents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will/719681?icid=main|htmlws-sb|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2 Fparents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will%2F719681

To bad they didn't have the correct deminsions of the balloon, after recalculating them there is no way it could have lifted the 37lbs kid.

[Ian-T]

Federal charges pending.

What a nunbnut that guy is.

[ChipG]

Glad to hear they are pressing federal charges and not a misdomeanor. What a jack ass.

[Rick Meyer]

http://news.aol.com/article/parents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will/719681?icid=main|htmlws-sb|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2 Fparents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will%2F719681 (http://news.aol.com/article/parents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will/719681?icid=main%7Chtmlws-sb%7Cdl1%7Clink3%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Fart icle%2Fparents-of-balloon-boy-falcon-heene-will%2F719681)


Hoax aside, could someone please explain how two military helicopters could cost $14,500 dollars? How much could gas cost? And the pilots are getting near 7k for a ride?:huh:

[Mark Harris]

The Dude: It's like what Lenin said... you look for the person who will benefit, and, uh, uh...
Donny: I am the walrus.
The Dude: You know what I'm trying to say...
Donny: I am the walrus.
Walter Sobchak: That fucking bitch...
The Dude: Oh yeah!
Donny: I am the walrus.
Walter Sobchak: Shut the fuck up, Donny! V.I. Lenin. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov!
Donny: What the fuck is he talking about, Dude?

[Terry_Lasater]

I have trouble believing two things:
1. That balloon could carry a 6 year old boy thousands of feet in the air for several miles.
2. That a 6 year old boy would only weigh 37 lbs.

[cordvision]

I built once a hot air balloon out of materials from home depot (costs were less than $200) that could carry an adult. The balloon was huge (I still have pictures of it if anybody is interested) and it needed to be, else it would never have had adequate lifting power. Therefore, it was obvious to me that such a small balloon couldn't carry a 6 year old....

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

Federal charges pending.

What a nunbnut that guy is.

Glad to hear they are pressing federal charges and not a misdomeanor. What a jack ass.

Yeah something about the fact that he used the phone (maybe to call the FAA across state lines?) is one of the things allowing them to go federal. The list of charges is getting longe:

conspiracy, a felony;
contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a felony;
attempting to influence a public servant, a felony;
and false reporting to authorities, a midemeanor.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AheadoftheCurve/richard-heene-balloon-boy-family-face-charges/story?id=8856041

Is attempting to influence a public servant a bribary charge?

[Chris Santucci]

I have trouble believing two things:
1. That balloon could carry a 6 year old boy thousands of feet in the air for several miles.
2. That a 6 year old boy would only weigh 37 lbs.


That was in fact my initial reaction and doubting it could lift and carry even 37 lbs. I'm actually surprised that the authorities hadn't just consulted with some engineers to determine the likelihood that that particular configuration balloon could carry such a weight at all.

.

[Mark Harris]

Hoax aside, could someone please explain how two military helicopters could cost $14,500 dollars? How much could gas cost? And the pilots are getting near 7k for a ride?:huh:

That's like saying: "How could a movie cost millions of dollars? A camera? Actors? How much could that cost?"

There's a lot more to keeping those birds in the air than gas and pilots. Ground crews, flight support crews, air traffic controllers, it all adds up pretty quick.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

That was in fact my initial reaction and doubting it could lift and carry even 37 lbs. I'm actually surprised that the authorities hadn't just consulted with some engineers to determine the likelihood that that particular configuration balloon could carry such a weight at all.

.


They did. Based on the initial dimensions of the balloon that authorities had it was calculated that it was possible to carry about 100 lbs on the outside edge. But, for one thing, the dimensions of the balloon were actually a bit smaller than what Heene reported to the authorities. For another thing, I don't think they could have called B.S. at that point. You have to go on worst case scenario even if they're calculations showed that the balloon couldn't carry a kid. They couldn't have said - sorry no way - and packed it in because what if the calculations were wrong and the kid was in there, even if it was a remote or seemingly impossible chance, etc.

[ChipG]

Hoax aside, could someone please explain how two military helicopters could cost $14,500 dollars? How much could gas cost? And the pilots are getting near 7k for a ride?:huh:

A smaller bell jet ranger that I rented a few months ago was $2,500 an hour, my little single engine plane cost me $600ish an hour to run. Choppers aren't cheap and the military ones cost about double / tripple what the smaller jet rangers cost to run. It's not just the fuel that cost money, every part times out so it's cost needs to be pro rated in the hourly operating cost.

EDIT: I thought the $14,500 was cheap. Want an expensive hobby, go buy an airplane or helicopter.

[ChipG]

That was in fact my initial reaction and doubting it could lift and carry even 37 lbs. I'm actually surprised that the authorities hadn't just consulted with some engineers to determine the likelihood that that particular configuration balloon could carry such a weight at all.

.

They did, go back and read this thread, they were lied to about the size of it.

[ChipG]

They did. Based on the initial dimensions of the balloon that authorities had it was calculated that it was possible to carry about 100 lbs on the outside edge. But, for one thing, the dimensions of the balloon were actually a bit smaller than what Heene reported to the authorities. For another thing, I don't think they could have called B.S. at that point. You have to go on worst case scenario even if they're calculations showed that the balloon couldn't carry a kid. They couldn't have said - sorry no way - and packed it in because what if the calculations were wrong and the kid was in there, even if it was a remote or seemingly impossible chance, etc.

The minute I saw that little balloon land I said no freakin way it could lift a kid.

[cordvision]

That's the size of a balloon it took to lift a single adult... http://gallery.me.com/moldhouse#100288 I also did a quick calculation what it would take to lift up a little kid with a helium balloon. My conclusion was that you would need at least a ballon (cube sized) that meassures 9x9x9 feet.... looking at the balloon, it didn't seem to have that volume but I might be wrong...

[ChipG]

Hot air balloon or a helium balloon?

[cordvision]

you would need about 740 cubic feet of helium to lift up 50 pounds. Now you also have to take into account that the balloon itself weights a couple pounds. Looking at this picture, the balloon just seems way to small to lift up a kid. ---> http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/g-cvr-091015-ballooon-1245p.grid-6x3.jpg

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

The balloon was supposed to be 22X22 feet.

[jkc123]

The minute I saw that little balloon land I said no freakin way it could lift a kid.

Ditto.

The giveaway was that first Henne said that the kid was inside the balloon then he said a basket was attached.

[ChipG]

What's the word on the doctored photo, they one showing the basket falling from it?

[jkc123]

I don't know. It could have been a bird or a plane and everyone assumed that it was the basket falling.

[ChipG]

I saw it on tv, it was no bird or plane, it was a square object under the balloon.

[Chris Santucci]

They did. Based on the initial dimensions of the balloon that authorities had it was calculated that it was possible to carry about 100 lbs on the outside edge.


No way that thing could lift 100 pounds.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.vessel/index.html

.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

No way that thing could lift 100 pounds.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colorado.balloon.vessel/index.html

.

I'm not saying it could. I said "initial dimensions" as it was supplied to them by Heene, i.e., 22' X22'.

I'm saying that the "experts" on CNN said it could on the day of the incident. Not now, which is also what it says in your link.

[Chris Santucci]

How anyone can look at Heene's balloon and believe it could lift and carry 40 pounds is beyond me.

Remember Kent Couch?:

https://www.lifelounge.com/resources/IMGDETAIL/lawn_chair_balloon_header.jpg

Look at what it took to lift and carry a full grown man! I suppose if all they had to go on initially was Heene's description of the balloon, then it's not their fault especially when a kid was involved.

.

[ChipG]

My girlfriend just told me that Edgar Allen Poe had a story called The Balloon Hoax. Wonder if the dad read it or if it influenced him.

[Terry_Lasater]

That's probably more credit than he deserves. More likely, he was inspired by this...


http://news.cnet.com/i/bto/20090526/UP_3_jpg_610x393.jpg

[Batutta]

And that's all folks. The mother admits it was a hoax--

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091023/ap_on_re_us/us_balloon_boy_search

[ChipG]

Sad thing is it worked, they will get a reality show, book deal, possible movie.

I feel sorry for the kids.

[Deepfocus88]

I'm praying this kook does jail time for screwing up DIA flights.

[ChipG]

I'm praying this kook does jail time for screwing up DIA flights.

And the DIY flights :)

[Deepfocus88]

hahahahaha

[jkc123]

The article says that Richard still denies that it's a hoax ("allegations are cheap") even after his wife dropped a dime on him.

unreal

[Chris Santucci]

The article says that Richard still denies that it's a hoax ("allegations are cheap") even after his wife dropped a dime on him.

unreal


Yeah. And OJ was innocent...

.

[jkc123]

So his wife is going to turn him in now?

You would think that the least the guy could do is own up to it; especially after all he put his family through.

Not even an apology?

jeez

I mean he had his kid puking on natl tv and didn't seem to care, not to mention the fake outrage he expressed to Blitzer after he called him out on what the kid said on air.

I wonder if he could face jail time for this?

[ChipG]

The parents were just sentenced to jail time, I can't believe the judge is going to allow them to make money off of this after 4 years.

http://www.sphere.com/nation/article/balloon-boy-parents-richard-and-mayumi-heene-sentenced/19292400?icid=main|htmlws-main-tarana|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sphere.com%2Fnat ion%2Farticle%2Fballoon-boy-parents-richard-and-mayumi-heene-sentenced%2F19292400

[Doc Bernard]

In four years time, there will have been dozens of such publicity seeking incidents. They will be lost in the background noise.

[ChipG]

In four years time, there will have been dozens of such publicity seeking incidents. They will be lost in the background noise.

Ya right, if you think 'they' get lost take a look around, not enough of these stores to go around, prequel's, squeakuel's and just plain old wills.

[ChipG]

This ballon hoax is stll taked about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Balloon-Hoax

Hapened in 1844

[jkc123]

30 days "straight time" isn't so bad. I'm surprised that his wife got locked up too.

Did they lose custody of the kids as well?

[DJDecay]

This story reminds me of the 12 monkeys where Bruce Willis character reveals that the boy is hiding in a barn and not trapped in a well - to prove he is from the future.

[ChipG]

Ohh God, help me please... He's back for a final talk on Larry King tonight (friday) before he goes to jail to say it wasn't a hoax.

I'm reeeallllyyyy sorry now for every storm chaser in the world.

[lhdor]

saw the preview clip of the larry king interview. the father says that it wasn't a hoax but had to plead guilty to protect his wife from being deported. Oh man you should see his terrible acting during the interview. when he starts talking about having to plead guilty he acts all choked up and asked for a moment to pull himself together. This guy has more cheese than cabot.

[Jason Ramsey]

lol....

http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=160b75c9-4584-4bef-89e1-bfd1cd3ae3cd

[HorseFilms]

That's awesome!:beer:

[reelrain]

glad he's OK where was this?