Breaking: 6-year-old Colorado boy floats away in balloon

[Frank2]

As everyone knows by now, the entire story was bogus - after my realizing that the parents just recently were on some type of goofy couples reality show, and the Dad's preference for flying saucers, etc., and the fact that the children should have been in school (no one mentioned this, but this did happen on a school morning, though a co-worker wisely just mentioned that perhaps they are home-schooled), so it seems they owe everyone an apology, since well-meaning law-enforcement, media and others could have been injured or killed in their rush to help this child - thankfully no one thought of a possible mid-air rescue, since that easily could have become deadly, and even the jaded media mentioned that it was fortunate that the child was "found" before the search was conducted in darkness, since it had already been decided that night-vision helicopter crews were to be tasked for the search, and that work unto itself is always dangerous...

On first hearing of Dad's quirky hobbies, my own thought was perhaps he has seen "The Farmer Astronaut" one time too many...

From what I heard this morning, investigators are to interview the family again, so don't be surprised to hear that Colorado Department of Human (Child) Services is going to evaluate the entire matter - it only makes sense that the situation isn't right, since one would wonder why anyone would keep a helium filled balloon ready for flight in their backyard?

Not that there's anything wrong with having one - I see one or two hot-air balloons almost every weekend in this area, but those are operated by experienced hot-air balloon pilots, and not a backyard scientist...

This really gets under my skin since someone could have been killed during a needless search - leave it to those "Area 51" types to cause this kind of situation, where only the man with the pitchfork is getting a laugh at well-meaning people upset and running around over something that didn't exist...

Frank

[MGC]

Yes, something does seem fishy with this story. If it is discovered to be a hoax and the family did it for attention than there should be charges brought against them......MGC

[fwbbreeze]

if this is proved to have been a hoax, the the state of Colorado ought to send them the damn bill. Between law enforcement on the ground and air, along with any other agencies that assisted, I can just imagine how large this bill is going to be!!!

[Derek Ortt]

I hope you are talking about the dad.

yep... the dad needs to be cracking rocks in a quarry on starvation rations for a few months. He needs to learn this stunt was entirely unacceptable!

[cycloneye]

Sheriff says it was not a hoax

I dont know but something is not right here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33340547/ns/us_news-life/

[Ptarmigan]

There are strict rules about free floating balloons.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/te ... 15&idno=14

[vbhoutex]

I'm sorry, but I think the sheriff is dreaming. Now a video of the take off surfaces? I'm not sure they will be able to prove it was a hoax, but it is going to take more proof than may be available on this earth to make me believe it wasn't.

[Brent]

I'm sorry, but I think the sheriff is dreaming. Now a video of the take off surfaces? I'm not sure they will be able to prove it was a hoax, but it is going to take more proof than may be available on this earth to make me believe it wasn't.

I agree, I'm convinced it was a hoax. I think the police are being ridiculous here. They jumped to conclusions and made assumptions that seem to have been wrong.

[breeze]

Well, even though the sheriff didn't believe the incident was a hoax, investigators are going
to interview the family again, in light of the remark the boy made on CNN. I think it's the right
thing to do!

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 2900.story

[breeze]

Hmmmm... It's looking more and more like Pop is milking the 'ole media cow for all it's worth...

Balloon Boy's dad to make a "big annoucement" Saturday morning:

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

And, the "big announcement" failed to materialize:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ie0x4tv2tFVwxzfVpFiJG47OvbgwD9BCUR000

[Cookie]

no meant to be a joke, but what are the chances if the kid did get into the balloon at some point it was partly due to the film up?

[HURAKAN]

Who the hell the dad thinks he's? The president? To me it continues to look very fishy and the actions by the dad aren't helping. He craves for attention and that's what the media is giving him.

[Brent]

Charges to be filed!!!!!!!!!

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13586026

[cycloneye]

I knew something was not right after the sheriff said initially,it was not a hoax.



Police searched the home



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,568321,00.html

[HURAKAN]

Well, if they wanted attention, they're getting attention

[Stephanie]

While I'm glad nothing did happen with the boy, the whole story seems fishy to me as we get more reports.

[Frank2]

The latest is that charges might indeed be filed against the parents:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/18/colora ... index.html

I don't wish anyone bad tidings, but it seems that the parents should be held responsible, since it was Dad's idea to have this "balloon" in the first place - it seems his childish desires are placing his family -- and the public -- at risk...

Similar to the movie "The Astronaut Farmer" it seems today's parents (husbands and fathers, especially) seem to forget that their first responsibility is to their spouse and children - their own desires, whether it be making music or flying in a balloon or competing in a triathalon should ALWAYS be secondary, since their first role, by God's will, is to be a father and parent to their wife and children, first and always...

Frank

[senorpepr]

Coming in from BreakingNews.org (I know... nothing shocking here...)


BULLETIN -- COLORADO SHERIFF: BALLOON BOY STORY WAS PUBLICITY STUNT FOR TV SHOW.

Colorado sheriff on balloon boy: "It has been determined this was a hoax, a publicity stunt to market a reality show."

BALLOON HOAX -- Colorado sheriff: Parents met at acting school. "They put on a good show. And we bought it."

[breeze]

You're right, senorpepr, it's no shock...but now the sheriff admits it's a hoax!


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/19/us/19balloon.html

[expat2carib]

It's sad. Two ego tripping parents, stupid enough that they can't foresee the impact of their mind trip to their family. (exploiting 3 small boys for media coverage)

Their ( the parents) mind trip destroyed, more or less, 3 small beautiful boy's -until now innocent- future.

It's a bizarre soap opera.

The parents can end up in prison and the boys in family care.(reality)

What a nightmare.