IT IS A SHOW! It was always a show! The front page of msnbc.com and every other national news site turned it into a show. I don't know if anyone watched CNN last night, but it was obnoxious. They had a touchscreen map of the Ft. Collins area with a movable cut out pic of the balloon. I'm not kidding. They hypothesized.... guessed.... speculated as to the possible route of the balloon. They repeatedly asked officials to speculate and guess the whereabouts of the boy when, for obvious reasons, nobody could find him. They pressed officials to identify something that fell from the balloon, then speculated as to the identity of that object. This was all a media spectacle. As we were watching in, during Seinfeld commercials, I made a speculation of my own. The boy probably freaked when he realized he let his dad's balloon fly away and is hiding.

I didn't see much of the news coverage. But in all their speculations and sensationalizations, I doubt Wolf Blitzer or anyone else ever suggested the most obvious likelihood. The kid got scared he screwed up and was hiding somewhere.

Is this really why we have 24 hour news networks? Two of them scream at politicians and the third imagines news from non-news?

The problem is that if they decide it was an accident he won't get billed.  The big problem I see is that if he will go this far to get publicity (there is no doubt in my mind that he did) how much danger will he realy put his kids in to get the next publicity shot?

I don't think there is a doubt in anyone's mind that he did this strictly for publicity.  The kid even blurted it out that his dad said that it was a "show".  The kid later recanted and said that his dad had yelled at him.  I'm sure his dad told him later that if he told the truth his dad would be put in jail.  This probably scared the kid so bad he won't tell the truth now.

I think this was a staged! Send them the bill!

Accident or not, they should be billed, fined, charged, whatever can be done. The balloon should have been secured enough a six year old couldn't have messed with it. There were a couple of older gentlemen with 30 yrs experience with balloons on the local news last night. Both of them said they new within the first five minutes or so of the footage they saw that there wasn't a passenger in the balloon. One did the math on the cubic feet of helium the balloon held and said there was no way, the other analized the movements, shape, and how it reacted in the wind. 

If "Dad" is into storm/alien chasing and messes with balloons often... Shouldn't he have been able to look at it and come to the conclusion there wasn't a passenger in it?

What if it was an accident? What if the child was in the balloon? What if he would have died? Should dad had been charge with manslaughter/murder? What if someone else would have died trying to save a nonexisting boy? Maybe Pat should get the bill.

Billed? You mean actually be expected to be held accountable if it's proven to have been a hoax? Please. No one is ever actually expected to reimburse emergency services for their b.s. stunts. If they were there would be a lot less of this crap going on. We are a nation of just-let-the-tax-payers-pick-up-the-tab for your stupidity. All is forgiven. Besides it probably was someone else's fault like always.

(And yes, in case you don't realize it, this post contains sarcasm.)

pat and journalgirl, I have some land for sale, great price, wonderful view when the tide's out. suckers.

I heard on the radio that the parents called the local news before the police. that alone says setup to me, but you watch these jokers in interviews and it's ovbious they're camera hounds looking for a reality show.

send them the bill.

there is a lot more resources that will be pissed away into this trying to find out what the truth is but it will just turn into a battle between what "they said" and "others said". just forget about this and let it move on. it could truly have happened? Possibly. Could it been a hoax from the start? Also true.

Digging into this to find out the "truth" like obsessive monkeys? No point.

I think CNN should be fined for creating a panic...again. There were no reports, that I can find, of the boy actually being in the baloon until CNN reported it so. Just like the regular training session of the Coast Gaurd on the Potomac a month ago. They ran with a story with out having done any actual research first. The father says he had a conversation with air traffic control....I want to know if this is true or not. If not, CNN and the family should pay for the hype they've created.

poor pat, "the fact remains, the boy is safe!!!" he was never in any danger!

how about this, you send me a few thousand dollars and I'll send you cd's with my secret for success?

'If I dood it, I get a whippin'!!!!....I dood it!!!!"

and another thing, they named the kid falcon, for that alone they should be exhiled to canada.

HOAX!!!!!!

I heard they called a news crews before they called the police to report the incident...

It should have never became an "accident". The balloon, if kept inflated, should have been secured in a way a six year old could not have freed it. Anyone's child should not have been able to get access to their balloon. What if someone elses child would have done something like this but actually would have been in the balloon? It's reckless endangerment and flat out irresponsible. Every fine and penalty that can come into play should be filed and charged.

If your sailboat gets stuck in the water and you have to be towed in, you get the bill, no hoax required. These folks should be required to pay for the services they squandered, which perhaps could have resulted in the inability to respond to an actual emergency.
Honestly, I was rooting for the kid to be in the balloon and make a safe landing. Then he'd have a story for show and tell.

Seriously, I hate my emotions to be chained and yanked by the media, and this family. I prayed nothing happened to that little boy, despite the conjuctures by the media, and when heard the boy was okay. I thought, Phew. Just a kid scared for goofing around. It's an accident. Let's move on. Then the father opened his mouth, with no prompting from his first interview with reporters and the red flags went up.

Crocodile tears from Daddy. What I don't like about this whole thing was when the father in telling the reporters what the contraption did, then he quickly hugged his son and said, "This little guy,..." and hugged him again. Now the video footage of the parents in the back yard with the balloon, and the wife "forgetting" to hold the tether, and the husband yelling is a complete contradiction of what the eldest son said.

Yeah, I think the sheriff should investigate this story further. I think the parents need to pay for the extra man power. It's unfair to the taxpayers in that county.

Anybody that has watched the balloon wafting about and also knows anything about ballooning would know right away that there was not a kid in the balloon. Also watch the balloon during its launch and it was wafting there also.

Considering that the kid is 6 years old, he probably weighs upwards of 40 pounds. If there was 40 pounds of ballast on that balloon, it wouldn't have wafted around. It would have been a lot more "stable". Judging from the approximate size of the envelope of the balloon, it would have had a tough time lifting a 40 pound weight.

Why would a responsible parent look up the number of the FAA and report the balloon being aloft before calling for emergency help? How many people have the local FAA number committed to memory better than the national helpline? Why didn't the mother call the number while the dad tracked the balloon instead of the dad calling two different organizations and then start tracking the balloon? Too many questions come to mind for me to think this was anything other than a hoax.

It will be interesting to see how far the authorities will pursue this hoax to save face. They surely wouldn't want the world to know they have been had.

I watched them on a CNN interview this morning - to me, they sure looked like they were playing it up to the camera. Then I saw the video of them releasing the balloon. Totally contradicts the story they initially gave. I'm not buying it.

The dad launched it! thats all that needs to be said.

This does show how easy it is to get a large group of people in a tizzy and ready to act over a emergency when really there is not one. Look at yesterdays coverage and post on the blogs 1000's of experts in the field and millions of citizens ready to do what ever it takes to get it done.wink wink.

Propaganda is a powerful in expensive tool these people did it with a balloon and a six year old kid So imagine what a group of Journalist broadcasters and a government can do. Live and Learn.

By the video released by the parents with them performing a countdown for liftoff , with all the children watching, means that the parents KNEW thier child was NOT in the basket.

Givin the fact that rescue workers did NOT check the basket for more than 2 minutes after landing means that the rescue workers KNEW there was no child in the basket.

The only people who perpetrated this hoax was the Mainstream Media.

"well rounded family"??? Um... I am not judging but something is seriously not right here... -don't be so naive -orbust

Either way, the family will have to reimburse the taxpayers of Colorado for the expense, and that is that. What kind of a wacko would name their kid Falcon anyway?

And didnt people notice how the news had all this "new technology" to report this story and had all the graphics ready in an instant, as if the news was scripted beforehand?

Could there be a Nobel Prize for Science coming for Balloon Boy and the Saucer Family ???

Pat: I know that you know it all, but I don't buy your argument. I live in a town full of know-it-alls, and you should be living there. You didn't convince me that this wasn't a deliberate act. No accident here. Regardless, they need to pay up.

Oh, Pat, c'mon! I have a bridge that needs to be sold. When I can I make the presentation to you? When are you leaving for the sweat lodge in Arizona? I'll bet that you voted for Obama too!

Well keep pumping those babies out people. Half the people that have kids shouldn't have them. The kids pull stunts like this or the parents kill them like the lady in ny on the freeway in the wrong direction. Mothers killing babies declaring post op depression. Geez if you don't want them or can't watch after them don't have them.

Pat: Mr. Heene story is just as believable as the campaign worker who claimed an Obama supporter held her down and curved a "B" on her face. And, we all know how that ended.

Waterdog,

Are you the mayor of the "know-it-ALL" town? Get a life!

I agree! These fools should be billed!!! So should the "runaway bride" and all the other people who force the hand of police and emergency rescue personnel for no reason. I used to live in the mountains of Idaho, if you get lost in the back country skiing, they send you a bill for the rescue. This is even worse than that. They are not just stupid, but will probably end up making money from this event...I would move to another country, but as messed up as we are...there is no place else half as good!

Nutty Family!

The father seems narcissistic to me...as well as a Fake and a terrible actor...he is so clearly lying and poorly attempting to pretend he was concerned, when he (and wife?) clearly set up/went along with the twisted plot...the father craves attention and doesn't mind putting his kids (or anyone else) in the middle of his insatiable quest for attention for himself...even when it is clear to see that it is causing his little child harmful anxiety and inner turmoil...probably the cause of his vomiting. Truthfully anyone who subjects their young children to reality TV has questionable parenting skills to begin with, in my opinion, and shows how badly they desire self gratification, even at the expense of the children they are supposed to protect. I seriously hope they investigate and at the very least charge the parents for the complete cost of all resources that were used (wasted) in trying to "rescue" this little child...as well as force the parents into parenting classes and follow these children through protective services. There are a whole lot of people who genuinely need rescuing and help, and distorting a situation to exploit those services for self serving attention is sick and unconscionable. This man should really be prosecuted.

• !

#3.6 - Fri Oct 16, 2009 12:43 PM EDT

If this was a hoax, which, based on this family's history and other points aside from what the kid said, the boy was never in any danger. There's no way to untether the balloon while being inside it. That should be the big clue by itself.

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

A video with sound you should all check out... To all those confused and thinking that the 6 year old had something to do with it and to all those assured that they are just a well rounded family who got caught up in something that took their breath away...

here is some information on their background...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,567640,00.html

Hard to prove...

It's a set-up since they had a video camera out there for the launch. They should be billed!

But, on a side note, how about this explanation: the govt. controlled media played this up to deflect attention for one day from the corruption in Washington!

It's all a hoax. There is no balloon boy. There is no balloon. It was a UFO.

Waterdog, my second son's first name was Stone. He, as well as my other son, Cougar, and my Daughter, Sierra, was a Joy. My son Stone was killed by a drunk driver in 2005 at age 19. Are My Children's names any more wierd than a kid named Cliff, or Butch, or Heather, or Falcon, for that matter? Or perhaps you believe that children should only be given Biblical names, like David, or Shadrack, or Peter or Sarah. As Shakespeare so aptly put it in Romeo and Juilet "What's in a name? That which we call a Rose by any other name would smell as sweet". I have no problems with any of the names I have just given, and I fail to see how this is in any way a good yardstick by which to judge the parents. If you want to judge the parents by anything, then judge them by their actions and deeds. What they choose to name their children, as long as the name isn't some sort of profanity, should have no bearing on this discussion. Thank You.

For all those doubters and believe this was a hoax, I suggest you look at the video of the sheriff's news conference today. The police called experts at the university with the measurements of the balloon and they said it could support up to 80 lbs. of payload. The father called the FAA to see if they could track it; he called the local news station to see if their helecopter could locate it; then he called 911. The boy was interviewed, alone, with the parents' permission, immediately after he was found. The boy is obviously physically sick, since he threw up on a show this morning. Time for all to back off and let the sheriff do his job!

I am disgusted by MSNBC and CNN as well as the reporters at the police news conference. They are trying to make this into a witch hunt instead of just reporting the facts. Quite frankly this story is over unlees the police discover any evidence of wrong doing. Why can't we just be happy that the child is safe and that family is not visiting a funeral home today.

I think the story was WAY overdone--even if the kid had been in the balloon, I don't think it warranted the kind of coverage it got. I think the kid deserves some kind of punishment and I don't think the media should waste anymore time on this story.

The Sheriff investigating this balloon boy case, said the family had real emotions when seeing their son; the story is true. That's his opinion.

Is it that the Sheriff will be dismissed, because he didn't do a good enough investigation to find the boy?

There is no way the Sheriff can "read" a family's thoughts and emotions.

That would be for Police Psychologists to determine.

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

After the release of the "Launch Video" , it is quite clear the BS story that the 6 year old had "accidentally" released the balloon was exactly that....BS...and the parents new it...They were standing right there....If that sheriff is too dumb to see this.....that town needs a new sheriff....."PerpWalk 2009" is the only reality show these 2 should be going on......

I thought it interesting that as I watched Alex Witt said he was in the balloon, even having experts weigh in on whether he was cold or could breathe, switch over to Shepard Smith and he said they weren't sure where the boy was. The whole time I hear the voice of Don Imus in my head going " we are waitin for the little bastard to fall out of this thing aren't we Chuck, isn't....isn't that why were watching"

I just heard that the father has been nominated to be the new Aviation Czar for the Obama Administration.

I think it's entirely possible the boys thought it was for a show. He was 6 and they were filming it. He's been on Wife Swap so it could be possible in his little mind that it was for a show. It's also possible they were filming it for a personal documentary or something.

But, what I DON"T understand is, after watching that video, why the DAD thought his son was in the balloon???? He was STANDING RIGHT THERE? So, then, was it the media that was reporting false information or the father made purposeful false statements? How do you NOT know when you're standing right there?

Also, if you watch that balloon take off, you can SEE clearly there's no additional weight holding it down.

Something that I don't understand when the media and others say that it COST.

The emergency people are working anyway, are they not? Other than fuel for the helicopters and vehicles which would likely be used anyway, what are the costs? Firefighters are paid whether they are fighting fires or not, police are working, being paid whether there is crime or not. If extra people are called in to be paid overtime, then yes, this is a cost which would not otherwise be paid.

Or, are there corporations/unions involved which BILL when they actually have to move their bodies?

From what has been broadcast and written of this family, they cum to publicity. There is a video, replete with crotch-grabbing kids and obscenities, sheepish faces on television, and a rather odd story, at best. Yesterday, there was some mention of wife-swapping parties. This is anybodies guess as to which way they went.

Their story has more air in it than the balloon. Everybody just ignore, and they'll soon go away.

I agree, Michael. I even read a report that claimed they should have the MEDIA be compensated for traveling to cover the story. That's LAUGHABLE. The media jumped on it willingly. They don't deserve any compensation for bad reporting. Why should they get paid because they did a bad job? Please.

And volunteers who left work should be compensated. Please. That's great the community pulled together, but they shouldn't be compensated for volunteering their time.

BTW, I'm not yet convinced this was a hoax by the family. I think it could be. But, I think that the media could also have overly exaggerated or misrepresented or plain didn't have real facts here.

Who would name their kid, Falcon, except someone with a Nietzchean Master/Slave view of Society, in which they believe that there is only the prey and predators in society, so you might as well be a predator, just like a "Falcon". If the Dad did fake this, he has a future date in hell in with the Devil, because he succesfully destracted the public from Michael Brewer's plight, the boy in Miami who was burned over 65% of his body and who needs the public's help for donations right now to pay medical bills, which will accumulate for 5 months, if he survives.

To me this whole thing wreaks of a "While they were all looking the other way" type of event. I'm calling bull@!$%# on the family and news media. The entire incident is very is suspect.

The father called the FAA to see if they could track it

The father knew there wasn't a transponder on the balloon since he built it. How is the FAA going to track it without the transponder.

he called the local news station to see if their helecopter could locate it;

How much time had elapsed by the time the media helicopter "scrambled" to the scene? Which direction was the balloon drifting and at what speed? Would the media have know which direction to go to intercept the balloon?

Why didn't dad jump in the family sedan and start tracking the balloon on his own and call from his cell phone while following?

Amazing how easy it is to pull the wool over the eyes of some people. Anyone that can watch this video and not see through the scam and the father's poor acting should have their voting rights revoked in this country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33341104#33341104

The police called experts at the university with the measurements of the balloon and they said it could support up to 80 lbs. of payload.

I would disagree with the so-called "experts". Having the measurements would only give an approximation of the amount of lift available. Without knowing how much the exact volume is and the amount of helium introduced into the envelope, they can only speculate. Looking at the videos of the balloon, it did not appear to be fully inflated so therefore would not have the full lifting capacity. Also, when the balloon started wafting around, the helium started "spilling" out since it was not a closed container. Every time it tilted, it allowed helium to spill and reduce its buoyancy. As for having the capacity to support 80 lbs of payload, that is questionable also because payload infers some type of cargo. One needs to take into account the tare weight of the vessel and subtract that from the total lifting capacity giving the remainder as the payload capacity. Without knowing the weight of the balloon, the experts were only guessing.

As gases rise in elevation, they expand due to less atmospheric pressure constricting them. So, since this was an open vessel, as the balloon climbed in altitude, it started spilling the helium out (not only from the tilting motions) but also from the expansion of the gases. Another minor loss of buoyancy is through the membrane of the balloon. Yes helium can escape right through the "walls" of the balloon. Additionally, the experts did not know how well the builder of the balloon sealed all of the seams. Poorly sealed seams could be a major loss of helium and thus explain why the balloon looked under-inflated.

These points are only some of the questions I would do as part of my testing as an engineer without being an expert, but also just a ballooning enthusiast.

Lets hope that he gets a bill from every agency that had even the smallest thing to do with this fiasco!!(if its found to be 100% fake)!

If it were a hoax, he should be counting his blessings that the search personel weren't needed to preform for a real life and death situation elseware.

If it was just the kids fault he should have his ass whiped till it turns to buttermilk!

HOAX.

I have a hard time believing that the volume of that balloon could ever support half the weight of this child. Anybody looking at the size of the balloon can see that there is not enough helium to lift the child off the ground. Also, if the child were to crawl into the box (gondola) underneath the saucer then it would not have behaved erratic as it did during the flight as the weight underneath would have kept it from balancing as much as it did.

I truly believe that this was a hoax. The parents should be ashamed of their stunt. I question their ability to raise these kids without exploiting them and placing them in harms way.

Total hoax, obvious from the beginning since the mylar balloon had no point of entry and could not have possibly carried the weight of a six year old child. I hope that psychotic twit father gets stuck with the bill for the search. It'd be a bonus if the kids were taken right out of that horrible household and put with people who don't have their heads lodged up their own backsides.

Why was Pat's post collapsed? There is nothng about it that isn't proper to post!

This is something I don't understand. Rescue, fire, police, all are either hourly paid or on a set salary. So, they would be "working" whether they are actually DOING or not. Why should there be a bill if these people were working anyway?

If an ambulance is called to an accident and nobody is hurt or needs attention, is there still a FEE? A balloon floats for 50 miles, people are all watching. But, there is nobody to help once it lands. Nobody goes to the hospital or worse. Case closed.

I stand in line for a permit or license. The person behind the desk says there will be a FEE. For what?

Does some corporate/union PUKE official who is probably sitting on a beach someplace in the Caribbean need the money?

Scopata:

He's in for a big surprise, with rescue bills up the gazoo.. What a dunce.

Feel sorry for the little boy and his brothers. They will be targets of bullying and harassment all their lives. No one will forget this event.

CPS should look into taking the kids away from this wife "swapper", egomaniac.

It's too bad children can't choose their own parents.

Curious Blond,
It was the truth and that HURTS!

The sheriff got suckered by a bunch of total amateurs!  Unfortunately, these losers apparently have no money to reimburse the taxpayers of Colorado.  They're in debt up to their eyeballs, and, once again, the rest of us just have to foot the bill.  Country's going to hell in a handbasket.

Pat and Dawn: If I ever go on trial, I sure hope that you two and the sheriff of Latimer County, Colorado won't be serving on the jury. God help us all. Mark Twain was right.

Waterdog,
I don't profess to know-it-all. I base my opinions on just that, my opinions, as do you. I have learned a lot in my lifetime and have seen a lot to help form those opinions. I have also served on 10 jury trials which came to honorable conclusions. This case is far from over and until there is hard evidence to prove otherwise, I will go with an accident

hoax hoax hoax hoax. And the bogus ballon daddy is desparetly seeking attention! lol yeah the jokes on the rescue crew.. and all of America who watched it..its like November all over again.

I look at the whole thing like this..... If you were not at work and were home to watch it.... at least you did not have to see the same soap operas or News shows with panels of people shouting each other down..... or even worse.... you did not have to listen to people tell you that the health care bill will not cost Americans a penny...

Bill the family for the stupid stunt... every one else... calm down and enjoy watching the show... cause that's what it was.....

Derek a very expensive show at tax payers expense..if a infamous little family can fool us like that imagine what a real terrorist can do with that information..that we are really that dumb? I am psychic and I knew he wasn't in there..I knew it..but there was a slight chance he could have been but if he had been he would have been dead..so..it wasn't just a show..and that family should pay thru the nose.

this father is full of st!t!

there was something fishy about this from the start.

Real nice. Leave these people alone. Do not charge them or bill them. I agree with the above poster. People will live in fear of reporting a missing child.

Look at the tons of money we spend on the hoax of border patrol. That cost is everyday.

Yet the so called good guys continue to arrest Americans at the drop of a hat.

Real nice. Leave these people alone. Do not charge them or bill them. I agree with the above poster. People will live in fear of reporting a missing child.

Look at the tons of money we spend on the hoax of border patrol. That cost is everyday.

Yet the so called good guys continue to arrest Americans at the drop of a hat.

Pat: You sat on 10 jury trials?  God help us all.  Read what Mark Twain wrote about our jury system, and he had YOU in mind.  Check out what your sheriff says now! 

And now we have the sheriff department getting in on the act. Everyone wants to be in the news these days. Colorado is mimicing Los Angeles. Bring charges against anyone and everyone, even if they end up with egg in their faces.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

told ya!

hoax.

Slimbonics: Are you really Jack Lalaine? No, I am not the mayor of "Know-it-all"ville. That's reserved for the supreme, mystic ruler of know-it-alls, who just happens to be an exaulted member of Ralph Kramden's Racoon lodge. I don't know much, but I knew that this was a hoax from the start as about 90% of the folks on this board did. God bless them! And I have a life, thanks, so I don't need to "get" one.

Pejuta: I reserve this comment only for the most special occasions: whatever! It's a free country and you can name your kids whatever the heck you like. You have a very interesting name yourself. Come up and see me some time.

Pat, the problem is that, if it was in fact and accident and now the boy is home safe, it wouldn't be such a sensational news story. Irregaurdless, the kids safe, and the authorities will handle it however they deem appropriate. Next news story please.............

heard ya the 1st time Carrie Leigh.

I wonder if he will apply for a balloon boy bailout from Obama.

I would imagine it would net him a good billion a photo-op with the Liar in Chief.

This message to the person running this web page, why was Pat-293163 comments collapsed by the community????????????????????? I saw nothing that should have caused that. If you are going to censure people then I feel we are owed an explanation.

Hey! How's that 15 minutes of fame working for ya?

This guy is another Drew Peterson, and Scott Peterson, except thank God, he didn't murder anyone. He did steal his son's innocence from him, making him the victim of a a cruel joke to the world.

No conscience, loves attention from the media and he is a control freak..

Today he had a meeting with the media, telling them if they want answers they need to write notes, he'll put them in a box, and get back to them with another meeting and answers.

This kook should be put away. He is an unfit Dad to his boys. The mother included.

Dad is a media whore anyway. He's been on a wife swap show a couple of times and his behavior was totally whacky. And now this. He should pay but according to the news I heard on this guy he doesn't even have a job and one of his landladies said he left her place with over 6 thousand dollars worth of damages after moving out. Pay! That's the least of his problems. He and his wife should be made to take parenting classes.

 I think there is much suspicion in this case, because after watching the interviews on CNN, the children seem to know much more and needs to be further investigate by the local law enforcement. When watching the interview the children appear to be affraid of the dad almost scared of him, I feel sorry for the children and the wife in this mess.

This Dad is in "heap" big trouble with Federal Law Enforcement.

He potentially interfered with the FAA airspace. No license or permit to fly the balloon.

Homemade Balloons are illegal.

Watched Larry King tonight, and this guy wouldn't answer a straight question. He was on the defense for a simple question to be asked to his child through the father.

Now who's on the other end of the balloon, Big Shot, Stunt Man..

I think children services should be called also for the boys! The parents are simply unstable! It did not take much to see it was a hoax after seeing the interview and the tape, the authorities however were still believing in the "honest" display of fellings yesterday? What the... I assume the total bill fot all the commotion will have to be endorsed by the taxpayers? I would love to hear from the neighbors too, I don't know but building a balloon in a backyard is questionable! What else were they preparing?

I do hear comments about the boys, but $ seems to be the biggest theme here. Yes we want our tax dollars be used wisely but, The worse crime would be here is the treatment of the kids. Getting run down and sick on TV... possibly (Firm believer in innocent until proven guilty as we all should be afforded, although I'm highly suspicious to say the least.) being taught to lie about something of huge magnitude, and watching their parents be disgraced publicly. Every kid should be able to look up to their parents, and be taught to best of ability right from wrong. These kids are being possibly robbed. I doubt it but wouldn't it be nice for the kids if this wasn't a hoax and life could return to normal for them. I hope all share the same sentiment and hope for a good outcome and not a scandalous one. Not looking too good though. Extremely sad. Another note more newsworthy, RIP to our newly fallen soldiers and prayers to their families. Thanks to our Heroes!

Michael Boyd- You need to research before you speak. When someone fraudulently calls 911, resources are used in the form of gasoline, wear and tear on vehicles, man hours and overtime. These bogus calls cause shortages on legitimate calls that require additional manpower.This prompts overtime call in's or worse yet, the functioning at emergency situations shorthanded due to personnel being tied up on a fraudulent call. These shortages can cause emergency personnel injuries due to manpower shortages which cost the taxpayer money due to medical bills, missed work from injuries and higher insurance costs. These bogus calls could and does endanger firefighters and police who are forced to perform their duties without the needed man power because their backup is tied up chasing a bogus flying saucer. Fraudulent calls cost money and endanger lives. I believe this family should be billed AND fined and the children should be placed in a home that doesn't stress them to the point of vomiting. I call that child abuse!

orbust: your all jealous they have lives and you don't..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I knew it wouldn't be long before some lamebrain popped up with the jealousy thing.

orbust, I have more of a life than you or this idiotic family combined. Obviously, you have no idea of what it's like to "have a life", but I do.

This "Dad" needs a job at the White House...he's a clown and would fit right in there. When his lips are moving...he's telling a story.... the whole thing was set up for the family to get back on TV and in his thinking sell this silly looking ballon tied up in the yard. Hope they throw the book at him, and he has to pay for all the expenses of the alledged rescue effort.

America... the place where the media will make you famous whether you deserve it or not.

Who cares if this was a hoax? Doesn't the press have better things to focus on, like, I dunno, health care , war or the economy?

I'm reminded of the Daily Show's excellent tweak last week of CNN "invesitigating" a SNL skit for accuracy, while allowing actual political commentators' remarks to go largely unchallenged.

What Dad would put his kids on a TV reality show for Swapping wives?. Loose screws in both the mother and father.

CPS should remove the kids from their home. They are definitely not parents that set a good example for raising kids that able to function normally in Society.

Too bad, for every child born, there isn't some kind of test as to parents being interviewed, for suitably for the most important job one can have.

Everyone is overlooking the fact that the boy was NEVER in danger. And the parents knew that all along.

Yes, Dad is a publicity seeking freak and needs to pay the price. Basically called in a false Amber alert. Throw his butt in jail and let him "wife swap" there.

And charge him for the taxpayers time/money.

Watch "Dad" go to jail with a Smile on his face".

He's a "sicko".

Hey...

No job... bills coming due... can't see past the depression... Might as well give it a shot at the limelight. It's the only real Industry left in America!

Send the parents the bill. This is redicious and wasteful of taxpayers money. They fall in line with others who abuse the 911 system and the emergency room.

As I suspected. This guy is a real nut case. I don't know if imposing fines on him will actually send any messages his way. But a stint in the pokey just might. A reality show? Good luck with that one too. His kids are so screwed up by now, not to mention his wife, from his abuse that I doubt if they will reform to much of a higher standard. His kids have been soaked through and through with his deceitful lifestyle to the point that even his wife couldn't undo. So good luck to the child authorities on this one. As for the law after him - go for it and please make it as swift as possible so the American taxpayer doesn't have to absorb too much.

This is one incredibly unbalanced family.

Brandon:

Good observation. They are crazy has h----------------------l!

They'll write a book make 1.5 million pay off their dues and be ahead of the game. No worries..... what a strange and sick world we live in!

Innocent until proven guilty! Last time I checked a sheriff could not just say that someone is guilty. Unless somebody was there and knows the family none of us here can for sure say that this was a hoax. It is very suspicious, but we can not say what really happened. And we can not say what should happen to the family. The law has to decide that! This sheriff reached out of his jurisdiction which is very unprofessional!! At least evaluate the parents mental stage before you scream.

onetearofjoy:

These are "little" town Sheriffs like you would see on the "Lone Ranger". Tonto will help The Lone Ranger gets the culprit (the investigators).

okay, NEXT! This garbage has no place in my thoughts. And THAT is why I don't watch reality shows. Stupid.

Give me a frickin break....

Watching the balloon take off you could tell it couldn't be lifting
a small rock let alone a small boy.

If the people watching that thought there was enough lift to
support a small BOY, PLEASE !

The only thing the cops can say is they were stupid enough to
think someone was in there....

The kid gets physically sick because he's been ordered by the parents to continue his lies.

The parents are some sick people.

Dad won't have to worry about money when he brings out the freezer from the attic with the frozen body of Bigfoot!

My sixteen year old daughter said at the time this was happening that the balloon would not even hold a 37lb. kid. She said it was proven on mythbusters and the balloon would not have even gone up. Were there not any real scientists telling the cops this right away?

Unfortunately for the kid who said during the interview, "you said we were doing this for a show" he is going to be scarred for life. Blaming himself for the reason that both his parents are felons and half-a-million in debt.

We really don't need ANOTHER set of parents on TV capitalizing on their kids. Remember this. 24 hour news is still ratings driven. If we turn them OFF there may not be such a market for this crap. I gotta go, my 3 year old is operating the family trebuchet again. be sure and follow it on CNN.

Yes, this family must be penalized for what was a stunt.

The Enquirer is going to love this story.

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

...except when you see some of the interviews it is obvious this was not a stunt.

If you send a bill to everyone who reports a child missing, only to discover that
they are hiding from you...because you had scolded them, had said a bad word,
NOBODY would ever call for help.

...in this case it just happened during a set a circumstances not in a boring family
life. These folks were storm chasers, and one of the other boys had just seen
him crawl into or out of the compartment where he was putting his meterological
instruments, probably kicked loose a mooring...and up up and way goes
the beautiful balloon...to the panic of parents who cannot find the boy...

Anything else is probably more hate and BS than anything. It was obvious
they were relieved he was not in that balloon. My father once went into
a pasture with a least 40 bulls (2000-2500 pounds each) looking for me,
only to find me still in the hayloft, and had fallen asleep. Now if you've
never dealt with those kind of animals, the risk he took was considerable...

I didn't get beat but I was sure hollered at...then he apologized. Egad...I was asleep!

Hawaii - I TOTALLY thought of what the family pictures might look like for the photo shoot the Enquirer will be doing when they pay that family a big fat chunk of change for their story!!

These parents are no better than John and Kate Grosslien. They are media hungry and for them to sit at home while their child is in a balloon floating miles away is preposterous and they should get billed for the services. NO human would sit at home and wait unless they already knew where the kid was at.

I read a report that said authorities didn't look in the rafters because they didn't think it was possible for the kid to get up there. So it's very simple. Ask the kid to show how he got up there. If he can't, it was staged. And if you look closely at the interview where the kid says it was for a show, you can catch Mom looking shocked and subtly making eye contact with Dad who's trying to maintain his cool. And more importantly that's exactly when Dad takes offense at the questioning and refuses to answer, changing the subject. Very telling indeed. Not to mention the kid vomiting twice when asked later on. I say it was staged.

The video that's been released of the "launch" is the telling tale for me. You're "missing" one boy, but don't bother to check where he's at first? So, he's missing, you can't find him, but let's launch this balloon first and worry about the kids later!! Uh, huh, right!!!

And can anybody really say that from the looks of that flimsy Jiffy Pop balloon, it would actually support the weight of a 6 year old???????

This was all a hoax...now the question is why.

The media LOVES these cuckoo stories. Look how long this story has remained on MSNBC page---

People also love "freak" human interest stories, also. It's an escape from the real problems of the world.

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

While I think the story smelled fishy once you learned they were storm chasers, I think the Sherrif called it correctly.

Everyone is quick to judge if you weren't there. I saw the interviews. You didn't need to be a police physchogist to figure out he is a 6 year old boy, was into mischief, had already been hollered at once, and was hiding from another verbal "I told you..." Just imagine....I've been there. I hid from my father once because I knew what was going to happen once he found me....by the time he did he had forgotten the spanking. Been there....not quite done that, but he did watch me when I was 10 crawl on the back of a 2500 pound bull, who took me for a ride, a nice walk, the bull grumbling about the passenger on board, but animals seem to understand when a child is with them. He never harmed me but I didn't tell him where to go, and when I got off I walked back. My father was not happy however....not a happy camper at all, I'm sure as angry as this dad was if he figured the boy had already tried to get inside the compartment. and at 6 you would not know the dangers....and yes could it have lifted him. At 6 years old YES! At 15 or 25...NO!

Sorry, my perception is with the parents because I have been a parent and a kid.
I know why my father had grey hairs...i gave them to him! (lol)

I think I agree. Although it is plausible that the child might have hidden from the father to avoid getting in trouble if he let the balloon loose, it isn't very plausible that he would come up with the statement "you said we did it for the show". As far as the mother being distraught, maybe she wasn't in on the plan if there was one, maybe she just acts well.

The biggest problem I have with the whole thing is that the balloon probably didn't have the capacity to lift the kid's weight very high if at all, so why didn't the father immediately give the dimensions of the balloon to authorities so they could calculate whether there would have been enough lift for this to happen?

I remember this family on Wife Swap. The father was a total a-hole.

I remember this dad also. Yes i agree CPS should should dig into this family back ground. Something tells me everything is not on the level here. Have you notice the mother hasn't said anything on TV about what happen? Don't you find that odd?

I thought it was strange about the mother - she seems like the totally subservient oriental servant. She did not say ONE word on the Today interview - kids acting strange... then at the very end she says something like thank you or goodbye and I saw his head snap quickly over towards her like "you say something" I have seen this scenario played out - he is possibly abusive to the kids and mother - some said he acted like a jerk on the show - did not see the episode. Will try to get it on hulu. Peace - glad little boy is safe at last.

It was the reporters who corned the boy and wanted him to show them where he had hidden "for their show"....

In this case it's the gutless and soul-less reporters who show up at every abduction scene.
They have yet to find the killers of that little Ramsey girl in Boulder because the reporters were
just so darn sure the parents were involved and the police including FBI have cleared them.
Whoever killed her is still out there...

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

...and they found the boy. It should be END OF STORY, but the gutless and soul less reporters need more fodder for their readers....and what they cannot tell, they'll make up!

Irish_explorer, how many times are you going to post the same thing? Everybody got it the first time.

And it's ABDUCTED, not upducted.

irish_explorer MUST you keep repeating the same thing over and over? Can't you think of anything else to say?

No the boy is sick of all the ~amn publicity, and think he is responsbile for all of it, taking the blame at 6 years old and the soul-less gutless reporters coming in like vultures... The boy is freakin 6 years old ya toe heads? Every had a 6 year old boy...with older brothers? If'n ya did, you'd know what we are talking about.

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

irishexplorer, will you PLEASE stop cut-and-pasting the same thing over and over and OVER???? It's just annoying. Even people who might agree with what you're saying are going to be turning against you if you keep this up.

Makes for a "good" movie.

It's been going on already . . .I was in a dealership this morning to get a car worked on and they were on the Today show. I wanted to cry or run from the building. I can't stand the media's blatant exploitation for ratings anymore.

Just as the parents had hoped it would be. It's part of the "show", except they'll probably beat the kid for saying it on national t.v.

Foxnews( Shepherd Smith,) actually hinted that the boy was hiding under his bed purposely--and Fox did not dramatize it the way CNN did--quit carrying it after the baloon landed. Don't classify Fox with that left wing station CNN--they are a credible news source. They had their regular programming while Blitzer was trying to make a black dot on the screen into a body!

"If I were CNN and wolfy, I would be extremely embarrassed."

Do you really not get that the media is a business that got ratings over this?  And the "news" their most profitable segment? They're NOT EVER going to be embarrassed giving the masses what they want - the never ending existence of tabloids and droolers who stare at CNN or FoxNews for hour after hour means they will all continue to pump out what they have been. The media wasn't duped - the viewers were who got scammed into giving mr Heene yet another 15 minutes of fame and for the tax payers now having to cover the emergency services bills.

Why give Heene, the self proclaimed scientist & weather balloon aficionado, the benefit of doubt? He's an attention whore and even IF (big if) he didn't know the kid in the attic he would have to know that the balloon was too shoddy & small in He volume to lift a 6 year old.

Send 'em the bill.

Interesting that you say Fox news is credible when it is owned by Rupert Mudoch who supported the liberals in Australia. He endorsed Obama for President and held a fund raiser for Hillary Clinton. Wonder what his true agenda is?

LOL!! Thanks, Janey, for the laugh this morning! Fox a credible news source?! Lord...get a clue! Too funny! :)

Fox, credible? Google "Fox News" and "Bovine Growth Horomone" and you'll see just how "credible" they are.

I was watching Shepard Smith as well. He was very skeptical and rightly so, then it was on to the next story.

So then I switch over to CNN and Wolf Blitzer is playing with cutouts.

That wasn't Wolf...that was Slick Willie and the cutouts were Monica?
It had on a blue velvet dress...the new barbie?

Who are the parents of this "Alien" from Mars? Maybe he himself came down to earth inside the Balloon himself..

Throw the bum in jail.

He broke the law or laws; must pay for suckering the media, the world population, and spending $2,000,000 in rescue mission dollars. The people flying helicopters and airplanes to 'catch" the balloon were in danger of their lives as well.

Charlie Manson would be a good jail room mate for him. Nut cases. He's a control freak, a huckster, and a self promoter of no good intentions.

That's all I have for now.

Thank God!

I'd hate to have you as the arbiter of justice

If BBBuckeye Law existed....People may think twice before doing something like this.

You could add reckless endangerment in somewhere.

BBBuckeye1--

You forgot to add incompetent parenting to your list.

Reckless endangerment and incompetent parenting - those have been added to the list of charges, Jeremy and Suebelle.

On the list of misdemeanors which will probably get thrown out just to speed up the execution would be: bad hairstyle, bad acting, having your kid on TV while the kid is sick and tossing his cookies, and criticizing the media for questioning his intentions while at the same time doing every interview on every so-called news show that he can find.

I was going to add the charge of being an adult who plays with balloons, but I figure that it is not really a crime. However, I do believe it is something that will make him very popular in prison. I can see it now-some big, gruff inmate comes up to him in the shower. "Hey, balloon boy! Wanna hold on to my tether while I fill YOU with gas?"

Janey,
There is only one NEWSMAN on Fox. That's Shepherd Smith. He reports the news. The rest of the loud mouthed, opinionators, can be tossed. They are NEWSSHREADDERS!!!!! They are in the same category as the trash you find in the checkout line at the supermarket.

If I hadn't served on a Jury, I wouldn't think your comments were funny, but sadly enough, there are enough of you to make a jury trial a joke. You've already convicted the man and his family. Armchair quarterbacks who have never played ball, let even run down the field and tried to catch one. But experts they are of ALL! I watched the interviews and you could tell he was grateful to have found the boy where he was found. You can imagine his thoughts...falling out at 1500 feet, lodged in a tree somewhere? Unless you've looked for your missing child you have no clue. Mine decided she wanted to take a nap, had crawled onto the crib. We looked frantically for 5 minutes then called for store security...only to find her sound asleep, laying on a crib mattress, happy as a lark. Spanking? Nope? Arrested? Nope...We asked for help to find her....in this case one of the suspects was a balloon....a real fright, as if child abduction isn't a large one?

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

Of course if you've never raised children, especially 3 boys you are truly clueless.
What one can't think of the next one will. I knew a woman who had 4 boys, no
girls, and they weren't mean or bad kids, but from the minute they left her sight, she knew there was going to be something going on, either from fighting with each other, to rescue of the family cat or dog, or just because
if a neighbor kid picked a fight with one of them, they all were there...

They threated my daughter one day, who was much older. And the only
course of action is that I threatened them that the next time they threw
rocks or sand at her, I'd told her she had my permission to take them
down, sit on them and kiss them! EEEwwwww was the only response
I received at that point and GROOSSS! The mother only commented
that she had never thought of that threat...and it worked. By the end
of the 2nd year they had decided she was really nice and didn't
need to attack her. Of course had they really known the last thing
on her mind would have been to kiss them, they would have continued P>

There's also nothing like the thought of a well placed spider or
snake either, even if there isn't one there. We had a siphon
near our house and one day the boys had found a rattlesnake
on the ditchbank above it. And after they were told that the
snakes liked that area...hey, even the boys didn't go near it.
Little did they know the bull snakes liked that area, they
weren't dangerous, and they ate rattlesnakes...but they never
went near that ditch again. A rattlesnake to a boy or girl
is a great thought of deterence....why there might be a
snake in that hole. Don't put your hand in there!. The poor snake lost its life that day
but it saved many a child from snakebite and drowning!

Irish - Wow! I don't know if I should bother to reply, and which part of your rambling to reply to. I guess my overall response is that I do know what it's like to raise 3 kids. It's difficult enough, but when you parade your children on reality shows, and then after an incident like this parade them on all the talk shows, it kinda signals to me that the father's not the most well-intentioned person. Also, if you watch the interviews, the father tends to look down and to the right a lot when he responds to the questions. A good detective or behavioral psychologist would probably tell you that this is a signal of him being elusive.

If my children were in danger, don't worry - I would not hesitate calling 911. Then again, I would never think of creating a chaotic scene just to draw attention to myself.

False Report?

Spousal Abuse?

Child Prostitution?

Stupidity?.....this is just an element of human nature.  These sort of things happen all the time.   Little children are little children...they don't make the same decisions that an adult would make.  So he hides.  I probably would do the same thing.  Hell, my father's pride and joy has just floated away.  Now the child is missing, (are you a parent)  What are you going to do.  Come on do it quickly, no time for rationalization.  Call the FAA, Call the cops, call who?  Do what,  Man, I'm scared, I am worried sick, my child is missing, perhaps on the baloon....come on....you know what its not worth my time to comment further.  

"Oh, I know what to do, I'll just here at home and wait for someone to bring my kid home, Yeah, I know he may or may not be in that balloon floating miles away, but I have to first make a list of possible media interviews, now leave me alone to think or not."

What a load of BS....

Spoken like the Social Services Gestapo...

You need to see the whole picture here.
Three boys.... that's enuf to answer the question.
Dad's a storm chaser.... odd but true, but is an
adventurer. We don't all knit doilies and bake
cookies. Mom usually went with them.

Everything was ok. It ended ok.
If you did this to everyone who called for help to find a missing child, nobody
would call. The Sherriff, who was on the scene, not an armchair quarterback
and judge, was the best person to access the situation. But probably before
it's over he will be Policically Correct...PC'd, and the Social Services Gestapo
will enter the picture stage left....where were these worthless people when
the pedophile abducted that little girl in California 18 years ago, and even
as recently as a year ago called to that home... mindless fools!

I don't necessarily believe the kids should be removed for this incident. It's entirely possible the media made a MUCH bigger story without all the facts.

However, I am SERIOUSLY disturbed at the stories of the parents taking their children into storms to "study them." That puts a child in danger. I live in the land of tornados and the thought of a man with no formal training dragging his kids into the eye of a storm is just negligent and child abuse.

Apparently the crime that was committed here was the family was different. I won't say I agree with their lifestyle but an accident can happen to anyone. I have a feeling there may be some changes now, since they learned the hard way, that when you have very active kids, things can happen. They don't want to go through this again. Sure, they had hopes of being on a reality show and like the lime light. That's not a crime. Some people here are acting like a lynch mob!

Hey Pat, how's it feel to be so wrong about something? LOL

I for one am not the type to gawk at a bad accident for pleasure. So when I tuned in yesterday, it was out of genuine rational concern for the welfare of a child. This is why we gave it so much attention. So take your misguided anger at the viewers & press, and refocus it on the parents if you must place it on anyone!

wife swap is one of the most disgusting shows on the Tube....

I cannot believe anyone wastes their time watching it, like some of the reality shows.
Did you see the one last night where they were all instructed to drink snail guts?
Every one of the shows I've seen on wife swap wasn't worth the time watching.

If the family gets a bill for all the services they received, NOBODY will call for help if they suspect their child is missing, upducted, or in this case off off away in the beautiful balloon...

I've seen several interviews. And apparently they had been planning an experiment, and like all little boys, curious, in the way, probably somewhat of a nuisance too; however, he had already crawled into the compartment once, and was yelled at. If you've ever been there, if they are looking for you, you're not coming out! You know if you do you're going to get yelled at again or a spanking. Parenting isn't easy. Anyone who has done it knows. You also make mistakes. Then the reporters are harassing the little boy in the garage, wanting them to get his picture where he was hiding for their show. 6 year olds don't have the mental capacity of a 25 year old. The family were storm chasers, were in the limelight anyway, and raised in an environment of "yes you can do what nobody else has the courage to..." So was it unusual for the boy to hide? Heck NO! Was a crime committed? Heck NO! Did the father and mother do right when they discovered him missing and one of the other young boys said he was in the compartment int he balloon the last time they saw him? Heck YES!

Maybe the next time your child might be abducted you will hesitate to call for help, not knowing she or he is hiding because you said a bad word several minutes earlier. My daughter used to cringe when I'd hit my thumb with the hammer, yet she knew she wasn't going to be hit...but she knew I was mad. Get a clue. This is a 6 year old and he is all boy!

I think the father, based on the interviews I saw, was extremely grateful he was not in the balloon, was found at home. The Sheriff in this case is obviously smarter than some of the bloggers. He was there, first hand, not speculating like arm chair quarterbacks. We should all be grateful the boy is alive and that people cared enough to chase down the balloon they thought he might be in.

If you've never had a child walk off, run away, or disappear from your sight, you have
no idea how frantic a parent can get. I've been there, and mine had only decided to
take a nap in a crib in the store...cute but not to us. We had store employees lock
down the store and they searched for 30 minutes, and she was less than 50
feet away, snug a bug, and could not understand the fuss...she was taking a nap!

jbird,...doesn't even need focused on the parents.

3 boys...he is the youngest.....Brothers, curious, into mischief,
and the parents are storm chasers... Add it all up. I would
have been frantic too, and I don't sit behind a nice safe desk
all day and shuffle papers either.

I knew a cop who searched for his son all night, only to discover he had t
old his mother he was staying at a friend's house that night.
I think the boy was going to get a whipping until mom confirmed she had
forgotten. He was 12...not 6 and even then was afraid of what his dad
was going to do! Imagine a 6 year old who had just been scolded for
doing something. Of course he was going to hide....I would have (lol).

wife swap is one of the most disgusting shows on the Tube....

I cannot believe anyone wastes their time watching it, like some of the reality shows.
Did you see the one last night where they were all instructed to drink snail guts?
Every one of the shows I've seen on wife swap wasn't worth the time watching.

But you keep watching...hmmm

Maybe this guy pounded the heck out of his Asian wife. He looks like he is master of the world.

There's much more to this man, than just the balloon story. He's has real psychological issues.

He doesn't care about his son being a victim of this tragedy. The child will be harassed his entire life.

Another harmless Drew Peterson, Scott Peterson personality. In control of all aspects of this case, including the media?

The FAA will nail him good for interfering with Air Space, and not getting a permit for letting this balloon fly.

The LAW is after him, the balloon incident was minor, compared to what will come down on this egomaniac, reckless piece of trash.

Perhaps you will volunteer to be beaten first, Dragon?

gimme the Chineese cane...we'll whack them all!

Yes, like you've never hidden from a parent who had just scolded you and told you the next time you do this I'm going to whack your bottom....lol

You know if you stay out of sight for a while, they will forget their promise to warm your bottom.
Irrational? Not from a 6 year old who has older brothers....they already trouble.

I had 4 cousins, all boys. Egad...Mom was always looking tired, just trying to keep up with them! They had
more energy than a barrel of monkeys on a energy drink!

let the beatings begin

That's called child abuse, which is illegal and can get you arrested.

Better yet, get CPS involved. The kids need to be taken out of that environment.

Dragon: Where is their any value of content in what you say?

The 6 year old was wearing tennis shoes and was trying to light the
shoelaces....

He had once used a racial slur...
He had cursed once...
He had just washed his hair and had a towel on his head?

...he was a 6 year old! Get a life folks....
In this case, all of the village idiots have emerged?

They emerged to see you.

I consider myself a pretty good judge of charachter, and I'm pretty good at determining when someone is lying.

I've just watched the videos for the first time, both at the time the boy was found, and the family on MSNBC yesterday...........

In my opinion, the guy is still shook up and is not lying.

I believe him.

I agree this man is telling the truth. I watched his body language not only in this clip but of the first interview after having found the child. I also noticed the reactions of the child's mother. I deal with people lying on a daily basis due to my occupation (health care), and you become extremely good at detecting liars. The child's comment " You said we did this for the show" could have been referring to the show that they were on at that very moment, Larry King. On the Today Show I saw an exhausted but relieved man. One more thing to mention, as a child I hid from my family. I fell asleep in a closet and my family called the police and had the whole neighborhood combing the area for me, so it can happen.

I, too, am a very good judge of character. Having been a ER nurse for a long time, it comes with the job. And when I saw the interviews after the boy was found....my BS detector was flashing off the charts. I've seen how even the most calm and rational parents have acted when they child only has a broken arm...or even a cold. I didn't seen any true concern at all. It all looked fake to me.

I'm so glad this child wasn't hurt. And, it might have even started out real. Like the kid did let the balloon loose and hide, but when they realized he was not in the balloon they kept it going for the "show". Do you honestly think a 6 year old boy, as active as these boys are, would still quiet and still in an attic for 2 hours? Even if he thought he was going to get in trouble? Don't think so.

Well the boys look exhausted, and both parents seem pretty frazzled. It could be strain from their 'publicity stunt' getting out of hand, or they were genuinely afraid the child had gone up in that balloon and are relieved that he is safe, and are wiggling under the accusations. I certainly can't tell, (but then again, I'm not arrogant enough to even think I would be able to.) All I could tell for sure is that they were all stressed.

And oh my goodness... 'Good judges of character', and 'experts' on body language and speech patterns abound on the vine (and most are drawn to health care apparently *insert eye roll here*).

Good grief, there is no cut and dried behavior when people are under stress. Everyone copes differently. In my experience it seems that most people judge what is 'normal' and who is 'faking' based primarily on what they perceive their own reactions under extreme circumstances to be, or what they have learned is appropriate through their own family; regardless of amount of trauma and different reactions observed, this perception generally stays the same.

As an aside, (and I must admit personal beef of mine) health care workers, and even many police officers, are generally not specifically trained out of that. They aren't exempt, be careful of the ones who think that they are. Such self professed 'experts' with that kind of a self-righteous chip on their shoulder usually don't have the introspective capacity to do anything but get it wrong nine times out of ten.

dawn, another sucker? yikes, and your alleged lier spotting skills need work.

shook up??? Nah I am going with the flashing lights on my BS detector lol -shook up hardly, needs a script so he can be sure to tell the same BS story on each news interview... BINGO!!!

We'll see.

I'm curious what type of reaction you were expecting SMD66.

I mean, I'm sure you get that type of situation all the time in the emergency room.lol

"We've lost our son....possibly in a run-away hotair balloon. Can I have some Vicodin please"

And I'm sure everyones reaction is the same............in the emergency room!

Honestly, if you didn't see the scared relief of the fathers face, I'd hate to have to rely on your "very good judge of charachter" for compassion.

Could it be that you're just a cynic at heart?

These days, I'm right there with ya, but I still maintain in this ONE instance at least, I sensed a REAL display of emotion.

We'll see.

They're certainly going to milk this for everything it's worth. Maybe they can even ruin the guy's life! Wouldn't that be a hoot!!!

I agree with SMD66. Send the parents to jail for being idiots. In my state, if a child is not secured properly in a vehicle, there's a heavy fine imposed and you could be investigated further for child abuse. Falcon's idiot father takes the boys chasing storms for goodness sake. I say fine the parents and in addition pay back all the costs incurred for this HOAX!!! BTW, the mother needs to take acting lessons.

This world is so full of liars, people are starting to lose touch with reality.

The way the media scrutinizes and embellishes non-storys for a quick ratings boost, and with the rash of deliberate hoaxes which take advantage of all this glorious information technology, it's no wonder people are presumed guilty.

There's no such thing as truth anymore......as far as some people are concerned.

Did you see the baby in the stroller get run over by the train and dragged two hundred feet, only to receive a minor bump on his head..........HOAX?

They should tar and feather the mother of that child don't ya think?

I'd be a little more willing to believe the dad except for one thing. During the press conference, when he was answering questions, he almost NEVER looked at the cameras - kept looking down at the ground as if he didn't want his eyes to show anything. I might expect that behavior from someone who's never been subjected to media attention before - but for someone who has had numerous TV and print stories done about him, and has been on a national TV show TWICE, it's pretty suspicious behavior.

I think calling this guy a scientist is using the term extremely liberally. He calls HIMSELF a scientist but he's a washed up actor with no formal degree or training of any kind.

Half the scientists I know who have degrees don't have enough common sense to pour sand out of their boots if the instructions were taped to the bottom.

So just because you don't have a formal degree or an education or certification doesn't mean diddly squat...I've known people who know more about animals and the way they live than the naturalists who claim they know everything and have the worlds problems solved. Too bad they know Al Gore...? Enuf said?

Most of the major discoveries in the last 2000 years were made by people who were kicked out of school!

I don't know the fact that major discoveries were all people kicked out of school. I'd be interested to find out where that fact came from.

But I can tell you this. Just a few years ago, both parents were actors, so I'm not sure when all this self-education this dude had came from.

And shouldn't a scientist be able to make a simple calculation: how much weight can this balloon hold? I don't know any scientists but those who've made significant discoveries must have some intelligence and be able to make simple calculations. People don't just stumble on new species or dig up dinosaur bones in the backyard by accident.

But, that's your opinion. I don't have to buy it.

I, too, am a very good judge of character when it comes to lying. I have watched every re-run of ER including all the season finales. The parents are lying through their teeth, by the way, I'm a dentist too.

Dawn: The father was exhausted because he suddenly realized that he had bitten off far more than he could ever handle. So goes the vain and deadly pursuit of fame. Send them the bill!

It's disgusting, isn't it? We still have two wars going on, and this nonsense dominates the airwaves (well, cable-lines). I disagree it's about "manipulating" the public though. It's about ratings, and creating any sort of sensational story that evokes an emotional reaction gets the front page.

Anyone who really wants "news" needs to turn off the TV and read the paper, or if they do watch TV, put on C-SPAN or PBS.

I agree. The think the media ran with this story without full facts. It's entirely possible the detectives on the ground knew more than what was being reported. Yet, the news outlets were looking for a big, juicy story and just went live for 2 hours. They all had egg on their faces and now they're throwing the backlash to the family.

I think it's entirely possible a 6 year old boy who's been on tv several times could construe that the video taping was for a show. And maybe it was. That does NOT mean hoax.

I think that the video is VERY interesting however. How could the father not know the boy was safe? I don't see how that's possible. He's the one who released the balloon. He was STANDING RIGHT THERE!!

Cassandra:

What tune is Sean Hannity going to Sing?

Fox News has the largest viewing audience of all Cable News Programs. Democrats love FOX, or that means there are more Conservatives in this country than Liberals.

Come On:

Well, President Obama hasn't done anything significant in 10 months, so this is the prominent news of today.

There was ALOT of speculation and didn't seem to be a lot of facts being reported.

Thank you! I was starting to worry no crazy person would find a way to connect this to President Obama! But surely, someone can find a way in which it was actually the President' fault?

OK, I heard you....you can crawl back under your rock now.

Clotho - I've seen stories about the Gosselin family that bring up Obama. It's crazy and almost seems to be a game to some discussion boarders.

Have you never seen a child who s TIRED? Those kids were and so were the parents!

And Pat--

You're now going to tell the world that 6 year olds don't know the difference between right and wrong?

Exactly, the kid was 6 and was left unattended in the back yard with a balloon full of helium that had liftoff capabilities!! What good parent in their right mind would do this?

Also, the kids seem pretty mature. Have you seen their "rap" video on Youtube? They are cussing up a storm while their parents sit in the background laughing. They obviously aren't raising their children to be respectful in any way.

If you've seen the video, you know that the 6 year old was NOT unattended. Both parents were there right by the balloon when it took off - and it doesn't take much intelligence to know that if a 50 pound child was in that compartment, the balloon would NOT have lifted off the way it did.

You know, if I lived in the same neighborhood as these nutjobs, I'd be calling the police on them for maintaining an attractive nuisance. Suppose someone else's child actually HAD gotten into that balloon and it had taken off - and then the child was hurt or killed? The lawyers would have a field day with that one. And I'll bet you that if the police DID bring nuisance charges, the father's defense would be "oh, but it's almost impossible for anyone to actually get into that compartment".

The children were TIRED. They had a very traumatic day the day before and it was like 7 am their time when I saw them on the Today Show. I am quite sure they were not drugged. Haven't you ever seen a tired child????

They looked sedated to me, not tired.

Yeah, I've watched ER many a times, they were sedated, not tired.

The media LOVES these cuckoo stories. Look how long this story has remained on MSNBC page---

People also love "freak" human interest stories.. It's an escape from the real problems of the world.

Did a bit more research. The "reported" size of the balloon 25' diameter by 5' which, when calculating the helieum lift ratio would allow the balloon to lift approximately 25 pounds. The average 6 year old should weigh about 40-50 pounds. Also the video of the balloon in flight showed it severely tilted almost perpendicular to the ground, if there was a ~40 pound weight in the "basket" gravity would have caused a tilt approaching 45 degrees. Also assuming the balloon was nearly full at ground level when it hit 6000 feet as reported the seams would have split unless there were gusseted air tight expansion seams or a relief valve.

Again, it would seem both the authorities and our so called "4th estate" needs to investigate this and bring charges as needed and report the FULL story in a factual manner.

The news media is staffed and run by complete idiots and morons - not unlike its audience!

jpooch sorry to disagree with you but they are not "complete" yet. Lazy yes! Rumor spreaders Yes! Tabloid writers Yes! Journalists NO!

Money grubbers, no question. Socially responsible - no way in hell.

According to the university experts in that state, that size balloon could lift up to 80 lbs. Please watch the sheriff's news conference video.

Pat, please remember that according to the parents, there were electrical components in that compartment, which probably weighed quite a bit. That, added to the 50-55 pounds of the child's weight, would have put it well over the 80 pound limit. Also, even if the balloon could lift that much weight, it would not have flown the way it did with that much weight pulling it down.

one reall fed up boomer - the child is 35 pounds, if we can believe the news accounts yesterday.

It's ironic isn't it? The supposed scientist can't figure out whether his own invention could hold the weight? Seems like an obvious item to configure.

Vicki,
This was not my opinion. It was the opinion of the sheriff, based on the university people who know this stuff. The sheriff gave them ALL the information that was available and it was their finding that indeed a light weight child could be lifted off in it. I wouldn't dream of speculating on whether it could or could not because I have absolutely no knowledge of such things.

Pat: Who are the "university" people and what the heck do they know?

A local DJ played the 911 call for us listeners. The mom dind't sound distraught she sounded like she was acting. Fake emotion. Most moms would be hysterical in the situation. Plus the dad kicking the platform doesn't play out as real either. The little boy let the beans slip and I imagine as hot headed as dad is Falcon got into big trouble.

And, the boy should be punished. If it were my kid, he would be spanked and grounded!

If the kid was put up to it, then I would blame the parents. Send them the bill and have child services investigate the parents. The story sound fishy.

Charge the media for all the stupid hype. Charge them for that stupid religious runaway story too. The government should fine the media when they act stupid. Call it the IDIOT FEE!

Pat, are you changing your tune? I thought you said it was an accident.

I thought the timing of the child being found just after the balloon landed was VERY suspicious. (And if the reports are to be believed, he came out on his own - weird timing, if that's true.)

But, I am having an impossible time understanding HOW this father was the one who released the balloon yet claims to have not known whether his child was onboard.

I believe, if there was any hoax, the father is fully at fault.

Why didnt he show the video immediately to the authorities? They may have focused on a search for the child in the home and found him right away. I'm not scientist, but you can see there was NO added weight on that balloon when it took off.

So this was a "family project" then why didn't they make sure the whole family was there before they did the big count down that they were even filming?!