Well I figured you were trolling (as most of your posts are of that type) but hey you got me. The one thing that will make me respond to a troll and be "dramatic" is when it deals with my kids. Sorry that you can't see that - maybe some day you will but it is doubtful.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33340547/ns/us_news-life/ FORT COLLINS. Colo. - A Colorado sheriff said late Saturday that criminal charges are expected to be filed in the flight of a saucer-like helium balloon that led to a frantic search for a 6-year-old boy believed to be on board —and then to questions about whether the drama had been a hoax. Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said significant progress had been made in the investigation and that at least Class 3 misdemeanor charges were likely. Alderden said he was consulting with the Federal Aviation Administration and othe federal agencies on whether other chargers were warranted.
I taught 9th grade English at Cy Creek from 1992 to 1994. During one of my class periods in my 1st year, a student said out loud, "Hey, Mr. Dorotik, do you get drunk? I said, "No, heroin is my drug of choice." Then, after explaining that I was completely kidding, I got called down to the office the next day by my principal due to rumours going around that I "shot up." That same year, I got called into the principals because I was seen at SRO with several of my friends drinking. What happened was that some parent brought his kid with him, who happened to be in my 9th grade class- even though it was 21 and over, parents could bring their kids with them. So, even though it was not reported that I was drunk (because I wasn't), it was recommended that I be careful about drinking in a place where students might see me. Even though it was a 21-and-over sports bar. No kidding. Thank God I don't have to worry about that BS anymore.
I hope that when the young boy gets older down the road his only goal in life is to navigate and travel the world in 80 days in a hot air balloon... I think this kid has potential to be the first Phileas Fogg. What other use does this little boy have then to fly in a balloon? Once he's entered high school most of the kids will make fun of him for this balloon fiasco.. It only make sense for him to finish what he started and navigate the plains of North America in a hot air balloon.. He will be a great role model if he leads his life this way, especially a generation full of spoon fed thump sucking losers who are never amount to nothing...
Breaking News out at CNN quotes a county sheriff now saying it was "a hoax" and "publicity stunt". Apparently, the little boy did accidentally let the cat out of the bag with his comments. I'm hoping the Dad does some jail time if true. I just think it was completely uncalled for, costs money to deal with and investigate, and puts lives at risk unnecessarily. In my opinion, this is worse than just lying about your kid being missing because people are led to believe the child is in imminent danger in a balloon adrift. Make them pay for it at a minimum.
Expanding on Surfguy's post.... Link FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A Colorado sheriff says it was hoax when parents reported that their 6-year-old son was in a flying saucer-like helium balloon hurtling away from their home. Sheriff Jim Alderden says Richard and Mayumi Heene "put on a very good show for us, and we bought it." The sheriff says no charges have been filed yet, and the parents aren't under arrest. He says he expects to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Some of the most serious charges each carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine. He says all three children knew of the Thursday hoax, but likely won't face charges because of their ages. The oldest son is 10. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — A sheriff says a Colorado couple's report that their 6-year-old son was in a balloon that was hurtling away from their home was a publicity stunt. Sheriff Jim Alderden says Richard and Mayumi Heene "put on a very good show for us, and we bought it." The sheriff says no charges have been filed yet, and the parents aren't under arrest. But he says he expects to recommend charges of conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Alderden says interviews with the parents Saturday resulted in enough information to get a warrant to search the house. He says they were looking for computers, e-mails, phone records and financial records. Pugs
Golden: From the Boy in the Balloon's Twitter feed, mentioned above: [rquoter]Did my name being Falcon give my dad the idea for this stunt? If so I'm worried he might have plans for my brother Trout too.[/rquoter]
I want these dumbass parents to be thrown in jail. ------------------- Balloon dad never shy about his bizarre stunts By DAN ELLIOTT (AP) – 50 minutes ago FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Richard Heene provided a glimpse of the chaos he was about to spark this week when he described for a national TV audience in March his belief that aliens are humanity's ancestors, his latest madcap inventions and his unconventional approach to raising a family. Appearing on the ABC reality TV show "Wife Swap," he told of once passing out in a fast-food restaurant and hearing aliens speak to him. He boasted of his plans to build a flying saucer covered in aluminum foil and send it into a tornado. He pulled his children around a hockey rink on a hovercraft-like device and took them on UFO-hunting expeditions. "I'm very grateful that America has voted for us to be on a second time," he said of his second appearance on the show. "(It's) like the best thing that's ever happened in our life. Seriously." The signs of Heene's publicity-hungry ambitions appeared to culminate last week, when a helium-filled balloon floated away from his home with his 6-year-old son thought to be inside. In the end, investigators said it was all a hoax designed to drum up attention for his next reality TV endeavor on the heels of the "Wife Swap" appearance. Heene now faces the possibility of criminal charges that could send him to prison for several years. The case has cast the spotlight on the bizarre antics of Heene, a 48-year-old amateur scientist, handyman and aspiring reality TV star whose associates described him as a shameless self-promoter who would do almost anything to advance his latest endeavor. In this case, investigators say it involved making it seem like his youngest child had drifted away in a balloon when the boy was actually somewhere in the neighborhood. Heene has lived a fairly transient lifestyle over the years. He tried his hand at acting and standup comedy in Hollywood, where he met his wife Mayumi, 45. They had three children — ages 10, 8 and 6 — and quickly immersed the kids in their storm-chasing missions that sometimes involved putting them dangerously close to tornadoes. "Mom Mayumi is devoted to helping her fringe scientist and inventor husband Richard build a flying saucer and hunt for UFOs as they hope to find evidence to support their belief that all humans are descended from aliens," according to the "Wife Swap" episode in March. "Mayumi also manages to take care of the three rough, tough Heene boys, who are completely out of this world." The family has chased down one storm after another, and Richard Heene claims to have flown in an airplane around the perimeter of Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Heene was obsessed with launching various inventions into storms, something that developed back in the 1970s after a storm ripped off the roof of a building he was working on. "There's gotta be a way to dissipate the tornado," he said as he described one of his inventions. "Well, this is the tornado cannon." Actor-comedian Perry Caravello said he met Heene back in the early 1990s, when Heene was struggling in Hollywood. Caravello rented out a spot for a standup comedy show that ended up being a "total bomb," he said. Heene was always trying to get people to invest money in his storm-chasing exploits, including riding a motorcycle into the middle of a tornado, Caravello said. Caravello said Heene and his family eventually moved into a cramped office space packed with video equipment, clothing and other items. He said Heene was easily excitable, a complete contrast to Mayumi Heene, who was quiet and reserved. On "Wife Swap," Heene was portrayed as erratic, at one point throwing a glass of milk on a participant on the program. The sheriff's office investigated a domestic violence complaint at the home in March after Mayumi appeared battered, but no charges were filed. Headshot photographer Carrie Cavalier, of Burbank, Calif., bristles when asked about Richard Heene. She told The Associated Press that the Heene family rented a one-story Burbank house from her month-to-month from June 2006 until June 2007. After she gave them an eviction notice, she said, the family picked up and left without notice, leaving behind a home in disarray. The family still owes her a $2,000 security deposit, and $6,000 in damage to the home, she said. They ran a business out of the home called My You Me Productions, according to records. The business, which produced demo reels for actors, had also been housed at one point in an office building in West Los Angeles. "They were barely surviving financially," Cavalier said. "She was doing all the work and trying to take care of the kids. It was very chaotic." Heene recently realized that the lucrative reality TV business provided a golden opportunity to promote his endeavors. He and his family made it onto two episodes of "Wife Swap," and the producer of the show said it had another show in development with the Heenes. The deal is now off; the producer did not provide specifics. TLC also said Heene had pitched a reality show to the network months ago, but it passed on the offer. All the while, Heene began assembling the infamous helium balloon in his backyard, piecing it together with foil, rope and duct tape. It all played out on Thursday in stunning fashion on national television as a stunned Heene appeared shocked that his child has just vanished in the balloon. Neighbors were stunned by the news that the Heenes allegedly perpetrated a hoax. Many of them believed that Falcon was in the balloon, and they helped search for the child. Sarah Duty, who lives down the street, said her two sons often play with the Heene children and they had been in her home. She said it would be hard on her children if it does turn out to be a hoax. "My main concern right now is those three little boys. I just love those kids," she said. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtDn4Wq2stcxmBOzbwM1UJcCv-QwD9BDQ9B81
I really didn't look at this thread until today, in hindsight and having just read it, it's hilarious.
Somebody's (probably) going to jail. ---------------------------------------------------- Sheriff: Balloon boy hoax may have conspirators FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The lawyer for the man accused of perpetrating the balloon boy hoax to promote a reality show said Monday that he expects authorities to bring charges against his client in the coming days as investigators analyze e-mails that show Richard Heene and an associate discussing the stunt months ago. Lawyer David Lane said he expects charges to be filed by Wednesday and that Heene and his wife Mayumi are willing to turn themselves in. Lane declined to say directly whether he believes the incident was a hoax but said the Heenes are innocent unless convicted. "If they (prosecutors) can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, that's one thing. If they can't prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, that's another," he told The Associated Press. In addition to drawing up possible felony charges against the 48-year-old Heene, investigators say they want to question an associate of his after e-mails surfaced showing the two had discussed a balloon hoax months ago as part of a public relations campaign for the reality show. Robert Thomas of Denver claimed Heene had told him he was planning a media stunt to promote a proposed reality show. Thomas, a self-described researcher, sold his story to Gawker.com and provided the Web site with e-mail exchanges between him and Heene. Thomas said the show would feature Heene as a mad scientist who carries out various scientific experiments. "This will be the most significant UFO-related news event to take place since the Roswell Crash of 1947, and the result will be a dramatic increase in local and national awareness about The Heene Family, our Reality Series, as well as the UFO Phenomenon in general," according to a copy of the show's proposal provided to the site by Thomas. Gawker.com editor-in-chief Gabriel Snyder confirmed the New York-based Web site paid Thomas, but declined to say how much for the story billed with the headline: "Exclusive: I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax." Snyder said Thomas was planning to meet with investigators, though sheriff's officials did not return messages seeking confirmation. Messages left for Thomas by The Associated Press were not returned. Thomas, 25, said in his Gawker.com story that the plan he knew about did not involve Heene's children. The emergence of the e-mails is the latest twist in a story that played out live on national television on Thursday when a silver, helium-filled balloon floated away from the Heenes' home with 6-year-old Falcon believed to be aboard. But he was never in the balloon. Some flights at Denver International Airport had to be changed to a different runway, but the airport remained open during the balloon's flight, airport spokesman Chuck Cannon said Monday. Previous reports said the airport was temporarily shut down. The National Guard provided two helicopters in an attempt to rescue the child, costing several thousand dollars. When the balloon landed without the boy, officials thought he had fallen out and began the grim search for his body. Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden announced Sunday that he's seeking charges, including felonies, against Richard and Mayumi Heene. Alderden said the stunt two weeks in the planning was a marketing ploy by the Heenes, who met in acting school in Hollywood and have twice appeared on ABC's reality show "Wife Swap." "We certainly know that there's a conspiracy between the husband and wife, you've probably seen some of the e-mails and some of the things on the Internet suggesting that there may be other conspirators," Alderden said. Alderden said documents show that a media outlet has agreed to pay money to the Heenes with regard to the balloon incident. Alderden didn't name the media outlet but said it was a show that blurs "the line between entertainment and news." It wasn't clear whether the deal was signed before or after the alleged hoax, or whether the media outlet was a possible conspirator. "Let's call it (my statement) short of speculation that a media outlet was in on the hoax, but let's not discount the possibility," he said. In an e-mail Sunday to the AP, Snyder said editors at Gawker.com had not contacted the Heene family or offered them money for their story, referring to Alderden's reference to a deal being struck by a media outlet. "No, that wasn't us," Snyder said. The sheriff said he expected to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges were also possible. The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Alderden said they would be seeking restitution for the costs, though he didn't have an estimate. As Alderden told reporters Sunday that the whole thing was a hoax, the Heenes were shopping for snacks at Wal-Mart, where Richard Heene told the AP he was "seeking counsel." "This thing has become so convoluted," Heene said, tears welling in his eyes. He said his wife was holding together better than he was. Once investigators got a good look at the "flying saucer" they determined that the thin mylar balloon covered with foil and held together with duct tape would not have been able to launch with the 37-pound-boy inside, according to Colorado State University physics professor Brian Jones. Alderden said he didn't know whether the 6-year-old had been hiding in the rafters of the family's garage during an intense five-hour search, as the family claimed. "For all we know he may have been two blocks down the road playing on the swing in the city park," the sheriff said. The sheriff said all three of the Heenes' sons knew of the hoax, but likely won't face charges because of their ages. The oldest son is 10. Alderden said investigators had an "aha" moment that the story was a hoax when Falcon turned to his father during a CNN interview Thursday and said what sounded like "you had said we did this for a show" when asked why he didn't come out of his hiding place. On Friday, Falcon got sick during two separate TV interviews when asked again why he hid. Alderden said they didn't question the family Friday because they wanted to keep the family's cooperation by maintaining the appearance that they believed their story. That's the same day the sheriff gave a press conference in which he said he believed the saga was a "real event." He said Sunday that those assurances were part of his effort to keep the family's trust. Records show that police have responded to the house at least twice in the past year, including a possible domestic violence incident in February. No charges were filed. Alderden said officials tried Saturday to persuade Mayumi Heene, 45, to go to a safe house, but she declined. Alderden said the children were still with the parents Sunday and that child protective services had been contacted to investigate their well-being. On "Wife Swap," Heene was portrayed as erratic, at one point throwing a glass of milk on a participant on the program. "Clearly, from all indications, Mr. Heene has somewhat of a temper," Alderden said. Lane said Alderden should "put up or shut up" about domestic violence. "For the sheriff to put out for public consumption that Richard is a wife beater and not have any charges even considered to be filed is irresponsible and is designed solely to turn the public even more against the Heenes, in particular Richard," Lane said. Heene has a profile listed on a Web site that helps people get cast in reality shows, and the producer of "Wife Swap" said it had a show in development with the Heenes but the deal is now off. TLC also said Heene had pitched a reality show to the network months ago, but it passed on the offer.
