The plot thickens: Parents were watching when balloon took off
posted at 9:06 am on October 16, 2009 by Allahpundit
I promise, we’re not going to be balloon-blogging all day, but the increasing shadiness of this story makes it momentarily irresistible. This whole clip’s worth watching — note that the kid’s obviously sick, and even vomited on camera on the Today show, yet mom and dad are still dragging him out for interviews — but pay special attention to the home footage of the liftoff at around -7:45. Cameras just so happened to be rolling when the balloon came untethered to capture the parents’ alibi-creating shock and anger? And how exactly did it become untethered? The story yesterday was that the kid might have crawled in and unmoored it himself, but the parents were right there when it took off. Who untethered it? Click the image to watch.
Update: Surprise, surprise: The sheriff has a few more questions for the family.
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I was not prepared to forgive you for posting that video until I came across the pictures of rare white lions cubs on the page and I was thankfully distracted from balloon boy.
myrenovations on October 16, 2009 at 9:10 AM
They took a sick child on television?
Cindy Munford on October 16, 2009 at 9:10 AM
OK. I’m upgrading my opinion of these people. They should be put in charge of Obama’s re-election campaign.
Loxodonta on October 16, 2009 at 9:10 AM
I’m thinking that Mom and Dad both have a few synapses that don’t fire in the correct order.
Bishop on October 16, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Okay… let’s assume they faked it all…
Why?
Stupidity, sure… but you don’t do something this big unless there’s something to be earned from it. Even Reid understands that.
Skywise on October 16, 2009 at 9:11 AM
Must be wanting to get on the UFO speaking circuit.
Starlink on October 16, 2009 at 9:12 AM
The police shouldn’t have said they weren’t going to bill them for the search op. Maybe the National Guard still can. Aviation fuel is expensive and helicopters drink a lot.
BadgerHawk on October 16, 2009 at 9:12 AM
This whole thing is as real as a question at an Obama Town Hall.
LibTired on October 16, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Yep, I’m sold that this was a deliberate hoax.
What arseholes these parents are.
wildcat84 on October 16, 2009 at 9:14 AM
What kind of people are so media hungry that they drag thier vomiting child on tv?
vcferlita on October 16, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Remove those children now! The parents are whackjobs.
Kissmygrits on October 16, 2009 at 9:15 AM
Aren`t all UFO stories fake?
albill on October 16, 2009 at 9:16 AM
This is as fake as it gets.
Only in Obama’s America. I do bet these parents voted for Obama.
ABC is so going to get a reality show out of this.
cubachi on October 16, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Is it just me, or is anyone else really bothered by all the media calling this poor kid “Balloon Boy”? Just a couple facts here:
1) There was a balloon, but as far as we know, Falcon was never inside it or lifted by it in any way.
2) During this farce, Falcon was actually AT HOME the entire time, and was only indirectly involved as a fake “victim”.
Tagging the poor kid in this manner will just scar him for life. (As if having two fame-obsessed nutcases for parents wasn’t bad enough.) and he will be dealing with the “Balloon Boy” nickname FOREVER. Can’t we just revert back to using the “-gate” suffix for this one? I’d much rather this be called “Balloongate” and just use the kid’s proper name.
wearyman on October 16, 2009 at 9:17 AM
PIMPS WHORING THEIR CHILDREN FOR PRESS.
EOM
splink on October 16, 2009 at 9:17 AM
The plot thickens. By the end of the day we will find out that this was a Hoax and we all have been taken for a ride. Pun intended.
milwife88 on October 16, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Here’s what you do when questioned specifically about last night’s “we did it for a show”:
Little boy: “I feel like I’m going to vomit.” (moans)
Mother: “Ohhhh!”
Father: “You OK there, buddy?”
(Raaaaalllllppppphhhhh)
Verbatim from both shows.
Marcus on October 16, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Yeah, the cameras just happened to be rolling when the event happened. I thought they were relying only on the witness account of the one brother? Now everyone was there and visibly upset…on camera?
And now we’ve got the family in front of every camera available, even as the kid’s sick.
There’s something wrong there.
amerpundit on October 16, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Dad has anger issues and his demeanor is odd as mush as I’ve been trying to give him the benefit of a doubt. Everyone in the family seems terrified of him.
RepubChica on October 16, 2009 at 9:19 AM
As someone mentioned on the other comments section this family has been on the show Wife Swap. I would guess that they might be seeking a way to get back on TV.
Bill C on October 16, 2009 at 9:19 AM
If the father built the balloon, perhaps he is looking to show himself off as an inventor or some such thing?
Also, if this family was willing to participate in “Wife Swap” they don’t really have high standards for what they will and won’t do to be on television.
myrenovations on October 16, 2009 at 9:19 AM
But, wouldn’t following reporters following Obama saying “shady” proclaimations and promises be the same a balloon-blogging? What’s the difference?
Rovin on October 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Sounds like air transportation and FAA czar material to me…
tree hugging sister on October 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
What goes up must come down.
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Apparently the same kind of people who go on Wife Swap and drag their kids into the middle of hurricanes.
amerpundit on October 16, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Because “Falcon” is so much better?
patriette on October 16, 2009 at 9:22 AM
Ummm…because they’re attention whores and right now they are in attention whore heaven??
Like I said yesterday, that guy is a serious flake……
BigWyo on October 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Lib parents. Guaranteed.
OhioCoastie on October 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM
At least it’s his real name.
wearyman on October 16, 2009 at 9:24 AM
By the end of the day?? Are you serious? These parents belong in the nuthouse- their reactions to this whole thing have been ridiculous. Hoax? no, we call it a crime.
anniekc on October 16, 2009 at 9:24 AM
As someone with a little background in science and fluid mechanics, it appeared to me like this “craft” was barely buoyant enough to get off the ground. Did it strike anyone else that if you add 50 or 60 pounds of child to the load, there’s no way it flies? Honestly, I think a couple small bricks would hold the thing down, even in a healthy gale.
MassVictim on October 16, 2009 at 9:24 AM
I’ve said it before, and after seeing the video I repeat: there is no way that “balloon” could have ever lifted the weight of that kid and the dad knew it!
And the over-the-top reaction to it’s lift-off is another dead givaway.
What a douche. Excuse my language mom…
edgehead on October 16, 2009 at 9:24 AM
The father is, in fact, Bleedsblue.
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Build a flying saucer balloon for no reason..”Yes We Can”
Stage a fake emergency… “Yes We Can”
Have a dad whose maturity level is that of a 5 year old…”Yes We Can”
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM
I had my suspicions when the first people they called was the local news station and not the police.
Nethicus on October 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM
<—snickering
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:26 AM
Randy Marsh
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:26 AM
I think it would be “patriotic” of the parents to voluntarily pay the bill……just sayin.
atlgal on October 16, 2009 at 9:26 AM
In Delaware they wanted to put the 6-year-old in reform school this week for having a a spork. These morons are absuing and exploting their kids looking for a payday. They deserve condemnation and I hope there can be some charges filed against them. Plus they need to pick up the tab for the cost of this fiasco.
JammieWearingFool on October 16, 2009 at 9:27 AM
I was reading on MM’s site last night where people were not very nice about her believing it. I have to say that as a parent of a 6 yo I had to turn it off too because t he thought of my 6 yo in that crazy thing made me physically ill.
But when the thing landed and there was no boy, I realized that it may have been fake.
The parents are nutjobs and should be held accountable. I would hope someone is considering removing the children.
ORconservative on October 16, 2009 at 9:27 AM
Fake, but accurate.
digitalintrigue on October 16, 2009 at 9:28 AM
They’re lying through their teeth.
These parents need to get a big fat bill from the state of colorado for every penny of the search and recue.
The “cry wolf” syndrome can be a very dangerous game to play.
The next time someone’s really in trouble the authorities and the public may not be so committed.
katy on October 16, 2009 at 9:29 AM
I swear I saw lights that spelled Goodyear on the sides
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:29 AM
If ObamaCare passes, we’ll be paying these frauds’ shrink bills.
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Next time, shoot down the balloon.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
ouch!
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Oh yeah. Thread winner.
ExTex on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Mmmmmm….I see a jiffy pop popcorn commercial in their future.
Caper29 on October 16, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Plus, some one must have said yesterday or today that this story is so full of Hot Air, this is the ONLY blog-site that could be accused of being complicit.
Rovin on October 16, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Wait till they get a bill from the State for rescue costs.
Coronagold on October 16, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Major HEH!!
Ok, assuming this whack job voted, any bets on him being a fervent OGabe supporter??
BigWyo on October 16, 2009 at 9:31 AM
BINGO!!!
edgehead on October 16, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Instead of buying 500 boxes of Reynolds Wrap and a big bottle of helium, the dad could of put the money in a college fund for the boys.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Are you serious? Where did you hear that? If that’s true, then case closed. Except for the matter of the bill….it’s all yours, Douchedad.
anniekc on October 16, 2009 at 9:32 AM
It’s only a matter of time until it’s a South Park episode.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Has anybody heard from Obama’s Balloon Czar yet?
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Millions of people worried over that kid yesterday and now it appears to be some kind of sick joke. I agree, the parents should be held accountable for this. How many rescuers were frantic in their efforts? These people take their job seriously and they spent hours needlessly trying to save a young child. Add up the man hours, send them a bill.
scalleywag on October 16, 2009 at 9:33 AM
Yes, he’s been appointed by Obama and is on his way here from North Korea.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Who cares!
ohiobabe on October 16, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Must be a slow news cycle. These people have received more ink than they deserve.
Isn’t it time to move on?
oldernwiser on October 16, 2009 at 9:35 AM
I can’t wait!
edgehead on October 16, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Allahpundit has already submitted 4 applications.
Loxodonta on October 16, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Meanwhile, while we’re all focused on “balloon boy”, Congress is getting ready to stick their balloon right where they want it. Then they’re gonna blow it up.
LibTired on October 16, 2009 at 9:37 AM
I’m assuming a Paultard. Or a Palin supporter.
Bleeds Blue on October 16, 2009 at 9:38 AM
If it’s a hoax, I can’t believe they were so stupid to not consider the legal ramifications if they were caught. Not only jail but the bill for the search and rescue. And I’m not sure that they will be able to make money off of interviews if they are convicted.
Blake on October 16, 2009 at 9:38 AM
I can’t watch the video right now, but is it clear that the parents are making the video, because yesterday a neighbor said she saw the older boys on the roof with a camera. I’ve thought all along that the older boys might have planned the whole thing, getting the camera ready, telling everyone that the 6 y/o was on the balloon. Sounds more like something a 10 y/o would come up with. I don’t put much stock in what the 6 y/o said on tv, he’s only 6 and they say stupid things. He had climbed up into the attic late yesterday for the cameras, to show the reporters where he hid, and he might have been talking about that. It sounds like this family has done a lot of things “for a show”, so the fact that the kid said that does not prove to me that the parents faked this whole thing. Not saying they didn’t, but I’m not convinced yet that they did.
mbs on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
I say bill the father not only for the National Guard aviation fuel, police and other responders overtime, the cost to replant the farmer’s winter wheat, and that’s just for starters. Take a guess at the loss of productivity nationwide as millions slammed every server from Vladivostok to Burbank watching this
BroncoBalloon chase, and didn’t get a lick of work done.sannhet on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Here’s the YouTube clip of the Heenes on ‘Wife Swap’. I’m shocked mom speaks English, she was so gunshy on TV considering she’s a storm chaser.
RepubChica on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
4 to 1 the balloon crashes, killing Kenny
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Make that Bachman. Even Saracuda isn’t that crazy.
Bleeds Blue on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Why hasn’t this family been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize yet?
crash72 on October 16, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Speaking of the FAA, are there any regulations on randomly flying a good sized unguided aircraft up to 8000 ft?
forest on October 16, 2009 at 9:40 AM
The father is, in fact, Bleedsblue.
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Bishop on October 16, 2009 at 9:41 AM
Really? I never thought of him as a communist.
TXUS on October 16, 2009 at 9:41 AM
LOL…Might as well, they’re about as hard to get, evidently, as parking ticket
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:42 AM
Balloon Man theme song for this episode (for late 80′s\early 90′s alternative music types).
This family is a trip. A bad trip.
WashJeff on October 16, 2009 at 9:42 AM
When the bills for this hoax pile up, those writing the checks can feel that the “talking to” that boy will get was well worth it.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Those Bastards!!
PappaMac on October 16, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Their entire story just fell apart…and dad’s acting in that video where the balloon lifted off was ridiculous. All of this was staged.
AUINSC on October 16, 2009 at 9:43 AM
I thought the same thing; that this all the doing of the boys. However, watch the video and you clearly see the parents are there, too. Nope, they’re all in on this, but I can’t figure out what they think the payoff would have been. Did they really think they’d get a T.V. show from this?
yogi41 on October 16, 2009 at 9:44 AM
4 to 1 the balloon crashes, killing Kenny
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Those Bastards!!
PappaMac on October 16, 2009 at 9:43 AM
lolol
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:44 AM
That was exactly my reaction. The kicking and faux anger were about as fake as a three-dollar bill.
calabrese on October 16, 2009 at 9:45 AM
What else is new?
Loxodonta on October 16, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Kid puking will be on MSNBC tonight showing the need for government health care.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:45 AM
At first I thought there were 3 people needing a good beating from all this.
Now I’ve reduced that number from 3 – Dad, Mom and the kid – down to 2 – Dad and Mom.
In that order.
BowHuntingTexas on October 16, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Okay, well, that’s a shame. I hate to see parents using their kids like that, just really sad.
mbs on October 16, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Fake. Hoax. Sham. Contrived.
These people are attention wh@res pure and simple. I’m to the point of blaming the authorities as much as the parents for this thing getting so far out of hand with no more questions than they’re pressing.
This is ridiculous.
JoeinTX on October 16, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Or creating kids like this.
WashJeff on October 16, 2009 at 9:52 AM
What kind of people are so media hungry that they drag thier vomiting child on tv?
vcferlita on October 16, 2009 at 9:15 AM
PatriotRider on October 16, 2009 at 9:52 AM
By Monday, they’ll be booked as a Geraldo special
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are.
kam582 on October 16, 2009 at 9:56 AM
Say..is the mom Ann?
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:56 AM
for the poster worried that the kid will be tagged for life as “Balloon Boy” – hey, he’s already been tagged as “Falcon”, so that horse is long out of the gate.
WWS on October 16, 2009 at 9:56 AM
If my family did something THAT stupid, the last place I’d want to bwe is on national TV.
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Trying to raise enough cash to buy an NFL team.
crash72 on October 16, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Has that been fact checked by CNN yet?
galvestonian on October 16, 2009 at 9:59 AM
No kidding. Add “attention-seeking.”
On the bright side, they said Falcon can cross Fossil Ridge in less than 12 parsecs.
mankai on October 16, 2009 at 9:59 AM
I read this in Drudge Headline
FATHER THINKS HUMANS COME FROM ‘ALIENS’…
People keep ignoring the Star People….If it’s not the Lizard People up in Minnesota, it’s the F’n Star People.
Someone alert Glenn Beck ;)
Dr Evil on October 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Model of the balloon will be a prize in every box of Kellogs Frosted Flakes
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 10:00 AM
LOLOL
Jeff from WI on October 16, 2009 at 10:01 AM
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