Baloon boy's father facing charges

[deserted]

Well it boiled down to the boy's father attempting to make this a publicity stunt...On one hand i embrace science, i feel he is an inagural part of the scientific community, most scientist are too smart for thier own good which can be a beautiful thing if applied the right way.....On the other hand you involved a kid and put the whole community into a state of panic because of this stunt.....

My question to the Forum is what course of action should the authorities take.....Should they press charges against this guy or let bye gones be bye gones...

America does need more scientist willing to think outside the box, I personally think this guy's thinking "outside of being a Crackpot" is to be commended..Seems like he was on to something....Weigh in.


By the way please comment how you really feel , i do have thick skin.......

[Brushpup]

I think he's learned his lesson and wouldn't agree to any charge higher than a misdemeanor. Unfortunately, even this will open him wide up to civil suits, and the courts have more important stuff to do IMO.

The amount of litigation taking place in this country is already sickens me....

[diversified]

I'm looking at this the other way. Some rescue, emergency or police officer could have been injured in this wackos event in attemping to save this kid. I really think thing this kind of stunt should be prosecuted to the max.
If the guy is looking for publicity, let him start his own entertainment show with disclosure.

[HYDROMAROC]

Good... Their 15 minutes were up when they were on that stupid TV show...

Looked like a screwed up family from the minute they said a boy was stuck in a home made balloon....

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by diversified

I'm looking at this the other way. Some rescue, emergency or police officer could have been injured in this wackos event in attemping to save this kid. I really think thing this kind of stunt should be prosecuted to the max.
If the guy is looking for publicity, let him start his own entertainment show with disclosure.

I'm with Jim! He deserves to pay for what he did, literally....and face criminal charges.

[Launch Mini]

In the West Coast here, there are some serious hiking trails within minutes of the City. Also, plenty of Skiing areas, that are clearly market "out of bounds' boundaries.
There is ALWAYS some idiot, who hikes at the wrong time of day, wrong clothing, gets lost or skiers/boarders going out of bounds & they need to get rescued.
Those that blatantly disobey the warnings are charged the cost of the rescue mission.

I think this father/family are "camera whores" and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Pretty sure the FAA is upset too.
There are publicity stunts and there are publicity stunts.
Look at the history of this family, they've been on reality TV shows, and other such media coverage.
The only ones pleased with this stunt might be Jon & Kate. Diverted the attention for a few hours.

who did this guy think he was, The Next H.G.Wells.?

[JohnEaton]

I too embrace science, but the from the actions of the father I have seen on TV, I would say he is 90% attention-hound and less than 10% science-guy.

Is there a law in Colorado hat prohibits the release of helium balloons, or a size limit on helium balloons? If so prosecute for that.

I'd say if he made a false statement to authorities, then prosecute for that...

Did he do some stupid things? Yes

Is he full of $h!*? Yes... "It's steered with a million volts of electricity." (his answer to 911 call center)

Prosecuting stupidity alone would bankrupt this nation and incarcerate millions.

Please, please, please No new statutes because of this.

[PHPuser]

Charge him and fine him the amount that was spent because of this stupid stunt!!!!! I don't think jail time is needed but there were too many resources wasted on this guy.

[AWATCH]

Originally Posted by diversified

I'm looking at this the other way. Some rescue, emergency or police officer could have been injured in this wackos event in attemping to save this kid. I really think thing this kind of stunt should be prosecuted to the max.
If the guy is looking for publicity, let him start his own entertainment show with disclosure.

I agree, if someone were hurt or killed, no one would be saying let him go...

[deserted]

Guys let's keep the comments coming , by the way i apoligize baloon should have been spelled Balloon , typing too fast....This is really one sad situation , developments are pouring in, anybody with more information keep us posted......

[unclesallie]

i don't think they can come up with any serious charges is the problem.......the father is a sicko. nice example for his son, eh?

[Lion]

I have no idea what you all are talking about. I guess I should watch the news more often!!!

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by JohnEaton

I too embrace science, but the from the actions of the father I have seen on TV, I would say he is 90% attention-hound and less than 10% science-guy.

Is there a law in Colorado hat prohibits the release of helium balloons, or a size limit on helium balloons? If so prosecute for that.

I'd say if he made a false statement to authorities, then prosecute for that...

Did he do some stupid things? Yes

Is he full of $h!*? Yes... "It's steered with a million volts of electricity." (his answer to 911 call center)

Prosecuting stupidity alone would bankrupt this nation and incarcerate millions.

Please, please, please No new statutes because of this.

I wish I could have said it so well.

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

i don't think they can come up with any serious charges is the problem.......the father is a sicko. nice example for his son, eh?

Yep. And as much as I think they should spike this guy, I can't help but worry about the impact on the innocent wife and kids. Is it just me or does anyone just twist in their chair at a child so stressed out to lie on TV that he throws up?

[mustangbrad]

Good, I hope they fine the hell out of him. Using his children to try and take on a reality tv show. I can tell by the interviews and the reports of him telling reporters to leave questions in a box on his doorstep that he'a trying to play the media angle. Sue him for all those overpriced means of tracking the baloon and police that were wasted on this idiot. Hope he loses the house and all his assets.

[redshirt1957]

Looks to me to be a crash and burn and the father will do damage to this family, one way or another.

[redshirt1957]

Hey Matt...it is snowing in New England.

[AIKO]

This was the same family that participated in the TV show Wife Swap?

[deserted]

Originally Posted by AIKO

This was the same family that participated in the TV show Wife Swap?

This is indeed the same family , just about as embarassing as new england beating up on the titans in the snow.......

[Brunotheboxer]

Balloon boy is not a hoax and I have proof.

[deserted]

Lol....Now that's funny.......

[AIKO]

Originally Posted by AIKO

This was the same family that participated in the TV show Wife Swap?

OK, then the whole balloon thing is par for the course then.

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Balloon boy is not a hoax and I have proof.

Be careful Bruno... the authorities may come after you too.

[Gaijin]

This guy is no scientist. He has a high school education and is nothing more than a man who uses children (his children) to try and further his aims at scoring a reality TV show. I don't watch reality TV for this reason. Bunch of people who will do anything for fame. Shameful.

This guys innocent 6 year old son was vomiting on National TV and he did not once think to end the interview and care for his son. This after making the child lie that he was hiding in an attic. The guy is a douchebag!!

[deserted]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

This guy is no scientist. He has a high school education and is nothing more than a man who uses children (his children) to try and further his aims at scoring a reality TV show. I don't watch reality TV for this reason. Bunch of people who will do anything for fame. Shameful.

This guys innocent 6 year old son was vomiting on National TV and he did not once think to end the interview and care for his son. This after making the child lie that he was hiding in an attic. The guy is a douchebag!!

Wow!! that's some serious investigating on this guy..What a bafoon, anything to get 15 minutes of fame, feel sorry for the kids though....Times are tight and those reality shows pay pretty big, i guess the wife swap check he recieved just wasn't enough, he probably spent it on that contraption of a balloon along with all the other crud in his home.

[bodybump]

Originally Posted by Lion

I have no idea what you all are talking about. I guess I should watch the news more often!!!

I think Leo youve been sleeping the whole day that time ...lol

[Polizeifritz]

I say charge him with public mischief (Intentionally deceiving a police officer to begin a wrongful investigation) and fine him for all costs such as chopper fuel, man hours for the police, fire, and all other emergency responders etc. A lesson will be learned when he is spending a few months in jail and has to pay a 20, 000 dollar plus fine.

[rsg]

I feel bad for his kids.