# Scary stuff: the boy in the balloon **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940 "2009-10-15T18:58:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/281 "2009-10-19T13:11:50Z")
Like fabricating a helium balloon in the back yard? šŸ˜ƒ Thatā€™s not something someoneā€™s likely to do on the spur of the moment, if only because you canā€™t pick up bottles of helium at your local Kwick-e-Mart. Sucker flew pretty well too, considering. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/282 "2009-10-19T13:23:18Z")
It did fly pretty well! I hope Heene can get ā€œbetterā€ for the sake of his family etc. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/283 "2009-10-19T15:04:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I wonder if Roswell was also the work of a six-year-old boy and an idiot father. And the Feds didnā€™t want to admit they were fooled so theyā€™ve been concocting cover stories all these years? Iā€™d buy that. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/284 "2009-10-19T15:15:11Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Well, they **decided** a few weeks ago to do it. How much planing they did or didnt do is what I am curious about. Some people make snap decisions and never look back once the ball gets rolling. Other make elaborate plans that just are stupid. The most recent update to the story says, > [@](#): > > The stunt two weeks in the planning was a marketing ploy by Richard and Mayumi Heene,ā€¦ Of course, if they knew for two weeks and did no planning until the last minute, that kind of answers your ā€˜stupidā€™ question in another way. I think the evidence of ā€œstupid - yesā€ is pretty rock solid. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/285 "2009-10-19T15:49:48Z")
[Sheriff Alderden was interviewed Friday on WLS](http://paulharrisonline.blogspot.com/2009/10/balloon-boy-sheriff.html). The idiot father should be looking at being fined for the misdirected manpower. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/286 "2009-10-19T16:08:27Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > The most recent update to the story says, > > Of course, if they knew for two weeks and did no planning until the last minute, that kind of answers your ā€˜stupidā€™ question in another way. I think the evidence of ā€œstupid - yesā€ is pretty rock solid. Iā€™m not so sure. People who knew the guy have come out saying he would often say things like ā€œthere is no such thing as bad publicityā€. I think he is truly so desperate for fame for him and his family, Iā€™d bet he is giddy with self satisfaction at this moment. The Sheriff said in his press conference that he doesnā€™t expect jail time, first time convicts of class 4 felonies in Colorado simply donā€™t ever get jail time. The worst he is facing is paying restitution, which will suck momentarily for him until money starts inevitably coming in from whoever makes deals with him, and disgustingly, there will be deals. And more disgustingly, people _will_ buy his book, or whatever means he uses to tell his story. Heā€™s already got his layer laying the groundwork to make him out to be a victim of all the public hate. All he needs to do is issue a tearful apology, and heā€™ll be well on his way to being the forgiven lovable loon who got in over his head and didnā€™t know what to do.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/287 "2009-10-19T16:17:59Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > Iā€™m not so sure. People who knew the guy have come out saying he would often say things like ā€œthere is no such thing as bad publicityā€. I think he is truly so desperate for fame for him and his family, Iā€™d bet he is giddy with self satisfaction at this moment. The Sheriff said in his press conference that he doesnā€™t expect jail time, first time convicts of class 4 felonies in Colorado simply donā€™t ever get jail time. The worst he is facing is paying restitution, which will suck momentarily for him until money starts inevitably coming in from whoever makes deals with him, and disgustingly, there will be deals. And more disgustingly, people _will_ buy his book, or whatever means he uses to tell his story. Heā€™s already got his layer laying the groundwork to make him out to be a victim of all the public hate. All he needs to do is issue a tearful apology, and heā€™ll be well on his way to being the forgiven lovable loon who got in over his head and didnā€™t know what to do.:rolleyes: A tearful apology and rehab. Is there a rehab facility for attention whores? Perhaps he could join a support group with Jon & Kate, Heidi & Spencer and Paris Hilton? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/288 "2009-10-19T18:13:15Z")
I dunno about that. There is a certain amount of forgiveness to people who are already celebs for some reason and do a stupid thing ā€“ NFL players, Hollywood stars and such. I donā€™t see the same kind of forgiveness for someone whose _only_ real claim to fame is a criminal act. Besides, I can see a judge really dropping the hammer on the father, and letting the mother walk to take care of the kids. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/289 "2009-10-19T18:24:36Z")
I think making their children accomplices in his deception is child abuse. Making a six year old lie on national TVā€“knowing that this is going to haunt him for the rest of his lifeā€“is just unbelievably wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/290 "2009-10-19T18:35:59Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I dunno about that. There is a certain amount of forgiveness to people who are already celebs for some reason and do a stupid thing ā€“ NFL players, Hollywood stars and such. I donā€™t see the same kind of forgiveness for someone whose _only_ real claim to fame is a criminal act. > > Besides, I can see a judge really dropping the hammer on the father, and letting the mother walk to take care of the kids. Though it sounds to me that dear olā€™ mom was fully involved (the parents met in acting school) I think Boyo Jim is right----Dad will end up taking the blame (and any punishment) and mom will skate, let off the hook for the sake of the kidsā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Haunted\_Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/291 "2009-10-19T19:15:35Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > The worst he is facing is paying restitution, which will suck momentarily for him until money starts inevitably coming in from whoever makes deals with him, and disgustingly, there will be deals. And more disgustingly, people _will_ buy his book, or whatever means he uses to tell his story. Possibly dumb question from a non-lawyer here, but are the laws about not being able to profit from committing a crime in any way relevant here? I SO want to see this idiot get fucked, and fucked hard, by the system. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/292 "2009-10-20T01:33:52Z")
> [@Haunted\_Pasta](#): > > Possibly dumb question from a non-lawyer here, but are the laws about not being able to profit from committing a crime in any way relevant here? Iā€™m not a lawyer either, but anytime Iā€™ve heard about such laws, theyā€™ve involved victim crimes, such as robbery or murder. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/293 "2009-10-20T01:55:26Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I dunno about that. There is a certain amount of forgiveness to people who are already celebs for some reason and do a stupid thing ā€“ NFL players, Hollywood stars and such. I donā€™t see the same kind of forgiveness for someone whose _only_ real claim to fame is a criminal act. How about the Gotti family? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/294 "2009-10-20T02:12:49Z")
And then thereā€™s the [Amelia Earhart](http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=16200910008)connection. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/295 "2009-10-20T03:55:17Z")
And [Anne Frank](http://www.explosm.net/comics/1831/) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/296 "2009-10-20T06:46:20Z")
I find a personal silver-lining in all this: There is at least _one_ guy out there who is a bigger fuck-up then me. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/297 "2009-10-21T01:18:56Z")
the lawyer for Robert Thomas, person Heene was working with on whatever TV project or promotion said: ā€œHeene believes the world is going to end in 2012,ā€ she said. ā€œBecause of that, he wanted to make money quickly, become rich enough to build a bunker or something underground, where he can be safe from the sun exploding.ā€ either Heene is bonkers six ways more than your average nutcase or there was something missing from the lawyerā€™s understanding of his thoughts or the news reporting is poor. the sun blows up then the world ends but you are safe in your underground bunker. ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/298 "2009-10-21T02:07:01Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > the sun blows up then the world ends but you are safe in your underground bunker. Whoa!, thanks for the tip, dude! _Grabs shovel and runs outside_ ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/299 "2009-10-21T02:15:35Z")
> [@Ale](#): > > Whoa!, thanks for the tip, dude! > > _Grabs shovel and runs outside_ šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/300 "2009-10-21T02:22:28Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > the lawyer for Robert Thomas, person Heene was working with on whatever TV project or promotion said: > > ā€œHeene believes the world is going to end in 2012,ā€ she said. ā€œBecause of that, he wanted to make money quickly, become rich enough to build a bunker or something underground, where he can be safe from the sun exploding.ā€ > > either Heene is bonkers six ways more than your average nutcase or there was something missing from the lawyerā€™s understanding of his thoughts or the news reporting is poor. > > the sun blows up then the world ends but you are safe in your underground bunker. > [@Ale](#): > > Whoa!, thanks for the tip, dude! > > _Grabs shovel and runs outside_ You can dig pretty far down in three years. šŸ˜ƒ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940.md?page=16)