# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/121 "2009-10-15T22:29:18Z")
Don’t know who originated this, but I’m pretty sure it’s not copyrighted. The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employees home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered, “Hello?” Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?” “Yes,” whispered the small voice. “May I talk with him?” the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.” Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes,” came the answer. “May I talk with her?” Again the small voice whispered, “No.” Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. “Is there any one there besides you?” the boss asked the child. “Yes,” whispered the child, “a policeman.” Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?” “No, he’s busy,” whispered the child. "Busy doing what? asked the boss. “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman,” came the whispered answer. Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked, “What is that noise?” “A hello-copper,” answered the whispering voice. “What is going on there?” asked the boss, now alarmed. In an awed whispering voice the child answered, “The search team just landed the hello-copper.” Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated, the boss asked, “Why are they there?” Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle: “They’re looking for me.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/122 "2009-10-15T22:30:58Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > Despite what comic books may lead you to believe, most reporters don’t have superpowers. Many of them have Livers of Steel. I know this firsthand. > [@](#): > > They rely on external sources of information. And when the parents and the local authorities are saying there’s a six-year-old in a balloon, the logical presumption is that there’s a six-year-old in a balloon. I’m sorry, but this is not good enough. It’s “trust but verify,” not “trust, send a camera crew, and, time permitting, verify.” I don’t know exactly what time this story breathlessly broke, but as soon as CNN started backtracking with ‘boy _apparently_ in hot air balloon over Colorado,’ I was pretty sure I knew where this was headed. And it took three hours to get there while everybody dropped coverage of everything else. And don’t get me wrong: the most important thing is that this boy is alright, and I’m happy that’s how this ended. But from a news standpoint, this was just fucking ridiculous. It was like a thousand "something in your house could kill you! we’ll tell you more at 11!"s rolled into one. Everybody reported a young child was in urgent danger when no such thing was taking place, and kept up the drama for three hours. I understand that alerting the media was not the Heene family’s top priority, but this should not have been handled this way or dragged on like this. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/123 "2009-10-15T22:31:38Z")
The good news is that the boy’s OK. The bad news is that the collective sigh of relief by millions has shaved a couple of years off the impending polar ice cap melting… ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/124 "2009-10-15T22:38:44Z")
The family will be lucky if they arent bankrupted by FAA fines. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/125 "2009-10-15T22:39:52Z")
As god as my witness I thought Falcon could fly. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/126 "2009-10-15T22:40:15Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Don’t know who originated this, but I’m pretty sure it’s not copyrighted. > > The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employees home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered, “Hello?” > > Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster, the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?” > > “Yes,” whispered the small voice. > > “May I talk with him?” the man asked. > > To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.” > > Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” > > “Yes,” came the answer. > > “May I talk with her?” > > Again the small voice whispered, “No.” > > Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. “Is there any one there besides you?” the boss asked the child. > > “Yes,” whispered the child, “a policeman.” > > Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?” > > “No, he’s busy,” whispered the child. > > "Busy doing what? asked the boss. > > “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the fireman,” came the whispered answer. > > Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked, “What is that noise?” > > “A hello-copper,” answered the whispering voice. > > “What is going on there?” asked the boss, now alarmed. > > In an awed whispering voice the child answered, “The search team just landed the hello-copper.” > > Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated, the boss asked, “Why are they there?” > > Still whispering, the young voice replied along with a muffled giggle: “They’re looking for me.” 😃 😃 😃 Cute joke, well told. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/127 "2009-10-15T23:03:27Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > The family will be lucky if they aren’t bankrupted by FAA fines. Why? It was an accident by a young child. I’m sure everyone is glad the boy is safe and sound. I did roll my eyes a bit when the police were reporting (after the balloon landed, but before the boy was found) that the parents were “deeply traumatized.” No shit, Sherlock. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/128 "2009-10-15T23:08:05Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Why? It was an accident by a young child. You do wonder how the balloon got to a state where an unsupervised first grader was around it and had the chance to free it. As far as that goes, this doesn’t belong on their parenting highlight reel. But I don’t think they’ll be bankrupted by fines. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/129 "2009-10-15T23:12:10Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You do wonder how the balloon got to a state where an unsupervised first grader was around it and had the chance to free it. As far as that goes, this doesn’t belong on their parenting highlight reel. But I don’t think they’ll be bankrupted by fines. The previous guy in the flying lawn chair didnt fair too well. IIRC he got stuck with one hella fine. I think he begged it way down though. Whether todays FAA is a kinder gentler FAA will be seen shortly I guess. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/130 "2009-10-15T23:18:24Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You do wonder how the balloon got to a state where an unsupervised first grader was around it and had the chance to free it. As far as that goes, this doesn’t belong on their parenting highlight reel. But I don’t think they’ll be bankrupted by fines. Umm, they are storm chasers and they were putting up a weather balloon. this is their vocation and the kid helped them build the weather balloon, obviously it was just in their back yard. Watch the episode of Wife Swap, all will be revealed. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/131 "2009-10-15T23:24:46Z")
This will inadvertently serve the purpose of raising these folks’ profile. So I hope there were no hijinks involved. But obviously ABC will re-run the Wife Swap episode, they’ll be on Larry King Live, there will be a tv movie about this, or maybe a book… ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/132 "2009-10-15T23:29:48Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Watch the episode of Wife Swap, all will be revealed. Yeah, the father is a major fucking tool. ---
**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 15, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/133 "2009-10-15T23:33:13Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > As god as my witness I thought Falcon could fly. THAT’S funny! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/134 "2009-10-15T23:34:07Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Umm, they are storm chasers and they were putting up a weather balloon. this is their vocation and the kid helped them build the weather balloon, obviously it was just in their back yard. I know why and where they _had_ the balloon. I was asking why the six year old was around practically unsupervised (his brothers are 8 or 9 and 10) when the thing was sorta-dangerous and so easily set loose. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/135 "2009-10-15T23:36:01Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Umm, they are storm chasers and they were putting up a weather balloon. this is their vocation and the kid helped them build the weather balloon, obviously it was just in their back yard. > > Watch the episode of Wife Swap, all will be revealed. If it was remotely big enough to possibly, maybe lift a kid, its to big to just let go flying. The FAA will not be happy. As I mentioned in the other thread, if the dad didnt immediatly know whether the balloon could lift the kid or not, he is one piss poor balloon designer. So, either he is an idiot or this was a “prank”. Either way someone needs at least a little fine. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/136 "2009-10-15T23:37:59Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > THAT’S funny! 😃 I wish I had the balls to say it before little Fallcon was found. I certainly thought it. ---
**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 15, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/137 "2009-10-15T23:41:11Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Either way someone needs at least a little fine. I wonder where those fines go? Donut fund? ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/138 "2009-10-15T23:43:21Z")
> [@Tenar](#): > > What the hell took them so long to search the house (and garage)? > [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > You ever try to find a 6 year old kid who know’s he in trouble and doesn’t want to get found? Haven’t had to, fortunately. I know kids hide when they get scared (as a child, I knew a kid whose hand was pretty much ruined because she hid under a bed during a fire). I also understand that hearing the panic in mom & dad’s voices as they ran around screaming for him might not necessarily be a big inducement for the kid to come popping out of his hiding place. I get it that when someone says “the kid took off with the balloon,” your first thought would be “Holy crap! The kid took off with the balloon!” and not, say “Hey, we’ve got that old refrigerator box over the garage…” I’m just wondering if they did a sweep of the house earlier, and missed him, or if this was the first time they checked the house. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/139 "2009-10-15T23:43:22Z")
Is the thread title going back to “hero?” ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2009, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940/140 "2009-10-15T23:44:26Z")
If they had to delay or re-route northbound aircraft because of this, I’m sure Mom and Dad are getting fined. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scary-stuff-the-boy-in-the-balloon/513940.md?page=8)