CO - Richard & Mayumi Heene charged in Balloon Boy hoax, Fort Collins, 2009 - #1

[octobermoon]

I haven't read all the links on the site above, so use your own judgement. Off to read.

 

[jjenny]

I really dislike the whole concept of the "wife swipe" show. By the way the balloon boy's father clearly got a temper, he threw milk at his "swipe wife." And he was voted on for this episode, so looks like the viewers want to see that sort of thing.

 

[Spawngasm]

Someone has posted one of their Wife Swap eps:YouTube - Balloon Boy on Wife Swap (Sorry if I've overlooked it on the thread.)

Yeah, it was posted already. He seems to have a violent temper. If he can throw milk on a guest in his house imagine what he does to his wife. That's not normal at all. You should see the whole wife swap episode, he's completely out of control. I think the wife just went along with this stunt because she's afraid of him.

 

[jjenny]

Yeah, it was posted already. He seems to have a violent temper. If he can throw milk on a guest in his house imagine what he does to his wife. That's not normal at all. You should see the whole wife swap episode, he's completely out of control. I think the wife just went along with this stunt because she's afraid of him.

He was voted on for this show by the viewers, so presumably the viewers and the show both love that sort of character.
Does the show do background check at all? It has been reported there were a number of 911 calls to balloon boy house. Does the show know or care about any of this?

 

[Spawngasm]

He was voted on for this show by the viewers, so presumably the viewers and the show both love that sort of character.
Does the show do background check at all? It has been reported there were a number of 911 calls to balloon boy house. Does the show know or care about any of this?

I only saw the show once and it happened to be that one episode with Richard Heene. He seemed like a nutcase to me from first impression. They probably have fill out a affidavit, but anyone could lie on those things.

Production of ABC's 'Wife Swap' halted after dad arrested for child abuse
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/...d-after-dad-arrested-for-child-abuse-3361.php

http://www.theswaptvshow.com/apply.html

* Please note: all chosen families will have to submit to extensive background checks (this includes criminal, medical and psychological screening as well as a drug test). We would appreciate your full disclosure now so that we can deal with the issues accordingly. If the information you have supplied us in this application is false, you will automatically be disqualified from participating on the show - thank you for your cooperation.

 

[SuziQ]

(snip)
Since Richard Heene's extraordinary press conference this morning, the questions have been flooding in to his magical box of wonder. What kinds of questions does it contain? Does it perhaps contain suggestions of where Mr. Heene can put his question box?

We'll find out tonight at 6:30 PM PT/9:30 PM ET when Balloon Dad comes out to answer them -- and we'll have it for you live.

Stay tuned ...

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0UEhXOWVh

 

[kant]

Another thing that bothers me about this family, is during the LKL interview, they seemed to be acting inappropriately. Before the supposed answer that led to the hoax speculation. In any of the interviews after Falcon I didn't see them thank all the LE and rescue efforts in trying to find his kid that was in the garage the whole time. On LKL he gave a freaking science class on his stupid jiffy pop container. (I love you whoever came up with that). Also where is the embarrasment. I would have been sooooo embarassed, after I was elated to have my child safe. But I would have been making my child thank everybody who was running around like chickens with their heads cut off. I didn't see any of that, and I am talking about before all the hoax talk. KWIM?

Yes, I agree with you and I disagree with the sheriff who said that their body language, demeanor, mannerisms, and affect etc were "normal" - to me - they were far from it. Even before all the hoax talk, as you mentioned, they seemed "off" somehow imo. I know, I know; Everyone reacts differently and there is not "one" correct way to behave during and after trauma; but let's face it, there are some things that are instinctual and universal.

I didn't say that very well, but I know what I meant - heh.

And on LKL Wolf asked Falcon if he wanted to say anything. He said nothing. Wolf said, "Do you want to thank the people who looked for you?" He said nothing. Then the dad prompted him with, "Do you want to thank all the people who searched for you?" He said nothing. yikes. But I cant really blame the kid for how he was taught.... or rather not taught.

Since Richard Heene's extraordinary press conference this morning, the questions have been flooding in to his magical box of wonder. What kinds of questions does it contain? Does it perhaps contain suggestions of where Mr. Heene can put his question box?

hee -- I'd love to tell him where to stick his "magical box of wonder" ....preferably shoving it sideways..... and then twirling on it.

(that sounds kinda dirty)

Sorry

(I'll see myself out....)

 

[Muffet]

Yes, I agree with you and I disagree with the sheriff who said that their body language, demeanor, mannerisms, and affect etc were "normal" - to me - they were far from it. Even before all the hoax talk, as you mentioned, they seemed "off" somehow imo. I know, I know; Everyone reacts differently and there is not "one" correct way to behave during and after trauma; but let's face it, there are some things that are instinctual and universal.

I didn't say that very well, but I know what I meant - heh.

And on LKL Wolf asked Falcon if he wanted to say anything. He said nothing. Wolf said, "Do you want to thank the people who looked for you?" He said nothing. Then the dad prompted him with, "Do you want to thank all the people who searched for you?" He said nothing. yikes. But I cant really blame the kid for how he was taught.... or rather not taught.

.

The lack of embarrassment was obvious, and it really hit me wrong that there was no apology.

If my kid pulled a stunt like that, yes, I'd thank everyone, but I'd also be apologizing all over the place. ...and the first thing I would have my kid do was tell everyone he was sorry.

OTOH, I would be wary of demanding an apology from him if I had told him to do it and couldn't be sure he wouldn't say so upon being blamed. :whistle:

 

[mycroft]

Hope this site is ok with the mods....

http://gawker.com/5383858/exclusive-i-helped-richard-heene-plan-a-balloon-hoax

Thanks. This doesn't really prove that the kid-in-the-balloon story was a hoax unfortunately. I still think that he had no intention of letting it float away, and this does bolster that assumption. It also proves that he's a nut. Hopefully, the Sheriff will be sufficiently embarrassed that they'll take some action to investigate the hoax.

I had wondered why the parents didn't destroy the tape of them releasing the balloon after blaming the kid. Clearly they are simply nuts.

And this assistant is no scientific genius. The Coriolis Effect and drains? Is he kidding? Maybe next he can prove that the Earth is flat.

 

[Muffet]

IMO, the Sherriff just wants this to go away. The problem is that the reporters are pissed off. Lol.

I think so too! If it weren't for all the vocal objections, this jerk would have ridden this to his heart's content of fame and fortune.

I, for one, am proud to be one of the noisy bumps in the road slowing his roll. :angel:

 

[kant]

Thanks. This doesn't really prove that the kid-in-the-balloon story was a hoax unfortunately. I still think that he had no intention of letting it float away, and this does bolster that assumption. It also proves that he's a nut. Hopefully, the Sheriff will be sufficiently embarrassed that they'll take some action to investigate the hoax.

I had wondered why the parents didn't destroy the tape of them releasing the balloon after blaming the kid. Clearly they are simply nuts.

And this assistant is no scientific genius. The Coriolis Effect and drains? Is he kidding? Maybe next he can prove that the Earth is flat.

Yeah, odd. I wondered if the reporters got that part wrong - that the parents were in the house when the balloon went up b/c that's just blatant. Also, the blame part... I still dont understand that part of the story.

Is he blaming the wife for not tethering correctly? Is he blaming the kid for coming behind the wife and loosening the tethers? But if it was untethered wouldn't it begin to rise immediately upon being untethered? or am I dense today and missing something? (today?) heh.

(I cant stop saying "tethered.")

Did the lying brother who said that he saw the younger one get in it get any blame? But later when asked, he changed the story to, " I thought I saw him go under the thing." Oh well, that's really different from being IN IT... now isn't it? Or is Falcon being "blamed" for getting in it earlier? (when he conveniently announces loudly his intent to get in) (with his face right in the camera)

And what do we know about the voltage that Richard keeps talking about? If it's high voltage and dangerous, (and I dont know if it is, that's just it - IDK) but if it is how can that not be ...um ....endangerment? I mean if I put my kid in a room with a loaded gun, or an unleashed circus tiger, or any other thing tht could kill him, I'm guessing the authorities would have something to say about it. Why not this contraption? Also, how safe is it for a kid to be on the roof without supervision or on the roof period for that matter?

Im just b|tching b/c Im frustrated, disgusted, and a little stunned that they're apparently getting away with this load of crap.

 

[Elphaba]

TMZ is showing that the "questions" box Bloony Dad put out, has a bunch of sheets of paper in it. I can only hope that a majority of the "questions" are actually statements telling them exactly what Bloony Dad can do with his box.

I was so hoping that not one single sheet of people was put in the box... without a doubt, had it remained empty, Bloony Dad's ego would have deflated far faster than his balloon.

 

[MysteryAddict]

http://gawker.com/5383858/exclusive-i-helped-richard-heene-plan-a-balloon-hoax

There is an article at gawker.com saying--
A researcher named Robert Thomas helped Richard Heene plan the balloon hoax!!

 

[kant]

TMZ is showing that the "questions" box Bloony Dad put out, has a bunch of sheets of paper in it. I can only hope that a majority of the "questions" are actually statements telling them exactly what Bloony Dad can do with his box.

I was so hoping that not one single sheet of people was put in the box... without a doubt, had it remained empty, Bloony Dad's ego would have deflated far faster than his balloon.

OMG that would have been perfect.

If he had any cojones and if he were telling the truth he could take verbal questions in person no problem.

BLARG

If he would come out now and say something like, "Im so sorry; I dont know what I was thinking. I was desperate to be famous. Im so sorry; Can everyone ever possibly forgive me. Ill repay all I can. I cant believe myself. I was disgraceful."

If he did that NOW, before it gets worse, I'd kind of feel for him. I'd still think he's an abusive nutcase whackjob, but I'd almost feel for him... b/c Im the sappiest sappy pushover sap that ever sapped.

Jus sayin

 

[Muffet]

Hey Muffet! I didn't follow Octomom very closely, but last I heard she had a full-on reality show with a Brit channel, I think. That may have changed - I'm not current on it all!

That's just what I was saying about becoming overly-emotionally involved in news. We now live in a world where there is just information overload and no of us can rightly be expected to keep up with it all and still have a life (I posted a link in response to Tricia that talked about that). It's not good if it upsets us. Also, whether we like it or not, our attention DOES net people who seek attention, MORE attention.

I do understand that many were worried about this little guy. I was too! As far as I am concerned, it was valid breaking news. But it has morphed into something fairly crazed and that is a direct result of our reality TV world.

As far as Washington listening to the wisdom of common folks, I am afraid that ship has gotten to big and sailed!!!!

Thanks, southcitymom! I haven't followed for months, so [ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4297989#post4297989"]I asked about it in the Octomom thread here[/ame], and I'm very happy to say that the responses indicate that public outcries actually were successful in making her too controversial to be given a reality show here. :thumb: The TLC one we were threatened with early on definitely went bust, and I see no one else willing to do it. The one in Britain, if it ever panned out at all, appears to be too low-rate to bother with.

 

[SailorMoon]

Where is his wife from? I hadn't listened to her speak until that last utube posted of the Wife Swap. Those kids are freaking wild. I wonder how much trouble they get into at school and can't you just see Heene down at the school ripping administrators a new one when they do.


ETA: I too think it would have been freaking hilarious if his question box was empty. Can't you just see the look on his face???!!!

 

[jjenny]

Where is his wife from? I hadn't listened to her speak until that last utube posted of the Wife Swap. Those kids are freaking wild. I wonder how much trouble they get into at school and can't you just see Heene down at the school ripping administrators a new one when they do.

I believe she is Japanese.
The kids do look like a handful. I believe she said on her "wife swap" promo, the kids would burp and fart at the dinner table.

 

[kant]

Isn't it about time for the infamous question box presser ?

(chortle)

.

 

[nnglas]

TMZ is showing that the "questions" box Bloony Dad put out, has a bunch of sheets of paper in it. I can only hope that a majority of the "questions" are actually statements telling them exactly what Bloony Dad can do with his box.

I was so hoping that not one single sheet of people was put in the box... without a doubt, had it remained empty, Bloony Dad's ego would have deflated far faster than his balloon.

I agree. Hopefully if he launches into one thing about that jiffy pop container (can't help myself) I would love to see the press turn off the cameras and start walking away.

 

[SailorMoon]

I believe she is Japanese.
The kids do look like a handful. I believe she said on her "wife swap" promo, the kids would burp and fart at the dinner table.

From what I gleaned from that awful youtube of the boys, the p-fied one, that would be too p-fied to home school. They go to school because school was out on Friday, that's why they were home.