Balloon boy — can anyone say the most unbelievable stunt of the year?! Never before have I seen something so outrageous; and, never before have I been embarrassed to be from Colorado. Yet, there it was on Thursday and before the world to see, one of the biggest frauds perpetrated on the general public in a while. The Heene family wanted a show and they used their kids to try and get it. They staged a scene that created panic for a state, a nation, and a world. People from all over worried for the safety of a 6-year old boy who, had he been in the balloon, could have faced grave peril. The “staged” scene involved multiple law enforcement agencies and even mobilized the Colorado National Guard. Can anyone say irresponsible? Can anyone say reprehensible?
Upon watching the airborne balloon, I was skeptical about the situation. I just knew that boy was safe. I told others around me that he was safe and hiding at home in the house. I also said that “something wasn’t right” with the boy’s family and considered calling the Sheriff’s Department, but didn’t figuring no one would believe me. Shortly thereafter, the balloon landed with no boy and hours later he was found hiding at home in the garage. Then — and here’s the kicker — the boy says they “did it for a show”. Unbelievable. Disgusting. And no, I am not talking about the boy. I’m talking about his parents, the people who are supposed to love him, take care of him, and be there for him unquestionably.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I am ecstatic that the Larimer County Sherrif’s Department will be filing charges against one or both of the parents. I hope the other law enforcement agencies follow suit. I strongly urge Governor Ritter to ask the Attorney General to charge the Heene’s for the state’s S&R expenses as well as to direct child services to investigate possible child abuse and child endangerment.
I may not be a parent; but what those people did was wrong. They used their child to try to score a reality show. Pathetic. Life is precious and children are a gift — a gift from God. You don’t do that! When (and if) the day comes I have kids, they will always be safe. I will never put them in danger and I will never use them. I will love them with everything I got, even if it costs me my life. How dare the Heene’s! I say they go back to California where that seems to be acceptable. Coloradans don’t do that. As far as this native Coloradan is concerned, [the parents] aren’t welcome here.