Would parents stage such a hoax?
Well. Cops say the balloon boy story was a hoax. The report of a boy stranded aloft in a runaway weather balloon — which captivated the nation last Thursday — was a publicity stunt put together by parents trying to negotiate a reality TV show, according to Colorado police.
The desperate desire for celebrity — of any sort — has long been a dominate feature of our culture, no matter how ignoble or notorious the acts people may have to pull off for their 15 minutes of fame. You see the desperation in the behavior of the so-called Octomom, in parents Jon and Kate, and in the proliferation of unscripted TV shows, in which self-humiliation is the common theme. You see it in the young adults who make video of themselves committing criminal acts and then post the video on YouTube.
But, if the police are right, the culture may have reached a new low in which parents involve their children in huge lie with huge consequences: the Denver airport was shut down and Black Hawk helicopters were scrambled to try to rescue a little boy.
The worst part is the Cry Wolf syndrome: The next time something like this happens a child may actually be in danger, but authorities may hesitate to stage a rescue for fear it’s a hoax.
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11 comments Add your comment
Kate
October 19th, 2009
7:57 am
You’re right. You’re right. I know you’re right.
But………..
Donovan
October 19th, 2009
8:58 am
Little Cindy Lou is just trying to offer us some sage advice this morning on the ills of America. I must admit that these American Idol watchers are part of the problem for the demise of this country. After all they did fall for the Pixie Dust campaign that put Obama into the White House.
TnGelding
October 19th, 2009
8:59 am
Well, thank goodnes it’s the exception. Why is it still getting so much attention? They’ll be paying for this financially for the rest of their lives as authorities throw the book at them.
Joan
October 19th, 2009
9:14 am
Chances are some idiot will give this guy a book deal, or maybe make a sad made for tv movie, and the horrible truth is most of the uneducated will watch it. I am so discouraged when I visit a beauty salon to see all there is to read are the celebrity rags. There is so much vapor between the ears of a huge, and growing, segment of the American people, that this sort of thing is to be expected. I mean, what is “Atlanta Housewives”, if not this kind of ilk that appeals to the gum smackers.
F-105 Thunderchief
October 19th, 2009
9:15 am
This did not pass the smell test as soon as the father’s camera-hogging persona was revealed. Throw the book at him … and at c, just on general principle.
Call it like it is.
October 19th, 2009
9:20 am
It would be interesting to see if the major networks would pull all the reality shows, all the violent shows, and just show reruns of the Carol Burnett show, Bill Cosby, Gilligan’s Island and so forth. Do you think we would become nicer to each other, if all we were doing was laughing at night? Hmmmmm………. Maybe just maybe.
Kamchak
October 19th, 2009
9:30 am
c’s Life Coach
Good thing I was paid in advance.
Chris Broe
October 19th, 2009
9:56 am
What did the balloon boy know and when did he know it? The sheriff sez that investigators weren’t fooled at all, but were just playing along to get a confession. The media should have known that a helium balloon would have to be the size of a house to lift a 37 pound child. Have they no sense of bouyancy at long last? To the jury in this case, I say, “If the balloon cant lift, your verdict must be, ‘Grift’.”
ESPN just reported that Tom Brady admitted using helium filled footballs
in the five-touchdown second quarter of the victory over Tennessee yesterday. The NFL will consider forcing Brady to use the more explosive hydrogen for the next two games as a sanction, so that he never knows when the football might go boom. (Serves him right.)
bob
October 19th, 2009
3:34 pm
They should get jail time for naming the kid Falcon !
Randall W. Capps
October 20th, 2009
5:50 pm
Yeah, happens everyday: Run away balloon! Ladies and gentlemen, contact your congressmen about this one. Our right to put our children in balloons must not be taken away!
I wonder what that story was that won this woman a P.Prize? It sure wasn’t this one.
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October 27th, 2009
5:39 pm
Great Post,
Thanks
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