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I helped Richard Heene plan a balloon hoax
Gawker.com ^ | 10/17/2009

Posted on 10/17/2009 3:57:40 PM PDT by GVnana

Thomas spent several months earlier this year working on developing a reality science TV show to pitch to networks - the "show," Thomas says, that Falcon was referring to when he told CNN "We did it for the show."

Among the ideas that Heene, Thomas and two others came up with for their reality TV proposal — and one that he says most intrigued Heene — involved a weather balloon modified to look like a UFO which they would launch in an attempt to drum up media interest in both the Heene family and the series he was desperate to get on the air.

Still, Thomas never imagined that Heene would involve his six-year-old son in what he is certain was a "global media hoax" to further Richard Heene's own celebrity. Thomas' story of his time with Heene, based on an interview with Ryan Tate, follows below. It's a fascinating account and after he publicly offered to sell his story, we paid him for it.

-snip-

And then we delved into the area of UFOs. I was reading a book on witness reports of Roswell at the time, just out of curiousity — I've never concluded whether it really took place or was an elaborate hoax. And Richard said, "how much do you want to bet we could facilitate some sort of a media stunt that would be equally profound as Roswell, and we could do so with nothing more than a weather balloon and some controversy?" (See item 16 here.)

Can we attract UFO's with a homemade flying saucer? We will modify a weather balloon, so that it resembles a UFO and will electrically charge the skin of the craft (Biefield-Brown Effect). We will capture the footage on film, and will utilize the media as a means with which to make our presence known to the masses. This will not only provide us with incredible footage, but will also generate a tremendous amount of controversy among the public, as well as publicity within the mainstream media. This will be the most significant UFO-related news event to take place since the Roswell Crash of 1947, and the result will be a dramatic increase in local and national awareness about The Heene Family, our Reality Series, as well as the UFO Phenomenon in general.

I clearly remember Richard telling me that, if we accomplish this, it would be the most controversial and widespread UFO news story since Roswell in 1947. (See audio at top of post.)


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: falconheene; heene; hoax
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To: GVnana

Maybe THIS story is a hoax to cover up the original hoax so CPS won’t take the guys kids away from him.


41 posted on 10/17/2009 5:56:56 PM PDT by uncitizen (I'm mad as hell and i'm not gonna take it anymore!!)
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To: word_warrior_bob

I’m kinda thinking they actually PLANNED to send the kid up, but messed up.

That’s why he’s yeling “The tether, the tether...” and remember, the balloon-o-naut was found IN A BOX with A BUNCH OF SNACKS AND STAPLES.

When they blew the balloon baloney bigtime, they hid the kid and tried to pretend launch had gone on as scheduled.


42 posted on 10/17/2009 5:59:04 PM PDT by djf (Way past time for balloonloops to get his balloonballs balloonbusted!!!)
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To: freekitty

Or Trip, or Track, or Trig?


43 posted on 10/17/2009 6:26:49 PM PDT by Miztiki
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To: Miztiki

I think you know what I mean.


44 posted on 10/17/2009 6:34:48 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: Miztiki

At least they aren’t named Acorn.


45 posted on 10/17/2009 6:35:10 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: GVnana

I wonder which television outlet will be the first to offer the Heene’s the reality show they have been peddling? I vote MTV.


46 posted on 10/17/2009 6:37:46 PM PDT by word_warrior_bob (You can now see my amazing doggie and new puppy on my homepage!! Come say hello to Jake & Sonny)
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To: freekitty

What about it?.... I don’t have a problem with what people name their children. That was your problem.


47 posted on 10/17/2009 6:44:38 PM PDT by deport
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To: deport

I made a statement that’s all.


48 posted on 10/17/2009 7:00:23 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: bboop

Sounds like these two adults are unfit to raise children.

That’s a real shame.

I was willing to give the parents the benefit of the doubt, but the more that comes to light, the less I’m inclined to believe I was right.


49 posted on 10/17/2009 7:15:47 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Deficit spending, trade deficits, unsecure mortages, worthless paper... ... not a problem. Oh yeah?)
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To: DoughtyOne

They’re probably within the ‘ok’ range, just strange. And attention-grabbing. And raising their kids to be ‘free.’


50 posted on 10/17/2009 7:22:59 PM PDT by bboop (Tar and feathers -- good back then, good now)
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To: bboop

When parents brag of the things that she did, it’s generally an admission that the kids get to do anything they want period. That can really be ruinous for kids. Kids need some decent boundaries, and an understanding that you shouldn’t do some things.

I understand your thoughts on this, and I know there are a lot of families out there like this these days.


51 posted on 10/17/2009 8:07:25 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (Deficit spending, trade deficits, unsecure mortages, worthless paper... ... not a problem. Oh yeah?)
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To: freekitty

Who came up with the name ‘freekitty’? Seems you are incapable of answering that.


52 posted on 10/17/2009 8:22:27 PM PDT by deport
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To: Carley

(Reuters)

Colorado sheriff says undisclosed criminal charges will be pursued in family’s balloon scare after the parents of 6-year-old Falcon Heene meet with investigators

http://www.foxnews.com/


53 posted on 10/17/2009 8:24:32 PM PDT by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
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To: deport

None of your business because of your smart aleck attitude.


54 posted on 10/17/2009 9:07:22 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: freekitty

None of your business because of your smart aleck attitude.


So you don’t know..... lol

It’s your attitude about peoples names that made me asked. Personally I don’t care and could care less who named you ‘freekitty’.


55 posted on 10/17/2009 9:12:39 PM PDT by deport
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To: deport

Then stop asking.


56 posted on 10/17/2009 9:19:19 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: freekitty

Stop responding...... LOL.

But it would be interesting since you don’t like some names just to see who picked up ‘freekitty’.


57 posted on 10/17/2009 9:20:34 PM PDT by deport
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To: deport

Hey, Buster you are getting a little too personal there on who picked up. It’s not funny or polite and I resent it.


58 posted on 10/17/2009 9:57:55 PM PDT by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: freekitty

Sorry. Didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I was referring to who picked the name ‘freekitty’. Just being ol’ buster here I guess. Kinda funny you fuss and derate names but won’t own up to who selected ‘freekitty’. Just amusing I think. Obviously you can think what you want.

Have a blessed Lord’s day.


59 posted on 10/18/2009 6:22:58 AM PDT by deport
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To: bboop

The problem with parents who raise their kids that way is that they don’t understand why everyone finds their kids obnoxious and annoying. And neither do the kids.

~*


60 posted on 10/18/2009 7:43:56 AM PDT by virginiaspook1
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