Posted on 10/19/2009 12:56:36 PM PDT by djf
OK!
Everybody is about this time getting pretty ballooned out!
There is a growing sentiment that Balloon dad and Balloon mom should be charged criminally, even calls for the children to be removed.
IMHO, it's time to take a step back, think about things a bit. Make no mistake, I very much support mom and dad getting slapped upside the head a time or two.
BUT!!!!
What they did was stupid, I would argue it was not criminal. Think about it. There's way more criminality in a car jacking than this incident. And as much as I've seen, I have yet to see anyone make an honest claim that balloons intentions were to harm or rip off anybody.
And while it seems to be far from what some would call an "ideal family", it is a man - and a woman - and their three children. I doubt anybody could call hanging out with their dad a classic education, but would wager the kids are getting some pretty interesting exposure to the sciences and technologies.
Finally, out of all the things that might have happened to the kids, no doubt it would traumatize them the most by having their parents tossed in jail. I remember as a young child having my dad spend a few days in the slammer (it was failure to appear type thing), and it was a pretty negative experience.
So.
No doubt they will be charged with something. They will probably be found guilty. Sentence could include turning over any book or movie rights to help restoration efforts for damages. No way should he profit over it.
But this is a call for cooler heads to prevail. It's an odd family, but hey, it IS a family! Let's try to keep it intact, and out of the judicial system.
Incarceration provides three basic functions:
1. Punishment. Yes. We put people in jail to PUNISH them. Many people see this as being vindictive or vengeful. They are mistaken.
2. Restraint. Sometimes, assholes need to be removed from the public.
3. Rehabilitation. He should learn something from this, and he’s not gonna learn it by getting a TLC reality show.
To varying degree, all of these apply.
But, PUNISHMENT and REHABILITATION seem to fit, since he’s not considered a danger to the public (?).
Too often, our willingness to be the “good guy” leads to later, more serious incidents. Who’s to say he won’t actually duck-tape the kid to a balloon the next time, if we let him skate on this?
Secondary affects send a message to the next asshole who thinks about tryihng something like this.
Works for me.
No they wouldn't.
What a stupid post.
Of course it was criminal. Filing false reports and ending up utilizing government property ( search and resuce material) and people to perpetuate your fraud is definitely criminal. Child endangerment ( and trust me these kids are in danger) is criminal. AND as stupid as this dick is that ought to be criminal.
“True justice requires some attention to scale and intent...”
They had intent, they conspired with a friend beforehand. If that’s not intent, then what is?
Fines, and jail time. Although I would think a good judge would allow for community service in lieu of incarceration.
OH, and they could give free balloon rides, I’d like one, please. :O)
Not logical. No equivalence. At least bolster your argument with something other than “look over there at that bad guy”
Wall Street felons should be charged and tried as well. I don’t recall anyone on FR suggewsting otherwise. That has NOTHING to do with this
“What crime did those on Wall Street commit? If they committed a crime, then they should be prosecuted, but things like selling bundled mortgages isn’t a crime.”
As if that’s all that they did. We’ve seen the interviews, heard the “confessions” of some of those that did this, and we know that fraud was involved, and it was widespread.
Free balloon rides...
LMAO!!
You first!
Yeah when they are fire fighters, rescue workers (emergency responders), and police. It is a VERY BAD thing
But it wouldn’t necessarily hurt it either
They cost taxpayers millions, inconvenienced travelers, and most importantly put the lives or rescuers at risk with their silly, childish, reckless prank.
I would agree that the children should not be taken away over this. I would stagger the parents’ jail time so they would not both be incarcerated at the same time.
That said, I believe an investigation is in order to determine the fitness of the the parents. I saw some clips of the Heene’s appearance on “Wife Swap” and some of the behavior of both parents (especially the father) was troubling. Also, they seem to be raising the boys without any discipline or manners. Now I realize that some of this may have been a show for the “reality” TV cameras, but if they are really anything like they appeared to be on “Wife Swap” some sort of intervention is needed. If those boys are really raised the way the clips suggested, it will take a miracle for them not to grow up to be felons.
The Parents should make full restitution for all expenses related to the search. A public apology should be made to the men and women whose lives they put into jeopardy with a false search and rescue.
They should participate in rehabilitation classes and several hours of community service. They should be required to attend several hours of parenting classes under the watchful eye of Child Protective Services. The father should be required to attend counseling separate from the family.
The balloon boy hoax apparently isn’t an isolated incident. There appears to be a pattern to this dysfunctional family’s madness. Let’s hope someone helps them clean up their mess and achieve stability in their lives.
I couldn’t disagree more.
Alot of first responders were tied up...taking vital life saving technicians out of the field and into ‘balloon chase mode.’ In a common heart attack scenario, minutes are precious...what if the closest first responder was out in the field, ready to assist the ‘crashed’ Falcon and it was your loved one who died or was injured waiting for a different ambulance service to provide care?
In addition the Air Force was involved; Denver Internation diverted air traffic; private (TV) helicopters were used. Alot of resources and personnel.
And as to the Child Welfare Agency weighing in...well, that was a consideration mom and dad Henne should have thought thru...IF we do this; and if the authorities find it to be a publicity stunt, could the ‘authorities’ ponder the care and safety of our children.
They brought it upon themselves...
Just from the Wife Swap Show and the YouTube clips (did you catch papa Henne and his scary Hillary as Reptile rant?) the boys have absolutely NO discipline or boundaries; couple that with attention grabbing parents (who like to keep large flight devices loosely tethered) and I can understand why Child Welfare would step in.
Real shame to pull them away from the doughnut shops, bars, and red light districts.
Oh, please! Like there hasn't been relative outrage here on the sins of Wall Street and (primarily) the Dems that caused it. Guess what - we don't control the news business and most are now lefties with selective outrage. To make some moral equivalence between the Wall Street hucksters and this balloon hoax is laughable at best and intellectually dishonest at least.
I hope you NEVER EVER call for anyone else’s help for anything. That is one of the snarkiest comments I have ever read. I happen to appreciate the local fire and police and national guardsmen in my area
And there's way more criminality in murdering somebody than there is in shoplifting a six-pack of beer. So, should we not punish shoplifters?
For that, they should get a medal.
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