SHAME ON BOY'S FOLKS AND OPRAH (Kidnapped boy Shawn Hornbeck on Oprah Winfrey Show)

nypost.com ^ | January 19, 2007 | LINDA STASI

[martin_fierro]

[RexBeach]

Let's face it, Oprah is a terrific crusader for the truth(barf-o-rama)!

[Free ThinkerNY]

She's crying all the way to the bank.

[Cagey]

Craig Akers got a new tooth and a suit out of the deal and that's just the beginning.

[Thywillnotmine]

I caught a moment of that and couldn't believe my eyes! That poor kid! If the other didn't traumatize him, this will.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Who can know what these parents have went through. Leave them alone....let them be. They are probably hoping this interview will quiet the masses and that they will be left alone.

[timsbella]

Money makes people do strange things. These parents gave up their jobs, etc to devote every moment for years to find their child and help others pursue leads on their lost children. It makes no sense to me other than they want to secure enough cash to see their child gets the appropriate help and education to make the rest of his life liveable. IT DOES IN NO WAY MAKE IT RIGHT. They should have followed Ben's parents and refuse to spotlight their child.

[timsbella]

Oprah's a ho.

[L98Fiero]

"Leave them alone....let them be."

Grow up. They willingly went on national TV for all to see. People who wish to be left alone generally don't make the talk-show circuit.

[Mr. Mojo]

....but who can say, "No," to Oprah?

Especially if she's writing fatter checks than her guests have ever seen in their lives.

[onyx]

Harsh word, "shameful." I think it's more tragic and sad. IMO, the parents should be protecting their son FROM the nedia.

[Earthdweller]

That was a really cold hearted thing to do.

[lovecraft]

Or as I call her.....

The Opriate of the masses.

[Republican Red]

I happened upon the show yesterday and was stunned. Shawn looked so uncomfortable. The parents had stated that they are doing interviews to take advantage of media interest and redirect it to kids safety. However, that interview was just a model case of what parents should not do.

I really am trying to stay on the parents side in this but it was a bonehead move letting their child on that show. The parents of Ben Ownby were on for a few minutes but they decided not to allow their son to appear. The Oprah audience applauded them.

The creepiest part of the interview was that Shawn kept directing his answers to Oprah's questions towards his stepdad. I don't know exactly why it weirded me out but he ignored his mom and Oprah and would only look at his stepdad.

This boy needs professional help not to be looked at as a freak.

[lmailbvmbipfwedu]

In addition to being a racist, sexist, billionaire who is just in it for the publicity. I have sympathy for any kid who falls under the spell of such a person.

[Ditter]

I am sure the parents went through hell but the boy suffered 1000X that with a hell of his own. These stupid parents put him and his ordeal on public view. Maybe when he is an adult, he would have wanted to do this. When he has healed (if he ever does, which I doubt). My heart bleeds for this damaged child and with parent like he has the damage is still happening.

[freeperfromnj]

Shawn kept directing his answers to Oprah's questions towards his stepdad.

His stepdad seemed to take control of interacting with the Press from the beginning.

[Uri’el-2012]

Why was Shawn forced to sit in the audience ?

He was treated like an object.

Shame on Oprah!

[Scotswife]

"Who can know what these parents have went through. Leave them alone....let them be. They are probably hoping this interview will quiet the masses and that they will be left alone."

Yes...let's try to give the benefit of the doubt here.
This family has had to endure immense public scrutiny and even criticism of their son's action/nonaction during his captivity. The Bill O'Reilly's of this country probably contributed to their decision to make this appearance.

I personally thought it was great that Oprah asked Shawn if he is looking forward to attending school again after O'Reilly suggested he stayed with the 300 lb. freak just to play hooky.