Let’s not reward stupid, irresponsible behavior

Now that the mother of the so-called “balloon boy” has admitted that the whole saga of the runaway balloon was a hoax, the following question looms in this teaching moment: What is the appropriate punishment for adults who have no qualms about involving their young children in their stupid, irresponsible behavior.

Criminal charges are expected to be filed against Richard and Mayumi Heene of Fort Collins, Colo., who masterminded the hoax on Oct. 15, The nation and the world were on tenterhooks because of the Heenes’ claim that one of their children, 6-year-old Falcon, was inside the runaway home-made helium balloon. Live television images showed the saucer-like device first climbing skyward and then dropping to the ground — with National Guard helicopters tracking it across the Colorado plains.

The story would have been nothing more than a blip on the nightly news and a brief in newspapers but for the fact that the Heenes had frantically called federal aviation officials, a TV station and 911 to say they feared their son was in the balloon when it was accidentally launched from their backyard.

Then, when the balloon touched down and Falcon was not inside, television reporters breathlessly speculated that he may have fallen out.

But the Heenes subsequently announced their son was in their garage the whole time. At that point, the press realized something wasn’t right with the story. Reporters’ suspicions were confirmed when Falcon made a comment on CNN that sounded like, “You said that we did this for a show.” His comment was directed at his father.

But even while his wife, Mayumi, admitted to sheriff’s deputies that the couple “knew all along that Falcon was hiding in the residence,” Richard continued to deny a hoax.

Charges

Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden, who at first seemed to give the family the benefit of the doubt, is expected to recommend charges against the Heenes, including conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities, and attempting to influence a public servant. The most serious are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Alderden said authorities also would be seeking restitution for the balloon chase.

The hoax was designed to make the Heenes, who already had participated in two segments of the asinine reality television show, “Wife Swap,” on ABC, “more marketable for future media interest,” Mayumi told investigators.

And given that mindless television in the form of reality shows has come to represent the new American culture, we have no doubt that this dysfunctional family will get a contract for some show because it would be easy and cheap to produce.

Indeed, if the husband and wife end up behind bars and the children are placed in foster care, the story line would be all the more attractive to producers of such pabulum.

But given that the cost of the hoax will be hundreds of thousands of dollars — not only were National Guard helicopters scrambled, but various law enforcement agencies spent many man hours on the incident and the Denver International Airport was shut down for a while — prosecutors have a responsibility to force restitution.

Every dollar the Heenes earn from whatever sources relating to the hoax must be confiscated. The message should go out loud and clear: Indulging in stupid, irresponsible behavior that plays society for the fool will carry a steep penalty.

The Heenes must not benefit in any way.

As for the media outlet that reportedly offered the couple money for their story, its credibility undoubtedly will be called into question. If it is found that any principals of the outlet were in on the hoax, criminal charges must be filed against them as well.

This is no laughing matter.

With regard the popularity of TV reality shows, the American people need to take a step back and ask themselves this question: Are we comfortable with the dumbing down of America?