The balloon

I’m sorry. I know you all want to talk about politics and health care and war in Iraq. But c’mon. The biggest talker out there right now is last week’s balloon boy case, which seems to take a new twist every day.

Now, we know that a possible conspirator in what authorities now call a massive hoax has written a tell-all about it for Gawker.com. Colorado authorities say last week’s spectacle was designed to attract media attention and perhaps set the table for another realities series for the Heene family, which already appeared on the reality show Wife Swap.

And the Heene’s lawyer has told the Today Show, ”These folks are absolutely willing to turn themselves in, so I don’t want to see a perp walk done for media consumption.” That is, “turn themselves in” to face any charges that are expected to be filed in the hoax, which shut down Denver International Airport briefly and scrambled two National Guard for the “rescue” attempt.

It also turns out that the balloon in question wouldn’t have lifted young Falcon Heene’s 37-pound body.

I just don’t know where to start.

So many issues. Young children seemingly manipulated by their parents. People hungry for the attention of reality TV — programming that draws huge audiences. Viewers’ willingness to tune in to such a story as it happens.

And does it bother anyone that the sheriff in Larimer County admitted misleading the public about the hoax in order to “make them believe we were still on their side”?

Were we too gullible? When did you think it was a hoax? What could possibly drive someone to go to these lengths?

In other news, don’t miss the Huffington Post’s balloon boy Photoshop contest.