Sky Diver Parachutist Felix Baumgartner Sets New World Records

As I had opined earlier, while the the otherwise reputable New York Times headlines him as “daredevil” (and doubtless, there is an element to that), he is much more than a mere thrill-seeker. There is significant, and legitimate science being undertaken in this mission.

Further, so-called “daredevils” rarely prepare 5ive years for their stunts, as did Mr. Baumgartner and his team.
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Daredevil Jumps, and Lands on His Feet

By JOHN TIERNEY
The New York Times
October 14, 2012

Before the jump, Mr. Baumgartner went through a checklist with help from Joe Kittinger, 84, the retired Air Force colonel who in 1960 jumped from 102,800 feet, setting records that remained more than half a century later — and that Mr. Baumgartner was hoping to break. – Credit: Balazs Gardi/Red Bull Stratos, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

ROSWELL, N.M. — Felix Baumgartner, the professional daredevil, said he was not thinking about setting records or collecting scientific data in the moments before he jumped from a capsule more than 24 miles high.

He was just thinking about making it back to Earth.

“Trust me, when you stand up there on top of the world, you become so humble. It’s not about breaking records anymore. It’s not about getting scientific data. It’s all about coming home,” Mr. Baumgarter said after returning by helicopter to mission control in Roswell.

“It was harder than I expected,” he said.

I plead “Guilty,” your honor!

The Associated Press is reporting that the Fort Collins, Colorado couple of Richard and Mayumi Hene have plead guilty to felony and serious misdemeanor charges leveled against them by state and local authorities.

Mr. Hene appeared before a Larimer County District Judge and plead guilty to the felony charge of falsely influencing the sheriff. Mrs. Hene plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services.

Sentencing is set for December 23, and the couple’s attorney said they would have no public comment until after that date.

I predict this malicious escapade will yield for them beaucoup bucks in book deals, exclusive magazine stories, made-for-teevee shows, and motion pictures.

In other words, Mr. Hene’s warped plan will have worked… unless, of course, the judge exercises judicial wisdom and disallows any profiteering by the warped couple.

“I want your questions in the box.”

Hey… I thought “thinking outside the box” was the desirable outcome!

Now, we’re told we should get back in it.

The quote in the subject line is from Richard Heene, the Ft. Collins, CO man whom authorities are investigating for intentional fraud – suspecting the scare his little boy might have been aloft in a helium balloon and the resulting scramble of rescue resources, federal, state and local was deliberate.

In context, that’s what Mr. Heene told reporters camped outside his house.

And, I think the sheriff’s cooking legal spaghetti.

Why spaghetti?

Just like spaghetti, he’s gonna’ cook it just long enough, and then throw the charges… to see if it sticks to the wall, or in this case, Mr. Heene.

Of course, Mr. Heene will come out smelling like a Ponderosa Pine (not many roses grow in Colorado) because he’ll get a book deal, and a made-for-teevee-movie, will appear on numerous talk shows, and otherwise make the media rounds.

As I understand, Mr. Heene’s ideas for a “reality teevee show” have been rejected on more than one occasion. And, as is the “American way,” Mr. Heene is making his own “reality teevee show”… er, making his own “opportunity.”

And what a name for a balloon boy, eh?

Falcon.