As most of you know, I have a pretty jaded view of government regulations, and their impact on freedoms, liberties on our Rights as Human Beings.  That being said, the Experimental aircraft route seems to be an avenue to pursue to avoid some of this, and actually travel by airplane for "possibly" lower costs. 

I am somewhat familiar with the Vans line of experimentals, and have looked at various models for sale in Trade a Plane.  Costs for ones that are decently equipped, seem to rival certificated planes of similar performance.  Is the real play here to build, and then maintain your own plane?  Is there a way to acquire an already built experimental, and then add avionics as you see fit, for lower costs. 

My question is what is the most economical way to get an experimental that can travel at decent speeds (130 - 150 KTAS), carry two people and light bags, that will cost around $40- $50K?  However, for this money would it be better to just buy a Mooney M20C? 

I am not at all interested in Light Sport. 

Former President Barack Obama warned the world that more people on the planet were eating meat, causing a dramatic rise in climate emissions.
 
“As people want to increase meat consumption, that in turn is spiking the growth of greenhouse emissions coming out of the agricultural sector,” Obama said, pointing to countries that were consuming more meat.

The former president shared his views about the growing threat during a conversation about food with his former chef Sam Kass at a food innovation summit in Milan.

“People aren’t as familiar with the impact of cows and methane,” Obama said, adding that “as people want to increase more meat consumption, that in turn is spiking the growth of greenhouse emissions coming out of the agricultural sectors.”
 
The amount of cows, Obama explained, were contributing to global pollution, alluding to the amounts of methane gas emissions from cow herds.

“No matter what, we are going to see an increase in meat consumption,” Obama said, pointing to developing economies in China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. More advanced countries, Obama said, would have to teach people to “have a smaller steak” and explore reductions to their meat consumption.

“What it does mean is that we’re also going to have to find ways to produce protein in a more efficient way,” he said.

Guess Michelle will have to give up her Ribs, Fried Chicken, Burgers.....   It ain't going to be pretty Barrack! 

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/05/09/barack-obama-eating-more-steaks-contributes-to-climate-change/

Well, maybe the liberal/progressives will yet again get their wish and Fox News actually becomes Faux News for real. 

Fox News co-president Bill Shine is out at the network, the latest casualty in the scandal that has plagued Fox News and its parent company 21st Century Fox since last summer.

Shine's departure was announced Monday. The network said he resigned.

"This is a significant day for all at Fox News," Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of 21st Century Fox, said in a statement announcing Shine's resignation. "Bill has played a huge role in building Fox News to its present position as the nation's biggest and most important cable channel in the history of the industry. His contribution to our channel and our country will resonate for many years."

It will be interesting to see the direction the network goes.  So far I like the moves they have made to replace O'Reilly, and giving Eric Boling his own show with a panel of commentators.  When I watched last, they had Mark Cuban (confirmed lib, and Hillary supporter) on the panel.  The fear is that the Murdock kids, being liberal/progressives will take Fox down the MSNBC/CNN path.   

http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/01/media/bill-shine-out-fox-news/index.html

My, my.  So, in general I have noticed that not only the media in general, but also the SPORTS MEDIA is consistently Liberal/Progressive.  Even my local sports radio stations (one a CBS affiliate, the other an ABC/Disney/ESPN affiliate) have leftist leanings, and statements they make are clearly political and with a leftist bias.  Lots of Trump, and Republican bashing, and pushing issues like MMGW, and others when they are able.  I listen less, and less although I do follow some sports.

Here is the fallout.

  It’s a dark day at ESPN.

The sports broadcasting network sent a memo to employees early Wednesday, informing them that a series of previously announced layoffs would take place today. The number of employees cut will be around 100, Fox News has learned.

The memo, from ESPN President John Skipper, noted that the network’s new talent lineup will be announced soon. The layoffs are expected to impact some of the network’s popular on-air personalities.

“Dynamic change demands an increased focus on versatility and value, and as a result, we have been engaged in the challenging process of determining the talent—anchors, analysts, reporters, writers and those who handle play-by-play—necessary to meet those demands,” Skipper wrote to employees. “We will implement changes in our talent lineup this week. A limited number of other positions will also be affected and a handful of new jobs will be posted to fill various needs.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/04/26/espn-to-lay-off-about-100-employees-today-including-on-air-talent.html

I would never begrudge someone from enjoying their hard earned money, nor living a lavish lifestyle, IF it was earned.

The former President and First Lady were joined on Geffen’s 454ft-long luxury boat by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and their wives, according to the Daily Mail. The group were reportedly seen snapping photos during the Obamas’ Tahitian vacation off the island of Mo’orea.

Oprah Winfrey — a longtime friend of Geffen’s and of the Obamas — was also reported to have joined the group.

The Obamas have spent some of their post-White House days traveling and vacationing in warm weather hideaways and dining with celebrity friends.

Last month, the former first couple were spotted grabbing brunch with Bono in New York City, where they were greeted with cheers and applause from a crowd of onlookers.

As the Obamas and the U2 frontman exited the restaurant, People reports, “the whole restaurant stood up and applauded and cheered for them. Barack Obama waved at everyone upon leaving.”

In February,  the former president was photographed kitesurfing in the Virgin Islands with British billionaire Richard Branson.

All of these Social Justice Warriors, just looking out for the little guy, and wanting to save the planet from carbon by taxing you and I more than we are now.  $65 Million for the Obama book deal?  Do you think their memoirs are worth that?

  http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/04/17/barack-michelle-obama-join-oprah-springsteen-hanks-on-david-geffens-yacht/

Gary will appreciate this because he knows where I used to be based for many years, Pottstown Muni, N47 in PA.  This happened to me before I moved to Colorado, but I kept the hangar at N47 and sub-leased it for about eight years, then returned, and occupied it again.  So this had to be around 2002, prior to my move.  Anyway, I was cleaning the Tiger one Saturday, and had just finished cleaning the grease off the belly of the plane with Wash Wax All Red formula.  (They now have a degreaser, but I digress).  The Red stuff worked well, and I had the belly of the plane all cleaned up, but I think most of the grease was transferred from the belly of the plane to ME.  My jeans and old ratty sweatshirt were pretty much covered in blackish airplane goo.  I guarantee I was considered an environmental hazard at that point, subject to HUUUUUGE fines by the EPA.  Not to mention I was sweating, probably smelly and just "plane" gross. 

I took a break as I was almost done, and low, and behold a HUUUUUGE, black Sikorsky helicopter was hovering over the field, and then proceeded to land in the grass between the taxiway, and the only runway, the HUUUUGE 2,700 ft. long runway 8/26.  The helo landed, and shutdown.  Now this was a major event at sleepy little Pottstown Muni, because in large gold letters on the side of the black Sikorsky, it said TRUMP. 

OK?  It's true......    Now this really got my attention as I stood in front of my hangar, dripping, and stinking.  Greasy rag still in my hand.  The Sikorksy's cabin door opened, and the stairs came down.  Lo, and behold not one, not two, but three gorgeous blonds come down the steps, one after another.  Their **** were HUUUUUUUUGE.    So after the ladies emerge, down walks Donald Trump.  After the Donald, the two pilots emerge.  At this point the airport rift raft had mossied on over to the helo, and a small group had formed around the Donald, the ladies, and the helo pilots.  They could have been space aliens.  Of course I had to get up close as well, so I walked over to them rag in hand. 

I had not noticed, but a limo had been waiting in the parking lot.  The group stood between the Donald entourage, and the limo, delaying him.  I walked over, and after the others had said hello, I did as well, and told the Donald we were kind of in the same business.  He knew my employer at the time personally, and we chatted very, very briefly, and he was off, and gone in the limo.  He was actually very nice, and friendly to everyone.  The two pilots stayed behind, and I chatted with them.  It turns out they were both Vietnam vets with a bazillion hours of helo combat time.   

About 45 minutes, or an hour later (I don't remember exactly as I went back to cleaning the plane) the limo pulls up, and the girls emerge (non of them Donald's wife at the time), then Eric Trump gets out, and grabs his hockey bag out of the car's trunk.  It seems he was a student at the prestigious Hill School in Pottstown, and also played goalie on their hockey team.  The entourage walks to the helo, unmolested by us airport urchins, they get in, the helo cranks up, and leaves.  I assume they went back to NYC, but I really don't know. 

So that was my big meeting with our current President.  Me covered in grease, sweaty, stinking, holding a greasy airplane rag.   I can't think of a better way to meet him. 

P.S.  Crooked Hillary!!! 

Barack Obama is turning his new home in the posh Kalorama section of the nation's capital - just two miles away from the White House - into the nerve center of the mounting insurgency against his successor, President Donald J. Trump.

Obama's goal, according to a close family friend, is to oust Trump from the presidency either by forcing his resignation or through his impeachment.

And Obama is being aided in his political crusade by his longtime consigliere, Valerie Jarrett, who has moved into the 8,200-square-foot, $5.3-million Kaloroma mansion with  the former president and Michelle Obama, long time best friends.

Jarrett played a vital - if at times low-key - role in the Obama presidency. She lived in the White House, dined with the Obamas, and help shape his domestic and foreign policies.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4271412/Obama-confidante-Valerie-Jarrett-moves-Kaloroma-home.html#ixzz4aBT2uJ1G
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There may be a case to charge the Obamas and Jarrett with Sedition for attempting to undermine the President of the United States.  It is ashame firing squads are no longer in vogue.