Add two skippers to the ranks of the unemployed.

The N&O’s Josh Shaffer took a spin in a light-sport aircraft (LSA) and I’m itching to try one. An LSA is a lighter-weight aircraft that burns automotive gasoline, cruises at 115 MPH, doesn’t require the unbelievably expensive FAA-ordered overhauls, and can be flown with only 20 hours of training. While its true that a heavier aircraft like the Cessna 152 has the potential for IFR flight, it seems to me that most casual pilots would do well to consider a sport aircraft instead.

I’ve always wanted to become a pilot, and while I don’t have spare change to get certified right now, that goal is certainly closer with an LSA than it is with the more expensive planes.

This would be the perfect place to launch my diabolical schemes to rule the world: the Frying Pan Shoals Light Tower. It’s done its job protecting sailors from the dangerous shoals but now it could be mine for $515,000.

The problem, of course, is that I don’t have a half a mil to throw away on a decrepit, rusting hulk 25 miles offshore. And, with real estate being what it is, I can’t really place the value on a property that I can’t land my helicopter on or climb onto because the ladder is missing. Then there’s the fact that you can’t really run real estate comps on a property with no homes within 25 miles of it. Then again, it does has amazing, unobstructed ocean views. Hmm.

I think I’ll stick with hatching my evil plans to take over the world from the comfort of my own home.

Here’s an enlightening look from Paul Graham at why the Internet is luring people away from television and newspapers. The writing, as they say, is on the wall for the old broadcast models.

(h/t COD)

The N&O’s Bruce Sicelloff mentioned a cool site from the Raleigh – Wake County Emergency Communications: a Google Map showing real-time traffic incidents. (Well, ok, they data’s refreshed every 15 minutes, but it’s still timely).

Whenever an accident appears I have to fight the urge to click the “Street View” in an effort to see the carnage.

As a kid I traveled with my family on many road trips to Florida, listening to squabbling siblings and the crackling of whatever AM radio stations we could pick up in the family car. Inevitably, a familiar voice would crackle through the radio: that of Paul Harvey. I was sad today to hear Harvey died yesterday. He was 90.

I didn’t always agree with his politics, but Paul Harvey always had something interesting to say. He was a blogger decades before blogs.

Good day, Paul.

Here’s a Washington Post Express article giving more details on the Cookie and Coco story.

I’m glad the dogs have a new home but it really puzzles me how the animal activists could be so mean to her. Read this comment from the article link above:

Thank you for finding out the real story. However, I would hate for this woman to get any financial gain from giving up her dogs when millions of dogs lose their lives in shelters every day.

I mean, WTF? This woman tries to find a home for her beloved dogs, happens to gain a lot of attention for it completely by accident, and now she becomes the target of hate? She’s the reason thousands of dogs are euthanized every day? Wait just a doggone minute!

What these activists should be doing is learning from her. There are 10,000 people who responded to the dog ad: that’s 10,000 potential homes for needy dogs. Instead of dissing her, these activists should be asking her for that contact information so other dogs can find homes. Spreading hate is no way to win people to your cause.

I love critters, too, but some of these animal activists should learn how to become social with humans first.