Well regardless of whom the TFR is for, in the eyes of the FAA and other governmental agencies a TFR is a TFR whether it be over the president’s ranch or over a sporting event. As I stated before I made a big mistake. I can tell you it was a pristine example of the snowball effect, and if the CFI’s who read this need an example of that to explain to their students this is a good one I’m sure. So to answer your question how, I should have done what I was taught. Strike #1 I should have got at least an abbreviated briefing that day to supplement the DUAT briefing I got the day before. It probably would have told me the 30nm TFR was in effect around the ranch rather than the permanent restricted space of 15nm or so. At that time they weren’t giving much prior notice of Presidential TFRs, now I receive e-mail alerts from AOPA at least a day or two prior to the expansion. Strike #2 I should have filed a VFR flight plan. There is bit of unoccupied land that was along my flight path that would take a while to walk thru to find someone not to mention the wait for help if something occurred. Also, the controllers and F-16’s may have recognized me as friendly and errant rather than a threat. I may have received a little more leniency, or not. And Strike #3 I was so preoccupied with the radio trying to get flight following that I lost situational awareness, and we all know what could and has happened when that has occurred. In my case, an F-16 dropping down and pulling up alongside me and circling. Not a good feeling at all. As to you asking why; I didn’t take off that morning with the intention of busting a TFR so I can’t answer that, it was a huge mistake, and I’m not going to make up an excuse when I know I was blatantly wrong.