"Obama's Fourth of July Barbecue" (with slideshow)

Epoch Times (with slideshow):

President Barack Obama hosted a large Fourth of July party Sunday for military personnel and their families and friends on the South Lawn of the White House. The Obamas not only celebrated the signing of the Declaration Of Independence but also their daughter Malia’s birthday.

More than a thousand people attended to acknowledge the birth of our free nation. Red, white, and blue colors were everywhere. With flags flying and patriotic table settings the Obama family served barbecue to their guests. Malia Obama turned 12 while her country turned 234.

“Welcome to the White House and Happy Fourth of July! All across our great country today, folks are coming together decked out in their red, white, and blue, firing up the grill, having a good time with family, just like here today. Now of course I’ll admit that the backyard is a little bigger here but it’s the same spirit, and Michelle and I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate America’s birthday,” said President Obama.

More than 1,200 military service men and women were invited to the event that featured performances from comedian Cedric the Entertainer. The pop/rock band The Killers also performed at the presidential Independence Day party. The event was broadcast live from the White House official website.

The party began with a speech from President Barack Obama. The night concluded with a massive fireworks display.

Howie P.S.: With The Killers and Cedric the Entertainer in attendance, I wish I could locate some video of this event.

"Spend Your Fourth Drunk and Broke! Or Fabulous and Laughing, Elin Woods-Style! Whatever!"

The Black Snob:

The Snob is spending her first Fourth of July in the Nation's Capitol. Oh goody! I'll probably do something very not glamorous and eat more food than I should. Might write a few letters to Elin Woods to see if she feels like joining in a few business ventures with me since it looks like she might have a little extra cash floating around soon. (Or not!) Or I just might get drunk and watch no-sexy-times vampires versus werewolves fighting over that one girl who thinks one day her fans are going to murder her movie. What are you going to do? The one thing I'm not going to do is update this puppy until something strikes my fancy. And I predict that something will strike my fancy around Monday. Until then, enjoy yourselves. Don't get too drunkity-drunk and blow up anything with yer sparklers n' such! MORE...

"July 4: Declare Your Independence from War" (video)

Rethink Afghanistan, video, (01:39):

July 4 is a time when Americans celebrate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But when we're spending hundreds of billions on the Afghanistan War, and when we're cutting education and unemployment insurance benefits in a dismal economy, it's clear that the war is killing the American dream.

Let's get our priorities straight so we can declare independence from bloody, costly wars.

"Jacob Leicht, 1,000th Soldier Killed In Afghanistan, Born On Independence Day" (with video)

Arthur Delaney (HuffPo), with video (02:13):

Marine Cpl. Jacob C. Leicht of Kerrville, Texas, the 1,000th American soldier killed in Afghanistan, would have turned 25 this July 4.

Jacob's father, Craig Leicht, told HuffPost last week that the family hadn't made major plans for Independence Day. "Yeah, we had our moments of sorrow, but that's what life is about -- standing up for what you believe in," he said. "We're not really, I guess, a weeping and gnashing-of-teeth kind of family. We're rejoicing in who Jacob was and what he stood for." MORE...

Dave Alvin - "Hey, Baby, It's The Fourth Of July" (video)

LiveFromAustinTexas, video (06:31).