If This Is Your First Visit

You probably found one of my cards on the side of the road (or maybe a crime scene.) Either way, thanks for stopping by. I hope you were able to sample some of our good cooking this past weekend.

We managed to feed a few folks on Saturday. Homes For Our Troops turned over the keys for a brand new specially adapted home to SSG Dwayne Cole USA OIF. We were there to make sure no one went home hungry.

I need to take a few paragraphs to thank a bunch of folks who helped make our part of this auspicious event possible.

First, the neighbors from 4 Mile Creek Baptist Church were just awesome for allowing us to use the kitchen facilities and for the helping hands. They provided a new item to our Southern menu with some fantastic Silver Queen fried just right, and Tooltime Cole Slaw.

Second, the Varina Ruritan gave us some much needed logistical support and allowed us to add smoked pork BBQ to the menu. Thank you very much.

Third, Whole Foods gave us enough squash to give out seconds and thirds to everyone who wanted it. Folks were very impressed with my squash. Thank you Whole Foods, Richmond VA.

We have a picture or two, and the video of the PGR/VFW escort and SSG Coles' arrival. You could go watch that, or, you could indulge me for a moment and jump over here. This is important.

I'll be here when you get back. I just think you need to see this.

DCExaminer Morning Must Reads

Byron York - Who told Obama drilling is 'absolutely safe'?
There was one particularly striking moment in President Obama's widely panned Oval Office speech on the Gulf oil disaster. About midway through his talk, Obama acknowledged that he had approved new offshore drilling a few weeks before the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion on April 20. But Obama said he had done so only "under the assurance that it would be absolutely safe." (thats something I'd like to know as well)


Julie Mason - Democrats fates will hinge on Obama's handling of spill
Democrats had planned to campaign this fall on health care reform, but President Obama's deep pivot to the BP oil spill changes both the equation and focus of midterm campaigning.


Susan Ferrechio -GOP leaders threatened Barton with loss of committee post
Rep. Joe Barton, R-Tex., was ordered by the top House leadership to retract his apology to BP and to apologize for making the statement in the first place or risk losing his position on a powerful House committee. (he shoulda told 'em to pound sand)


Mark Hemingway - NJ Gov Chris Christie approval rating rises to 51 percent
The latest Rasmussen poll has New Jersey Governor Chris Christie with his head above water at a 51 percent approval rating. This is a signifcant uptick, as teachers unions in the state have carpet bombed the airwaves with $6 million in ads attacking him since March.


David Freddoso - CNN: We only think Obama’s speech was lousy because we’re not smart enough
Apparently, the real problem with President Obama’s Tuesday night speech is not that it contained no substance, little reassurance, and no sign that he is on top of the oil spill. Rather, the problem is that he used too many big words and long sentences, CNN dutifully reports:

More Stories
Tea Party documentary: When was the last time Chris Matthews did anything worthwhile?

E. J. Dionne's advice to lemmings

N.C. Poll: Pugnacious Dem congressman with creepy hug now trails

Urban Infidel: Ground Zero Mosque Protest New York City

Urban Infidel: Ground Zero Mosque Protest New York City

USO Announces July 4th Campaign

July 4th is a time to think about all that makes this country great -- from our determined, pioneering spirit to the open road and rock and roll.

But it's also an important time to come together with our friends and family and remember the brave men and women who do so much to keep this country great.So this 4th of July, I want to make sure you have a special way to honor our troops on one of America's greatest holidays.

That's why I'm proud to introduce the USO's We've Got Their Back campaign. With a generous donation to this effort, you'll be supporting all of the wonderful USO programs that let our troops know we're there for them. And as an added bonus, when you donate today, the USO will send you a free, one-of-a-kind t-shirt in time for you to wear on the 4th. Please donate now to the USO's We've Got Their Back campaign to receive your free July 4th t-shirt.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the USO stands by our service men and women every day. With free phone calls to a loved one back home, entertainment tours that bring the stars to them, care packages full of their favorite things, and so much more, the USO is making sure that no matter where they are, our troops always have a touch of home.

So this 4th of July, show your support for our troops. Show them you're there for them and that you've always got their back. Take part in this great campaign and be sure to get your free t-shirt to wear on the 4th.

Donate today to receive your free USO t-shirt to wear this 4th of July.

No matter what's playing on your jukebox or cooking on your grill, I think we can all agree that this 4th of July our troops and their families need our support. And I can't think of any better way to show your support than by taking part in this great USO campaign today. Thanks for all you do for our troops.

Keep Rockin'

Joan Jett

P.S. -- The final deadline to make a donation to the USO's We've Got Their Back campaign and receive your free t-shirt is June 14th, so act quickly and make sure you're ready this 4th of July.