Happy Fourth of July 2010!

Good morning and Happy Fourth of July 2010! Here's a quick informational roundup for our nation's two hundred and thirty fourth birthday:

• Cliff Mass advises bringing an umbrella if you're going to be out watching One Reel's Family Fourth fireworks show over Lake Union. The National Weather Service is forecasting a fifty percent chance of showers today. It will be mostly cloudy, with a high near sixty five degrees Fahrenheit.
• New York Times columnist Frank Rich concludes that "America is still very much a work in progress" after reviewing the nation's efforts to stamp out racism since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Joey Chestnut has won his fourth straight hot dog eating contest, inhaling fifty four hot dogs in ten minutes. He didn't come close to breaking his record of sixty eight, however, which he set last year. Bizarrely, his rival Takeru Kobayashi (the previous champion) charged the stage after the contest was over, and was taken into custody by police.
• Tonight is the thirtieth anniversary of A Capitol Fourth, the Fourth of July concert that has aired on PBS and NPR since 1980. Jimmy Smits is slated to host, and performing artists will include Gladys Knight, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker (from Hootie & the Blowfish), and the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jack Everly. Tune in to your local PBS or NPR station at 5 PM Pacific Time to catch the live broadcast.

Finally, don't forget to declare your independence from money in politics by visiting StopGreed.org, the new Permanent Defense campaign website devoted to exposing the people behind this year's crop of corporate initiatives.

I'll leave you with an excerpt from President Obama's Independence Day message:

Just as this day serves as a reminder of the immeasurable bravery of those who have made America what it is today, it also renews in us the solemn duty we share to ensure our Nation lives up to its promise. We must not simply commemorate the work begun over two and a quarter centuries ago; we are called to join together, hoist their mantle upon our shoulders, and carry that spirit of service into tomorrow.

America again faces a daunting set of challenges, yet our history shows these are not insurmountable. We need only to draw upon the perseverance of those before us our Founders who declared and fought for their ideals; our ancestors who emigrated here and struggled to build a better future for their children; and our pioneers and entrepreneurs who blazed trails that have continually expanded our horizons. Their spirit — our spirit — will guide our Nation now and in our bright future.

Again, Happy Fourth. Here's hoping you have a fun-filled celebration today.