ROADSIDE SCHLOCK: Calling the Recovery.gov stimulus signs "the height of narcissism," Rep. Aaron Schock, (R-IL)is preparing to do battle on the floor of the House.

Having driven the highways for 50-plus years and seen every construction site signed with something akin to "this wonderful improvement is brought to you by (your tax dollars)," it's hard to get too excised.

Except for this -

Projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will bear a newly-designed emblem.

The emblem is a symbol of President Obama’s commitment to the American People to invest their tax dollars wisely to put Americans back to work.

which is quoted exactly from this EPA document. And if you're interested, here's a training document of which there must be at least 49 more.

Narcissm and waste: hallmarks of the Obama administration.

FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY, we visited James Madison’s Montpelier, the lifelong home of the Father of the U.S. Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States. Here are some photos from the visit.

The home, restored to its 1820’s appearance.

The Blue Ridge mountains, taken from the front veranda.

Madison’s Temple.

James and Dolley Madison statue.

CAPTION ME

BIG SURPRISE: A report released Thursday by Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee "provides evidence that the Obama administration misrepresented the assets devoted to the cleanup, misrepresented the timing of when government officials knew there was an oil spill and misrepresented the level of control the government had over the matter. It also claims the Obama administration seemed more interested in public relations than cleaning the mess and plugging the hole.”

Via CNS News.

PRAISE FOR OBAMA? From the Washington Examiner?

Link from Instapundit.

OLD TOWN MANASSAS always has a phenomenal Fourth of July fireworks celebration. This year was no exception. Here are some photos.

The train station, gussied up for the celebration.

Waiting for the fireworks. The best view is always along the railroad tracks.

The fireworks begin.

Darker now, and a better image.

And the finale.