drawing u.s. troops by next july based on conditions on the ground. today, where possible, u.s. forces tried to do what americans all across the country spent the day doing, celebrating our independence. somehow, it means more in a country struggling for freedom. general with tray us led a celebration. for the u.s. troops, it was a taste of home. u.s. ambassador karl i can enberg berry took part of the celebration. joe biden spent the fourth of july in iraq. he met with leaders still in political deadlocked merely four months after national elections. vice president and his wife had a holiday lunch with u.s. troops. it was his second straight visit to iraq on the fourth of july. to the gulf coast now, which is usually packed with tourists on the fourth of july. not the case this year, though. the oil disaster is keeping many visitors and their money away from those shores. our join zarrella is down in gulf shores, alabama right now. john, good to see you. at least there s plenty of