US raw steel production

… declined 0.7 percent last week to its lowest level this year as mills operated at an average capability utilizatio0n rate (ACUR) of 74.8 percent. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 75.8 percent. Thus far this year mills have operated at an ACUR of 76.9 percent vs 75.8 percent in the same period last year.

Kayla Mueller

We start the week with the news that a young 26 year old American girl, held hostage for over a year, has been killed by the Islamist group ISIS. Kayla Mueller had been working in Syria to aid the oppressed there. Even still, the president refuses to call the perpetrators terrorists, or Islamic terrorists or anything remotely close to describing what these rats are.

Ukraine

The leaders of France and Germany have brokered a deal to end the 10 month conflict between Russia and the Ukraine. A cease fire will begin on Sunday with each side pulling back heavy weapons. It’s a nice thought but I wouldn’t trust Putin as far as I could throw him-and that ain’t far. The precipitous drop in oil prices combined with sanctions have crippled the Russian economy and brought Vlad to his knees, hence his eagerness to comply. Of course, he is not suffering personally, but his people are.

Yemen

The US and many other countries have abandoned their embassies in Yemen as that country spirals into discord. American weapons were burned prior to leaving. Lord knows what’s going to happen there.

ISIS

The president asked the Congress for authorization to wage war on Islamic state while refusing to commit any ground troops to the action. All military intelligence says the battle cannot be won without ground troops and I agree with the generals; however the troops on the battlefield need to be the troops of those countries who have the most to lose from doing nothing. Our men and women should be committed to train and advise only, those forces joining the fight to secure their freedom from the radical Islamists. I don’t care to lose another American life in that craphole on the planet.

Media Losses

We lost (?) the voice of Brian Williams from news reporting at NBC. Apparently he was a liar and has been caught making up several stories which aimed to make him appear to have experienced things he had not. You make your own bed-you sleep in it.

We also lost Bob Simon, a true long time professional journalist, to an auto accident the other night. He and his reporting will be missed, a true professional. He experienced much in his life and in many parts of the world in his reporting…and never felt the need to embellish his own credentials.

Remember:

Fast & Furious-providing weapons to criminals leading to a loss of American life. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The loss of 4 American lives at our embassy in Benghazi, Libya. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The IRS targeting conservative political groups for tax-exempt status. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The National Security Administration eavesdropping on the phone calls of American citizens. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
The software program created for the Affordable Healthcare Act, at a cost of $1 billion (thus far) and 3 ½ years to “perfect”, has been unusable to the American people. No one held accountable. The president was unaware.
Spying on our Allies, specifically Angela Merkel of Germany. No one held accountable. The president was unaware. (Although these things go on knowingly between countries all the time, the fact that our president denies knowledge of this is just another sign of his incompetence as the leader of the most powerful country on the planet).
“If you like your current insurance plan you can keep it. Period” Barack Obama
“If you like your doctor, you can keep him. Period” Barack Obama

Have a great weekend and….

Hug your children and grandchildren, tell them you love them.
Buy American made products whenever you can.
Hire a Veteran: they are patriots, honest, hard working, disciplined, loyal…. and …. They need and deserve our support.

God Bless America