On this Memorial Day, the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) wants to remember all of the U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.  You will never be forgotten.

It’s worth mentioning that the nation’s national security needs to be maintained.  In AAM’s book Manufacturing a Better Future for America, Michael Webber (a professor at the University of Texas) reported on a worrying decline in the U.S. defense industrial base.  Webber says that the “United States defense industrial base suffered a massive erosion of capability between 2001 and 2008,” and there is evidence to suggest that 13 of the nation’s 16 key industrial sectors are eroding despite their ongoing importance for national defense.

As we commemorate this Memorial Day it’s worth remembering the sacrifices made to build this country and the importance of maintaining a self-sufficient defense base.

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The Rolling Stones have re-released their landmark 1972 album EXILE ON MAIN STREET, newly remastered and with bonus tracks.  In a recent Notes from the Road I ranked EXILE as the #1 album of all time. 

Regarding the Stones in recent years, I’ve seen them four times.  Some of it was great.  And some of it wasn’t so good.

The point here is to discuss how the Stones in ‘72 were arguably the mightiest, most vital rock ‘n roll band ever.  And so, the re-release of EXILE deserves some comment.  The best way for me to do this, though, is to quote part of a recent email from guitarist Peter Grennan.  After watching some footage of the Stones during their American tour in ‘72, Grennan wrote a summary of why the Stones were so great back in the heady days of EXILE:

You know, I can honestly say that I am more smitten with the Rolling Stones’ music now than I have ever been.  My love seems to continue to grow each year.  I’ve been doing a lot of headphone listening lately, going through the official catalogue, bootlegs, live shows.  I keep picking up on new things I’ve never heard before – vocal inflections, guitar nuances, mixing techniques.

I spent several hours watching my “Ladies and Gentlemen” DVD of the ‘72 tour this past weekend.   Without any question, Keith Richards in this incarnation is hands-down the absolute coolest rock musician of all time.  Number one, alone at the top of the heap.   I was watching with amazement anew.  The look, the moves, the driving playing, the leadership.  Nothing contrived, just pure genuine rock ecstasy emanating from his core.   He’s dripping with coolness and bad-ass attitude.  Ineluctable beauty to behold.   It never has and never will get better than Keith in 1972.  Anyhow, those were my thoughts as I was absorbed in the movie.

I’d have to agree with Peter.  The Stones and “Keef” were at the top of their game, a big #1, in 1972.  EXILE ON MAIN STREET is worth checking out.

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Miraclesuit, New York, NY: Memorial Day weekend is upon us, so it is only fitting for this week’s Fashion Friday to kick off the start of summer by spotlighting a line of swimwear proudly made in the USA.

Miraclesuit swimwear has been recognized by countless fashion and lifestyle magazines including InStyle, Women’s Health, O magazine, Marie Claire and Good Housekeeping for its slimming capabilites and trendy styles.

So, if you’re headed to the beach for the long weekend that will undoubtedly be filled with lots of tasty treats, grab a bathing suit that will make you feel great about how you look, and even better about where it is made.

Miraclesuit can be purchased online at www.miraclesuit.com or found at Eddie Bauer and Nordstrom stores across the country.

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Earlier this week, a Buy America amendment was added to a bill in the House thanks to the efforts of Representatives Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Tim Murphy (R-PA). 

According to a press release from Rep. Sutton’s office: 

Representative Sutton successfully offered a Buy American amendment that requires that projects for the construction, alteration, maintenance or repair of a public water system funded by a State Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund use steel, iron, and manufactured goods that are produced in the United States. Sutton’s amendment received broad bipartisan support and was included in the bill.

“The Buy American requirement is critically important for our economy. As we invest in our nation’s infrastructure, American taxpayers want their taxpayer dollars to create jobs here at home. Getting Americans back to work is the highest priority and this amendment will help us do that.” said Representative Sutton.

Read the full release here.

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Boulder, Colorado: Simple Solar, which sells and installs photovoltaic systems for residential and commercial uses, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.  Ten employees have been laid-off.

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Workers at Honda’s Chinese factories are demanding better pay. 

China says it won’t dump euros. 

Some think China may enact “half-mandatory” targets for carbon reductions.  Whatever that means. 

EPI has a report out on how long it takes to find a job in every state. 

RIP, Mercury brand. 

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Alliance for American Manufacturing Field Coordinator Meghan McKeefry reports that the city of Park Falls, WI has passed a resolution in support of domestic U.S. paper manufacturers.  The cities of Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point have passed the resolution as well.

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In an interview with CBS Moneywatch.com, Editorial Director Eric Schurenberg spoke with Clyde Prestowitz about the flaws in U.S. industrial policy.  Prestowitz is a co-author of AAM’s Manufacturing a Better Future for America and author of a new book, The Betrayal of American Prosperity.

Prestowitz answers Schurenberg’s tough questions on fair and open trade, protectionism, competing with China (especially in the hi-tech sector), subsidies, and “smart globalization.”

Read and view the interview here.

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Foxconn, a unit of Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry, has big name clients like Apple, Hewlett Packard, and Sony Ericsson.  It manufactures what is arguably the world’s most popular “techcessory,” the iPhone. 

But the company has been losing workers recently; not to lay-offs or firings, but to suicide.

Late Wednesday, a 10th employee of Foxconn, who worked in the production site in southern China, jumped to his death from a seventh floor balcony.  After the suicide, another employee slit his wrists, but survived after receiving medical attention. 

There is strong suspicion that it is the poor working conditions endured by Foxconn’s 420,000 employees that have caused suicides and suicide attempts to occur with such frequency.  CBS News reports that “They [the workers] claim shifts are long, the assembly line moves too fast and managers enforce military-style discipline on the work force.”

According to Reuters, “All 10 of the deaths have been of young migrant workers, among the millions who leave the poor hinterlands of China for the boom towns of the south and east coastal areas in search of work and high wages.”

And while these suicide attempts have enraged workers and left many wondering about the possibility of  “mass hysteria” at the Chinese facilities, others may not be too surprised to learn that at such a high level of productivity, something’s gotta give.

The TimesOnline says, “The plant’s astonishing productivity levels have attracted global clients such as Samsung, IBM and Sony, but labour activists have long alleged that the famous efficiency comes at too high a cost.”

Unlike inumerable factories and manufacturing facilities in China and other parts of Asia, American manufacturers pay their workers fair, liveable wages and do their best to ensure healthy, safe working conditions all while maintaining high levels of productivity that yield quality goods.

Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou, who scoots around in his private jet, has sworn to take the necessary measures to prevent suicides in the future.

Read more here, here and here.

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Westminster, Maryland: Defense contractor General Dynamics said it expects to lay off 31 employees.

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