Before I get started I understand that 700 plus job is keeping people working, families being feed and people off unemployment. The eastside of the county has high pollution, major environmental impact to the land and waterways and some of the highest cancer rates due to this plant. So are the 700 plus jobs really worth it??????

I believe that this is just another opportunity for a photo-op for the governor.

You would think that a situation as complicated as this would take more than a few sentences to explain. It does if you are leveling with the folks.

http://dundalkeagle.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=39515:workers-trickle-back-to-sparrows-point-plant&catid=26:front-page

Natty, this issue is complicated and has far reaching implications. It's not only a matter of jobs but what lies down the road.

A pay check is just one part of this issue. I hope this link may provide some perspective and shed some light on big business and their obligations to their workers.

http://www.culturechange.org/cms/content/view/530/1/

I am happy the workers are back .You must give credit to O'Malley he convinced his friend at GE l that Maryland does count for now . Hopefully he keeps this up and it all doesn't go down the tubes after November when Obama is reelected. I pick on O'Malley all the time this time I have to give him credit I believe his plea was answered.

Kevin read the link from the Eagle and look at Greg's video on the announcement. Few words regarding a massive impact on the community.

RG Steel has some huge issues to overcome. Any long term gains in my opinion are questionable.

In Greg's video the governor announces numerous other politicos and where were they? If the news was that conclusive, they would have all lined up in party unity regarding an issue this big.

Read the link and look at the overall issues.

Greg, I can't see any bank or creditor shelling out that kind of money based on the track record of that plant. If I was one of the bankers and took the tour, it would scare the hell out of me. (Language necessary for effect.)

The look on the governors face looked like he was waiting for the axe to fall, meaning the tough questions.

This credit may cover the existing orders but what lies ahead is another issue.

With these kinds of the various mitigating factors yet to be determined, it's the long term that determines the success, not the first quarter.

We've all seen what can happen after halftime.

By the way nice video clip. Then of course I would not get in your way either as you moved to the front. Must be nice to have that kind of presence.

Have to go and take care of mom and watch the game.

Greg, one more item from my professor bud at JHU. When I asked him about his take on this he said matter-of-factly, the governor wrote a letter and it's not his money at stake.

He said the bankers will want to see the collateral before making any long term commitment. They are the ones taking the risks, not the governor.

If things fall apart as the saying goes you don't throw good money after bad.

Greg, I read your link. I was probably getting bombed (by critics) and missed that one. Shame on me.

Boy, Dutch sure had a mouthful of doublespeak. He forgot about WW II and how the U.S. built the steel mills that now compete against us. He forgot about the trade deficit and cheap labor and how China undercuts our steel business.

I guess when you can't put things into the proper prospective, you put them (foot) in your mouth.

Greg, since my wattage has dimmed somewhat, I often defer to a higher authority.

My friend from JHU reads Patch on a regular basis and he posed some interesting question's.

First he was wondering how many orders do they have for the upcoming year? Next, he was concerned if they were enough to keep the plant running and at what capacity? He said he would then asked to see a strategic plan for the company addressing their long or short term goals?

He said if they don't have the answers to these standard business question's, then he would be suspicious of any long term commitment to funding.

I noticed the governors rather terse response failed to mention any of these issues.

If anyone was actually interested in helping these folks, they'd begin offering tuition assistance or some type of alternative jobs training while they are employed in the short-term. Steel in Dundalk has no future. We continue to put bandages on a wound that requires surgery. Beth/Severstal/RG...just not a sustainable, much less profitable, business(es) any longer. These individuals need training to do something else. I can't help but think we'll be reading the same story 8-10 months from now.

Matt, like most of us, I don't have any answers on whether or not RG will survive. We do have good reporters like Greg, and others who go behind the scenes and dig out the truth, i.e. Watergate.

The one thing that bothers me is when politician's who use this situation to advance their agenda's at the expense of those they have sworn to serve.

I think your are correct on both of your points based on the history of the plant and the present day economic situation. Also we are a nation which has become lacking in the number of skilled workers that were the driving force behind our rise to greatness as a world power.

Remember this famous quote from WW II: "I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve. —attributed to Yamamoto in Tora! Tora! Tora!"

The irony to that story, we are now the ones that have fallen asleep.