Our resident blogger Steven is off recording a pro-manufacturing song today (no joke!) that we'll tell you about in the near future.  In the meantime, here's the first installment of an occasional series of observations about pop culture and manufacturing.

My wife and I saw The Dark Knight on Saturday evening.  (Yes, we are among the last folks in America to see the latest Batman offering...but cut us some slack...we have seven-month old twins at home!)  We both loved the movie and were impressed with the late Heath Ledger's frightening portrayal of "The Joker." But I also had a moment of "Made in America" zen.  In an early courtroom scene, Gotham City D.A. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) pries a malfunctioning carbon-fiber pistol from a thug and would-be assassin on the witness stand, examines the weapon, and deadpans, "Made in China.  Next time, buy American."  There's also a later scene in which a shady Chinese company wants to set up a joint venture with Bruce Wayne's mega corporation.  How fascinating is that? So often, Hollywood gets American manufacturing wrong.  That's why I'd like to give special praise to those who do get it right.  A big ManufactureThis thumbs up to The Dark Knight.  (I'll review Ironman after I see it on DVD.  Stay tuned.)