Kevin discusses and covers the following stories: the cancer of the Middle East; the University of Michigan released their Preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index for August; the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) of home builder confidence for August was released; the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau reported July Housing Starts; oil prices react to Iran's threats to take "a more offensive stance", more aggression in the Strait of Hormuz and the halting of peace talks; Kevin has the details, digs into the data, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and a few opinions along the way.