HAPPY FATHERS DAY

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 9am to a 3+ after 10 hours of sleep, and a partly-sunny morning. I took my am pills, and put my flag out and I settled into my Lazy Boy for 2 quick massages.

I chased one robin out of the cherry tree this morning with the hose and we still have some bright red ones. Thanks to Mike and Cody, we did get a handful and put them in the fridge for Judi after we got home from the picnic yesterday.

The picnic was great, as usual. It was great to see Leo and Helen, their clan, George Fortune, the Cullerton's and everyone else. Annie is still the darling of the whole bunch. Even the Governor made it again. I even saw and talked to Sam Gillespie for a minute. I didn't get on either Ted or Sam's case about anything in Salem...........really. But, I did pass out a few of my new “Business” cards.

It was great to get back to Columbia Park and remember all those great memories. I was sorry to hear that Leonard was having such back problems but I was sure encouraged by George to get those hand controls for my car.
We used to count kids to determine how everyone was doing. It seems now it's counting canes, walkers, wheel chairs, and scooters. I didn't even have a beer, another sign of change. I did also get to have a good conversation with Helen and she did ask about sister Danni and brother Marty. She told me the "girls" were still meeting for their lunch's and everyone really missed Mom, Alice, Matt and Dad. I did miss seeing any of the Percin's, or Kantack's but it did sound like the Percins are doing well, and Zowie is living with his son.

Judi, “The Trucker” and the convoy made it home without incident and they got Steph all moved into her “ground level” apartment. I did feel bad that I couldn't help, but that feeling soon went away.

Again, today my format changes may continue. My permanent “Hero's” box is not up yet, but I am still not sure how to keep it up and add the other Hero's yet and the “pay pal” box for direct connections to MY charities of choice is not complete yet, so you will have to go directly to their link. If “pay pal” works the way I want, a donation there goes to me for distribution to one of the many I list in my “Community Organizers” section. I will try to keep a running tally. I will also try to keep posting the direct links for those charities.

I will check for a direct link for, “DADS DAY”, Dollars against Diabetes.

POLITICAL

I still don't know what did happen in Astoria? I did get an email from my friend, and sister, Suzanne saying she really liked my letter. However, I don't know if she read it from my blog or if it was published elsewhere.

I did get a mailer from my State Rep and he told me things were wrapping up in Salem. He is doing a coffee this morning at Starbucks, by Kaiser Hospital but this one I will miss, I did not know it at the time when I chose the “family” thing, but actually Bent you were preempted by the Governor.

Come on Salem, not much time left to get behind the President, we need that cleaner energy and those good jobs. Buildings, Manufacturing Plants, and an Energy program (see: clean energy and Bradwood Landing).

I used to be the field representative for Steamfitters Local 235, that covered pipeline jurisdiction for the whole state. I am hearing that the “big” concern on the Natural Gas Facility is the distribution pipeline that needs to be built. Maybe the Bradwood people should publish a map that showed all the natural gas mains and distribution lines already in the State? The Mainlines have to be marked on the ground, to be seen from the air, after they are buried or you would never know where they were.

I am trying to keep my grade for the President from falling from a B+ to a C, because of Health Care and American Rights at Work and also getting the Oregon Legislature from a D back to a C.
I have moved the Oregon Legislature down to a D, right now, because I am still watching how, as Peter Courtney so eloquently put it, “the Oregon Legislature has Your Back”; to the Oregon National Guard. I do feel bad for forgeting to remind Ted yesterday,(Is it easier to cover someones back when you are going in circles?) OK, what did YOU do for the Guard today.

http://stories.barackobama.com/healthcare/stories/update_landing

Health Care Now !

I still have this question?

I seem to remember when growing up, they had a “County Hospital” that was for those that couldn't afford Health Care or did not have insurance. All those County Hospitals got taken over or destroyed in the 1950's and 60's, mostly because we did not want to pay for them through taxes. That was over 30+ years ago. Today some of the richest Corporations in the country are “for profit” hospitals and insurance companies.

We have been hearing for years (decades even) that we need to DO SOMETHING about health care. I wonder how many Hospitals could be built, and staffed with the MONEY we are paying for Medicare, Medicaid, Private Insurance, Scholarships to Med School, and Nursing. We should even treat Med School scholarships like joining the National Guard or going to one of the Service Academies. You commit to 4-6 years of saving people for the government in one of these “County” institutions, being “paid just enough to get by”, just like the services are now. Wouldn't that be a sure bet for an “All Volunteer” program?

President Obama; I am giving him a B, with his Supreme Court nominee (Yes we Can), and from what I've heard of his Health Care proposals and based on his AMA speech, his Health Care plan does not include taxing fringe benefits otherwise he will for surely fall to a C-. And if he can Sheppard the “Employee Free Choice Act” into law he will definitely earn his A.

Bring our people home!

At the 11th Hour, on the 11th Day, of the 11th Month a cease fire was signed to end the war to end all wars in 1918. How's that worked out so far?

It's still hard to believe that “Big Ed”, Rachael Maddow and Keith Olberman are on the same network as Erin Burnnet and Jim Cramer..........recently I recieved from SEIU:

CNBC isn't exactly a shining example of responsible journalism.  The financial news network has been ridiculed for enabling the financial crisis with flawed reporting and fawning coverage of failed CEOs.
Well, CNBC is at it again.  Last week, CNBC's Jim Cramer and Erin Burnett made a ridiculous, irresponsible statement.  Cramer and Burnett compared the aftermath of Iran's recent election to what would happen under the Employee Free Choice Act.

SPORTS

The College World Series is going on, and there are some pretty darn good ball players out there. From what I heard yesterday the Mariners are doing good in this years Series.

The US Open is this weekend and the weather is playing havoc along with the rough.

Brother Marty told me tonights Dodgers-Angels game on ESPN will have two brothers facing each other on the mound.

I still think Felix Hernandez is the Cy Young leader right now in the American league.

I still think Carlos Zambrano is the Cy Young leader in the National league.

I am sure Roberto Clemente is looking down with pride.

I still hope to get to a Beaver game before San Diego pulls all the talent up.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS

I realized again yesterday at Columbia Park, the best place to “start” a community organization is right at the neighborhood level.

I still plan to get a permanent link for Denise and her walk/run, right now you can get there here:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=206439510610&h=VyGOF&u=ohEQM&ref=mf

The American Rights at Work ads are getting better all the time.

Are there better Community Organizations than the National Guard or the USO?

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS

Happy Fathers Day to ALL you fathers out there, especially those in any kind of uniform (including business suits) that cannot be with their children today.

Please, I hope everyone can share the American Rights at Work, the MS walk, the March of Dimes walk, The Epilepsy Run/Walk and the Recovery websites; so my taxes and donations can be utilized to their fullest extent.

Whether you attend a church service, a Mosque, G & L gathering, or Synagogue service, please say a prayer that God; yours, mine or ours; keeps our service men and women in the Palm of their hand.

A reminder, I have had a new nominee for my hero's list, Dianna Paulie McCoy.
We met on the Mondale, Ferarro Presidential campaign. I didn't find out until after the campaign that she was the widow of a boat yard hand from the painters, I think. A much more faithful Democrat than I, and an excellent teacher of the Political System to many of my brothers and sisters, the blood in her veins runs through a number of Iron Workers, that's another reason I like Local 29. Sheis also proud to be Irish, maybe even a relative; I just wish she was a better card player.

Could you even say a special prayer for my nephews Daniel, Christopher, Ryan and all the families separated right now. And, ANYONE, not just me, facing some health challenges today.

Mike; My blog is over 1500 and I am feeling 3+, but pretty tired from my outing yesterday, thanks again, Mike and Cody.

Now don't forget to say your prayers. I'll see you next time on my blog.