HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALLY

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 8am to a 3 after 10+ hours of sleep,a sunny morning, and with 100 degrees projected again today. I took my am pills and settled in for 4 chair massages and turned on the talking heads. The 26th was my final repeat report on the - The “Monahan” / Pahut / Mehrens / Roche / Sullivan / Lemelin / Lovell Family gathering, bet ya hardly even noticed. I still miss my nephews Daniel, Christopher, and Ryan. I hope Stevie's All Stars did shine and I am sure the heat we will be enduring doesn't even compare to what Daniel is dealing with right now.

And while I did miss and thought of my uncle Sandy, numerous times, on my Montana trip, I should have mentioned him before now, I guess he just hid in one of those holes in my brain, I am sorry.

We did have a visit from Jim and Francis Sunday and Francis was kind enough to present me with a wonderful gift that really fed my soul, before she caught her flight for her presentation in the Caribbean.

I'll still have to tell Dr. Zarelli when I do see him on the 3rd of August that I actually like the heat, but not so much today.

Again, I will say thank you, to all those who joined my request for prayers for my two friends, and now Kelli and her brother also, and the men and women in the service of their State and Country.

I would ask everyone to continue the prayers that can. As I said in my email, I AM living proof of good results. And as I am back to driving, all those OTHER drivers will need those prayers.

That Montana trip really has pumped me up to get out more, even in this heat..maybe.

And I do still wish I spent more time with everyone.

I have decided to at least be at the Building Trades Convention, as it is taking place at a favorite spot of mine at the coast and I am looking forward to seeing everyone.

I did notice those TV Health Care ads in Montana and I hope Max Baucus has been noticing them also.

My daily prayer is to Mary Mother of God…..”O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear OUR prayer. As your children we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially for my dear friends Dianna and Jim, Kelli and her brother and all in need.

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help ALL of us, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever, Amen.”

I found out Saturday that Dianna is taking an experimental treatment for her condition and I would ask everyone to say an extra prayer that the experiment is successful, and thanks to efforts of her GOOD friend Mary, and our continued prayers she may get more help in her Experimentl treatment.

By the way; did you know today is the Birthday of a famous Oregonian who has had his own “DAY” proclaimed by our esteemed Governor of Oregon. (By the way; I celebrate that day every day, not just in December) Thank you for the Day, Ted, but your signing of the Soft Landing Bill was/is much more important and please work to get the Fed's to finish the job. (get 'er done!)

POLITICAL

I'll have to keep my second zero's list inductee, here until I figure out how to post on my main page again? He is that Price Representative guy from Georgia, he will get on because of the health care bill, among other things.

John Boehner, he likes to pronounce it baynor, I like it the other way myself, is still #1; I'm pretty sure they (Boehner & Price) have the same scriptwriters. I am sure there will be additions to the list but as I listen to C-span there are so many too chose from. he's not even swift enough to change a word or two in the speech the Insurance companies TOLD him, and others, (Congesswoman Backman and congressman McHenry are really working hard also to make this list also. (ZERO) If you have a nominee, let me know.

I am watching the Judiciary Committee take their vote (13-6) and I am really mad; Republican Senator Lindsey Graham gave a wonderful speech and is supporting the nomination and I'm mad, because he is the Republican from South Carolina. I think I've found a crew of ZERO' s; to be led by Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama and includes all but one of the Republicans on the Judiciary Committee. The Supreme Court nomination and the Health Care Bill debate are sure heating up. But it does look like Sotomayor will be confirmed today.

Watching Representative Barney Frank address the National Press Club yesterday morning, and then again on the Rachael Maddow show last night, talking about the Financial mess and how his committee was committed to fix the system. He was very informative and as far as I am concerned He was a spot on all star.

I just received a H.B. call from Trina and she said she will be stopping by tomorrow to show me how to set up an Internet program to be able to connect with Daniel directly. She will be in the neighborhood because she is helping out at the Guard near here, and she said she will help start that Lefty video I've been nagging about. I know Daniel was slightly unimpressed with his personal visit with the Governor. I hope he understands that, that trip before they were shipped out was a trip he didn't have to make, but he wanted to make sure, all the troops understood how much they were appreciated. And I'm sure it is not a trip he looks forward to. I still don't know yet, if the “soft landing” bill is done but that is one issue I will keep harping on until I am sure.

I owe Senator Wyden an apology, I believe. While “organizing” the “stuff” (old mail etc.) here on my Lazy Boy I did see a mailer from him that showed his plan did provide for a “public/government” option?

Health Care Now !

While we left Montana without seeing Senator Baucus, and his name wasn't mentioned in those TV ads to SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S HEALTH CARE PLAN, I did see where he has been targeted by progressives to try to change his mind. I even sent a letter to the Editor of a Montana Paper. I hope all those good Montana constituents I have been visiting with will put the pressure on.

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

Will you make sure the true voice of the majority is heard? Call Congress and tell them to support a plan that makes health care affordable for everyone: 1-866-210-3678
As health care activists, our calls are especially important right now. Industry lobbyists may have deep pockets, but they can't talk about health care the same way we can. They don't understand what it's like to live this crisis every day - and to have our family members, our friends, and our neighbors struggling to provide decent care for themselves and their loved ones, too.
We get it and we need to make sure Congress gets it, too. Call your member of Congress right now: 1-866-210-3678

I also received another email request from the Dem's to write a letter to the editor on my personal story on Health Care. I did write another letter but I did not check the box for an Oregon Newspaper, I checked it for the Washington Post and USA TODAY. I did almost immediately get a response from USA TODAY and they thanked me for my letter and told me if they used it they would call first and they receive hundreds of letters each day. (notice the small if)

And; I also received a call to action to contact my Senators regarding the “Public Option” in the Health Plan. I was told by Senator Merkley's office he does support the public option. Senator Wyden's office was a little more vague. As I said in my apology, it appears he does favor a “public Option”. I did tell his office, I have been to HIS plan, published on the web, and I was concerned that I could not find a “Public Option” in it, I guess I just missed it.

I did get an email report on Daniel's visit with Governor Kulongoski. It didn't sound like he was overly impressed, with the Governor, but all those men and women are definitely in need of that soft landing bill. I did email him back and tell him that there will be a new Governor when he and the rest of the “Jane's, and Joe's” get back, due to term limit's, and at least I still think, even as a “short timer” he will do all he can to “cover your backs” and from what I hear there may be a candidate or two running that were also at the muster; hopefully with a memory.
As near as I can figure, all that needs to be done at the State Level (Legislature) is complete. I believe the next brick (pillow) to be placed, is the responsibility of the Federal Government and I believe that it is in the hands of our own Senator Wyden. (a safe place for it right now, I hope) but, as that famous live artist says......GET 'ER DONE. - SOFT LANDING !

OK, what did YOU do for the Guard today. Trina's helping at the Guard, with a houseful of kids and Daniel in the Middle East.

Also, take note; I am not done with my cage rattling on Cody's promised job. I haven't received official notice yet (from his Mom or Dad) (I even forgot to ask his Mom today) but his Grama, Danni,thinks it did come through. I watched the KGW local talking heads show Saturday night and the guest was Governor Gregoire and she was in Vancouver working on “Recovery/Education/and I-5 Bridge stuff” I hope that bodes well for Cody.

I did get a response from the Feds following my inquiry, and I will pick up the questioning when I get back from Montana. I did talk to my sister and I think Cody's summer work program is back on.

You can still take a look now at these critical first steps we've taken together and pass it on for others to see:

http://my.barackobama.com/100days

I did go to Senator Wydens web site and read his comparatives with the current health care system and I will share it here, even though they don't have a “Wally Welder” comparison, I wouldn't like being on the same page as Senator Lieberman anyway, I am still left with some questions. This is a busy time for grass roots Health Care functions; find one and help out.

That KGW talk show last night was interesting , but when they follow up they have an issue response from the “Left” and the “Right”. It appears the only “Right” person available is usually that Rush Limbaugh Clone, Lars Larson; and believe it or not the Left was represented by an editorial writer from the Oregonian! (FAIR AND BALANCED ….................RIGHT)

I also got a call from AARP and when calling any of your Senators please encourage support for the Schummer, Brown amendment to the Health Care bill, they say it is important for prescription costs and helpful to MS patients. I will do more investigation but it was a request from AARP and co-sponsored by Sherrod Brown, who I think is a real star..

So here goes, check it out:

http://wyden.senate.gov/issues/Healthy%20Americans%20Act/HAA_Employee_Examples.pdf

And if you do go, please leave the message........GET “ER DONE - SOFT LANDING

Also; I will be developing another theme for my political section.

Over 50 years ago my uncle “Putt” (Putts Palace), a cabin at the lake and many others developed recreational areas for the use of just regular citizens, and while doing it the protected the environment for future generations. He was not a RADICAL ENVROMENTALIST, he was a retired mechanic with kids that liked fishing. He believed everyone owned the lake and deserved access to the Public Lands and then came the “Summer Homes” at the lake, and now thanks to those “absent owners” it appears they are “buying” (LOBBYING) to price the riff-raff out of their real “cabins”. I am not sure if I'm part of the riff, or part of the raff, but as they yelled out the windows in that old famous movie........”I'm mad as hell, and I'm not taking it any more!”

By the way; You don't have to be a ”wheel” to get heard, just squeek for a while.

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?

SPORTS

Boy, the Mariners sure got stomped again yesterday.............this time it was Felix!

I still think Felix Hernandez is the Cy Young leader right now in the American league, and he has been awesome his last 10+ games, ERA under 1 ½ ., at least until yesterday.

OK; I was definitely chastised by one of my many readers, who I believe to be a Sox fan; He is from Chicago, his first name begins with B and after the stomping Felix took last night, he is definely in the running in the American League.

“Wally,
No mention of the perfect game by Mark Buehrle in the sport section of your blog?”

I still think Carlos Zambrano is the Cy Young leader in the National league.
Chicago with both the N.L. & A.L., has the same city ever had both? But that kid with the Dodgers is still looking pretty good.

Also, now knowing I am related, GO ST. LOUIS, and I would advise all you FFB people drafting RAMS players is probably going to be a good move, even though I don't know Paul that well I do know Patti Ann and Bill are first class motivators.
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COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS

The American Rights at Work still needs help.

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

Here's two, from what I consider the top of the list, the OSBT (Oregon State Building Trades) and the NWOLC (Northwest Oregon Labor Council). Judy O'Connor told me last week she is retiring and Her and Tony are moving to Montana. I have known Judy, and Tony since Lon Immel and Ron Fortune. They taught her well, she learned even better; but I WAS the one to teach her to dance. She will definitely be missed and hard to replace, but whomever does, they will do fine, with aid from everyone.

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS

“GET 'ER DONE” - SOFT LANDING ! And give them back their $40.00!

On my HERO list, my nephew Daniel has taken over now! You should know, it's not just because he is my nephew, or just because he is in the Oregon National Guard, or just because he is fighting the heat in Kuwait/Iraq, I think, as we speak, or even because he is a legacy of past HERO winners.

I also read that an old friend of mine has announced her candidacy for Secretary Treasurer of the National AFL-CIO. I have known her for over 20 years and I must say, the AFL-CIO would be well served with her election. Elizabeth Shuler - you go girl!

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, GLBT 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.
(Dianna, Jim, Maria, Hayden, Kelli and her brother also), don't forget the extra one for Dianna.
And thanks again Francis.

Mike; My “short” blog is over 2500 today, and I'm late posting because of your call and Senator Wydens "Coliliqy" with Senator Bennett, thank you Senator Wyden, I felt like you were talking directly to me, I am now feeling 4-.

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