AUGUST FIRST - MAJOR CHANGES ?

PERSONAL

I awoke this morning at 6am to a 2+ after 8+ hours of sleep. And a sunny morning, with VERY HOT projected again today, but it was just over 60 on the east deck at 6:30am. I took my am pills, put out my flag and settled in for some chair massages and turned on my TV. The House of Representatives was doing 1 minute speeches, the Senate had just got started and I'll report more later, under the political section.

While the 26th was my final repeat report on the - The “Monahan” / Pahut / Mehrens / Roche / Sullivan / Lemelin / Lovell Family gathering, I only bring it up again because I got a phone call wishing me a happy B.D. From both Cousin Joe and Cousin Bill. While it won't be part of the “official” reunion, I do believe cousin Billy's trip, he left yesterday , will reawaken the festivities, although he did miss the “official” reunion, there was another Francis that took good stead for him and I hope he has a good, safe trip. He also said, when he turned north at the town of Umatilla, he would wave to the east and see if the the donations I left in charge of the Umatilla Tribe at Pendleton were being used wisely.

Thanks to Nephew Daniels (Dannette's youngest) wife Trina, Judi and I both got to get a video phone call (skype.com) from Daniel in Iraq yesterday. He looked good and it was really special.

Did you know they are charging our soldiers for this access? That's criminal as far as I'm concerned.

And, while I did miss any mention of my uncle Sandy, numerous times, on my Montana trip, and I should have mentioned him before now, I guess he just hid in one of those holes in my brain, I am sorry. I think Billy said he was going to try to stop in Helena on his trip to see Peg and Billy Joe, maybe he will be lucky enough to see Sandy.

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 the last few days, and even though we stayed at “Gregson Hot Springs”, now called Fairmont Resort, I did not take advantage of those natural hot spring waters.

Again, I will say thank you, to all those who joined my request for prayers for me, all my friends, 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.

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

I have decided to at least try to 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 also planned to partake in a keno tournament on the way back home at Spirit Mountain, but when I made the reservation I asked for a handicap, smoking room, which, it has been pointed out to me, was very rude, because I asked for a smoking room. After it was pointed out to me how rude I was being, especially concerning smoking, It got me to thinking about rudeness. Since I got my scooter I thought I had become more aware of rudeness, especially people that do not notice me in my scooter trying to get past them. I have no excuse for being rude myself, even with my M.S.. So to all those that I have been rude to, I apologize, especially my wife, who is a non-smoker, and those I have directed smart-a$$ comments at. It is not really humor and I WILL try to think more before I speak or act. I will also check today on a non-smoking handicap room. These days of 100 degree plus weather have got me down less than a ½ a pack a day as I am still only smoking outside, and as I check my “butts” when I empty my ash trays I've noticed them getting longer, I still have some Wellbutrin so maybe this trip would be a good time to try that again.

I did notice those TV Health Care ads in Montana and I hope Max Baucus has been noticing them also.
I am thinking the new Health Care ads targeting Senator Baucus may get his attention.

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, 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.
Her GOOD friend ( mine too ) Mary is Jewish, I think she also believes she has ancestors that were witches, and while my/our prayer is to “Mary Mother of God, Jesus”; and while they both were Jewish, and Mary Mother of Michael, is also doing good things for our friend Dianna, this is just one of those coincidences that makes one go Hmmm.

POLITICAL

I did see Oregon Representative Kurt Schrader this morning during the 1 minute speeches, it was my first time seeing him up there, and his was on the recovery dollars reaching his district. As a retired Building Trades Representative, I did appreciate his “theme” and comments.

As I “go to press”, I am watching Senator Boxer (D-Cal.) and Senator Durbin (D-Il.) tag team Senator Vitter (R-Loui.) over a proposed amendment he is offering and it really is not a fair (fight)....debate.

I did get my second zero's list inductee, up on page one, who I put in first place on my main page, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama. Even though it wasn't that Price Representative guy from Georgia, I am sure he will make the list 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 now #2; I'm still 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 watched the Judiciary Committee take their vote on the Presidents Supreme Court Nominee (13-6) and I am really mad; Republican Senator Lindsey Graham gave a wonderful speech and is supporting the Presidents Supreme Court 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 (new #1, but just barely) 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.

Trina did stop bye and showed us how to set up an Internet program (skype.com) to be able to connect with Daniel, and Christopher directly. She was 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.

You would think after nicking our Men and Women in the Guard $65.00 a month for internet access they could at least provide even a little gas money to their volunteers. HINT,HINT,HINT

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 “Guarantee Choice”, a “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.

It appears and it is being reported that action on the Presidents Health Care Plan will not be done before the August recess. And Thanks to “Big” Ed Shultz, I hope more people understand “Health Insurance Reform” is not “Health Care Reform.”

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 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, in his mailer 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.
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. Daniel's wife Trina is helping, with a houseful of kids and Daniel in the Middle East.

It's official, Trina did say Cody's job came through, so that cage rattling is over. But still sooooo many cages left!

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.

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, Senator Browns floor speech today was great, 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, for Senator Wydens Plan, 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.

By the way; You don't have to be a ”wheel” to get heard, just squeak 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?

SAVE PUTTS PALACE

Over 50 years ago my uncle “Putt” built a cabin at Georgetown Lake in Montana, (Putts Palace). His cabin at the lake and many others like it developed recreational areas for the use of just regular citizens. And while doing this they protected the environment for future generations. He was not a RADICAL ENVROMENTALIST, he was just a mechanic, aND A Pearl Harbor Survivor with kids that liked fishing and boating.
He believed everyone owned the lake and deserved access to these 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!”

SPORTS

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 . before his last outing anyway; but the Mariners should be getting their regulars back before long and whatever you do; don't tell anyone from Anaconda that that Butte catcher is really good, you will for sure catch heck.

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.

ADMONISHMENT:

“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 but I do know Patti Ann and Bill are first class motivators.

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!
So it wasn't bad enough our Men and Women in the Guard got nicked $40.00 before they shipped out NOW they have to pay $65.00 a month for internet access. RON....JEFF.....EARL....DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT !

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, serving in Iraq, and I'm sure he will be there for a while longer.

Thanks to his wife Trina, I just finished a video/phone call with him and it was awesome. I did attempt to snap a picture as we said good bye and I will try to post it if I was successful.

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 a long time 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 (both of you)

Mike; My “short” blog is over 3,000 today, but; thanks to Trina and Dan, I am feeling 4+ and it's under 80 degrees on the south deck even, of course it's not even 9am, and where are those promised changes in my blog? August 1st, maybe?

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