"WE ARE THE SPINE OF THE NATION", per V.P. Joe Biden

PERSONAL

I awoke today at 6am after 8+hrs of sleep to a 3+. I took my am pills. And put out my flag. I did meet up with a guy that was playing golf with a removable back brace and he said he got it after he had some back problems and he did think it helped his game, maybe I'll try it next time.
The M.S. Walk was great except for that A$$%^& on his bike that ripped off Taylors Balloon. Based on my observations Saturday those that peddle their Bikes are bigger jerks than ANY Cycle (HARLEY etc.) rider I ever met, and I have met quite a few, Are you reading this Earl?

Tomorrow is the Demobilization Ceremony for our Guard Troops at the Chiles Center at the U. of P. and I am ready. Yes that's right they changed the date and the place. I did speak to Daniel this morning and he sounded really good. I did give John M. a call this morning and left him a message, and asked him to ask Senator Wyden if the “Soft Landing Bill” is complete. I also found the opening ceremony of the National Building Trades Conference yesterday on C-Span's website and I have to say that V.P. Joe Biden's opening speech was awesome. I will go back to the website to resume watching. The site is
http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/04/19/HP/A/31963/AFLCIO+Building+and+Construction+Trades+Dept+2010+Legislative+Conference.aspx and I will be watching for the address by Senator Merkley as I think he is scheduled for today.

WELCOME HOME DANIEL! HE IS ACTUALLY IN HIS HOME COUNTY NOW.

I did go to the barber last Wednesday and got a “military” haircut for Daniels Demobilization Ceremony. It's not quite a Gibbs (NCIS) cut but it is short.

Cousin Larry Pahut is running for Justice of the Peace in Deer Lodge County, that would be a picture of his grandfather there on the right, John L. Monahan, L for Larry? .

His sister, Patty Ann Sullivan is his Campaign Manager and we became face book friends. I am going to send him a check and would ask all to give what they can. (campaign H.Q. Are 400 Spruce, Anaconda, Montana 59711)

We have a health care bill and the president signed it before Easter Sunday. The republicans are lining up to take him on, on it. I still believe that it will put an exclamation point on the Easter season with the statement, “I AM MY BROTHERS KEEPER”.

I hope this link works; it will tell you a little about how we in Oregon are effected, you can also check your own state:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/benefitsofreformstate=OR&email=wallymehrens%40netscape.net

God grant that I may live to fish until my dying day, And when it comes to my last cast, I then must humbly pray. When in the Lord's safe landing net I'm peacefully asleep,that in His mercy, I be judged............Good enough to keep.

My daily prayer, is to Mary Mother of God…..”O MostBlessed 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, for nephew Rhyon's safe return from Afghanistan, nephew Christopher who I think is headed for Afghanistan, All those families suffering from that mine disaster in West Virginia, cousin Larry Pahut in his endeavor to become the Deer Lodge County Justice of the Peace; 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.”
Thank You, Mother Mary, for your help and assistance, especially for BRINGING DANIEL HOME SAFELY; and Brandee, whose pregnancy is going well; and now those, NOW covered with Health Care.

I know I have been repeating things, maybe too much, on my blog; but some of this stuff I need to be reminded of and some of this stuff others need to be reminded of.

LDN and AMP REPORT

This is my attempt to keep track of my experiences with my LDN treatment for my Neurologist and his RN. So far with the 4.5mg, I think I'm noticeably better. I am experiencing better days and now that I'm doing the new dosage I am seeing a marked change. I have now been on that brand new FDA approved pill, Aminopyridine, even though I missed a few times, and I am very pleased. It is supposed to be good for “gait” issues, even those with primary progressive. I still have to check up on that new pill (AMPYRA). Judi has given me information on a study going on concerning M.S. Pain, I think I will give them a call. My B.P. is ( 128/78/61) at 11am, I hope it makes my Doctors happy.

POLITICAL

I planned on adding a new section on April 1st for my own comments on personal issues, WELCOME HOME DANIEL!, maybe some Irish issues, Daniel IS Irish? Did you know some of the first victims of the K.K.K. In Oregon were Irish Catholics.

LOCAL

WELCOME HOME DANIEL!

LARRY PAHUT FOR DEER LODGE COUNTY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.

Yes, I am a fan of and supporter of , Tom Margraf for Multnomah County Commission. His experience in getting things done for and with other Elected es and Communities would be an invaluable asset for the County. IT'S TIME FOR TOM !

One of the most consistent elected officials supporting the Columbia River Crossing has been Rex Burkholder, help him out if you can. Send him some help at METRO, in the form of Duke Sheppard. Earl Blumenhauer, has been there for us also and he did look and sound very good on the Big Ed Show. I will get a check off as soon as I can, but first I have to get a replacement balloon for my grand niece; Representative Kurt Schrader, Representative Peter Defazio, I think right now anyway, need to be sent back to congress also.

Don't forget to respond to the census as there are 37 governors elections this year and we can't let them Gerrymander congressional districts and end up like we did in the 90's. Ours is in the mail. One of those 37 is right here in Oregon and I'm sure, keeping a Democrat in the Governors Mansion is Paramount. One that actually believes in JOBS.

The Building Trades did, and I am, endorsing John Kitzhaber for Governor, I am not sure if you caught the news yesterday on the excitement at the Governors Debate in Eugene and the man that had some sort of seizure and Dr. John jumped into his E.R. Mode, when someone yelled from the audience is there a Doctor in the House, and now that Health Care passed congress and having a Dr. in the Governors Mansion it should be an advantage for Oregon. His campaign H.Q. Is over at SE 30th and Division and could use some bodies and supplies. It's also time to get your lawn signs up.

I haven't changed my mind that ALL that health care “controversy” that was being generated was to take the publics mind off of the Employee Free Choice Act, American Rights at Work, “card check” legislation. I do believe passage of the E.F.C.A. might have made quite a difference in that West Virginia, accident. I also heard that that a$$&*$# company owner refused to allow UNION MINORS to try to help.

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 did call and leave John M. a message, as he is at the Legislative Conference and asked him to ask Ron about the soft landing bill. Given the chance, if Ron is at the Demobilization function on the 21st you can be sure I will ask.
WELCOME HOME DANIEL!

Did you know that there were more vets that died last year because they didn't have health care, than died in both the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars? I was really surprised that I didn't hear anyone point that out in the debates that I saw.

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION

WELCOME HOME DANIEL, DO YOU GET TO SLEEP IN YOUR OWN BED TONIGHT?

Hurry home, and be safe Rhyon; Stephanie did hear from him and it sounded like he was doing well.

Larry Roberta, a reclusive Aumsville veteran whose story of health problems from hexavalent chromium exposure in The Oregonian alerted his fellow soldiers, most of whom live between Forest Grove, McMinnville and Gresham. Roberta's testimony before the Oregon Legislature last year helped create a fund for soldiers who develop cancer as a result of this exposure, and if you noticed I now have a follower with the same name. Roberta, 44, has also launched the Web site www.qarmat-ali-vets.com, which includes a logo of an orange ribbon with a skull and crossbones., is the one that all with friends and family in Iraq, should visit.

Check www.LetsSayThanks.com often to read feedback from the troops about the Let's Say Thanks program!

If you have an American Flag please fly it on Wednesday now, the 21st of April as a lot of our Guardsmen and Women will be arriving 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? Did anyone else notice that the health care bill passed at 11:11 am?

SPORTS

Brandon Roy is sure in awesome company for the Trailblazers, in the number of All Star selections and the way he plays. I hope his surgery goes well, because there IS going to be another round for the Blazers, and you heard it here first. I wished the playoffs started already, and they did: FROM PHOENIX -- Andre Miller scored 15 points in the fourth quarter and tied his career playoff high with 31 points as the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers stole home court advantage from Phoenix with a 105-100 victory over the Suns on Sunday night.

It's MLB Time, Hey Chicago, what do ya say, go Cubs go, Cubs gonna win today!

And yes Mark, I will check the Mariners schedule and try to pick a game for us to meet up.

Go Orioles, and Peter have your people keep an eye on that Mehrens kid that should be playing on Jackie Robinson Field down in Pasadena.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES

The M.S. WALK was a resounding success, and I sent in my donation today. If I have time later I will do a special edition on an update on our efforts.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH MONTGOMERY – QUEST INVESTMENTS

Denise Hutzenbieler will be looking for help in June as she is walking in the Epilepsy walk. I will post more on that walk as I get it.

Thank You; Dean and Gloria for your support, and all those wonderful patrons that root for me at Gloriaz there on Sunnyside. Thank you too Barbara O'.

The American Rights at Work still needs help. We must not take our eye off that MAIN issue. E.F.C.A. Especially in light of that mine disaster in West Virginia.

The U.A. Local 290 “Don Salee” Member Assistance Program.

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS
“GET 'ER DONE” - SOFT LANDING ! And give them back their money, and their overdue raise!

WELCOME HOME DANIEL!

Something to Ponder - were you a pessimist when you thought “ it just can't get any worse” or did you just become an optimist?

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.

Mike; My blog is under 5 pages today, I think. I'll see you next time on my blog.

And thank you again all you at Gloriaz; left side of 130th+- and Sunnyside.