PRESIDENT OBAMA BEATS RONALD REAGON IN POPULARITY AND ECONOMY AT THIS POINT IN HIS PRESIDENCY; YEAH

PERSONAL:

I awoke this morning at 7am today to a 3 after 9+ hours of sleep. I checked the south deck and it was 40+ degrees and raining and blowing. I took my am pills and did not put out my flag because there was a little wind again then checked the bird seed on the west deck. There was some left from yesterday but I put out 3 more cups and heard the geese cross over. I missed posting yesterday because I took Judi to the Dr. and then we went to lunch at the Farmhouse. Even though it was MLK Day I noticed that John Mohlis was at work when we went by so I called and invited him to lunch. He had been to the annual MLK Breakfast at the Convention Center so he didn't come over for breakfast but he did stop by for a few minutes which was nice. I am not sure when I will be posting as I am going to try to make the CPBT meeting and I just heard from Dr. Finley and my mineral supplements are in and he will be gone until next Monday so I did get by today and I plan to make the AOH meeting tonight at Kells, busy, busy, busy. I also need to get my Kaiser leaflet made, as I have decided to leaflet Kaiser instead of picket. I am back now (3:45pm) and I will repeat the information I got from the negotiation informational meeting at the Convention Center. It was very well attended and while I did get there late, there was lots of good discussion and ideas presented. I will post my thoughts in the “OTHER STUFF” section. I did make an M.S. Pitch at the CPBT and thank you ED, LYNN, and LORI, and thank you too SUZANNE. A few less bottles and cans to pick up now. Judi checked our M.S. Walk page on the face book invite page and saw we had at least 11 committed to walk, and thats without many of the regulars. Don't forget to register at the M.S. Walk Oregon for “WALLY'S WALKERS”. I am posting late today as I have been busy, busy, busy. I watched President Obama at the Tuscon memorial and He was spectacular, and they are saying (The Talking Heads) that he is MORE POPULAR and the ECONOMY is in better shape than Ronald Reagon was at this time on his Presidency. I haven't changed my mind about those that have earned a very low esteem in my opinion, but because of my respect for both the President and John Kerry I am still going to tone down my rhetoric.

I did hear from Mike Schauffler (STAR) while I was at the informational meeting and spoke with him about my concerns with the PWR committee appointments. I need to send him some more information on my concerns. I also understand that good friend Bob Shiprack is looking for an appointment for Metro, so the health concerns I have been expressing for him are definitely outdated. The Trimet drivers are also having trouble with the Trimet board. It sounds like they are going to need another informational picket at their next board meeting and it sounds like the Trimet office is not too far from Kaisers main office, so maybe I can help them and they may help me. I want to remind everyone about the Longshore Workers and that the Oregon and Washington Workers Compensation system NEEDS a little revamping.

It seems ironic to me that the #1 issue for Republicans for the next two years is Health Care repeal and they will immediately take it up when they actually get back to work. I am still clearing much from my blog. You will have to go back to a previous blogs to find that “special” report you really like. I am still preparing for my New Years Resolutions, I have started the stop smoking pills, 2 days so far so Saturday is to be my official quit day; I sure hope you are all rooting for me.

Don't forget to say THANK YOU, to all those servicemen and women who have served or are serving. Christopher is back in Afghanistan and I understand nephew Rhyon is heading back there in May, but we did see him, and hope to again before he leaves. So a prayer a day for them from all my readers would sure make me feel better.

I guess I will find out tonight from, my AOH brothers to find out if the AOH Memorial is at the Catholic cemetery there next to the entrance of Willamette National. I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again for Andrew McVey's Mother, Bill Gallagher's Father, 290 brothers Dick Coyle, C.W. Misenheimer, and the families of the Tucson shootings so please add them to your prayers also.

** For Brother's Andrew's, Bill's, Dick's, C.W.'s and the Tuscon families **

Prayer to St. Jude for Eternal Life
You are my solace, St. Jude, in the face of loss and sorrow. I pray that you will guide my heart away from the darkness of fear and into the light of Christ. May the hope that St. Jude keeps alive in my heart be a source of comfort to all those who grieve. For in that hope, we know God's mercy, and we trust God's promise of eternal life. My soul longs for the fullness of life, which is only to be revealed when I meet my Maker in heaven. Stay by my side, St. Jude, so that my soul will always know the power of your healing love. Amen.

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 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. For cousin Mick, nephew Arron, Kelli's Mom, good friend Ron Wyden, good family friend Pat Percin, and those who are having health issues; protecting Christopher and Rhyon 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 know I have been repeating things, apparently 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.

KAISER AND M.S. REPORT:

The M.S. Walk is scheduled for Saturday April 9th here in Portland and I hope everyone can participate($) in some form or another.

Thank you for your participation in Walk MS. Last year, we raised $588,000 and had more than 5,000 walkers across 10 sites in Oregon and SW Washington. Those funds were crucial to expanding many of the programs and services that the Oregon Chapter aims to provide for its clients each year.
To build on this positive momentum, we invite you to participate in Walk MS 2011. To register and get started with fundraising, donate to a walker (WALLY'S WALKERS), or find out about volunteer opportunities, visit www.walkmsoregon.com. Some of our Walk sites have new locations and new names, so grab a friend, come see what’s new this year, and continue your support! In 2011, we set our sights even higher, and hope to engage over 5,500 walkers and raise more than $623,000 to continue supporting vital programs and services for the over 7,200 individuals living with MS in Oregon and SW Washington.

This is also my attempt to keep track of my experiences with Kaiser Permanente and my LDN treatment for my Neurologist and his RN. So far with the 4.5mg, I think I'm noticeably better, I have changed the LDN to coincide with my noon regimen and I am experiencing better days now that I'm doing the L.D.N., at noon, and I have started that brand new FDA approved pill, Ampyra and unless they screw it up it (apparently they didn't) is only supposed to be a $20 copay. My BP is 117/72/62 at 14:10pm. After I got an “explanation of benefits” this is not a bill but in the billed amount was $84.10 ( exactly the LDN amount) in the next column was allowed amount was $84.10, the member responsibility was 0.00, Kaiser paid 0.00; if the member responsibility was 0.00 WHY DID IT COST ME $84.10?? I did see trustee Lou Christian yesterday and in passing I did ask him where was my money, He responded by asking me if I had heard from the Trust attorney?

POLITICAL:

I hope you noticed the changes in my blog. The following is one reason, Tuscon !!

www.credo.com has a petition to tell the republicans in congress, who HAVE government health care to give it up if they are so bent on taking it away from the 30+ million AMERICANS now covered under the new Health Care Law. It appears that shooting in Arizona was related to the new health care law.

I did post the accomplishments for the Presidents 1st 2 years and I did try to list them all; I just wish that E.F.C.A. was one. I know it is a long time still until the 2012 elections, and I'm probably not the first, but I will say right here that; President Obama deserves and has earned his second term, especially after that healing speech in Tuscon.

CHECK OUT PAST BLOGS FOR THE Top 5 Social Security Myths. I have stopped listing so I will save space.

MY MOST IMPORTANT SECTION!!

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION:

A NEW PROGRAM THAT IS LOOKING FOR HELP: LETS BRING EM HOME
http://www.lbeh.org/

NEPHEW CHRISTOPHER IS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN, DAMN AND IT APPEARS THAT NEPHEW RHYON WILL BE HEADED BACK.

ONE RIBBON STILL UP, FOR CHRISTOPHER, AND WHEN RHYON GETS REDEPLOYED, HIS RIBBON WILL GO BACK UP.

DON'T FORGET, THE SOFT LANDING BILL, and thank you SENATOR PATTY MURRAY and CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER for helping with it.

If you are flying the American Flag, please keep flying it until ALL our Troops return 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, I am sure glad that the Blazers didn't move Marcus Camby, he and Wesley Mathews are still looking GOOD.

I did get this off to Giz and he did pass it along:
Mr. Angelos, sir, I hope you have had your people keep an eye on that Mehrens kid, that played fall ball for the S. Cal Rangers, I have been trying to follow his progress on line and he definitely has the right stuff; based on what I've read he will be making a wonderful closer. I spoke, “lectured” him and I am working hard on my next “lecture”!! I must have scared him off because I think he already headed south.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

Lets get started with fundraising, donate to a walker, “WALLY'S WALKERS”, or find out about volunteer opportunities, visit www.walkmsoregon.com.

I did get the 2010 BULL SESSION program and results in the mail, and it sure was well done, Thanks Tim. And I think I misspoke before, because after rechecking our total for 20 years it was actually $4 million. I did talk to Jim Moss and he will try to get their website to accept partial payments;I haven't checked yet but I did get a facebook notice that Ed Ellis is now my face book friend. Jim did say that the individual entry would be the same rate as last year for the Unions and members. THANK YOU JIM ! AND THANK YOU ALSO TO THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL 290 FOR YOUR VERY GENEROUS DONATION.

I did get another update from Molly Smithson on her “playing for others” program and it is still ongoing also. And Judi got a nice call from Maria and it appears everyone is doing very well.

The planning for the 2011 Hood to Coast in August has started already and Judi has signed up for the walk part, and we are recruiting for the 2011 M.S. Walk which is in April. ALL HELP APPRECIATED.

HERE IS THE LINK FOR MY CHOICE FOR THE AOH CHARITY; and it does appear it is garnering more support:

http://www.marthamaryministries.org/

HELP THE KOMEN RUN/WALK – www.5.komen.org/findarace.aspx
The American Rights at Work still needs help. We must not take our eye off that MAIN issue, our two Senators haven't; E.F.C.A. It is very disappointing that it was not lame duck accomplishment, especially in light of that mine disaster in West Virginia and those Rig explosions in the Gulf. I watched the commission on the B.P. Disaster and, from here, it looks like the beginning of a cover up, and based on what I have been hearing the Republican's have Organized Labor directly in their cross hairs for the next 2 years.

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

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

OK, here are my thoughts and suggestions based on the informational meeting Saturday. It was apparent to me that the contractors really want a new Drug program and the “excellence” program. And I think I agree with Buddy that a one year contract would be the most beneficial. 2011 looks like it will be a very good year work wise. If the contractors REALLY want a new “Drug Testing” program and the “excellence” program. If the Negotiating committee wants to get off the cycle of contract negotiations coinciding with the Local Union Elections, it seems to me a 1 year agreement would give both parties a year to shake out the bugs of those 2 “NEW” programs and see if they are really effective and a new contract may be easier to negotiate when both Republicans and Democrats are jockeying for the 2012 elections and we are strongly into the Intel expansion, hopefully the PCC and Portland Public Schools Project Labor Agreements.

MICK, BOB , RON and CHRISTOPHER, stay positive and we will meet on the golf course (but I'm not sure if Ron even Plays) but I will take it easy on all of you. I also talked to good friend Scott Gardner and he wants to get together for some golf. I also heard from good friend and brother Joe McCarthy and he is going in for surgery on his rotator cuff, but as soon as he is well we will get out also.

THANK YOU RITA FOR THAT WONDERFUL PHOTO, AND THANK YOU BOBBIE FOR POSTING IT !!
May love and laughter light your days
And warm your heart and homes
May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures
May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours

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 5 pages, and over 2,600 words today, I think.