WELCOME TO PORTLAND RITA O'HARE

PERSONAL:

I am still putting the “DO NOT PATRONIZE THE VANCOUVER COLUMBIAN NEWSPAPER” information (phone numbers and email addresses) on the front page.

They need to hear our voices: Scott Campbell, Publisher
360-735-4500
scott.campbell@columbian.com
Lou Brancaccio, Editor
360-735-4505
lou.brancaccio@columbian.com
Circulation
360-694-2312
circulation@columbian.com

Be respectful, but tell them why you are contacting them.

Now back to my regular blog:

I awoke this morning at 7am after 9 hours of sleep to a 3 with a little lower back pain, but did awake feeling pretty good, in spite of my busy day yesterday. I went to the meeting at the Convention Center. It was a very good meeting except for my statements at the very beginning. I said I was voting NO and a number of sisters and brothers took that to mean I was voting no on the strike authorization for the negotiating committee, but my intent was to let everyone know I was voting NO on the contractors latest offer. I voted yes for strike authorization, the no I was talking about was the absurd last M.C.A. proposal. I did post my explanation on the Our 290 face book page, and again my deepest apologies. If there are ANY CONTRACTOR PEOPLE READING THIS BLOG I WILL TELL YOU ALL, YOU BASICLY HAVE SUCSEEDED IN UNITING THE 290 MEMBERSHIP. I am not sure when I will be posting today as I have a few more errands to run.

I will say again THANK YOU to my 290 sisters and brothers for keeping my record of attendance to every U.A. Convention I have been eligible for intact ! And I want to thank all for allowing me to perform the Past President duties at the meeting Friday. Don't forget the March for Babies on April 4th in Vancouver for sister Clare Schropshire, as we all know, I will not be able to walk but I will make every attempt to be there in support of her efforts, and I believe my scooter battery will have enough juice to allow for me to at least scoot the route. Join us if you can. I lowered the amount of the birdseed I put on the west deck but the birds aeemed to come anyway.

I did get a text from Mike and he and I did get together today. I will say thank you to cousin Jim for buying brunch after the meeting yesterday. It was really good to see everyone at the meeting. I still haven't received a response from the Governor yet but I did get an email from one of his new hires, one that I consider a good friend, former Clackamas County Chair, Lynn Peterson, I do remember her as a good JOBS person at least at the county.

And I will remind everyone again that good friend Yusef Word is leaving for Guatemala City in a few days now with Americorps and could still use some assistance. Yusuf Word is in Americorps, and trying to get to Guatemala in Central America and spread the GOOD WORD about the U.S.A. (You can help by donating to him at1825 S. Stevens St. Apt. 13 – Tacoma, Washington 98405. Another program on the republican chopping block.

I did get an email from uncle Hank so I'm thinking he is doing better; but I would still ask all to include him in your prayers.

And please don't forget to register at the M.S. Walk Oregon for “WALLY'S WALKERS”, now just 19 days away. THANK YOU LOCAL 290, NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR COUNCIL AND THANK YOU PAUL RIGGS and THE CPBT for YOUR VERY GENEROUS DONATION'S.

I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again for 290 brothers Bob Barnett and Bob Mader, and those suffering from the Earthquake and Sunami's in Japan, so please add them to your prayers also.

** BarnetFor Brother t, Brother Mader, and those suffering in Japan **

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 sister Danni, sister Clare, cousin Mick, uncle Hank, nephew Arron, Kelli's Mom, good friend Ron Wyden, good family friend Pat Percin, brothers Jimmy Judge, and Gerry Bruce, sister Donna 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:

It's still not to late to register and get started with fund raising, donate to a walker (WALLY'S WALKERS), or find out about volunteer opportunities, visit www.walkmsoregon.com.

This is also my attempt to keep track of my experiences with Kaiser Permanente and my Neurologist and his RN. so far with the Ampyra and the 4.5mg LDN, I think I'm noticeably better and it has been noticeable to others also. I also found out at the Union meeting apparently I am not the only one unhappy with Kaiser. I do have to say though, and I even asked my friend Mary about this; How long do you have to wait before people that know you have M.S. quit thinking that all of a sudden you are stupid and you have no memories? My BP is 132/74/65 at 6:45pm today. After I got my last “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 the allowed amount of $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?? When I turned in my latest Lloyd Center Pharmacy receipt it was for my LDN and I did get the the “denial”, and it appeared they were blaming Medicare. I did get the denial and it appears they are now blaming Medicare so I guess we have to kill a few more tree's. I have a full briefcase just of my Kaiser stuff and that doesn’t include the dozens of email's between Kaiser, my Doctor's, Lou and the attorney. I did talk to Lou today while on my errands, just to make sure he haden't turned blue yet, and show him I've not turned blue either, yet. I will remind everyone that I WILL be taking action with Kaiser Member services, if and when I need to. I did sign up for picket duty at the “strike committee” meeting and I volunteered for the east side, not JUST because Kaiser Sunnyside and member services are on the east side and I am very familiar with their locations; having visited them so many time over the last 2-3 years.

POLITICAL:

What: Affordable Care Act anniversary event

Where: The Guild Public House
1101 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214

When: Wednesday, March 23rd
4:30 pm

Senator Wyden will be spending the March recess at town hall meetings across the state – please spread the word and encourage folks to attend.

Tuesday, March 22: Deschutes County: 9:30am, Bend Senior Center (1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend)

Crook County: 3pm, Soroptomist Senior Center (180 NE Belknap St., Prineville

Wednesday, March 23: Lake County: 2pm, Lake County Senior Center (11 North G St., Lakeview)

Thursday, March 24: Josephine County: 2:30pm, Rogue Community College, Rogue Auditorium (3345 Redwood Hwy., Grants Pass)

DON'T FORGET THE NWOLC BREAKFAST WITH CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER – RSVP 503-235-9444.

Another issue that concerns me with this NEW congress is the “SPENDING CUTS” they are considering, and it seems at the TOP of the list is “entitlement” spending. One of the talking heads shows said entitlement spending (social security, Medicare?) makes up for 84% of federal spending, does that mean that the D.O.D. Budget with 2+ wars, and interest on the current National Debt only accounts for 16%. I do think they may have it backwards. I have a question for my republican friends; When I put my money in the bank and then draw it out, do YOU consider that an entitlement? HMMMN?? I also received an email to sign on a petition for a new Constitutional Amendment that would require Congress to live under the same laws they pass for the rest of us; I signed on to the petition immediately. MY MOST IMPORTANT SECTION!!

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION:

A PROGRAM THAT IS ALSO LOOKING FOR HELP: LETS BRING EM HOME !!

http://www.lbeh.org/

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden addressed the National Governors' Association and talked about their initiative to support America's military families, and believe me; they need it.

Don't forget to say THANK YOU, to all those servicemen and women who have served or are serving.

NEPHEW CHRISTOPHER IS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN, Due back stateside next month but; IT APPEARS THAT NEPHEW RHYON WILL BE HEADED BACK IN MAY, but Stephanie heard from him and he is in Southern California training now, so a prayer a day for both, from all my readers would sure make me feel better.

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.

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OREGON MILITARY SUPPORT NETWORK.

Friends and Supporters, OMSN was notified by the IRS that the organization has been awarded a 501 c 3 status . This is a great moment for our Oregon Military Support Network we now will be able too grow and be fully recognized as a tax deductible organization. This our opportunity to see and show how OMSN can have and show how we can impact a Veterans reintegration to there family and civilian life.
THANK'S TO ALL OF YOU WHO MADE THIS POSSIABLE. Glenn Shuck VP OMSN .

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?

AOH REPORT:

I received my latest AOH NEWSPAPER and I want to congratulate the Anaconda, Montana AOH Division 1 on their 125th anniversary and point out that the Montana State President, Tom Pahut, is my cousin and the Division 1 brothers carrying the AOH banner on the first page of my blog are direct decedents of my Grandfather, also pictured on the first page “John L. Monahan”. And I did tell cousin Jim he should have been there and that it was the AOH that Built St. Francis Church in SE Portland. (interesting factoid; That was the church that my #2 W.O.W. Woman, who accompanied Judi and I on our trip to Ireland; attended and was married in; Dianna PAULEY McCoy.) I have found out that the first Monahan that showed up on any U. S. past history was an Ann Monahan who arrived in New York on April 5, 1848 aboard the ship “Waterloo,” at the time of the famine.

I also want to report that Uncle Hank has returned from the hospital and emailed me and I understand he is doing better, all prayers are still appreciated.

While the Montana AOH received a Governors Proclamation with a 3 day celebration on their 125th anniversary; Our City Council will be doing a very good proclamation and I do plan to make that Council meeting. Now I still have to find an appropriate frame, and as I uderstand it the picture should be in the next issue of the AOH Newspaper. I also received word that the reception for Rita Ohare may not happen on the 24th but the dinner on the 25th is still a go. I also checked the Monahan Family name History I got while I was in D.C. a few years ago and I don't know how I missed it but I did see where, when the name ( O Manachain) whose descendants name came from the Gaelic manach; meaning Monk, and also included the famous Warrior of Connacht from the 9th century. Thank You Ann Monahan for you bravery. And I hope you noticed (and I was actually successful) in listing Ann to my Hero List.

I also received some information from the National AOH regarding a “Hugely Important” Book written by father Sean McManus regarding his 30+ years fighting for justice in Northern Ireland from his Washington D.C. office (we hope to put together a direct link for all interested) and it also lists his congressional friends in this 112th Congress; an impressive list indeed. Ranging from conservative republicans like Peter King of R-N.Y (which makes me wonder what he possible could be thinking right now with his Committee hearings on un-american Muslims?) to Barney Frank D-MA, I still think we need a few OREGONIANS on Father McManus's “Congressional Friends” list. We must never forget the Ballymurphy Massacre of 1971, (40 years searching for justice) and we need to realize along with a number of Irish Catholic's, including a priest, that were assassinated that day there were also a number of Northern Irish Protestants. This battle for justice that is being waged here in the U.S.A. by father McManus is also being waged in Belfast Northern Ireland by a heroic Belfast protestant named Raymond McCord Sr., whose son was also assassinated. His Book will soon be available on Amazon and I am going to try to get a direct link with the help of wife Judith; our own personal Amazon book distributor. You also might be interested to know that the book launch and a book signing will be held at the Phoenix Park Hotel on May Day in Washington D.C.; a hotel I have been to many times as it is above one of my favorite D.C. Drinking establishments in Washington; THE DUBLINER !! (which I have always considered KELL'S EAST.) I did get to Portland City Hall for the reading of the Unite Ireland Resolution by Commissioner Randy Leonard, and Mayor Sam Adams and many AOH brothers including Brother Finn at the kick off the Portland Irish Festival along with a wonderful performance from the Molly Malone Irish Dancers, I did get a few phone pictures and believe it or not, there was a young lady dancing that could have been mistaken for Maurge Delaney. Brother David O's two sons were in the performance and were also wonderful, and it being Saint Patrick's Day I had to head over to “The Dubliner West” for my annual trek.

SPORTS:

Am I the only one that thought the Blazers got homered last night?

I did see where the Oregon M.S. Chapter is putting together a fund raiser game with the Blazers.

I also received an offer from the Portland Timbers and they are offering partial season tickets at a very reasonable price and I am going to pick one of the packages for brother Mike and I.

Lets get some nice golf weather so I can get out and practice. PLEEEASE !!

I am sure glad the baseball pre-season is here. Go Cubs Gooo; hey Chicago, what da ya say, Cubs gonna win today? Mariners appear to be improved also.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

You still have time, donate to a walker, “WALLY'S WALKERS”, or find out about volunteer opportunities, at www.walkmsoregon.com. Thank You, Ed and Luanne Barnes, Lynn Lehrbach and Lori Vaughn for getting me started. AND ALSO THE MEMBERS of LOCAL 290, THE NORTHWEST OREGON LABOR COUNCIL, AND BROTHER PAUL RIGGS AND THE CPBT FOR THEIR VERY GENEROUS DONATIONS.

I found the updated 2011 BULL SESSION website. ( http://www.bullsessioncharity.com ) I haven't gone there yet myself, but I did get their 2011 letter and booklet. REMEMBER – IT'S FOR THE KIDS ! THANK YOU JIM ! AND THANK YOU ALSO TO THE MEMBERS OF LOCAL 290 FOR YOUR VERY GENEROUS DONATION. ALL HELP APPRECIATED.

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 the ongoing protests in Wisconsin, and the mine disaster in West Virginia and those Rig explosions in the Gulf. I do think that both Senator Robert Byrd and Paul Wellstone are rolling over in their graves. And based on what I have been hearing the Republican's have Organized Labor directly in their cross hairs at least for the next 2 years.

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

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

I did get my new supply of “Business Cards” from Hollywood Impress and here is the link for all you Politico's that need a “BUG” on your STUFF. www.himpress.com I have used them for decades and they have ALWAYS met my needs. I am promoting them; not selling for them.


MICK, BOB, RON, JIM 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.

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 7 pages, and over 3,300 words today, I think.