IRONWORKERS RULE !!

PERSONAL & PROPAGANDA:

I am still putting the “DO NOT PATRONIZE THE VANCOUVER COLUMBIAN NEWSPAPER” information (phone numbers and email addresses) here at the beginning.

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 slept in this morning until 9am and awoke to a 3-, with slight back pain, and took my am pills and put out my flag. I did get a visit from 2 humming birds on the west deck, which was very nice, but it appears that it has been regularly visited while I was gone; as it supply of sugar water is down to half. I am now recovering from the O.S.B.T. Convention which has kept me from posting for the last 5 days. The Convention was wonderful at Salishan and the weather was great, I played in the golf tournament and never fell once, thanks to my teammates 2 Ironworkers and an electrician; although it did wear me out but I did do my M.S. dance on the 18th green; but my teammates did not let me go down (IRONWORKERS RULE). I also was disappointed that they did not take action in the Congressional race (district 1), I really don't think it wise to sit on the fence, everyone did miss Judi but she is doing the Hood to coast walk and will not be home until tomorrow. I also heard that Jefferson Smith thew his hat into the ring for Portland Mayor, his record in Salem I've been told, was not so good for the B.T., but I do believe I have his email and did learn more at the B.T. Convention. Randy is leaving on vacation to Hawaii with his 12 year old son for a well earned vacation. I also was invited to a gathering for Mary Nolan at Chuck Duffy's house and will definitely try to make it. I also found out that Keith Wright is retiring and Judi and I were the first to sign up for his retirement party. Again this is worth repeating, Mary Nolan has put her hat in the ring for the Amanda Fritz position on the City Council and based on my experience with her Mary is another candidate that deserves our support, Chuck Duffy is doing a meet and greet fundraiser at his house in September and Judi and I both will try to attend, it is the day after the BULL Session Golf; and I sure hope that doesn't drain me. I am looking forward to the Convention edition of the U.A. Journal to see if they have that family picture, of all the Mehrens family delegates at the convention; I think adding International Representative Jim Moss might make a difference on whether it gets published in the Journal.

I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again for good friend and brother Portland City commissioner Randy Leonard, the Jan Brasee family, and the Bill Goetsch family and all our 290 brothers and sisters that have come before us and built Our 290 into the organization I am so proud to have been a member of, for almost 40 years.

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.

**** 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, nephew Daniel, sister Clare, cousin Mick, uncle Hank, nephew Aaron, Kelli's Mom, good friends Ron Wyden and Pat O'baby, good family friend Pat Percin, Gerry Bruce, who has been declared cancer free, sister Donna, The Bill Goetsche, the Commissioner Leonard and the Brasee families, 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 still 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:

Saving space so I will just report I am still waiting for the “reimbursement's” for the amount above my regular co-payment, and Kaiser not only ignores its members, its customers, but the government; so my picketing continues and it at least has been getting positive responses while picketing at their building on MLK blvd, and that Red Robin, and their employees; across the street have been very supportive.

My B.P today is 124/80/71 at 11:30am, OK; considering the running I've been doing.

POLITICAL:

BRAD WITT FOR CONGRESS IN THE 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. (www.witt for congress.com) HELP IF YOU CAN.

From someone who understands !

Entitlement YOUR ass , I paid cash for my social security insurance!!!! Just because THEY "borrowed" the money , doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout !! Congressional benefits: aka. "free" healthcare , outrageous retirement packages , 67 paid holidays , three weeks paid vacation , unlimited paid sick days , now that's welfare , and they have the nerve to call my retirement entitlements.

TOM NOVICK AND MARY NOLAN ARE MY PICKS FOR PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL. MARY NOLAN, FOR ONE REASON, I AM FARTHER ALONG IN THE FATHER McMANUS BOOK AND I HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE AMANDA FRITZ ANIMOSITY AGAINST THE IRISH, AND I HOPE TO CONTACT JEFFERSON SMITH THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU JEFF, AT LEAST YOU GOT THE DEFICIT BILL RIGHT BUT EARL YOU DID GET THE TRANS CANADA PIPELINE WRONG MAY COST MANY MOREJOBS IN OREGON TRYING TO BUILD THAT NATURAL GAS EXPORT FACILITY RIGHT HER IN OREGON “IT'S ABOUT JOBS”, AND YES; IT IS TIME TO BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME. MR. PRESIDENT, ARE YOU LISTENING ?

GOOD LUCK KURT SCHRADER, YOU MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT TO CATCH THE ATTENTION OF (“BUSH'S BRAIN”) CARL ROVE; GO GET 'EM KURT !!

GOOD LUCK MARTHA SCHRADER ON YOUR RUN FOR THE CLACKAMAS COUNTY COMMISSION.

MY MOST IMPORTANT SECTION STILL:

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION:

HERE IS A PROGRAM THAT IS ALSO LOOKING FOR HELP:! I AM STARTING TO RUN SHORT OF YELLOW RIBBON !!

http://www.lbeh.org/

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

NEPHEW RHYON IS BACK IN AFGHANISTAN, AND NEPHEW CHRISTOPHER IS BACK ON BASE IN S. CALIFORNIA, BUT I DID HEAR HE BROKE HIS LEG; BUT THE PRESIDENT DID SAY HE WOULD BEGIN DRAWING DOWN TROOPS SOON. But a prayer a day from all my readers would still make me feel better.

LETS BRING EM HOME, NOW !!

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OREGON MILITARY SUPPORT NETWORK, AND THANK YOU MY 290 BROTHERS AND SISTERS FOR YOU HELP.

Joining Forces: As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to America's military families, the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden launched their Joining Forces initiative, which will bring together all sectors of American society to lend a hand to military families, I have seen a few of their adds and they were very well done.

If you are flying the American Flag, please keep flying it until ALL our Troops return home, soon I hope as I am running out of yellow ribbon.

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:

Not much new to report on the “Unite Ireland” issue, but I will report that cousin Bob has a new daughter and I'm sure cousin brother Tom M. must be pleased with her name, and the little gift I got from MONTANA AOH cousin Bob and gave to him at our meeting. Cousin Dan is writing a book on the Monahan and Mehren's families and Judi did build me a Mehrens and Monahan blog, that is up now. I know, new great Aunt Bobbie is elated also, and brother Tom was already aware we are related. And yes MR. PRESIDENT I will invite all I can to that City council Meeting in September, and yes Chuck; Judi and I will make every attempt to make you Mary Nolan gathering September 14th. I did get our new Assistant to the U.A General President to sign the Father Sean book and had a wonderful conversation with his mother at the convention. I still haven't got the names down for that 15 year AOH picture yet. I sure hope Chuck gets a great turnout for that Mary Nolan function. The Portland AOH face book page is up and does look good; so now others can find out we exist and I made many friend suggestions and I do hope they can post the 15year anniversary picture, WITH NAMES. We will next be meeting in September at City Hall and we will have a special guest and display that I am looking forward to seeing.

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). 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. I have received Father McManus's book and it was signed by our New Assistant G.P., but AOH President Bill want's to save passages for the September meeting for our visit with the “Hunger Strikers' and that works for me, I have read even more of it and I am beginning to understand the commissioner Fritz Animosity. I did send Father McManus a check to join his efforts and he sent me a thank you and I am now a Congressional friend of Father McManus.

SPORTS:

I did see that the Portland Timbers are selling individual tickets, and maybe we (AOH) can get an “Irish Appreciation Night fundraiser at Jeld Wen field? They are at very reasonable prices.

I seems like the weather finally made up it's mind on whether summer is here and I hope to have some golf, and PICKETING weather.

My baseball reports will be limited to, the Mariners, of the AL W, the Orioles, of the AL East; and it IS next year for the Cubs, I am also taping the L.L. World Series at noon and obviously rooting for Billings, Montana.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

WE DID THE BULL SESSION DRAWING AT THE AUGUST UNION MEETING AND GUESS WHAT; I WON ONE OF THE SPOTS. REMEMBER – IT'S FOR THE KIDS ! THANK YOU JIM, AND I DID GET MY JUNE “INSTALMENT” IN THE MAIL, AND I HOPE JIM TOLD ED ELLIS THAT INSTALLMENT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DONATION; PREFERABLY FOR WHEEL'S TO WALK AND I HOPE HE KNOWS I CANNOT MAKE THE AUCTION/DINNER AND MUST HAVE AN AFTERNOON START. BUT JUST FOR THE GOLF ! 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; now more than ever. We must not take our eye off that MAIN issue, our two Senators haven't; E.F.C.A. And based on what I have been seeing and hearing, the Republicans 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.

LOCAL UNION REPORT:

THE 290 WEBSITE IS REALLY HEATING UP POLITICALLY AND I HAVE RECIEVED MANY COMMENTS ON MY 290 POST, AND I WAS ALSO CHASTISED BY BUSINESS MANAGER ENDICOTT FOR JUST PICKING ON LOU FOR MY ISSUES WITH KAISER, AFTER ALL HE WAS JUST ONE OF 8 SITTING ON THE TRUST, let's see 8 trustee's, 4 labor 4 management (I think anyway), John is not running but Lou is.

I did post this on the “our 290” site, and I haven't changed my mind one bit.

Al Schropshire contacted me and asked to put my endorsement for Business Manager on his election web page, I told him I would be honored and he gave me one of his fliers at the last union meeting; WELL DONE. I am more convinced than ever he is the right person for the job. His statement to me that he was running for the membership, not running AGAINST LOU, showed me a lot of class.

I did get to vote on the winning side for General President at the convention and I think that was only the second or third time I was on the winning side. The “Hite Alliance” won handily.

Thanks for your generous support of The Oregon Military Support Network. I did speak to the General President about our concerns regarding Harder Mechanical use of “Craig’s List” and other scams to recruit workers, I believe it is in direct violation of their Local and National agreements.

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS; JIM AND FRANCES ON YOUR NUPTUALS. DIOS LOS BENDIGA, SALUD !! I REALLY HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING GREECE.

I did get my new supply of “Business Cards” from Hollywood Impress and here is the link for all you Politico's that are in need of a “BUG” on your STUFF. www.himpress.com I have used them for decades and they have ALWAYS met my needs, and I picked up 200 “RAT PATROL” buttons yesterday. I am promoting them; not selling for them.

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.

Bobbie, my blog is over 5 pages and over 2,500 words plus or minus.