GREAT DAY FOR A PICNIC

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 10am and awoke to a 3, with hip pain on my right hip, thanks to that heating pad Judi got me for my birthday, my left hip was fine. Then and took my am pills. I did a little investigating on why so many people I admire had “support Amanda Fritz” stickers at the Labor day picnic and I found out the reasons, apparently she was considered one of those “Job Killing Politicians” many of us from the building trades have been have been ranting about. I am still going to the Chuck Duffy meet and greet, but I will also let her know, not to expect much support from the building trades in her race. I did make the Local picnic yesterday and saw a lot of brothers I haven't seen in a long time. I didn't win anything at the bingo but I did win a cool shirt in the member drawing. I also missed the
Al Shropshire 50/50 raffle but I'm sure I would have received a call from him or Clare if I was a winner, I did get Clare's phone number finally today from Judi and put it in my phone, and Judi did get to talk to her about Stephanie and the apprenticeship. I also got two CD's on the Internationals “V.I.P. Program that should be helpful when I share it with the O.M.S.N. for when I make my next meeting. I also forewarned John that they should be getting a request for help from one of the U.S. Army Vets I met there, that was looking for help for one of his disabled comrades with some HVAC issues at his home; I did forget to include IBEW 48, and suggested he send a letter to the 290 executive Board and the S. M. 16 executive boards asking for assistance. I also received a taxes due from a Spirit Mountain casino win from 2009 so I will be calling my accountant today. Brother-in law Eric printed my pictures from Labor Day, but I don't know when I will be posting them on my blog and I need to find a frame to take to our meeting. I did send copies of my pictures to my AOH brothers and will try to put them up before our next meeting. I will make the Union meeting Friday the 17th because that special City Council meeting is Thursday. Judi put some personal information on the Susan B. Komen walk on September 17th and I will keep pitching it until it is over, I think with the first page link you can make a donation, ALL HELP APPRECIATED, she won't be able to make the AOH presentation at City Hall because she and Peg have to be at the Komen sign up! I am still disappointed that the Building Trades did not take action in the Congressional Race in district 1, I really don't think it wise to sit on the fence and I did wear my Brad Witt and Al Shropshire pins to the picnic. Thank You brother Brendon Finn, I did get a great picture with Mayor Sam and Commissioner Dan Saltzman and also the person I hope will be the next Mayor of Portland, good friend Charlie Hales. 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 Amanda, Mary is another candidate that deserves our support, I sure hopes she takes a different attitude about Job Creation than she had in the Oregon Legislature. I am still waiting for the U.A. Journal Convention issue 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, but I am still waiting for my copy.

I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again for all our 290 brothers and sisters that have come before us and built Our 290 into the organization and are gone now but 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:

I am saving space so I will just report I am still waiting for the “reimbursement's” for the amount above my regular co-payment. I did turn in my L.D.N. Receipt at Kaiser Sunnyside hospital membership services and at least I received some positive responses during my picketing there.

My B.P today is 131/82/61 at 11:30am, not bad, considering the running I've been doing, the picnic; and that 2009 “taxes due” letter.

POLITICAL:

CHARLIE HALES FOR MAYOR OF PORTLAND.

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

SENATOR WYDEN, YOU WERE DEFINITELY MISSED AT THE LABOR DAY PICNIC, I HOPE YOUR MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME IN SE PORTLAND GOES WELL.

From someone who understands, and he's not even a Democrat!

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 (still) ARE (my) PICKS FOR PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL. MARY NOLAN, FOR THAT 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.

THANK YOU JEFF, AT LEAST YOU GOT THE DEFICIT BILL RIGHT BUT EARL YOU DID GET THE TRANS CANADA PIPELINE WRONG AND IT MAY COST MANY MORE JOBS IN OREGON TRYING TO BUILD THAT NATURAL GAS EXPORT FACILITY RIGHT HERE IN OREGON “IT'S ABOUT JOBS”, AND YES; IT IS TIME TO BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME. MR. PRESIDENT, ARE YOU LISTENING (APPARENTLY NOT) ?

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, GREAT SPEECH AT THE PICNIC.

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; (I did have a text conversation with him September 1st and even though he is in a lot of pain he did sound pretty good) 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. A good Prayer: "Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

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, and my flag is getting pretty faded.

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 brother Tom M. must be pleased with her name, and the little gift I got from MONTANA AOH cousin Bob and I gave it 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, but I really need to get to work on it. I know, new great Aunt Bobbie is elated also, and brother Tom was already aware we are related. And yes MR. PRESIDENT I did invite all I could to that City council Meeting Thursday, and yes Chuck; I will make every attempt to make your Mary Nolan gathering Wednesday. 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 and it was a really big hit at the picnic yesterday. 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, although I am irritated at her actions on “Jobs” in the Oregon Legislature. 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.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

FROM JUDI:

Hi all, Wally is letting me guest post today, because I want to talk with you about the Race for the Cure that's happening in Portland on September 18th. It is the 20th Annual Komen Portland Race, but only the second in which I've participated. My sister Peggy and niece Lacey are also signed up. The statistics are that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. But it's more personal for that for my family. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and beat it; her sister, my aunt Shirley, was diagnosed late and died. I believe the difference is that Mom retired with good health insurance (thank you Communications Workers of America and Pacific NW Bell). My aunt was not so lucky with having insurance. Although I can't confirm this (I was living in San Francisco at the time and Mom didn't want to "burden" me with the information), I believe that Auntie didn't have the money for early annual exams. So it was too late when they found the cancer. So it's important to us that women get the exams they need, and that they don't have to decide whether to get the exam or pay a critical bill or buy food. And that's some of what the Komen fundraising is about. Please visit http://race.komenoregon.org/site/TR/Race/PortlandRacefortheCure to give what you can. Perhaps by the time Lacey has daughters breast cancer will be something that has an easy cure. Thanks for your time; Judi

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 PICNIC WAS GREAT, EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T WIN THE BIG BINGO BLACKOUT. :-p
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.

Thank you 290 for your generous support of The Oregon Military Support Network.

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

I did get my new supply of “Business Cards” from Hollywood Impress and I need to remember to start carrying them with me; 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, and they are at the Hall. 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 6 pages and over 2,600 words plus or minus.