THANK YOU AGAIN SENATOR MERKLEY; I WAS ALMOST OUT OF YELLOW RIBBON

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 8am after 9+- hour of sleep to a 3, with no lower back pain but a damp morning. I took my am pills and put out my flag. I checked the west deck and there was still bird seed left but I couldn't call any birds in. I did call Jim Moss, and Paul Phillips office to find out what was going on? The Pac West guy seemed to understand what my issues were and he said he would fix them, but I haven't had a chance to see if it was done yet and Jim Moss was going to check also. I talked to Mike this morning about our trip, he and Marty are leaving Tomorrow and I am leaving Saturday but I did check with Marty about him and Christopher Golfing if they want to but he was pretty sure him and Christopher would be tied up so I better call Bruce today and tell him thanks for the rain check but it doesn't look like we will be using it. I am also going to check with President Bill about getting a face book page or web site for the Portland AOH. I am also going to check with Dan Monahan at the bequest of Uncle Larry and see what I can get for him for his Monahan/Mehrens book. I will not be taking my computer with me this weekend so there will be no new posts until after I get back. I did check with Queen Donna last night to find out how things were going on the “recruitment” front and I caught her right as she was leaving her union meeting and she said she would call me today about 1pm for an update, I will share the O.M.S.N. Information, on their gathering with the Training coordinator's at the I.B.E.W. Hall in June.

I will put the prayer to St. Jude in here again for good friend and brother Portland City commissioner Randy Leonard 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.

For Commissioner Leonard and those brothers and sisters that are no longer with us.

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 friends Ron Wyden and Pat O'baby, good family friend Pat Percin, soon to be retired brother Jimmy Judge, and Gerry Bruce, sister Donna, Commissioner Leonard and family, 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:

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 did get a referral from my primary care doctor for a different type of Doctor (Physiatric) after my new set of xray's for Medicare which I did make, so we will see if it changes the (normal now) Denial of benefits, my BP today was 132/82/62 at 10am. I did take copies of the picket language I used to my last Union meeting and I got another volunteer to walk picket with me, thanks Jimmy, now we just need some good weather. Now the trust attorney, 2 of the trustee's, Senator Wyden's office, Senator Merkley's office and my Primary care doctor are all aware of my complaint's now. After I got my last “explanation of benefits” as it said, 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 AGAIN, WHY DID IT COST ME $84.10?? When I turned in my last Lloyd Center Pharmacy receipt it was for my LDN and I did get a referral for the chiropractor from my primary care Doctor, and she said she was prescribing 6 visits but she was a little skeptical that it would be approved, and surprise; it was denied, and Medicare was to blame. I did go to my appointment to the physiologic Dr. at Kaiser Sunnybrook and I did see my last BATCH of Xray's and my physiatric doctor recommended I try yoga and more of the “sit and be fit” exercise on the exercise channel. That after visit summary is something to add to my full briefcase of my Kaiser stuff that doesn’t include the dozens of email's between Kaiser, my Doctor's, Trustee's and the trust attorney and thanks to sister Danni it is all organized and Ron's office is reviewing it and I think they will be sharing it with Senator Mekley's office also. I did get a copy of a GREAT letter from the trust attorney to Kaiser, but Lou did tell me the that I should be hearing from the Trust Attorney, as he has heard from Kaiser over the last appeal, but nothing yet. I also went to visit Dr. Finley to pick up my supplement's and get an adjustment from him. When he was done with me I felt like I could play 18 holes of golf, and believe it or not I think HE want's me to THRIVE! Now I know I am NOT GOING to get any help from anyone, but the last time I did get a treatment from him I really felt good for a long time, hopefully it will last through my trip. WHY IS IT, WHEN YOU GET DIAGNOSED WITH M.S. ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE STUPID ?

POLITICAL:

Dear Wally,

Nearly ten years ago, America went to war in Afghanistan to destroy the safe havens of the terrorist organization that attacked us on September 11th and bring the perpetrators to justice. We succeeded.

Now it's time to end that war.

In July, President Obama is scheduled to begin a troop withdrawal, but he hasn't said whether that will be a token change, or a real change in policy. Join me, the Council for a Livable World, and thousands of your fellow citizens and tell the President that we want a significant troop withdrawal in July to start ending our war in Afghanistan.

We have accomplished our goals in Afghanistan. According to leading military experts, al Qaeda has fewer than 100 operatives there. And its leader, Osama Bin Laden, was killed just a few short weeks ago in a brave attack by dedicated American military personnel.

A prolonged, expensive nation-building undertaking in Afghanistan doesn't make us safer. It is telling that Bin Laden was found in Pakistan, not Afghanistan. Terrorist groups are no longer bound to nations and neither should be our efforts to stop them.

Senator Jeff Merkley

Senator Wyden on the Road Again for Five Town Halls in Eastern Oregon
Residents invited to town halls in Gilliam and Morrow counties on June 3 and Wallowa, Union and Umatilla counties on June 4

Portland, OR – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host his annual town hall meetings in the Gilliam County city of Condon and the Morrow County city of Heppner on Friday, June 3, 2011. On June 4, 2011, he will hold town halls in the Wallowa County city of Wallowa, the Union County city of Elgin and the Umatilla County city of Milton-Freewater. These will be town halls number 591 to 595.

Gilliam County Town Hall Meeting Date: Friday, June 3, 2011 Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Gilliam County Courthouse 221 S. Oregon Condon

Morrow County Town Hall Meeting
Date: Friday, June 3, 2011 Time: 5 p.m.Location:
Heppner City Hall 111 N. Main Street Heppner

Wallowa County Town Hall Meeting Date: Saturday, June 4, 2011 Time 11:30 am.
Location: Wallowa Senior Center 204 E. 2nd St. Wallowa

Union County Town Hall Meeting Date: Saturday, June 4, 2011 Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Stella Mayfield Elementary 1111 Division Street Elgin

Umatilla County Town Hall Meeting Date:Saturday, June 4, 2011 Time:5:30 p.m.
Location: McLoughlin High School Jack Williams Auditorium
120 South Main Street
Milton-Freewater

WELL DONE, PRESIDENT OBAMA; YOUR BUDGET COMPARISON WAS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, AND YOU NEVER FORGOT. IT REALLY TAKES A LOT OF GALL FOR THOSE REPUBLICAN'S; LIKE BUSH 2 AND GULIANNI TO TRY TO TAKE ANY SORT OF CREDIT, FOR GETTING BIN LADEN, BUT I MUST SAY; JUDI AND I WATCHED A NETFLIX MOVIE (INSIDE JOB), ABOUT THE BANKSTERS; AND IT LEFT ME QUITE DISTURBED WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA.

The President is considering signing an executive order that would require all corporations doing business with the government to JUST REVEAL their campaign contributions. But corporate interests are trying hard to stop him; GET 'ER DONE!

I did sign a petition urging the President to enact this proposed rule. Can you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/disclose_execorder/?r_by=27348-3220417-\ys7zLx&rc= disclose_ execorder_letter.email_cp.g0
Thanks!

SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN SHOULD GO TO JAIL...........FOR A LONG TIME !!

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 will make another plug now for the petition for a Constitutional Amendment to REQUIRE Congress to live under the SAME laws they pass for us.

Do you suppose congress's solution to extend and save Social Security and Medicare by CUTTING benefits, instead of raising the maximum would have any thing to do with the fact that THEY would have to pay Social Security taxes for the whole year?? OR MEANS TEST IT so those with good pensions (like union members) couldn't qualify? DO I EVEN HAVE ANY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS LEFT??

MY MOST IMPORTANT SECTION STILL:

YELLOW RIBBON SECTION:

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

PLEASE SUPPORT THE OREGON MILITARY SUPPORT NETWORK, THEY ARE HAVING AN INTODUCTION TO APPRENTICESHIP ON JUNE 3rd AT IBEW 48 WITH A LARGE CONTINGENCY OF TRAINING COORDINATORS.

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.

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:

I have little more to report on the “Unite Ireland” issue except I did forget to tell Barbara Smith W. to ask Ron to become a “congressional friend of Father McManus”, and I also spoke with Congressman Schrader's and Senator Merkley's offices to try to recruit them. I still haven't got the names down for that 15 year AOH picture yet. And I am going to check with President Bill about building a web site/face book page for the Portland AOH so others can find out we exist.

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, and April 5th it was 163 years ago. ONE OF MY HERO'S!

I also would also ask again, for all my brothers to say a prayer for the Leonard family.

I also want to report that Uncle Hank has returned from the hospital and I spoke with his wife, my aunt; on EASTER morning and she told me he was 100% better, but all prayers are still appreciated.

While the Montana AOH received a Governors Proclamation with a 3 day celebration on their 125th anniversary; and a great article in my newly received AOH Newspaper; WE had a wonderful address by THE RITA O'HARE, and maybe I can get the gaelic translated for me. Thank You Ann Monahan for your bravery.

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. His book is supposed to 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 his book launch was held at the Phoenix Park Hotel on May Day in Washington D.C.; a hotel I have been to many times as you know by now and it is above one of my favorite D.C. Drinking establishments in Washington; THE DUBLINER !! (which I have always considered KELL'S EAST.)

SPORTS:

I did see that the Portland Timbers are selling individual tickets, and they are at very reasonable prices and they are playing very well.

I still hope that that nice golf weather gets back around and I can find a “Wally Catcher” so I can get out and practice or play. Also, for my next picket visit at Kaiser; so it will be nice for Barbara and Jimmy.

My baseball reports will be limited to, the Mariners, the Orioles, and it IS next year for the Cubs. I also got a good report from brother Marty that nephew Michael is off to a good start for the Rangers, and I am really looking forward to his tournament in Vegas and I will report on that when I get back.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

I found the updated 2011 BULL SESSION website. ( http://www.bullsessioncharity.com ) and I finally got on and I am still very disappointed in what I found there, so I called Jim M. and he is working on it. IT DOES APPEAR THE LOCAL WILL USE SOME OF IT'S ENTRIES FOR THE MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 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.

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR V.O.C.'S ESTABLISHED, NOW THAT I HAVE THE “RAT PATROL” BUTTONS ON ORDER.

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 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.

LOCAL UNION REPORT:

Thanks again to all my Sisters and Brothers for electing me to attend this years International Convention, and it appears I will be flying, but based on that letter about Intel from the General President it should prove to be a very interesting Convention. And I did commit to taking our concerns regarding Harder Mechanical's use of “Craigs List” and other scams to recruit workers, I believe it is in direct violation of their Local and National agreement's. We have started a M.A.P. Fundraiser for positions in the BULL like we did last year, and I am still waiting to hear from Jim on the fixing of the website.
OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Thank you Sister Danni for organizing my Kaiser stuff and finding all that Union Stuff; I did find some of my U.A. Convention delegate badges.

I've also been invited to a retirement party for Jimmy Judge, I couldn't open the attachment so I don't have the particulars yet, but I did email Suzy for the particulars.

I am also looking forward to leaving Saturday for Las Vegas for our meet up with Michael and Christopher.

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, and they are making my “RAT PATROL” buttons. I am promoting them; not selling for them.

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 by blog is over 7 pages and over 3,200 words today; I think.