HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD, GOOD LUCK AND WELL DONE AL!

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.

I am starting this blog on Saturday afternoon because the weather may cause me to miss Al Shropshires party (it didn't)for the newly graduated apprentices and the announcement of his campaign for Business Manager of Local 290. I am not sure when I will post but in any case I am announcing my STRONG support for him as Business Manager. I have many reasons for this, not the least of which is my observation of his excellent growth since he last ran. I have not missed much of the Many meetings we have had this year. His thoughtful and respectful responses to many questions put to him by the membership and current Business Manager, John Endicott; would almost make me think HE is the preferred candidate of John. I was there the last meeting when Lou announced his candidacy and I am sure he will find someone to nominate him this winter. If you are even an occasional reader of my blog, especially my travails with the lack of positive responses from my complaint's to Kaiser Permanente, on their service to our Trust, and me as a member. My issues are being handled (mishandled?) by Lou Christian. Could he have been more effective, I don't know? Kaiser doesn't seem to respond to Him, or any other person I have solicited for assistance; or even on my individual picket activity. I do not dislike Lou, I am just firmly convinced Al Schropshire has the abilities, the temperament, and the experience to take this local forward, treating the concerns, and problems of every member; as his personal problems and concerns.

Now back to my regular blog:

I awoke this morning at 7am to a 3-. It was a dry cloudy morning, so I took my am pills, and put out my flag and checked the birdseed, and there was only about 10% left so I put more out. I did make the Bill Goettsh funeral and my Union meeting Friday. I didn't make the 2012 Obama kick off yesterday at 10am at Ester Short Park in Vancouver, I was “rained out” but I did make the Al Schropshire graduating apprentices party and Business Manager and kick off at the Watershed on Milwaukie, which was actually at 6pm, I lasted until 7:30 but it just got to busy and loud for me, but I did get to see a lot of sisters and brothers I hadn't seen in a long time. The membership at the Union meeting was GREAT and did donate to the O.M.S.N., THANK YOU MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS! I am sure Michelle and Glenn will be as great-full as I.

I am still making some changes in my blog to TRY to shorten it, and there will be a lot of repetitive stuff as I am very tired and my back is killing me. I did get from Judi's Amazon page; the Father Sean McManus's book and I have found it a good read so far and I would encourage everyone (especially those with a little Irish in them) to get it, I also got my U.A. Journal, and I guess I just missed it before, but the administrative assistant to our General President is a U.A. brother named Mark McManus; and as I did join “The Congressional Friends of Father McManus”, I must wonder?

Maybe I can get enough rounds in this summer to get an official GHIN Handicap. The BULL will be a total of $625 for Judi and I at the dinner/auction and me for golf (about $170 a month), and I will try to get this months payment out Monday.

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, sister Donna, The Bill Goetsche, 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:

This is also my attempt to keep track of my (mostly bad) 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. The referral from my primary care doctor for a different type of Doctor (Physiatrist) after my new set of x-ray’s for Medicare which I did make, so we will see if it changes the (normal now) Denial of benefits, ( it didn't); my BP today was 116/80/68 at 10am. I did get those 2 new co-payment notices from the Credit Union (100.00+-), and I think they are punishing me. Now the trust attorney, 2 of the trustee's, Senator Wyden's office, Senator Merkley's office, Kaiser Sunnyside member services and my Primary care doctor are all aware of my complaints now. I did deliver the receipt to member services at Mt. Kaiser Sunnyside; for what it's worth. WHY IT DID COST ME $84.10?? I did get the referral for the chiropractor from my primary care Doctor and surprise; it was denied, and Medicare was to blame, maybe that and some good weather Senator Wyden's, liaison, Barbara; would like to get out of the office for some short picket duty. I did go to my appointment to the physiologic Dr. at Kaiser Sunnybrook and I did see my last BATCH of X-ray’s and my physiatrist doctor recommended I try yoga and more of the “sit and be fit” exercise on the exercise channel. I did get a copy of a GREAT letter from the trust attorney to Kaiser, but apparently he is of no consequence to them either; as he has heard from Kaiser over the last appeal denial, I do think the last has not come yet. My visit to Dr. Finley to pick up my supplements and get an adjustment from him, really helped on my trip, and I think it is still working! Believe it are not; at least I think HE wants me to THRIVE! Now I know I am NOT GOING to get any $ help from anyone, but based on the results I have really been feeling good for a long time. WHY IS IT, WHEN YOU GET DIAGNOSED WITH M.S. ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE STUPID, HAVE NO MEMORY; AND ARE DEAF?

POLITICAL:

From our good Senator, Jeff Merkley;

Dear William,
Knowing of your concerns about the war in Afghanistan, I wanted to share with you a letter I authored and sent to President Obama this past Wednesday. I enlisted the broad bipartisan support of 26 of my Senate colleagues, who joined me in calling on the President to shift his current strategy in Afghanistan by beginning a sizable and sustained drawdown of troops on the path to removing all regular combat forces there.
Thanks to the exceptional work of our armed services and our intelligence community, we have accomplished the goals America originally set for the war in Afghanistan. The initial authorization of force was based on the two goals of eliminating the safe haven for al Qaeda and killing or capturing those responsible for attacking the United States, including Osama bin Laden. Now that there are fewer than 100 al Qaeda operatives remaining in Afghanistan, and with the death of bin Laden, the continuation of the war in support of a major nation-building exercise is not in America's national security interest. The war has already claimed thousands of lives and hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars. We can keep America safe from terrorism and strengthen our economy by bringing this long war to a close.
The President made a pledge to the American people that he would begin redeployment of U.S. forces from Afghanistan this summer, and my colleagues and I will continue to urge him to ensure that this first withdrawal marks the beginning of the end of the war.
All my best,

Jeffrey A.Merkley
United States Senator

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 anything 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:

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, including Senator Merkley.

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.
LETS BRING EM HOME, NOW

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

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:

I have a little more to report on the “Unite Ireland” issue since our meeting with Commissioner Fritz and the report that was given Thursday night, and I did notice that the Assistant to the general U.A President is a U.A. brother by the name of Mark McManus? 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. 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. We will be taking the summer off and not meeting again until September, which, based on my July and August is good for me.

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.

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, but AOH President Bill want's to save passages for the September meeting and that works for me. 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 can get a “Irish Appreciation Night" fundraiser at Jeld Wen field? They are at very reasonable prices.

It appears that nice golf, and picketing weather may be coming back.

My baseball reports will be limited to, the Mariners, of the AL West; the Orioles, of the AL East; and it IS next year for the Cubs. They actually have a winning streak going !

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & CHARITIES:

AS I SAID EARLIER THE REGULAR GOLF COST IS $375 AND THE AUCTION DINNER IS $125. IT DOES APPEAR THE LOCAL WILL USE 4 OF ITS ENTRIES FOR THE MEMBER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. REMEMBER – IT'S FOR THE KIDS ! THANK YOU JIM, AND I WILL GET MY “INSTALMENT” IN THE MAIL SOON! 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, and I should be hearing they are ready sometime soon, and I did hear from a number of members at the meeting ready to get going.

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 Al Schropshire apprentice and Announcement party was very well attended and based on my discussions with him, I am more convinced than ever he is the right person for the job. His statement to me that he was running for Business Manager for the membership, not running AGAINST LOU, reminded me of one of my Dads favorite sayings when it comes to politics; EVERY KNOCK IS A BOOST FOR YOUR OPPONENT.

Thanks again to all my Sisters and Brothers for electing me to attend this year’s International Convention, and thanks for your generous support of The Oregon Military Support Network. And 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 “Craig’s List” and other scams to recruit workers, I believe it is in direct violation of their Local and National agreements. I also think something needs to be said about Cascade General's double breasting. I did write my $100 check for the U.A. “scholarship and PAC” and turned it into Lynette, and she has me all registered and my plane flight set, Thank You Lynette.

******

We are happy to announce that Ed Henderson of ILWU Local 10 in San Francisco will be speaking at our Unified Labor Strategy Meeting on June 25th! On April 4th, when working people across our country demonstrated in solidarity with Wisconsin and other state workers, the longshore workers of ILWU Local 10 did what they've always done – put into practice their union's slogan, "An injury to one is an injury to all." San Francisco and Oakland ports were shut down for 24 hours in solidarity with Wisconsin. Ed will speak about their courageous act to jumpstart our own discussion about a strategy that works for Labor in the Portland metro region! UNION MEMBERS: our success as a labor movement depends on YOU!

If you're coming to our meeting (even if you've responded "attending" on FB), please RSVP by replying to this email, calling Erica at 971-322-8747, or emailing pdxjune25@gmail.com.

Tell us the name of your union when you RSVP.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25th
9:30 a.m. Registration, 10 a.m. Program begins
IBEW Local 48 Meeting Hall,
15937 NE Airport Way, Portland
Lunch Provided

I announced this rally/meeting at my union meeting Fiday night and was corrected by a fellow brother member that said it happened Thursday, if I have been reporting this wrong I apologize.

******

We have started a M.A.P. Fundraiser for positions in the BULL, like we did last year; and the website link is fixed and I have received the email billing from Ed Ellis on my ability to make payments for my regular spots and the dinner, soon; “The Checks in the Mail.”

OTHER STUFF AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Sister Danni is going back down to S. California this week to help out her old boss and they are picking up the tab. It does appear I will be back to picketing Kaiser soon, now I have even more to add to my collection of Kaiser stuff; I have my renewed picket sign ready in the back seat of my car, I just need some clear warm weather.

I did get my new supply of “Business Cards” from Hollywood Impress and here is the link for all you Politico are 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.

Bobbie my blog is over 7 pages and over 3,000 words plus or minus.