I AM NOT DEAF !

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 awoke this morning at 7am to a 3. I shouldn't feel quite 3 because we had company (neighbors Shelly and Gary) last night to play dice and I definitely had too many of the Dews, and everyone had lots to imbibe on, and we had a very large helping of Hot wings. It was a sunny morning, so I took my am pills, and put out my flag. I am posting a little early because I am going over to sister Danni's for Christopher's going away party at noon. I just took my BP and based on the “gathering” last night it was a little high 136/79/77; I and Gary were the ones that pretty much finally shut the “party” down as I wanted to be sure to make Danni's today and Gary had to go to work, at 4am I think so I headed to bed and waited and listened until they said their goodbye's. I know some people figure that with my M.S. and with the deafness in my left ear I can't hear, but not true. It is almost 9:30am so you won't see much different from here on. I went and got a haircut and some groceries yesterday and the cable guy showed up and we did get the TV working again. I had a nice conversation with cousin Dan Monahan who is writing a book on the Monahan and Mehrens families. I did get forewarned by Uncle Larry that I would be getting this call and we had a wonderful conversation. I think I mentioned him in one of my earlier blogs and I thought he worked for a former Governor of Washington but I found out I was mistaken, he was the press secretary for Congressman Norm Dicks, hopefully the next chair of the House Appropriations Committee; which of course means, we have all got to get to work and return the D's to control of the House in 2012 ! We are having a gathering tomorrow at sister Danni's to wish nephew Christopher off as his leave will be over next week and we will see him and I hope I remember to take his yellow ribbon. The fence guy is supposed to be by Monday morning at 8am..........we'll see. I did get my new picket sign language so I can get back to it this coming week. The new picket sign will be based on that good advice I received last time. Based on the call from Senator Wydens office and telling Barbara about the “wicks” suggestion to picket somewhere else, maybe even his office, they were concerned and still going through all that Kaiser stuff I left there. I was very busy last picket day and it was sunny and hot and the Kaiser “security wick”, the same one that chased me off their “property” the last time tried to chase me off the sidewalk at the bus stop. I was very polite but told him if he wanted me gone, to call the police. He said I would be fine if I went across the street, in front of the Red Robin Restaurant; but I did tell him I did not have a dispute with Red Robin. I thanked him for his advice but stayed right there and got many thumb's up from the bus drivers especially. I also met a young man that asked me what my issue was and I gave him one of my fliers, after he read the flier he commented that he also had M.S. And I found out we shared the same neurologist and when he left he gave me a thumbs up. Being I was “running” a legal and good picket and it was time for my noon pills and I was hungry I scooted across the street to the Red Robin to eat and while there I asked to speak with the manager. I ordered my lunch and he came over and I showed him my flier and that the “security” wick at Kaiser suggested I picket in front of his establishment. I told him I was not there to picket his establishment, I just thought he should know what his “neighbor” suggested, he thanked me for not picketing at his establishment and I ordered lunch. I did receive many suggestions to make my sign bigger (DONE NOW). I did take their advice and made a larger sign and I'll just use the fliers to explain to people why “Kaiser is Unfair to Wally Mehrens”, as everything on the old sign, made it too busy, and I think I may take the “wicks” advice and set up next to Red Robin, as there is a stop light there and when it's red I should have a number of vehicles with people interested my dispute, aside from the fact it is a restaurant and I do need to eat.

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, 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 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 just have Picket Duty this week for my Kaiser report.

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:

THANK YOU EARL, YES; IT IS TIME TO BRING ALL OUR TROOPS HOME.

Is it a rumor, or what is AARP thinking supporting changes to Medicare and Social Security?

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

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, and do you support YOUR so called LEADERSHIP in walking out on the Vice President of the United States?

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, 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 YOUR 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:

I have nothing new to report on the “Unite Ireland” issue, except that cousin Dan is writing a book and I am looking forward to our International Convention to see if our Assistant to the U.A General President a U.A. brother by the name of Mark McManus is related? 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 and I do hope they can post the 15year anniversary picture. We will be taking the summer off and not meeting again until September which, it appears; I will have to miss as it is my Union Meeting night, but they will have a special guest that I would love to meet, and based on my July and August it looks like I won't be able to make a meeting until October.

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 (AOH) can get an “Irish Appreciation Night fundraiser at Jeld Wen field? They are at very reasonable prices.

I hope the weather has made up it's mind on weather summer is here so that the golf, and picketing weather stays.

The cable guy has fixed the TV and I am watching golf right now and I think I can smell the grass.

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.

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 ! 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 will still need to call them, as I did hear from a number of members at our meetings who are 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:

Al Schropshire contacted me and asked to put my endorsement on his election web page, I told him I would be honored. 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, showed me a lot of class.

I did get my by-laws change yesterday and will be reviewing it and voting this week.

Thanks again to all my Sisters and Brothers for electing me again to attend this year’s International Convention, and thanks for your generous support of The Oregon Military Support Network. 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.

The Local has 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:

I did remember to put Christopher's yellow ribbon in my scooter charger bag to take to sister Danni's today.

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.

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 2,600 words plus or minus.