A sincere attempt by one to offer reality a rest stop from itself. Snippets of humor, a bit of hurt and some human resilience written about with intended respect for the individual(s) chosen for this purpose. I nevertheless expect to be reamed for some of it.

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         Breaktime, by mikel paul

         A sincere attempt by one to offer reality a rest stop from itself. Snippets of humor, a bit of hurt and some human resilience written about with intended respect for the individual(s) chosen for this purpose. I nevertheless expect to be reamed for some of it.

         In no particular order, as is life.

         bait and switch...Looks like Alaska Senator Stevens new family room is really upsetting lots of folks. Noticed in the wednesday morning Frisco rag, Ted’s ‘Oil Votes for Ottomans’ is spread full out on page three, while that little get together in D.C. about Our Highness’s throwing our Constitution over the first baseman’s head potentially 35 times warrants not a peep. 

         at least we could get something out of it, if…Out on BabbleOn Books, “What Impeachment Means To Me” by J. Conyers. 341 pages. Except for the occasional doodle and exclamation point, blank pages all. Redacted forward by N. Pelosi. 

         he’s a lot like who?... Mr. Obama’s early MLK comparisons are about kaput. In his Berlin speech, his beautiful call for the world to eliminate nuclear weapons was poignant. "This is the moment when we must renew the goal of a world without nuclear weapons”. What followed was also poignant. “My country must stand with yours and with Europe in sending a direct message to Iran that it must abandon its nuclear ambitions”. I guess those who already have them will be handled down the road a bit. MLK? Kaput. 

         yin and yang…What do Manny Ramirez and George W. Bush have in common? They both get paid and make lots of money to play a game. The difference? Manny can be traded.....and was. Today.

         true…Tom, a local father of a young musician in Grass Valley CA. was recently told that his injury (surgery not possible) from a backboard collapsing on his head crushed two vertebrae so severely he will forever need to walk without the aid of his heels, unless of course he likes electric impulses traversing his limbs with each step. Also, at any time his left side will quit working without warning. His response? “I’m all right now”. Wondering if he was going for the easy laugh he added, “It could be worse. I have slowed down, but I haven’t stopped. Tom gets the nod.

         in my dreams…Oped News first annual members somewhat-only barbecue and free-for-all. Head honcho Rob Kall designated me The Nameplate Tent Placement Officer, so here I go.

         Table One, Now in this Corner: M. Sashine and T. Murphy.
         Table Two, One Size Fits All: R. Howard, A. Williams and A. Smith. 
         Table Three, The Buck Starts Here: KG, Levin Sheridan, Troy Jann, Pappy and Rob.
         Table Four, The Maternals: J. Baumgartner, G. Nienaber, T. Paulfranz, M.A. Butler, J. Brunwasser and yours truly.
         Table Five, The Apoco Lips: M. McKinney, Mr. M., Waldopaper, B.Marble M.D. and M. Folkerth.
         (BYOFAK-Bring your own first aid kit.)

         final thought for the day…I am honored to offer my scribbles here at OpEd News. I am clear that my style is not the usual fare offered here in either discipline or focus to the subjects covered so well by those more qualified to do so. I’ve been schooled by many here and consider myself better off for it. That I come from an ‘inside’ point of view I hope is not seen as counterproductive to the focus of this site. I believe we are each unique and therefore qualified to impart. Nothing wasted. I care deeply about all that is so thoroughly presented here. My strength I think is my sense, many times off the mark but always I hope, sincere.
        

         Thank you all. Thank you Rob.

         peace

Authors Bio:
61 years on this jumpin' green sphere. Musician. Own and operate a music store to help kids find a possible life long friend. I believe in the soul and the search. Two sons. Published songwriter. play bass, piano and gut string guitar. there are no solutions..only alternatives. Ask questions. Listen. Be fair and don't expect. Baseball is a mirror. Don't ask....unless you have time and a sense of humor. Peace is never easy, but worth it. Always.