The festivities surrounding Major League Baseball's All-Star Game this Tuesday will include President Barack Obama throwing out the first pitch and participating in the actual broadcast during an inning or two. He'll join announcers Joe Buck and Tim McCarver for some light and probably uncomfortable banter. I'll probably use my mute button during that portion of the game but I have no problem with the plan. Presidents and other dignitaries have often used major sports events to up their profile and try to look like regular folks. In times of national crisis, a president at such an event can even be inspiring to the fans. (Remember President Bush throwing that ceremonial World Series pitch right after September 11?) But at this week's game there will be something more.

Continued...

He will be joined by former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter in a seven-minute video address to be aired during the pregame ceremony. The video will honor 30 Americans whom MLB and People magazine have recognized for service to their communities. (source) As a lifelong baseball fan I believe there is more than enough actual baseball to be discussed during an All-Star pregame show. Injecting the attempts of politicians to mold Americans and encourage any kind of behavior (even the best kind) is inappropriate. I'm sure that seven-minute video will include the kind of saccharine-sweet moments usually reserved for long distance telephone service commercials created to manipulate the viewer into feelings of guilt, compassion and any number of other emotional tools.

If President Obama wishes to encourage community service, and if any of his predecessors wish to join him in that endeavor, he has plenty of opportunities to draw attention to his cause. Shouldn't we the people be allowed to escape the droning on of politicians, no matter how well intentioned, for at least the amount of time it takes to watch a ballgame?