Major League Baseball's All Star break starts after today's games have been decided. For the next few days, those players voted in by the fans or chosen by the big bosses will put on a display of their skills in a relatively meaningless endeavor. Coincidentally this week also marks the beginning of the time Congress is in session between their July 4 recess and their extended August recess. Think of it as the All Star Game for our government.

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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.

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