The D.C. municipal government is like the Palestinian government, both never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity. According to this story in the Washington Post, the D.C. City Council is “outraged” the Washington Nationals plan to kickoff the 2008 season – first in the new Nationals Park — with gala events in Maryland instead of the District of Columbia.Since the city paid for the new stadium (a $611 million price tag), apparently it’s elected officials assumed they’d have a monoply on the team’s business. The majority of money in the region (and there’s a lot) is in Virginia and Maryland. The Nats are wise to chase after it, profit-seekers they be. Plus, the first gala is a chartible event to raise money for youth baseball programs in the District.

 ”That’s like taking a stick and poking your eye,” said council Chairman Vincent Gray (D-Imaginationland). ”What a level of ingratitude. The timing is worse than ever. We’re opening the $611 million stadium and . . . to have the annual banquet in [Maryland], that’s staggering.”

Surely somebody with a llama’s sense for business can explain to the council that more vistors to Nationals Park means more money spent in the city. That money will be taxed and increase the flow of funds into the city’s already swelled coffers. In other news, fire=hot.

 (The above photograph is former D.C. mayor and current council member Marion Barry campaigning for re-election.)

Ask any Nationals fan about the RFK Stadium experience and two common themes emerge:

• It’s fun making sure you received correct change after using a $20 to buy a $4.50 beef dog.
• More often than not, the Presidents Race is the highlight of the game (besides watching Dmitri Young shoot up insulin at first base.)

Every race features the four presidents from Mount Rushmore: Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and T. Roosevelt. (Also because a race with FDR would be mean.)  The race starts from bullpen on the first base side in the middle of the fourth inning. Whoever crosses home plate first wins. Since the races began in 2006, Roosevelt has never won. (According to Wikipedia, Jefferson leads the season series.) Sometimes he falls down. Sometimes he tackles the leader. Once he chased after the Easter Bunny.

Read this article for more about the 26th President’s travails.

Poor Trust Buster.