“Every time a ‘major league’ politician comes to St. Louis, I cringe. It usually means that some significant portion of the metro area will be shut down to accommodate ’security,’ by which is meant a moving bubble of lawlessness from within which said ‘public figure’ will grace us with his or her presence. The ultimate manifestation of this phenomenon is the presidential motorcade: A procession of vehicles protected, rather than pursued, by police as they careen at speeds well in excess of the posted limits down streets blocked off from use by the general public for the purpose. This week, as will often be the case for the next 3 1/2 to 7 1/2 years, the ‘rock star’ in question is President Barack Obama, who — fresh off his most recent world tour, including arms negotiations in Moscow and a speech to the parliament of Ghana — will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Major League Baseball’s 2009 All-Star game on Tuesday.” (07/13/09)