Ernie Banks' high road to China

by James Oliphant

Everyone knows the United States’ relationship with China is complicated.

There are conflicts over trade, energy, environment, human rights, intellectual property and scores of other issues. Add to that are the more recent controversies over the safety of children’s toys and baby cribs.

Obviously, to find common ground isn’t a job for just anyone. And so the Bush administration has reached out to find the man with the right set of skills to walk the thorny path between the two countries.

And that man is: Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks?

Indeed, Mr. Cub has been tabbed to join the White House’s special delegation to the Special Olympic Games in Shanghai next month. The delegation will be led by Margaret Spellings, the Secretary of Education. The games begin Oct. 2.

As Ernie would attest, there are very few problems that can't be made better by a baseball game. He should have that trade deficit licked in no time. Let’s play two!