The culture that is Washington

At the risk of piling on our lovely friends down in Washington, some things are just too terrific not to pass along. Despite my misgivings about the current role of our federal government (and my serious problems with the jokers currently running it), I do happen to have a well-placed mole within the DC establishment--specifically, within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

It is through this mole that I was made aware of a particularly amusing case of Washington hypocrisy--or, at the very least, bitter irony. You see, the good folks down at the HHS are having their annual night out at Nationals Park tonight, complete with a ceremonial first pitch from Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. Howard Koh.

No big deal, right? Should be a fun night out at the ballpark, and as a former employee of (ok, unpaid intern for) the Washington Nationals, I gladly support anyone who supports the Nats (and my man Ryan Zimmerman).

But, as always in DC, there's more here than meets the eye. You see, down at Nationals Park tonight, it also just happens to be $1 HOT DOG NIGHT!! Yes, the official Department of Health and Human Services night at the ballpark coincides with that great tradition of unhealthy eating, discounted processed meat.

A funny coincidence, to be sure, were it not for the fact that HHS was actually using this fact as a promotional tool to help bring more HHS employees out to the park (actual quote from the marketing e-mail: "Didn't think this event could get any better? Wednesday is $1 HOT DOG NIGHT! Get your tickets today!").

Gooooood times. Well played, HHS. Well played. And thanks to my well-placed mole for the fantastic heads-up. Always glad to know what's really going on in our nation's capital.