What Do Ken Griffey, Michelle Kwan, and Fran Drescher All Have in Common?

And no, the answer to my title question ISN’T:

“They all appeared on Dancing With the Stars.”

The threesome are the latest to be annointed American Public Diplomacy Envoy. Or so says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who did the honors of choosing them.

Now if you think this is a little kooky and are perhaps worried that these folks might actually be running some part of our government (and really, why wouldn’t you?), don’t fret. Griffey, Kwan, and Drescher will help represent American Culture in other parts of the world.

Condie said, “When Ken Griffey travels overseas, one of his greatest objectives will be to talk to young people and to spark their interest in America and in our culture.”

Okay, I get that. Except, do we really need to pay for someone to fly all over the world and talk up American sports? To me, this seems like a pretty decent gig. (Perhaps I’m slightly jealous. I notice no one is sending me overseas to talk about blogging.)

Griffey, for his part, said, “After a certain age, you pretty much set your ways. But if we can reach out to young children about our culture and also about our pastime, which is baseball—not those other sports like football.” ~source

Oh no, Mr. Griffey! We would hate for other parts of the world to enjoy our football games.

Hey wait, isn’t the Superbowl the highest rated sports broadcast all over the world?