Atlanta Braves drop-kick Dobson/Focus on the Family

[warrens]

Focus on the Family was on the team that promoted Major League Baseball’s first “Faith Days” event at Turner Field July 27, but the Atlanta Braves now say the anti-gay group headed by James Dobson is no longer part of its lineup.

“We have asked the promoter to not include Focus on the Family in our other two Faith Day events,” Beth Marshall, Braves spokesperson, said Aug. 1. “We do not feel it is an appropriate connection for Focus on the Family to be part of this event.” Marshall declined further comment on the matter, but said hosting Faith Days was a business decision.

“We were approached by Third Coast about the event and with over 5,000 churches within 75 miles of Turner Field, it made good business sense,” she said.

Focus on the Family spokesperson Christina Loznicka acknowledged the Braves’ request to drop the group from the team’s future Faith Days, which are scheduled for Aug. 13 and Aug. 26, but offered no reaction.

“Correct, Focus on the Family will not be attending future Faith Day events with the Atlanta Braves,” she said in an e-mail. “Any further questions should be directed directly to the Braves.”

http://www.sovo.com/2006/8-4/news/localnews/braves.cfm

Seeya, punks.

[BOSSHOG]

1. WOW, I'm not a Braves Fan

but I certainly salute them on this decision. dobson just can't figure out what all the fuzz is about. Don't everybody hate somebody?

[gademocrat7]

2. I am so glad the Braves booted dobson out.

I am no longer a fan of John Smoltz though. he supported that evil doer reed in the election here.

[LynneSin]

8. Sign me up for that column

Hope the Braves choke this season but good for them!

[CoffeeCat]

3. Good. Really good!!

I am so tired of hatemongering, evil dolts, like DobsonCo, representing "Christians." They're so perverse and sick, and when anyone finds their evil offensive, they scream, "You hate Christians! You hate Jesus!"

To hell with them. All of them and their hate-filled circus sideshow.

I'm pleased that the Braves sought out normal churches, most likely filled with people who are decent--instead of radical and rabid.

Dobson and the rest of the hatemongers have positioned themselves as "Christians" but they are not. They are wolves with a political agenda--using religion as a marketing tactic. They sicken me.

The Braves made a very smart decision. Let's hope we see more of this. The Dobsonites need to be belittled out of existence and positioned as the extremist freaks that they are.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Drop kick? The Atlanta Braves?

Is this a kind of mixed metaphor?

:evilgrin:

[bumblebee1]

5. Was FOF dropped kicked through the goal post of life?

I'd be curious of what Brother John "Better than you" Smoltz thinks about this development. Dealing with the local churches makes a lot more sense.

[Rosemary2205]

6. DON'T say anything nice about the Braves to me darnit!

I'm glad they did this but I'm too busy being mad at the moment.

Wilson Betemit AND Andrew Jones.

I'm mad enough to eat glass.

[underpants]

7. Jones cleared waivers no big deal

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/0804andruw.html

[NoAmericanTaliban]

10. He was just put on waivers - hasn't cleared yet - takes 3 days

to clear, but he probably will & that then opens trade talks. He has to approve a trade.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

9. Braves did the right thing - Christan Right is neither

The last faith day the Braves had was a day came in July. Not many people there & it was hot as hell. Had some Christan band playing after the game. Church groups are always visiting the park, but they are just there to have some fun, not to spread propaganda. I already have a crutch - beer - don't need another one with religion.

John Smoltz - supported Ralphie Reed for Lt. Governor. He lost big time & I voted against him. Smoltz is now big into the 'church' - donates lots of money. He is very sanctimonious now, funny coming from a guy you used to smoke pot. Real good friend of mine claimed he smoked with him in the parking lot of American Pie on Roswell road when Smoltz first came up.

[Neecy]

15. Smoltz is a pig

This is his quote from the article:

“Smoltz, a devout Christian, criticized those who want to legalize gay marriage,” the AP reported. “‘What’s next? Marrying an animal?’ he asked derisively.”

This man who compares me to an animal is now making a ton of money as a spokesman for Home Depot. I hope that our friends at DU will let Home Depot know that you'll spend your home renovation dollars elsewhere as long as their front man engages in public hate speech - you can write them here:

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=contact/index.jsp

[klook]

17. Home Depot's CEO hosted a big fund-raiser for Bush

That was already enough reason to stay away from them.

edit: corrected subject line to say "hosted," not "sponsored"

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. John Rocker just popped into my head.

Anybody remember him?

He's probably guarding porta-potties at Minutemen clambakes by now.

[LisaM]

12. Going to a game with a bunch of Southern church types sounds awful

I can't imagine anything worse.

[Initech]

13. Ha ha, screw you Dobson!!

I support the Braves on this decision!

[farmbo]

14. Bravo for the Bravos!! Thanks for listening to your fans!

eom

[rosesaylavee]

16. Good for the Braves - Now if they could

just stop with the derogatory Native American stereotype schtick, they would begin to become fully human.

Hate that tomahawk chop thing. Egh. So stupid.

[klook]

18. Excellent news

And proof that gay people have more economic clout than Dobson's morAns.