I’d like to welcome the rest of the U.S.A. to our world here in California. Our votes never count when it comes to the Presidential race, as the state always leans Democrat. With Obama your default winner next Tuesday, looks like we’re all in the same boat now.
(Ironic: He of the gay porn ’stache opposes gay marriage)
So about the only interesting thing we have to vote on in California is Prop. 8, which would ban same-sex marriage by imposing a California constitutional amendment that would define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
As you might expect, there aren’t any high-profile folks of note publicly backing the ban, but there is one sports figure here in Los Angeles who apparently feels strongly about Prop. 8.
From the LOS ANGELES TIMES:
Jeff Kent, who played second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, has stepped into the emotional world of same-sex marriage, giving $15,000 to backers of the California proposition on Tuesday’s ballot that would ban it.
In a disclosure filed with the California secretary of state, Kent listed his occupation as professional baseball player for the Dodgers and his address as Austin, Texas. He gave the $15,000 in a transaction dated Monday but which only now is public.
A review of campaign records shows no other donations to federal or California state campaigns by Kent.
While months ago Prop. 8 appeared to be as dead as the Dodgers’ World Series chances next year without Manny Ramirez, it is now gaining momentum and may indeed pass. Which would be rather ironic considering how the state will rubber stamp Democratic candidate Obama for President on the same day.
Of course, Kent’s donation being made public I’m sure will have a lot to do with Prop. 8 passing, since he’s so popular here in L.A. and S.F., where he’s played the last 12 years of his career.
OK, maybe not.
12:08 pm on October 30th, 2008
Not surprising coming from a guy who hates Vin Scully:
http://www.sportsbybrooks.com/jeff-kent-would-like-vin-scully-to-shut-his-mouth-19402
12:10 pm on October 30th, 2008
Kent also wants to appeal women's right to vote and bring back segregation. Because it's traditional, you know.
12:15 pm on October 30th, 2008
As ifI didn't hate Jeff Kent enough.
12:16 pm on October 30th, 2008
A man does have a right to support whatever politics he wants.
12:29 pm on October 30th, 2008
The Dodgers should tell Jeff Kent to pack his bags. The guy dares to wear the same uniform that Jackie Robinson wore and be against equality?
12:38 pm on October 30th, 2008
He should play for the Angels, since he'd fit right in with the right-wing Orange County demographic.
12:39 pm on October 30th, 2008
And this guy played in San Francisco?
12:48 pm on October 30th, 2008
I really, really, really hate it when right-wing & religious nutjobs propose amendments like this. I'm not gay, but I see no problem with gay people wanting to enjoy a basic right. But I do have a problem when self-appointed "do-gooders" who want to inflict their narrow-minded views on everyone.
Help support "traditional" marriage? Slavery's "traditional" too, why not propose an amendment to bring that back?
12:52 pm on October 30th, 2008
Jeff Kent also wants to bring back child labor.
1:08 pm on October 30th, 2008
It's because, like me, Jeff Kent is Mormon. Being homosexual is an abomination in the eyes of God, so that's why he's voting against it. For the record, call me whatever you want I'm also against gay marriages.
1:18 pm on October 30th, 2008
Brad, my God says inclusion is a good value, not exclusion. My God says equality is something we should strive for. Obviously, my God isn't Mormon.
1:23 pm on October 30th, 2008
So gay marriage is an abomination but polygamy isn't?
1:28 pm on October 30th, 2008
So much for Jeff Kent's chances of being grand marshal for West Hollywood's next gay pride parade.
1:44 pm on October 30th, 2008
There have been theories put forth that those with the strongest abhoration toward homosexuality are deep down homosexual themselves, but too embarrassed or shameful to admit it. So they cover up their true feelings by lashing out so vehemently against gays & gay culture.
1:58 pm on October 30th, 2008
"Marriage" means a man and a woman. Always has and there is no reason to change that. It deserves it's own term.
If anyone else wants to get legally bound. Fine. Just call it something else. That's all.
2:05 pm on October 30th, 2008
For the record, call me whatever you want I'm also against gay marriages.
Ok, you're an ass
2:21 pm on October 30th, 2008
Giving $15K to support Prop 8? That's so gay.
2:24 pm on October 30th, 2008
If they want to "protect" marriage, how about criminalizing infidelity? Hmmm…Hmmmm? I bet those travelin', lonely bore~ball players would think TWICE about THAT!
2:30 pm on October 30th, 2008
Why the hell does Kent care about what two consenting adults to and with each other and only each other?
The only people that use words like abomination are right wing zealots.
The Mormon Church also was one of the last churches to de-segregate, so what do you expect?
2:38 pm on October 30th, 2008
1954: Slavery abolished in the USA.1978: Mormons finally give equal rights to blacks.1920: Women get the right to vote.2008: Mormon women still don't have same rights as men.Prop 8 is nothing more than an attempt by an organization to turn back the clock and make California like Utah (a state that obviously has a terrible track record when it comes to civil rights.)California is NOT Utah.Vote NO on hate. Vote NO on Prop 8.
2:44 pm on October 30th, 2008
Does Prop 8 also want to ban interracial marriages? Because those aren't "traditional", either.
3:47 pm on October 30th, 2008
Failing economy? The war in Iraq? Nah - gay marriage is the real threat to our nation's well-being!
3:50 pm on October 30th, 2008
I'm all for gay marriage. Why shouldn't they get the chance to be unhappy, too?
4:43 pm on October 30th, 2008
The Proposition apposes gay marriage. Jeff Kent wants to ban the proposition, so his donation is in support of the right for gays to marry each other. Isn't that correct?
4:47 pm on October 30th, 2008
No, he supports the proposition, therefore he's against gay marriage.
4:47 pm on October 30th, 2008
He gave $15K to the "Yes on 8" group that wants to ban same-sex marriage. He wants to ban same-sex marriage… he does not want to ban Prop 8. I think you read it wrong Slick Rick.
5:34 pm on October 30th, 2008
Jeff's political leanings have nothing to do with his on-field play. Last time I checked, we're still in America, where people still have freedom of expression, whether you agree with them or not.
That said, I don't agree with Kent's support of Prop 8, but he's free to donate & do as he pleases.
5:38 pm on October 30th, 2008
He is in fact free to donate and speak as he pleases. That is isn't the issue with most of the readers that have expressed their opinion here.
The issue is that he comes out on the position of hate on the wrong side.
5:51 pm on October 30th, 2008
Jeff Kent hateful? I am shocked!
7:16 pm on October 30th, 2008
My observation has been that a very large number of people I've spoken with who claim to support "equality for all" suddenly start backpedalling furiously when you ask them about marriage equality for other groups like bi/polygamists, furries, zoophiliacs, NAMBLA, those who think the Age of Consent should be 16 (or lower,) and so forth. Funny how they haven't considered the implications of the phrase "for all."
9:59 pm on October 30th, 2008
Actually 16 is old enough to get married (with parental consent) in most states, including California.
Equating the right of two CONSENTING ADULTS to be married with people marrying animals and children is a lame straw man argument. Humans were given reasoning skills and rational thought, lets try to use them.
10:03 pm on October 30th, 2008
I don't know what the big deal is. Marriage is an overrated institution, anyway. Half of them always end up in divorce.
10:34 pm on October 30th, 2008
Or as Peter Cook in "The Princess Bride" would say: "Mawwiage."
5:24 am on October 31st, 2008
Marrying an animal? Wow, you have a turtle capable of informed consent and that can sign a marriage license?
11:12 am on October 31st, 2008
Brad:
"It's because, like me, Jeff Kent is Mormon. Being homosexual is an abomination in the eyes of God, so that's why he's voting against it. For the record, call me whatever you want I'm also against gay marriages."
What I'll call you is what you are: You're a bigot.
8:01 pm on October 31st, 2008
It's a can of worms. The left never leave it at equality. If that was their only agenda it would be one thing. But they have to force their values on you. Not only do you have to leave them alone, but you have to agree that they were right.
In Massachusetts they passed same sex marriage and then immediately put it into the school system. They started teaching kindergarteners that this is an acceptable way of life with pamphlets. When a religious parent complained, they said they HAD to teach the kids this so they wouldn't grow up bigots.
First off, why does a KINDERGARTENER need to know anything about marriage and secondly, if you teach anything remotely related to religion in school you are wrong. Yet they want their "religion" shoved down your throat.
4:29 pm on November 3rd, 2008
First, let me say I'm all for letting anyone do anything he/she wants, as long as it doesn't affect me personally. I would probably vote no on California's Proposition 8. However, let's be objective: if you are for allowing any sort of "non-traditional marriage" (e.g. gay marriage), you must be willing to allow other sorts of non-traditional marriage. Of course this is incredibly ironic, as those who are most in favor of gay marriage would probably be the first to try to prevent the Mormons from reinstituting polygamy.
Speaking as an objective observer, any argument in favor of gay marriage but against polygamy or other sorts of non-traditional marriage is both hollow and hypocritical.
1:37 am on November 7th, 2008
People who believe gay marriage wouldn't eventually affect them are fooling themselves. Way to go Jeff Kent! It's about time a great athlete took a stand for something!
1:50 am on November 7th, 2008
Jeff Kent is a man. I take my hat off to him for standing up for his beliefs despite taking so much heat from the likes of many people on this blog.
I hope more people who share his belief on the sanctity of marriage stand up against the voices of those who are seek to intimidate and cram their views down others' throats.
The No on 8 campaign tried to capitalize on the ignorance of the general population regarding marriage and tried to convince people that to vote Yes on 8 was to make you intolerant and hateful. In my view, this could not be further from the truth. Marriage between man and woman has been the foundation of society since the beginning. Consider where you would be without it.
9:40 pm on January 21st, 2009
People that believe gay marriage is socially right are just as right/wrong as people that believe it is wrong. America has the oldest living constitution in the world.(and yes that is right we have the oldest c0nstition in the entire world.) Because we are allowed to adapt to our culture as our culture is allowed to adapt to us. I personally do not believe in the sanctaty of gay marriage, but i also do not believe in the sanctaty of more than half of the heterosexual marriages around. Since when is it following any religious standards to get married 2,3, or 4 times, it is no more right to get divorced, than it is for gay marriage. Yet divorce seems to be a VERY acceptable social standard. Just have faith in humanity. Stand up for yours. And why do we need to bring up the war in Iraq. That has nothing to do with this topic. Please stay to the topic. You won't wound so ignorant next time.