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The deadline for a submission for Briefly is noon the Friday prior to it appearing in the paper, though earlier submission is encouraged. Your news will also appear online at Wicked Local Kingston.
Rogers & Gray Insurance Workers Compensation seminar
KINGSTON — Rogers & Gray Insurance, 63 Smiths Lane, will host a Workers Compensation seminar from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sept. 13.
Attendees can learn how to go about setting up such a program from Jill Scioli-Swygart, of Stephenson & Brook, a firm that specializes in workers' compensation risk management. In her presentation, Jill will cover the following topics: Understanding the costs of Workers Compensation; Building Your Workers' Compensation Team; Accident Investigation; Supervisor's Role; Return To Work Considerations; and Data Review: Loss Runs/Trends/EMR/Bidding.
A light breakfast will be served. Admission is free.
PACTV to hold 'Friends for Texas' live telethon
PLYMOUTH — PACTV will hold a live telethon, "Friends of Texas" to support the people of Texas from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 23. The telethon will be live on PACTV channels and streamed live on the PACTV website.
The nonprofit organization is working with the towns of Plymouth, Kingston, Duxbury and Pembroke as well as community partners. For more information, visit http://pactv.org/friendsfortexas or email PACTV at firstname.lastname@example.com.
PACTV held a telethon for Plymouth's sister city of Shichigahama, Japan, in 2011 and raised $100,000. PACTV is a nonprofit organization providing Public, Educational and Government Access. Now in its 20th year, PACTV serves the towns of Duxbury, Kingston, Pembroke and Plymouth.
Kingston Cultural Council to host meeting
KINGSTON — The Kingston Cultural Council would like to invite the public to attend its first meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in room 101 at the Kingston Town House, 26 Evergreen St. The council welcomes suggestions from the public on what programs the community would like the council to focus on this coming year. New members are welcome to join. RSVP to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Wingate at Silver Lake events
KINGSTON — The Wingate at Silver Lake, 17 Chipman Way, will host the following events:
Silent auction for the Alzheimer's Association: Sept. 6-13. Items to be auctioned include Red Socks tickets, gift cards to local businesses, fall-themed prize baskets and more. All items will be displayed in the community's lobby throughout the week between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association. This event is free and open to the public.
Grandparents Day celebration: 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 9. Join in celebrating grandparents and great-grandparents. Bring the grandchildren to enjoy a complimentary pony ride at this event. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited.
Musician Dave Valerio to perform: 2:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Valerio is a drummer, pianist, bassist, accordionist and vocalist with a degree from the Berklee College of Music. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited.
For more information or to RSVP to events, contact Virginia Powell at 781-585-4100.
Kingston Garden Club fall schedule
KINGSTON — The Kingston Garden Club has set up its fall schedule for presentations and activities.
All presentations and activities are included in the $30 Annual Membership Fee. The public is welcome to attend any presentation for a $5 fee at the door. The club meets from 9 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month at the Faunce School on Green St.
The schedule is as follows:
n Sep. 9: "Light Up Your Landscape" presented by Paul Barcello, Barcello's Lighting
n Oct. 14: "Chameleon Containers" presented by Deborah Trickett, The Captured Garden
n Nov. 11: "Holiday Floral Design" presented by Lisa Oberhauser-Gee, Master Designer
n Dec. 9: "Holiday Craft Fair" Come shop for gifts and decorations
More presentations are scheduled for the 2018 winter and spring season. For more information on membership in the Kingston Garden Club, contact Jen Hicks at email@example.com. For more information on presentations, contact Janice King at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Events at The Spire
PLYMOUTH – The Spire Center for Performing Arts presents eclectic entertainment at 25 1/2 Court St. in downtown Plymouth. The Spire is handicap accessible; parking is available street side and in public lots in close proximity. For more information, to order tickets online or to learn more about The Spire, visit www.spirecenter.org, or follow the Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.
Sept. 9: Popa Chubby, 8 p.m., $22
Sept. 15: Spire Salute to Americana with Will Dailey / Dietrich Strause, 8 p.m., $15
Sept. 16: Peter Parcek and Friends, A Blues Tribute to Bob Dylan, 8 p.m., $20
Sept. 20: Jazz and Blues Jam Session with the Spire House Band, 7 p.m., $5
Sept. 22: An Evening with Jonathan Brooke, 8 p.m., $35
Sept. 23: Melissa Ferrick, 8 p.m., $25
Sept. 29: John Gorka, 8 p.m., $25
Sept. 30: The Lance Martin Jazz Trio All-Request Concert, 8 p.m., $20
Carver Farmers' Market
CARVER — The Carver Farmers' Market will open from noon to 4 p.m. every Sunday until Oct. 29 in Shurtleff Park, on Route 58 across from the Carver Town Hall.
The market will have fresh fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, baked goods, live lobsters, honey, fresh eggs, wine, hanging baskets, annuals and perennials, herbs, shrubs, crafts, food vendors, live music and more. Admission is free. For information, call 508-86-2428 or 508-944-3194.
Poetry: The Art of Words
PLYMOUTH – Poetry: The Art of Words, the Mike Amado Memorial Series, is held at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, at 11 North St. Admission and refreshments are free. For details, visit ptaow.com. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Plymouth Cultural Council.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and music starts at noon, with poetry at 12:45 p.m. and an open mic at 1:15 p.m.
Sept. 10: Carolyn Gregory
Oct. 15: Poetry Showcase
Nov. 12: Everett Hogaland and Rene Schwiesow
Dec. 3: Myles Gordon and Renee Summers
ALS Family Charitable Foundation Cliff Walk
SAGAMORE BEACH — The ALS Family Charitable Foundation will hold its 21st annual Cliff Walk for ALS Fundraiser at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at the Cape Cod Canal DCR Scusset Beach Reservation, 20 Scusset Beach Road, Sagamore Beach. It will be a day full of fundraising, live musical entertainment by the Real Deal, a cookout, activities for kids and the annual 7-mile walk along the canal. Registration starts at 10 a.m.
This event draws in over 1,000 people and raises funds for the Foundation's in-house programs for patients and families living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) throughout New England.
This event is sponsored by Superior Rail and Iron Works Inc. For more information on the event, visit http://alsfamily.org or call 508-759-9696.
New World Tavern to host Theology on Tap
PLYMOUTH — New World Tavern, 56 Main St., Plymouth, will host Theology on Tap, an event for young adults in their 20s and 30s, at 7 p.m. Sept. 12.
This event will feature Jim and Terry Orcutt, founders of My Brother's Keeper. MBK started in the basement ofthe Orcutt's home and has made well over 100,000 deliveries of furniture, food and Christmas gifts to struggling families throughout Southeastern Massachusetts since 1988. A Q&A session will be held after the presentation and discussion.
Free blood donation haircuts
KINGSTON — American Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts have partnered to give blood donors a free haircut coupon upon donating.
Donation opportunities in Kingston are from 1 to 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Kingston Council on Aging, 30 Evergreen St. Blood and platelet donors of all blood types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage.
Those who come out to give blood or platelets Sept. 1-30 will receive a coupon for a free haircut via email several days after their donation. The coupon is valid through Nov. 11, 2017, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.
Donors are urged to make an appointment to donate using the free Blood Donor App, online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 800-733-2767. The Red Cross and Sport Clips encourage donors to use the hashtag #SavingLivesLooksGood to share their new looks and invite others to give.
Boatbuilding workshop
Mass Bay Maritime Artisans holds a weekly boatbuilding/repair workshop each Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to drop in. The group is preparing to recreate the Kingston Lobster Boat, designed and built on the Jones River in about 1880. Visit www.gofundme.com/KingstonLobsterBoat. Jones River Landing is located at 55 Landing Road on the banks of the Jones River in Kingston.
Kingston Lions Club Expo
KINGSTON — The Kingston Lions Club annual fall sales event, the Kingston Lions Club Expo, will return to the Kingston Collection, 101 Kingston Collection Way, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24. Featuring over 60 vendors, the expo will offer many of the items that residents have enjoyed at the Kingston Lions Club flea markets for over 30 years.
Vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid a late fee, vendor applications must be received by Sept. 14. "By supporting us, you help benefit the many Kingston Lions Club charities, locally, nationally and internationally," said King Lion Peter Rossi. To reserve a vendor space, call 781-585-3264, or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Plymouth Farmers' Market
PLYMOUTH – The outdoor Plymouth Farmers' Market takes place rain or shine from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday through October at Plimoth Plantation, located at 137 Warren Ave., off Exit 4 South in Plymouth.
Managed by farmer Dave Purpura, proprietor of Plato's Harvest Organic Farm, the Market features organic produce, seafood, pork, beef, chicken, goat and handmade cheese, along with prepared-food vendors and crafters. You'll hear live music, and kids activities enhance the experience with Miss Margaret from Plymouth Public Library hosting Plymouth Story Time at 4 p.m. The Market also features face painting, balloon animals and temporary tattoos for kids. Massage therapists performing chair massage and local cooks offering insight into meal preparation round out this year's Market.
The Market accepts WIC EBT cards, SNAP benefits and food stamps. For more information visit plymouthfarmersmarket.org.
Kingston Lions Club Expo
KINGSTON — The Kingston Lions Club annual fall sales event, the Kingston Lions Club Expo, will return to the Kingston Collection, 101 Kingston Collection Way, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24. Featuring over 60 vendors, the expo will offer many of the items that residents have enjoyed at the Kingston Lions Club flea markets for over 30 years.
Vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid a late fee, vendor applications must be received by Sept. 14. "By supporting us, you help benefit the many Kingston Lions Club charities, locally, nationally and internationally," said King Lion Peter Rossi. To reserve a vendor space, call 781-585-3264, or send an email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Silver Lake Class of 1967 50th reunion
KINGSTON — The Silver Lake Regional High School Class of 1967 will holding its 50th reunion the weekend of Sept. 15-17.
The reunion committee is in the process of contacting classmates with details on the reunion. Alumni who have not received the first mailing or know of a classmate who may have moved within the past few years should contact the committee at firstname.lastname@example.com or on the Facebook group SilverLakeClassof196750thReunion. The facebook page includes a listing of classmates still to be located.
Kingston Lions Club 70th anniversary party
KINGSTON — The Kingston Lions Club will host a grand 70th anniversary celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Hilltop Club on Pottle Street in Kingston. The afternoon will feature a catered meal of petite filet and lobster tail, a cash bar and music.
Tickets for this this gathering are available at $35 per person by Sept. 1. To purchase tickets, send a check payable to the Kingston Lions Club to Kingston Lions Club, P.O. Box 138, Kingston, MA 02364, or contact Cathy Cavicchi at 508-287-6444, or send an email to email@example.com. Lions Club members can also be contacted for tickets. Tickets at the door are $40 per person.
CPR AED course
KINGSTON — Health Ed of New England will hold a CPR AED course from 6:30 to 10 p.m Sept. 18 at Kingston Public Library, 6 Green St. Learn to save the life of an adult, child and infant victim. This is a basic American Heart Association certification course, appropriate for childcare professionals, parents and the general public.
The cost is $45 per person. This course requires registration by Sept. 17. To register, call 781-582-1440 or 800-434-6000, or visit http://healthednewengland.com.
Basic Wilderness Survival Course
PLYMOUTH — The Kingston Public Library, 6 Green St., will host the Basic Wilderness Survival Course for Teens and Tweens from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27.
Matt Gabriel from "Animal World Experience" will be at the Kingston Public Library guiding teens and tweens in the basics of how to survive in the wilderness. Gabriel comes from a background of professional survival training and has thousands of hours of personal experience with the flora, fauna and terrain of New England. Participants will learn how to make fire with a prehistoric bow drill, explore how to make a debris hut and discover local plants that can be harvested year-round for use as food and medicine. Attendees will also receive instruction on planning and building their own survival kit, as well as how to "lost proof" themselves to ensure they are prepared for any situation.
Registration is required and the program will be open for teens and tweens ages 10 to 18 with an interest in survival skills. To register or for more information visit the online calendar at http://kingstonpubliclibrary.org, or contact Hannele Minsk at email@example.com or 781-585-0517, ext. 6284.
Kingston Dog licenses
KINGSTON — The Kingston 2017 Dog Licenses are available at the town clerk's office, 26 Evergreen St. Registration is available at the clerk's office or by mail. Mailers should include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Cost for altered is $10 and unaltered is $20. Payment is accepted by cash or check only and a current rabies certificate is required. For information, visit kingstonmass.org.
Evergreen Cemetery decoration rules
KINGSTON — The Kingston Evergreen Cemetery board of trustees wish to notify all lot holders that revised rules and regulations regarding the decoration of graves have been adopted and are available at the cemetery in the designated mailbox near Prince Chapel, 21 Green St.; the lobby of the Kingston Council on Aging, 30 Evergreen St.; and the lobby of the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green St. The revised rules and regulations became effective as of Nov. 1.
Museum of Fine Arts pass
KINGSTON — The Friends of Kingston Public library offers several museum passes, including one to the Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Residents can join a free guided one-hour tour to explore highlights from the Museum of Fine Arts different collections. Museum curators, conservators, educators, independent scholars, artists and graduate students host weekly gallery talks. Attendees can learn about art, culture and history in the MFA collection. For select programs, residents can join in and create their own artwork. Educational activities designed for children ages 4 and older to do with adults are also offered in the galleries.
The Kingston Public Library provides a discount pass that can make this trip more affordable, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. The Friends also provide discount passes to many other museums and parks. Visit the library website at kingstonpubliclibrary.org or ask a librarian for a list of available passes. Passes can be reserved online, in person or by telephone at 781-585-0517, ext. 111.
Kingston Collection discounts for soldiers
KINGSTON — Kingston Collection has announced it will offer permanent discounts to military personnel at several stores. Stores such as Payless, Yogibo, Journeys, Spencer's and more will have signs in their storefront displaying the 10 percent, year-round discount they offer to soldiers. In addition, many stores are also offering the discount to police, firefighters and EMT personnel. There will be an additional sign on those storefront windows displaying that discount.
'Kingston Coffee and Conversation' episode
KINGSTON — Kingston town administrator Robert Fennessy sat down for an in-depth interview with guest host Julie Thompson, PACTV director of administration, in the latest episode of "Kingston Coffee and Conversation," now playing on Kingston's Government Channel. Fennessy talks about his background and his role as town administrator in Kingston.
The episode is now airing and residents in Kingston can watch the show on Kingston's Government Channel, Comcast 14 and Verizon 41, on the following dates and times: 11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Fridays; and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The episode is also available on PACTV's YouTube Channel, PACTV Video Share at https://youtu.be/Jt38aeQjjZU.
Old Colony YMCA Summer Fun Club
KINGSTON — Registration is open for the Old Colony YMCA Summer Fun Club. Designed for children that have graduated kindergarten to 12 years of age at the Briggs Building, 207 Main St., this program is open to non-Kingston residents as well.
The club will travel to places like Edaville, Water Wiz, Battleship Cove, and an adventure park, and go on a whale watch. Every day kicks off with a BOKS nutrition and fitness program followed by other activities that children can enjoy. The club follows the Healthy eating and physical activity standards for all breakfast and snacks and encourage parents to send in healthy lunches.
Register by the day, week, month or entire summer. The cost per day per child is $40 with the exception of six trips, which are an additional $15 per trip. The programs hours are 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and there is a $25 registration fee per child. For information or a summer brochure, call 508-833-4796.
'Register's Report'
PLYMOUTH — "Register's Report" has a new episode playing on PACTV's government channels.
Host John Buckley, Plymouth County Register of Deeds, talks with Monica Donnelly and Sue Mulcare, of Jack Conway, Realtor, as they discuss real estate trends in the south shore. Buckley also shares April 2017's housing and mortgage statistics as well as some historical land records from Plymouth County. The show can be seen on PACTV's Government Channels on the following days and times: 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Duxbury: Comcast 15 & Verizon 39; 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 6 p.m. Thursdays, Kingston: Comcast 14 & Verizon 41; 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Pembroke: Comcast 15; and 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Plymouth: Comcast 15 and Verizon 47.
The episode is also available on PACTV's YouTube Channel, PACTV Video Share at https://youtu.be/GqQjXNQMHNo. PACTV is a nonprofit organization providing Public, Educational and Government Access. Now in its 20th year, PACTV serves the towns of Duxbury, Kingston, Pembroke and Plymouth. For more information about PACTV, visit http://pactv.org.
Property assessment underway
KINGSTON — The town of Kingston has contracted with KRT Appraisal to measure and list all 4,494 properties within the town.
This project will be completed by June 30. KRT Appraisal employees in the field will have an identification badge and a letter of introduction from the town, explaining the purpose of their visit as well as introducing the data collector and the vehicle they are driving. If someone is home, the data collector will ask to inspect the interior of the property to verify data on file with the assessor's office. If no one is home, a postcard will be left informing the property owner that someone was there. The town appreciates taxpayer cooperation through this process as data verification is an important part of the overall assessment process. KRT Appraisal will be using a laser measuring device instead of a standard tape measure. This device, produced by 3D Data Ltd., uses lasers to collect millions of data points on a given building simply by walking around its footprint. These data points create a 3-D representation of the building which is easily converted to a sketch diagram accurate to within a couple of inches. The final output is entered into the town's appraisal software, along with the other data verified during the site visit. The project will start on the east end of Main Street and move counterclockwise around the town over the next few months. The two KRT Appraisal data collectors who will be working in Kingston are Doug Rollins and Josh Gendron. Their names and vehicle information will be given to the Kingston Police Department for verification. For questions regarding the data collection process, call the Kingston assessor's office at 781-585-0509.
South Shore Soliloquy Toastmasters Club
KINGSTON — South Shore Soliloquy Toastmasters Club in Kingston will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Kingston Public Library, 6 Green St. The public speaking club aims to enhance speaking and leadership capabilities. Residents are welcome to be a guest at a meeting to observe or participate and learn how to build communication skills to effectively express oneself in any situation. For more information, call Charles "Chuck" Bramhall at 508-400-0600.
Alzheimer's support group
DUXBURY – A free Alzheimer's and dementia educational support group for caregivers meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Duxbury Council on Aging, at 10 Mayflower St. The group provides an opportunity for caregivers to share their experiences and receive information, guidance and support regarding care planning strategies. The group will foster the development of a mutual support system helping caregivers to improve their own health and wellbeing and assist them in learning ways to provide optimal care for the person with dementia and become a better advocate. The group is free and confidential and will be led by Suzanne Faith, R.N. Psych., senior director; and Alan Johnson, LICSW, director of community and family outreach at Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services. New participants are welcome to join at any time. For more information or to register, call 508-775-5656 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Kingston COA computer classes
KINGSTON — Dan Rivera teaches intermediate computer classes from 4 to 6 p.m. every Tuesday at the Kingston Council on Aging, 30 Evergreen St. A series of classes have been ongoing for over six months. Attendees can learn how to use Google, YouTube, Facebook and more. Make reservations at the front desk at the COA. Refreshments will be served. For information: Marilyn Greenstein, 781-585-0511.
Free community playgroups
KINGSTON – Free playgroups are held from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday mornings at the Kennedy-Donovan Center, at 32 Crescent St., for children ages 15 months to 4 years with a parent or guardian. The program is free and open to Kingston residents and families in surrounding communities.
Get fit with Wingate
KINGSTON – The Inn at Silver Lake, Kingston, will hold free exercise classes at 9 a.m. Fridays. The class is open to all elders to get healthy and have fun. The class will consist of stretching, light cardiovascular conditioning and strength training exercises all done either standing or sitting in a chair with the use of exercise bands and weights. Participation is at the participant's risk.
Sunday Salon Series
DUXBURY – The Duxbury Free Library will present literary, musical, poetic and informational programs this fall and winter as part of the Sunday Salon Series. The library is open from to 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. The Sunday Salon programs begin at 2 p.m. Author programs are co-sponsored and presented with Westwinds Bookshop. The Duxbury Free Library is located at 77 Alden St., Duxbury. Call 781-934-2721 or visit www.duxburyfreelibrary.org for more information and to register for the following events.
Donate used eyeglasses
KINGSTON — The Kingston Lions Club, with the help of the Recycle for Sight program, is collecting used eyeglasses. Through Recycle for Sight, Lions collect new and gently used eyeglasses and sunglasses to ship to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. Volunteers sort and clean the glasses and determine their prescription strength. Lions store the glasses until they can be distributed, usually through humanitarian missions to developing nations. Last year, the Kingston Lions Club collected more than 600 pairs of glasses. Residents can drop off used eyeglasses in the bins at the Kingston Stop & Shop, at 160 Summer St.; Weymouth Bank, at 83 Summer St.; the Kingston Public Library, at 6 Green St.; the Kingston Senior Center, at 30 Evergreen St.; Eastern Bank; South Shore Bank in Pembroke.
OCLN expands website accessibility
KINGSTON - The Old Colony Library Network, of which the Kingston library is a member, has formed a new partnership with Ai Squared to provide "sitecues" for OCLN's shared library catalog. This will improve the usability of the catalog by providing magnification and screen reading capabilities for seniors and anyone with a disability that impacts their ability to read print, according to Executive Director David Slater. For more information, contact Slater at 781-794-2513 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Calling all artists
KINGSTON - The Kingston Public Library Art Committee is now scheduling exhibits for the coming year. All artists are invited to take advantage of the opportunity to share their artwork with the community. Artists may pick up application packets at the library or download them from the How To Exhibit page on the library website at www.kingstonpubliclibrary.org/ArtCommittee2010/Art_Comm_howto.htm. Whatever medium you work in we look forward to hearing from you. Exhibits are held in the Library's Gallery and usually run for one month. A display case is also available for three-dimensional work and may be booked separately or in combination with the gallery. (The display case interior is 16 inches high by 20 inches deep and 5 feet, 10 inches long.) The library's goals in sponsoring these exhibits are to reflect the spirit of the community, give exposure to local artists and provide opportunities for the community to see the vibrant work being created by artists in our area. Another goal is to present work of both current and historical social significance. For more information on exhibiting your work, call Maryanne Driscoll at 781-585-0517, ext. 115, or email email@example.com. The library is open Mondays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish food pantry
KINGSTON – St. Joseph Parish of Kingston and Plympton offer these dates for the twice-monthly food pantry, open to Kingston and Plympton residents. The days for the open pantry are the second Thursday and last Thursday of each month. The hours of operation have changed to 10-11:30 a.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. For more information, call St. Joseph Parish office at 781-585-6679.
Myles Standish State Forest programs
SOUTH CARVER – The DCR is now offering a full calendar of events in Myles Standish State Forest to engage, educate, and entertain guests of all ages and experience levels. Free and open to the public. No sign-up is required. For a trail map, including parking lots, visit www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dcr/parks/trails/mssf3.pdf. Rain, snow, or icy trails cancel the events; call ahead to confirm, 508-866-2526.
Now recycle antifreeze, large plastic
KINGSTON – Kingston residents no longer have to wait until Household Hazardous waste day to properly dispose of their used antifreeze. The Transfer Station now has a collection container from Glycol Blending Services, a Rhode Island company that remanufactures it into new coolant products. GBS provides the container, transportation and processing at no cost to the town. Paul Basler, superintendent of Kingston streets, trees and parks, learned of GBS's services through Kingston's membership in the South Shore Recycling Cooperative. Residents may now also recycle large rigid plastic crates, buckets, baskets, toys, lawn furniture, etc., in a new roll-off, thanks to a grant from MassDEP. Items should be free of metal and other non-rigid plastic materials. Antifreeze and large rigid plastic recycling don't just help Kingston taxpayers and the environment, but they provide "Recycling Dividend Points" from MassDEP, which translates into cash for future waste reduction efforts.
Donations for Chrissy's Charity
PLYMOUTH – Chrissy's Charity is in great need for donation of rosaries, even broken, which can be prepared and sent to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. They bring great comfort to the troops of any religious denomination or even of no known faith at all in life-threatening situations. The group has sent more than 600 rosaries to date. Also needed is any type of jewelry (even broken), religious medals, four-ply yarn for prayer shawls and beads for the blessed faith bracelets to be given to those facing great health problems at the local hospital. Drop off donations are at both Rockland Trust locations, Court Street and Pilgrim Hill Road in Plymouth, and Balboni's Drug Store on Court Street in North Plymouth. Call or email Jane at 508-746-6095 or email@example.com for details.
Recycling containers available for events
If you are planning an event that will generate recyclable bottles and cans, don't let them go to waste. The South Shore Recycling Cooperative has dozens of recycling carts and bins available for events in its 14 member towns. The containers are stored at the Marshfield Fairgrounds and at Cohasset Town Hall. The wheeled carts are 35-gallon capacity, labeled "Bottles and Cans," and have lids with round cutouts. Liner bags are available. The 18-gallon bins are similarly labeled. To arrange to borrow some, contact Claire Galkowski at 781-329-8318 or firstname.lastname@example.com. Borrowers are responsible for pickup and drop-off.
Friends of the COA's gift shop kiosk
KINGSTON – The Friends of the Council on Aging decided to open a gift shop in the Kingston Senior Center. The Friends built the kiosk that now houses a wide variety of new and slightly used items – from handmade necklaces and scarves made by sisters, Theresa and Anne Poirer, to kitchen and dining accessories, frames and a variety of "can't-live-without" items.
Typically, items sell quickly, as customers are always checking for what's new and what's on sale. And all the proceeds are used to maintain and expand COA services and programs. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Friends of the Council on Aging is a 501c nonprofit that works closely with the Kingston Council on Aging to enhance the lives of seniors in the town of Kingston.
Special education child search
KINGSTON - In accordance with federal and state regulation, the Silver Lake Regional School District/Superintendency Union No. 31 provides special education programs designed to meet the needs of children who are attending not only public school but also private schools at private expense and whose parents reside in Halifax, Kingston or Plympton. Silver Lake Regional/Union No. 31 provides all children with an opportunity to participate in the public school programs and strives to identify all children in need of special education services. Silver Lake Regional/Union No. 31 will arrange for the screening and evaluation of children ages 3 through 21 who are unable to progress effectively in regular education because of disability. Disabilities are defined as an impairment in one or more of the following areas: autism; developmental delay, intellectual impairment, sensory impairment (hearing or vision), neurological impairment, emotional impairment, communication impairment; physical impairment; health impairment; or specific learning disability. Silver Lake Regional/Union No. 31 conducts scheduled screenings or evaluations for preschool children who will be turning 3 years of age. These evaluations are completed at the Integrated Preschool, housed at Kingston Elementary School. For further information regarding eligibility for evaluations, programs and/or services, contact the Special Education Office at 781-585-4382 to schedule a screening/evaluation. Silver Lake Regional School District/Superintendency Union No. 31 does not discriminate on the basis of age, handicap, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, gender or national origin.
PACTV 'Community News'
PLYMOUTH – PACTV "Community News," on channels 13 (Comcast) and 43 (Verizon), features local news stories from Plymouth, Duxbury, Kingston and Pembroke. The show is cablecast at 8 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Monday. To submit a story suggestion, call Kim Miot, PCN news director, at 508-830-6999 or email firstname.lastname@example.com. To watch previous episodes or to find out more about PCN, visit www.pactv.org/pcn.
PCN in Depth
PLYMOUTH – PCN In Depth is cablecast on the PACTV public access channel (Comcast 13 and Verizon 43) at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, at 1 and 11 p.m. Tuesdays, and at 7 p.m. Fridays. The show can also be seen on the PACTV website, www.pactv.org.
PACTV classes
PLYMOUTH – Plymouth Area Community Television's classes are designed to help the residents of Duxbury, Kingston, Pembroke and Plymouth to create television for the PACTV Public Access Channel (Comcast 13/Verizon 43). Students may choose from a variety of classes including Introduction Field Camcorder, Adobe Premier Pro Editing Series and Studio Production Series. Classes are available to PACTV members. For more information about PACTV membership or the class schedule, visit www.pactv.org/learn or email Carol McGilvray, membership coordinator, at firstname.lastname@example.com. PACTV is a nonprofit organization serving the communities of Duxbury, Kingston, Pembroke and Plymouth. Call PACTV at 508-830-6999 or visit www.pactv.org for more information.
SNAP applications
PLYMOUTH – South Shore Community Action Council Inc. (SSCAC) is scheduling appointments to help low income and working South Shore residents apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. If you currently receive SNAP benefits, SSCAC can help you recertify your eligibility. The highly trained and compassionate staff will help you submit your SNAP application and documents. Don't go without, reach out.
SNAP Eligibility Guidelines include the following. Households with children under 19 and pregnant women living alone must have a total gross income below 200 percent of the poverty level. Adult-only households (age 19-59) must have a total gross income below 130 percent of the poverty level. Households made up of all elders (age 60+) or disabled individuals have no gross income limit, but are subject to an asset test. Since 1965, South Shore Community Action Council has provided a range of critical services to low-income individuals and families on the South Shore of Massachusetts. SSCAC works to eliminate poverty along the South Shore by providing low-income people with opportunities and supports for education, training, and work. For more information about SNAP or to schedule an appointment, call 508-747-7575, ext. 6239. The SSCAC office is located ob Obery Strreet in Plymouth.
Rep. Calter's office hours
KINGSTON – State Rep. Tom Calter, D-Kingston, holds monthly office hours for residents of the six towns he represents. To schedule an appointment outside of office hours or for more information email email@example.com or call 508-732-0033. He holds office hours at the Kingston Council on Aging, at 30 Evergreen St., the first Friday of each month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Pet food drive
KINGSTON – Kingston Animal Hospital is hosting an ongoing pet food drive for the local food pantry. Donations are needed for both cat and dog foods. Canned and dry foods will be accepted, but not perishable items. Donations can be dropped off during hospital hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, at Kingston Animal Hospital, 192 Main St., Kingston.
Educational programming
KINGSTON – From 2 to 6 p.m. each weekday, educational programming is cablecast on the PACTV Kingston Government Channel. To see the complete PACTV programming schedule, visit www.pactv.org.
Parent/toddler playgroups
KINGSTON – South Shore Community Action Council's Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program holds free toddler playgroups for parents and toddlers from Hingham, Cohasset, Norwell, Scituate, Hanover, Pembroke, Kingston, Halifax, Plympton and Carver. Playgroups are held in two locations – Fridays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Scituate and Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Kennedy Donovan Center in Kingston. The toddler playgroups are for children 15 month to 4 years old and provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children to develop sensory, language, social and early literacy skills. Contact Carla Steen at firstname.lastname@example.com or 508-747-7575, ext.6247, to register or request additional information.
South Shore Business Roundtable
PEMBROKE – The South Shore Business Roundtable is a business networking group that promotes member businesses through the generation and exchange of leads, sharing of ideas, networking, and other related activities. Membership is exclusive to a unique business category. The objective of this diverse association of local business owners and professionals is to create quality referrals for each member. The South Shore Business Roundtable usually meets from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. every other week at the Pembroke Town Hall, 100 Center St., in Pembroke. For additional information and detail, call John Miller at 781-378-2164 or visit www.ssbrt.net. Guests are welcome.
Recycle your old clothes
KINGSTON – Take your old clothes, shoes and household linens to the Bay State Textile trailer next time you go to the Kingston Transfer Station. Bay State Textiles of Pembroke is partnering with the town of Kingston to reduce disposal costs and will pay the town $100 for every ton of outgrown sweaters, old painter pants, unwanted stuffed animals, and other household "soft-wear." Sheets, towels, coats, purses, belts, small toys - Bay State Textile wants it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. The items should be dry and reasonably clean. Put your castoffs in plastic bags so they stay dry during their journey to a second life as refurbished clothing and household linens, wiping cloths, insulation, carpet padding, etc.
Homeowner assistance
PLYMOUTH – South Shore Community Action Council Inc. is working with the attorney general's office to provide assistance to homeowners who have lost their homes to foreclosure. The HomeCorps Borrower Recovery Initiative helps with finding new housing, financial assistance for moving expenses and family stabilization resources. Stabilization resources include information and referrals to community-based support programs, financial and credit counseling, and follow-up support. Call South Shore Community Action Council at 508-747-7575, ext. 6257, to inquire about the program. Additional information is at www.sscac.org or at www.mass.gov/ago/homecorps. If you are facing foreclosure and have not yet lost your home, the HomeCorp Loan Modification Initiative may be able to help you. Contact the attorney general's office at 617-573-5333.
Vital records online
KINGSTON – You can request through the town website certified copies of birth, death and marriage records. Birth certificate – available for an individual if their parents were married and residing in Kingston at the time of the child's birth. If the parents of the child were not married at the time of the child's birth, you cannot apply online. You must apply by mail and include a photo ID. Death certificate – available for an individual who died in Kingston or whose residence was listed as Kingston if they died in another city or town in Massachusetts. Marriage certificate – available only for an individual/couple who filed his/their Marriage Intention in Kingston. If you are unsure if the vital record is in Kingston, contact the town clerk's office at 781-585-0502 before placing the order. The online price includes $1.50 for postage and handling. Visit kingstonmass.org and click on Pay Online.
Habitat ReStore
CARVER – Doing some cleaning and not quite sure where to put all of the things in that unwanted pile? Donate those items to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth's ReStore. Habitat's ReStore, located on Route 58 in Carver, sells donated materials to contractors and the general public at a discounted price. The proceeds from the sale of all donated items go toward the construction of Habitat homes. No item is too small, as items currently in the ReStore range from windows to home decor to nuts and bolts. If you're looking to take in some new items for remodeling projects, stop by the ReStore and save 50-90 percent off retail price on everything in the store. New merchandise comes in on a regular basis from retailers, contractors and individuals.
The ReStore is located at 72 N. Main St. in Carver; the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information about the ReStore and how to volunteer or donate, visit the website, www.hfhplymouth.org, or visit the Facebook page, Greater Plymouth Habitat & ReStore.
Quilters needed
KINGSTON – South of Boston Quilts for Kids is looking for quilters to help make quilts for children in local hospitals and shelters. Quilts for Kids is a national organization with Kingston as the only Massachusetts chapter. All the fabric and batting to make the quilts is supplied, all you need to supply is some thread and your sewing machine. The group meets every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the clubhouse at Town & Country Estates in Kingston. For more information, email Maryann O'Neil at email@example.com or call 781-585-2370.
Veterans job search
PLYMOUTH – If you are unemployed and would like to obtain personalized Job Search assistance call Mike Kelley, your veterans representative, at 508-732-5309. Kelley is stationed at the Plymouth Career Center located at 36 Cordage Park Circle, Suite 200, Plymouth.
Sheriff's outreach
PLYMOUTH – The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department has several community outreach Power Point programs available to community groups, neighborhood associations and civic organizations. These 45 minute presentations include: "Plymouth County Sheriff's Department, a Partner in Community Safety," an overview of the many facets of the department and it's relationship with the towns in Plymouth County, "Avoid ID Theft," a program designed to assist citizens in keeping their identity to themselves, and "Plymouth County Corrections, Then and Now," an historical perspective of Plymouth County jails and local laws. For more information on these free programs or to invite a speaker, call Program Service Outreach Coordinator Liisa Budge-Johnson at 508-732-1852.


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The currently mild winter makes it easy to forget the frigid days that strike Florida from time to time. The winter of 1894-1895, perhaps the most memorable in Florida history, left a lasting impact on one of the state's most recognizable industries.
In late December 1894, and then again in early February 1895, temperatures plummeted throughout the state. Orlando recorded 18 degrees on December 29; West Palm Beach reached only 27 on February 9.
Many citrus growers saw their investments crumble as frozen limbs snapped and fruit fell to the ground. Before the Great Freeze, Florida growers produced five million boxes of citrus per year. The industry did not reach this figure again for almost two decades.
The citrus industry moved southward after the 1894-95 freezes. Groves that survived the Great Freeze gained widespread notoriety. For example, the town of Keystone City was renamed Frostproof after its trees weathered the freeze. The great freeze forever changed the citrus industry, confining its reach to the southern half of the peninsula.
Visit Florida Memory to learn more about the history of Florida's citrus industry and the lasting impact of the Great Freeze.
Tags: citrus industry, Great Freeze (1894-95), weather, winter

subset: commoncrawl


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Guest Host: Michael Smerconish
Guests: Howard Fineman, Brian Sullivan, Kerry Sanders,
Michael Steele, Joan Walsh, Chip Saltsman, Steve McMahon, Alan Dershowitz, Chris Frates
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, GUEST HOST: The war over women.
Let`s play some HARDBALL.
Good evening. I`m Michael Smerconish in New York, sitting in for
Chris Matthews.
What do women want? Not Mitt Romney, at least according to the gender
gap seen in many polls, and things only seemed to get worse yesterday as
the Romney campaign peddled specious statistics and stumbled on the subject
of equal pay.
Then just as the Democrats were ready to celebrate a successful day,
one of their own stepped on their message with an ill-conceived shot at Ann
Romney. Ann Romney fired back today, and now President Obama has weighed
Also, a rare point of agreement between conservative Republicans and
the Obama campaign. Neither intends to let Mitt Romney tack back to the
center. The right wants him to prove that he meant all of those, quote,
"severely conservative" things that he said during the campaign, and
Democrats won`t let him get -- let swing voters forget it.
Plus, the Trayvon Martin case. We got our first glimpse of George
Zimmerman when he appeared in court today. Harvard law professor Alan
Dershowitz joins us tonight to break down the case.
And calling Joe McCarthy. Republican Allen West of Florida says that
about 80 Democrats in the House are communists. Communists! The
Republican Party spent much of the 1950s in the fever swamps of
McCarthyism. Do they really want to go there again?
And "Let Me Finish" tonight with why the Republican Party`s
presidential prospects may be in even worse shape four years from now.
We begin with the battle for women`s votes. Michael Steele was
chairman of the Republican Party. Joan Walsh is editor of Salon. And both
are MSNBC analysts.
Let`s first take a look at the comments that were made by Democratic
activist Hilary Rosen on CNN last night that kicked off this controversy.
HILARY ROSEN, DEMOCRATIC ACTIVIST: What you have is Mitt Romney
running around the country saying, Well, you know, my wife tells me that
what women really care about are economic issues, and, When I listen to my
wife, that`s what I`m hearing.
Guess what? His wife has actually never worked a day in her life.
She`s never really dealt with the kinds of economic issues that a majority
of the women in this country are facing in terms of how do we feed our
kids, how do we send them to school and how do we worry -- why we worry
about their future.
SMERCONISH: Today, Rosen apologized for what she called her poorly
chosen words, but on Twitter and TV, she defended the premise of her
Here`s what she posted on her Twitter account last night. "When I
said that Ann Romney never worked, I meant she never had to care for her
kids and earn a paycheck, like most American women."
Joining me now, Michael Steele and also Joan Walsh. Let`s parse this
statement. Can we begin that way? Michael Steele...
MICHAEL STEELE, FMR. RNC CHAIR, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes.
SMERCONISH: ... his wife has actually never worked a day in her life,
she said. I mean, that was an atrocious thing to say. I think we can all
agree on that. She raised five boys. She`s worked plenty of days in her
STEELE: Thank you.
SMERCONISH: But she then goes on to further explain what she was
meaning. And I guess my question is, does her terrible wording mask any
kind of a legitimate argument about a lack of empathy?
STEELE: No. There`s not a legitimate argument there, in my view.
Just because I have, according to her, never worked a day in my life
doesn`t mean I have empathy for my mom, who had to work or my sister, who
may be working, or an aunt or a dear friend of mine, who has to -- to --
you know, has made the choice to go into the workforce, as well as raise
her kids at home, as well as do whatever else she`s doing.
You know, this sort of elite attitude, particularly about conservative
women and this presumption that they`re somehow disconnected or disjointed
from the rest of America because of their wealth or their station is just
I mean, you`ve never -- she`s never walked a day in Ann`s shoes. She
doesn`t know what her life has been like. She doesn`t know trouble she had
at home raising those five kids that, you know, regardless of whether she
had a job in the workforce, were real challenges for her. You just don`t
make these presumptions.
And you know, if a conservative had made that same call, you know, the
outcry and the hue and cry would have been -- would have been deafening
because it`s arrogant and it`s insensitive.
Look, let her make her -- tell her own story the way she wants to tell
it. The American people will judge for themselves whether there`s value.
You just don`t need people pontificating on how people have lived their
SMERCONISH: Joan Walsh, is there a legitimate issue to be debated
JOAN WALSH, SALON.COM, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: Of course there is.
I mean, look, feminists learned about 20 years ago that this is a dumb
argument. Every mother is a working mother. Let`s just say that, OK?
Michael, we know that. Being a mom, whether you stay at home or whether
you work is very...
STEELE: You don`t need to tell me!
WALSH: ... is very hard.
STEELE: Tell -- tell Hilary! Don`t tell me!
WALSH: Wait!
STEELE: I know that!
WALSH: Wait!
STEELE: I have a working mom.
WALSH: Wait. I`m talking -- actually, I`m talking to Michael
Smerconish, Michael...
SMERCONISH: Go ahead, Joan.
SMERCONISH: ... finish your point.
WALSH: Please. For God`s sake! But however, you know, the real
issue here is that Mitt Romney -- what we`re forgetting, is that Mitt
Romney, in that lordly way he has, said, My wife reports to me that women
say this and women care about the economy.
It`s Mitt Romney`s foot-in-mouth disease that brought us to this
position, and that is what Hilary Rosen was talking about, that he uses his
wife as this everywoman who reports to him, like what, he`s the CEO and
he`s deferred the women question to her?
I have advice for Mitt Romney. I`m not a Romney campaign adviser.
Don`t talk about your wife as your campaign surrogate or your adviser on
women. Talk about the experiences of women -- as Michael Steele says, men
can have empathy. Men can learn about what matters to women.
SMERCONISH: Michael Steele, will you...
WALSH: That`s the point she was trying to make.
SMERCONISH: ... accept that? Will you accept that, that Governor
Romney put this in play by identifying his wife as sort of the way in which
he gets insight into female voters?
STEELE: No, I don`t! I mean, he`s relating...
STEELE: ... personal conversations. I mean, you know, she`s not a
paid, you know, staffer. I mean, he was -- like every candidate who`s ever
run for whatever office, has made that connection with voters, with family
members, and say, yes, I -- you know, I listen to what my wife tells me.
Or you know, Newt talks about his grandkids. Or even, you know, President
Obama talks about his children. And there`s, of course, the infamous, you
know, Carter telling -- Amy telling him how to, you know, decide nuclear
But everyone makes that connection in their own way, and I just think
it`s, you know, a little bit overblown right now to sit there and say that,
you know, this is a foot-in-mouth disease for -- for Mitt Romney.
SMERCONISH: Well, it went...
STEELE: He`s opened up this door...
SMERCONISH: It went...
STEELE: ... you know, for...
SMERCONISH: ... viral today. It got all the way to the president.
President Obama weighed in this afternoon. He was asked about the
controversy in an interview with the NBC affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, and
here`s what he said.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: First of all, there is
no tougher job than being a mom. I`ve watched Michelle, you know, who for
most of her career, had to juggle work and family. But there were times
where she had -- was on maternity leave, and I promise you, that`s work.
So you know, I think this was an ill-advised statement by somebody on
television. It`s not something that I subscribe to. And moreover, my
general rule is you don`t talk about the spouses of elected officials
because they`ve got a really tough job.
I haven`t met Ms. Romney, but she seems like a wonderful woman, and I
know that she`s devoted her life to her family.
SMERCONISH: Joan Walsh, among those who tweeted in opposition, or in
disagreement, perhaps I should say, with this whole controversy was David
Axelrod. And I guess it begs the question of whether Democrats have a
right to be defensive. Are they handling this correctly from a political
standpoint? Do you like what the president said? Should Axelrod have sent
out the tweet that he did?
WALSH: I don`t think Axelrod needed to do that. I love what the
president said. He put it very well. But Hilary Rosen herself has said
she didn`t put it the right way. We`re being called -- we are being
dragged into a phony debate.
I mean, Mitt Romney -- I`ve got to give him credit, he`s carrying the
day. He had a ridiculous "I know you are but what am I" strategy about the
war on women. He pretended that President Obama is the one with the war on
women, when that is patently ridiculous. And unfortunately, Hilary Rosen`s
comments got us all talking about something else.
But the very real issue is that life is tougher for women who have to
work, that being able to stay home with your children right now is an
issue, it`s a choice for the wealthy only.
And we need to be discussing the issues of poor women, of working
class women, of middle class women. And getting our panties in a twist
over the issues of very wealthy women, when the woman in question, Hilary
Rosen, has apologized -- this is a bad day that we could be spending this
day on many more important issues.
SMERCONISH: Michael -- Michael, may I ask you to hold your thought?
Because I want to...
STEELE: Sure.
SMERCONISH: I`m going to throw something else into the mix.
STEELE: Sure.
SMERCONISH: There have been a whole host of female-oriented issues
that have been raised in the last 24 hours. By way of example, yesterday
on a conference call with reporters, a Romney campaign adviser didn`t help
matters for his boss when he couldn`t answer the question of whether the
governor supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Later, the campaign
said Romney did, indeed, support it, but not before the Obama camp could
jump on the gaffe, because within hours, they`d released this Web video.
Take a look and see what you think.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our next question will come from Sam Stein with
HuffingtonPost. Please go ahead.
SAM STEIN, HUFFINGTONPOST: Yes, does Governor Romney support the
Ledbetter Act?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sam, we`ll get back to you on that.
LILLY LEDBETTER, EQUAL PAY ADVOCATE: President Obama understands this
inequity that women have suffered, the devastation that it has caused in
families. The president has made so many strides in the last three years
to upgrade women`s treatment in their jobs and their livelihood.
SMERCONISH: Michael, there was not a little Rose Mary Woods action
going on there.
STEELE: Thank you!
SMERCONISH: There was a six-second delay of some kind. You know that
this has become a kerfuffle. What`s your assessment of this?
STEELE: It`s dumb! It is dumb! I appreciate the commercial. It`s
great. You got to raise the money, so you put the commercial out. But
it`s not the 18-minute gap from Watergate, for goodness sakes. It`s six
Clearly, the staff, you know, dropped the ball there in the sense that
they didn`t give an immediate response. But Romney himself had already
been on the record on this issue, so I don`t understand what -- what --
what the confusion was. And again...
WALSH: And I don`t understand why his staff...
STEELE: ... blowing it out of proportion, you know, on the other
issue. I think you`re blowing it out of proportion the way way on this
one. It`s just crazy.
SMERCONISH: Joan, on Lilly Ledbetter, your thoughts are what?
WALSH: I think it`s a legitimate issue and I think it`s very pathetic
that a Romney staffer couldn`t answer the question. I mean, it`s relevant
now, Michael, because Scott Walker just signed into law a bill weakening
equal pay protections for women. And we have Wisconsin Republicans talking
about how women don`t need that protection.
So it`s very important that we get the Romney campaign on the record.
I guess we`ve done it now. I`m very happy about that. But that is a real
issue. What Hilary Rosen said is not a real issue.
SMERCONISH: Michael Steele...
WALSH: She doesn`t work for the campaign.
STEELE: ... for heaven`s sake!
SMERCONISH: Michael, whether we buy into the legitimacy of these
different controversies, the fact seems to remain that there`s a 19 gap...
STEELE: Yes.
SMERCONISH: ... between the candidates among women. How, if you were
advising Mitt Romney, would you be telling him to bridge that gap?
STEELE: Well, I think probably, one, ignore -- ignore the silly
noise, which, you know, the left wants to sort of drive and make that 19-
point gap a 38-point gap, and just come out very strongly and talk to women
and all Americans about your plans for the future and how women are very
much a part of that, I mean, because you have a lot of households -- to
Joan`s point -- where working women are doing it all. They`re going to
work. They`re going to night school. They`re raising kids. And you`ve
got to have a message that helps that women understands that her situation
can be and will be better under your leadership.
But to -- one last point that Joan made. You know, this isn`t about
just rich women. There are a lot of middle class women out there who stay
at home with their kids, too. They teach their kids. they raise their
kids. So it`s not just the wealthy. And that`s part of that class warfare
conversation that I think just distracts and distorts the overall effort to
WALSH: Michael...
STEELE: ... what we need to do to help all people...
SMERCONISH: Joan, just...
STEELE: ... not just one group.
SMERCONISH: ... take 20 seconds, and you have the final thought. Go
WALSH: The proportion of women who can afford to stay at home is
going down. One out of five women who are in the workforce right now
actually would like to be home with their kids. It`s an economic issue.
And also, Governor Romney supports the Ryan budget, which is going to
cut funding for poor women, pregnant poor women and their children, their
nutrition funding, food stamps for poor women and children. So there are
lots of policy issues we can debate. This is not one of them.
SMERCONISH: Thank you, Michael Steele and Joan Walsh for a great
conversation. We appreciate it.
WALSH: Thank you, Michael.
STEELE: See you later, Joan.
SMERCONISH: Coming up: Here`s something Republicans, Democrats can
agree on. Both want Mitt Romney to own the conservative record that he ran
on during the primaries, and neither side wants to pivot back to the
middle. That`s ahead.
This is HARDBALL.
SMERCONISH: New poll numbers in the presidential race. Let`s check
the HARDBALL "Scoreboard."
Take a look at this. In New Jersey, a new Quinnipiac poll shows
President Obama leading Mitt Romney by 9 points, 49 to 40. In 2008, Obama
won the Garden state by 15 points. And if Romney puts Chris Christie on
the ticket, this could be a contest. Yesterday, Quinnipiac found Governor
Christie`s approval in New Jersey at a record high.
We`ll be right back.
SMERCONISH: Welcome back to HARDBALL. Now that Mitt Romney has
effectively won the Republican nomination, he hopes to follow a rich
American tradition, head back to the political center. But an unusual
alliance of Republicans and Democrats are saying, No way.
Conservatives he courted in the primary say, Forget the Etch-a-Sketch.
They plan to hold Romney to his new right-wing positions. Liberals
meanwhile are going to make sure that swing voters are reminded of Romney`s
"severely conservative" views. How does Mitt walk that tightrope?
Our HARDBALL "Strategists" tonight, Democrat Steve McMahon and
Republican Chip Saltsman.
Gentlemen, yesterday on Fox News, Mitt Romney tried to assure voters
that the party will unite behind him in the fall, and he said this.
MITT ROMNEY (R-MA), FMR. GOV., PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think we`ll
all come together as time goes on to make sure that we see a new change in
direction in Washington. I think Senator Santorum throughout the campaign
has been speaking about issues that we care about very deeply. So we`re on
the same page on those issues.
I think you see our party, and you will see our party, more united
than it`s been in a long, long time in part because President Obama has
taken America in such a different course than we have ever gone as a nation
SMERCONISH: Chip Saltsman, do you buy into the premise that he needs
to move in order to capture independent voters and win in November?
CHIP SALTSMAN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think he needs to be true to
himself. Look, this is a guy that comes from the private sector. He talks
about jobs all the time, economy. That`s where his comfort zone is.
He won the primary. It was tough. It was long. A lot more social
issues were discussed in the primary. I think how we win as Republicans,
we stay true to our Republican principles, our conservative values. But
this election is going to be won on jobs and the economy, and I think Mitt
Romney is going to be very comfortable in there in the fall discussing
those issues.
SMERCONISH: But you`ve seen the numbers that suggest that he lags
behind the president among independent voters. So you`re saying there`s no
give there, he`s got to stand that ground. Frankly, just as I said in the
course of the lead-in, that those on the right within the Republican Party
are insisting that he maintain his position on which he ran in the primary.
SALTSMAN: Well, to thine own self be true, and that`s what Mitt
Romney`s got to make sure he does, is be true to the conservative
principles of the Republican Party, but talk about the things, why he`s in
this race.
It is about jobs. It`s about the economy. It`s about gas prices.
And lay out a clear vision for this country. If he does that, he wins in
November. And he`s got one thing exactly right. The policies of Barack
Obama have done wonderful things to unite this party.
And that`s what`s going to happen as Rick Santorum`s exiting this
race. The party is coming together. You`ve seen that in the last couple
of weeks, and you`ve especially seen it the last couple of days.
SMERCONISH: Would you, Steve, agree with me that -- that the
Democrats are hoping that they follow Chip`s advice, meaning the Romney
campaign, that they`d love nothing than there be no give from his vantage
STEVE MCMAHON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Yes, "To thine own self be
true" sounds pretty compelling. But the question, I guess, a lot of
Democrats and a lot of voters have is, Which self are we talking about
Are we talking about the Mitt Romney who was the governor of
Massachusetts, who I think he would like to morph into again because it was
a more centrist model, or the Mitt Romney that ran in the primaries and
that embraced do many of those positions that Rick Santorum took and who`s
now embraced the Ryan budget, which would, of course, as we know, undo
Medicare as we know it.
And he`s embraced many of the policies that folks are calling a war on
women. So if he wants to own those things, I think Democrats would love
If he wants to flip-flop again, I think Democrats will talk about
that. And if he wants to run as the wealthy businessman who loved firing
people to create jobs, and loved carving out companies and leaving debt
behind, then we will talk about that as well. He doesn`t have a record to
win on.
SMERCONISH: How would you, as a strategist -- how would you, as a
strategist, attempt to keep him locked in as the Romney of the 2012 primary
season, as compared to the Romney who was the governor of Massachusetts and
who, I maintain, would have greater appeal to independent voters?
MCMAHON: Well, I think you saw yesterday the Obama campaign put out a
clip that basically said there`s not going to be an Etch A Sketch moment in
this campaign. We`re going to hold him to his word.
And they took Mitt Romney in his own words saying the very things that
he`s going to be trying to run away from in the general election.
MCMAHON: This might be what you`re referring to, the Democrats having
some fun with Romney`s positions during the primary season. Here`s a web
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Corporations are people, my
I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.
I was a severely conservative Republican governor.
Do I believe the Supreme Court should turn over Roe v. Wade? Yes.
Planned Parenthood, we are going to get rid of that.
As to what to do for the housing industry specifically, don`t try and
stop the foreclosure process. Let it run its course and hit the bottom.
SMERCONISH: Chip Saltsman, you have played in such a high-level
position for Governor Huckabee. If you were in this instance whispering in
the ear of the Romney campaign, how would tell them to respond to what you
just saw?
SALTSMAN: I would take it right back to Barack Obama and talk about
the issues that matter.
Look, I know that we talk about Mitt Romney firing people. I think
there`s a lot of people who think there`s a lot of people in Washington
that need firing. So, if he`s got some experience in that, let`s put it to
If you want to talk about the Ryan budget, let`s talk about the fact
that President Obama and the Senate Democrats have not had a budget in
three years. They have spent more money in the last three years than this
country has spent in the last 200. I would take it right to Barack Obama
and talk about the issues that matter to this country, that we have got to
spending under control, we have got to get Washington under control, and
Mitt Romney, if I`m saying that, you`re the guy to do it.
SMERCONISH: Steve McMahon, let me ask you to switch hats. Because
you seem to think that Mitt Romney, in order to win, would have to tack
toward the middle. Is there an issue that comes to mind where he could
move to the middle, upset some conservatives, but still keep everybody in
the tent?
MCMAHON: Boy, that`s a good question.
I think moving to the middle in the era of the Tea Party where the Tea
Party dominates the Republican echo chamber, where you have a candidate
like Newt Gingrich who is staying in the race to keep him honest, where you
have Tony Perkins out there, who is saying he`s going to keep the pressure
on, it becomes very difficult for Mitt Romney to become the guy, the
centrist, the Massachusetts governor that frankly Democrats at one point
feared the guy who was the Massachusetts governor who governed from the
He`s become kind of the caricature of a right-wing Tea Party
conservative. And his business record has come to the fore and the fact
that he wasn`t firing government employees, he was creating wealth by
firing middle-class employees. The kind of manufacturing jobs that have
been leaving this country were hastened in their departure by people like
Mitt Romney and his Wall Street friends who were profiting handsomely from
That`s a conversation that will be held in the general election. He
may try to move to the middle, but it will just be another flip-flop. And,
frankly, the only thing worse than a flip-flopper is somebody who flip-
flops-flips, which is what I think we`re about to see from Mitt Romney.
Either way, it`s a win for President Obama and the Obama
administration campaign. This guy is what they would call in "Top Gun" a
target-rich environment.
SMERCONISH: Chip, you know Tony Perkins, of course, the head of the
conservative group Family Research Council. He likened voting for Romney
over Obama today in "The New York Times" as -- quote -- "eating your
SMERCONISH: He was also skeptical of Romney in an interview yesterday
MSNBC`s "Daily Rundown." Take a peek.
TONY PERKINS, PRESIDENT, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: He does have a
record that does not necessarily match his rhetoric that he campaigned on
four years ago and has not campaigned on as much this time, although he`s
checked the boxes.
So he clearly has a lot of work to do to shore up support among a very
important segment of the Republican voting base. So they`re going to vote
for Mitt Romney. There`s not a question there. The question is the level
of enthusiasm and intensity. It`s turnout.
SMERCONISH: I guess, Chip, my question is, you hear him make
reference to having checked the boxes. He needs to keep these folks
enthused and in the tent, but he`s got to grow that tent to win in
November, does he not?
SALTSMAN: Well, I think you got to your base excited. Look, both
parties have to do that. They have to get their base excited and also win
the independents.
But, look, one thing I know for sure growing up in the South like
Tennessee, eating your vegetables is good for you. It grows you up and big
strong. So, we think, eating your vegetables, we think it`s a good thing.
SALTSMAN: But I think as Mitt Romney kinds of put this, you have to
have something, you have got to keep the base energized and excited. I
think you can do that perhaps with a V.P. pick. I think there are some
good names out there to do that.
But also this election is going to be about jobs. This election is
going to be about the economy.
SMERCONISH: Understood.
SALTSMAN: ... going to be about gas prices.
SMERCONISH: Thank you.
SALTSMAN: And I think Mitt Romney is very comfortable there.
SMERCONISH: Thank you, Chip Saltsman. Thank you, Steve McMahon. We
appreciate it.
MCMAHON: Thank you.
SMERCONISH: Up next, what does first lady Michelle Obama have to say
about the fact that her popularity is higher than her husband`s? Stick
around for the "Sideshow."
You`re watching HARDBALL.
SMERCONISH: Welcome back to HARDBALL. And now for the "Sideshow."
The first lady, Michelle Obama, hit the late-night scene with an
appearance on "The Colbert Show" last night. She was there to promote her
initiatives to support military families, but also hit on her role in the
general election.
STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE COLBERT REPORT": Do you ever lord over
the president the fact that you`re more popular than he is?
COLBERT: Do you ever say, like, hey, watch it, or I might not
campaign for you?
MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: I might try that when I get home.
COLBERT: Have you endorsed him yet? Are you prepared to do that?
M. OBAMA: I am prepared.
M. OBAMA: I am endorsing my husband, Barack Obama.
M. OBAMA: I think he will be a phenomenal president. He has done a
phenomenal job. He`s my man.
SMERCONISH: A new Marist poll out today shows Mrs. Obama with 65
percent favorability. She`s a winner for team Obama.
And Foster Friess, a key donor to the pro-Santorum super PAC, says he
is now willing to help Mitt Romney. He`s tough to forget.
FOSTER FRIESS, FOUNDER, FRIESS ASSOCIATES: This contraceptive thing,
my gosh, it`s such -- inexpensive. Back in my days, they used Bayer
aspirin for contraceptives. The gals put it between their knees and it
wasn`t that costly.
SMERCONISH: That`s the one. Once again, Foster Friess saying
something that must have the Romney people wishing that he would keep
wallet open and his mouth shut.
FRIESS: This is a decent, decent man.
FRIESS: I think he has had reversals in his positions, but now it
will be very hard for him not to stick with those positions.
He has to realize that the American people are counting on him now to
do what he says. And I think he will.
There are a lot of things that haven`t been hammered at because Rick
and Mitt have been kind of going at each other. Now that they have trained
their barrels on President Obama, I`m afraid his -- I hope his
teleprompters are bulletproof.
SMERCONISH: Friess quickly admitted that he shouldn`t have said that.
No, he shouldn`t have.
Up next, Trayvon Martin`s shooter, George Zimmerman, made his first
appearance in court today. He faces a charge of second degree murder.
And we will break down the case with Alan Dershowitz. You`re watching
BRIAN SULLIVAN, CNBC CORRESPONDENT: I`m Brian Sullivan with your CNBC
"Market Wrap."
And it was a good day for stocks on this Thursday, the Dow gaining 181
points, the S&P 500 up 19, and the Nasdaq up 39. The surge compounded
after hours as Google announced better-than-expected quarterly earnings.
The company is also announcing a stock split. Investors did look past some
lukewarm economic data today, including an increase in weekly jobless
claims. A decline was expected.
And homebuyers, listen up. Freddie Mac says 30-year mortgages dropped
to 3.88 percent nationwide this week, still near an all-time low.
And that is it from CNBC -- now back to HARDBALL.
SMERCONISH: Welcome back to HARDBALL.
Today, George Zimmerman made his first court appearance since being
charged with the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin. The appearance lasted
less than five minutes, but it was a major marker in the case of the
shooting death of Trayvon Martin, and an arraignment was set for May 29.
Joining me now from Sanford, Florida, is Kerry Sanders.
Kerry, the affidavit of probable cause was released this afternoon.
What surprises do you see in it?
KERRY SANDERS, NBC CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, the affidavit of
probable cause explains why the prosecution decided that there was, in
their mind, a second degree murder here.
There were two investigators who did this affidavit, and they are from
the state attorney`s office, and they were working for the special
prosecutor. I think the first thing that really grabbed me when I was
looking at it was there`s been this whole question about who was following
who and why they were doing it.
And the first thing it says in here, that Trayvon was profiled by
George Zimmerman. So that suggests, using that word profile that he was
being followed because he was African-American. Then, on another page in
the affidavit, it goes on to talk about Zimmerman confronted Martin and a
struggle ensued.
This is critical language when you consider that there is Florida
stand your ground law. And standing your ground law is applicable if you
are not the one who is initiating the contact. But here they`re suggesting
Zimmerman confronted Martin.
So that appears to be their basis in the affidavit of why they believe
the stand your ground here does not apply.
SMERCONISH: I thought it was...
SANDERS: There`s one other part of the affidavit.
SMERCONISH: Yes, go ahead.
SANDERS: Go ahead.
SMERCONISH: I was going to say, I thought it was a little thin for
what it doesn`t say. I`m anxious to ask Professor Dershowitz about that in
just a moment.
But make your second point.
SANDERS: Well, you know, you`re correct.
And in that hearing today, it was kind of a surprise, because, as you
know, Florida has a very -- very liberal open record laws, and we expected
to get a lot more than this. But the defense attorney, Mark O`Mara,
requested that all of the public records be sealed, and Angela Corey, the
special prosecutor, who routinely would not be in something like a first
appearance, was in the courtroom, and she agreed.
And so now it will take a challenge or the judge who has been assigned
to this to determine whether, indeed, Florida`s public records laws apply
to all cases, those that are high-profile and those that are not, or
whether they`re going to create sort of a new interpretation of cases that
are high-profile.
The other thing in here that I think is interesting -- and I have to
kind of edit the words, but there`s those 911 calls that we heard, and
including the call that George Zimmerman made. And there were some
mutterings in there that it was sort of hard for everybody to analyze and
determine what they mean, what they said, what was said.
In this affidavit, this is what the investigators say, and these are
quotes, that Zimmerman stated "these `expletive deleted,` they always get
away." And then it goes on to say "that these `expletive deleted` punks."
So I think that`s interesting because nobody really knew exactly what
was said, and now, at least from the state`s point of view, and then
ultimately there is that...
SMERCONISH: I`m still not sure.
SANDERS: ... there is that question of that scream, Chris (sic).
SMERCONISH: Yes.
SANDERS: We heard that scream. And there were both sides arguing
that was Trayvon Martin screaming for help; no, that was George Zimmerman.
They say here that they played that piece of audiotape to Sybrina
Fulton, which is Trayvon`s mother, and Trayvon`s mother -- or Trayvon --
Trayvon Martin`s mother has reviewed the 911 calls and identified the voice
crying for help as Trayvon Martin`s voice.
And so there you see in this -- I agree with you -- thin document here
of how they reached their conclusion to bring second degree murder charges.
SMERCONISH: Well, let me -- and thank you, Kerry Sanders. We
appreciate your time and your report very much.
Joining me now, Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz.
Professor, I have really looked forward to this conversation.
You have seen the affidavit of probable cause. What do you make of
AND GAZA": It won`t suffice.
Most affidavits of probable cause are very thin. This is so thin that
it won`t make it past the judge on a second degree murder charge. There is
simply nothing in there that would justify second degree murder. The
elements of the crime aren`t established. Basically, what`s in the
affidavit is what`s in the public domain, with the exception of the few
little things that were put forward by your previous commentator.
But the fact that the mother identified the voice as that of her son,
of course, we all knew that that was going to happen. There is nothing in
there, of course, either about the stains on the back of Zimmerman`s shirt,
the blood on the back of his head, the bloody nose, all of that.
It`s not only thin. It`s irresponsible. I think that what you have
here is an elected public official who made a campaign speech last night
for reelection when she gave her presentation, and overcharged, way
overcharged. This case will not -- if the evidence is no stronger than
what appears in the probable cause affidavit, this case will result in an
SMERCONISH: Professor, you and I have the benefit of having read the
affidavit. Allow me, please, just to read one short paragraph, so that
folks know how limited it is in a factual discussion of the critical
"Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued. Witnesses heard
people arguing and what sounded like a struggle. During this time period,
witnesses heard numerous calls for help, and some of these were recorded in
911 calls to police. Trayvon Martin`s mother has reviewed the 911 calls,
identified the voice crying for help as Trayvon Martin`s" -- nothing about
that critical, you know, who struck the first blow and what precipitated
that action that I was looking forward to seeing in the affidavit of
probable cause.
DERSHOWITZ: But it`s worse than that. It`s irresponsible and
unethical, and not including the material that favors the defendant, unless
it`s not true. But if it`s true, as we now have learned from other
information, that the grass stains are in back of Zimmerman`s shirt, that
there were bruises on his head, you must put that in an affidavit. The
affidavit has to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
SMERCONISH: Let me ask you this because you`ve written something
very insightful about a nightmare scenario that a prosecutor could face
where you distinguish between the differing levels of proof, probable
cause, as compared to beyond a reasonable doubt. In lay terms, lay that
out that for us now.
DERSHOWITZ: Well, it`s very easy to get an indictment. I think a
chief judge of New York Court of Appeals once said that a prosecutor could
persuade a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. It`s even easier to get
something like this because all the prosecutor has to do is sign her name
to it.
But probable cause is a very minimal standard. It just means if
everything you say turns out to be true, have the elements of the crime
been satisfied? Proof beyond a reasonable doubt means that a jury has to
conclude that there is no reasonable doubt that it happened. No reasonable
doubt that it happened.
This affidavit doesn`t even make it to probable cause. Everything in
the affidavit is completely consistent with a defense of self-defense.
Everything. Even if he was the provocateur, you still have traditional
defense under Florida law.
If, in fact, Zimmerman provoked it but then Martin got on top and was
banging his head against the ground, he still has a traditional right of
So, there is nothing in this affidavit -- and I`ve read it quite
carefully -- that suggests the crime. It suggests the possibility of a
crime, but a good judge will throw this out.
And I think probably she`d be satisfied with it. She`s won her
campaign. She`s overcharged, second-degree murder. She`s the hero.
SMERCONISH: Well, Professor, will the prosecution get a mulligan on
this? Will they have the opportunity to do it over and put more
information into it?
DERSHOWITZ: Sure, but the question is do they have more information?
If they have more information, why don`t they put into it? And why are
both sides trying to seal the record here? I suspect that already we`re
seeing negotiations --
SMERCONISH: For a plea?
DERSHOWITZ: -- possibly toward a plea bargain. The new lawyer
implied that yesterday when he talked about negotiations and when he
wouldn`t say anything critical about the prosecutor.
But, you know, it`s unethical to overcharge in order to get a plea.
It`s unethical to charge second-degree murder in order to get a plea of
And so, I think this prosecutor had a lot of answering to do. She`ll
win a lot of popularity contests. She`ll probably get points with the
But the tragedy in America is we`re the only democracy in the world
where we elect prosecutors and elect judges, and that`s not conducive to
doing justice in high profile cases where people are rooting for outcomes
and nobody seems to be concerned about the truth -- except, by the way,
Martin`s parents, who seem to be handling this very well. I think they are
interested in the truth and I have nothing but praise for the way they`ve
handled this case.
SMERCONISH: Thank you -- thank you for your insight, as always, Alan
DERSHOWITZ: Thank you.
SMERCONISH: Up next, Republican Congressman Allen West of Florida
says there`s about 80 Democrats on Capitol Hill who are members of the
communist party. What is this, 1952? Somewhere Joe McCarthy is smiling.
By the way, you can follow me on Twitter if you can spell Smerconish.
This is HARDBALL.
SMERCONISH: Former presidential candidate John Edwards who was in
court today as jury selection got under way in his criminal trial. Edwards
faces six criminal counts related to nearly a million dollars in secret
payments made by two campaign donors to allegedly cover up an extramarital
affair. If convicted, Edwards could face 30 years in prison and $1.5
million in fines. Open arguments are expected to begin on April 22nd.
We`ll be right back.
SMERCONISH: We`re back.
Republican Congressman Allen West of Florida is threatening to take
its party back to an era it would rather forget -- generally, Joe
McCarthy`s infamous speech in Wheeling, West Virginia, back in 1950. West
told a town hall meeting Tuesday that are around were 80 Democrats in
Congress who are currently members of the communist party. The Democrats,
commies, he says.
Is that really the message that the GOP wants to be sending in 2012?
Howard Fineman is editorial director for "The Huffington Post" Media
Group and an MSNBC political analyst. Chris Frates is the congressional
reporter for "The National Journal."
Gentlemen, here`s Congressman West inside a town hall meeting on
Tuesday. He`s fielding a question by an attendee.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: What percentage of the American legislature do you
think are card-carrying Marxists or international socialists?
REP. ALLEN WEST (R), FLORIDA: No, it`s a good question.
I believe there`s about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party that
are members of the communist party. They actually don`t hide, it`s called
the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
SMERCONISH: Afterwards, the congressman`s staff didn`t back away
from his comment. They doubled down, saying, quote, "The congressman was
referring to the 76 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The
communist party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its
Howard, a rather extreme example of the loose language that has now
become a part of our political lexicon.
HOWARD FINEMAN, MSNBC POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes, it is. And I was just
talking to one of the top officials in the Democratic Party who said, where
is the outrage on the part of responsible Republicans? Where are they
saying let`s denounce this guy?
There`s a lot of talk on the air about loose language on all sides of
politics, about stay-at-home moms, about this and that, you know, news of
the day. Where -- Congress isn`t in session, sure, but where`s John
Boehner, where are the leaders of the Republican Party saying this is
They`re not saying it, and in the meantime, it helps the Democrats to
the extent that it makes the Republican Party look even more weirdly Tea
Party-ish than they already did.
SMERCONISH: And, Chris, you`ve reported about Allen West. In fact,
you have gone through on "National Journal" some of the other faux pas,
verbal faux pas, for which he`s been responsible, it`s a growing list.
CHRIS FRATES, THE NATIONAL JOURNAL: Absolutely, Mike. I mean, when
you look at Allen West, he`s a guy who people are talking about in the
Republican side as vice president. He`s got nods from people like Nikki
Haley, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, people who are saying he
could be a guy who can really get the Tea Party excited about the Romney
But when you take a look at the kinds of things he said, I mean, for
instance, he said being gay is like picking an ice cream flavor. He said
that the Democratic Party reminds him of the Goebbels Nazi propaganda
machine. He has said that Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to
Congress, is -- represents the antithesis of what our country was founded
on. And, finally, you know, he called the DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman
Schultz "vile".
I mean, these are things that if you`re a vice presidential candidate
and you have these kinds of loose lips, you`re going to drive your campaign
off message and it`s going to hurt the campaign. He`s showing that he`s
not quite ready for the national spotlight, and it`s easy for Democrats to
lampoon this kind of behavior and say you can`t take him seriously. And if
Romney is running on anything, is that he`s the serious adult in the race
who can fix our nation`s problems.
SMERCONISH: Well, Howard Fineman, just to show everybody how far off
the rails this is, even the Communist Party USA is backing away from what
West, saying, quote, "It`s an absurd way to cast a shadow over his
colleagues. It`s a kind of sad ploy. It`s just guilt by association taken
to an extreme."
FINEMAN: Yes, and when the communist party is attacking you for
being wild and crazy, you know that you`re probably off in the corner
I don`t think anybody seriously in the Republican Party is looking at
Allen West as a vice presidential candidate. And I would say if Sarah
Palin and Herman Cain and even Newt Gingrich are some of the people who are
talking about him, that just proves my point.
West does nothing but play into the hands of those who would like to
describe the Republican Party as beholden and being driven off the end of
the cliff by the Tea Party. Now, a couple of years ago, everybody was
saying, hey, the Tea Party is going to revolutionize the Republican Party
and the Tea Party activists did have a hand in Republican victories in
2010, but I think the Tea Party has really lost a lot of its luster in the
electorate, and now, the Democrats can try to tie comments by people like
West and characters like West to the Republican Party and try to make him
the emblem of the party, dangerous for Republicans.
SMERCONISH: Well, Christ Frates, I have just less than a minute left
with us, but the point is here I think that Howard is making is and we
discussed this earlier in the program, it`s a time when the GOP needs to
command some independent support, a statement like this is just the wrong
brand at the wrong time, that`s the significance, right?
FRATES: Well, I think Howard is right. This is not a candidate when
he first rain for Congress, the GOP establishment distanced themselves from
Allen West. When he looked like he might be able to take a seat in 2010,
they through their support behind him late, as somebody who maybe can win a
district, so let`s get behind him and win another seat.
But I think you`re both right when you say this is not the kind of
character that the establishment GOP wants to put on the ticket at a time
when they need independent votes and they need to be able to appeal to
people who --
SMERCONISH: On that, we all agree.
Chris Frates and Howard Fineman, thanks very much. We appreciate.
FINEMAN: Thanks, Michael.
FRATES: Thank you.
SMERCONISH: When we return, allow me to finish with a prediction
about the Republican nominee for 2016, provided President Obama beats Mitt
Romney this fall.
You`re watching HARDBALL.
SMERCONISH: And "Let Me Finish" tonight with this:
With Mitt Romney now in control of the 2012 GOP nomination, I`m
already looking into my 2016 crystal ball. I see the likes of Rick
Santorum, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, John Thune, maybe Sarah Palin, they`re
the usual suspects for 2016 assuming Mitt Romney loses to Barack Obama,
which current polls suggest will be the case.
I don`t believe the race is over, but if Romney loses, I can already
hear Santorum standing in an Iowa cornfield and telling people, "I told you
so." Just last month, he told Wisconsin voters that Romney was the worst
Republican in the country to put against Barack Obama. All he`ll need do
is change the tense of many of speeches he just delivered and use them
Then Santorum will drill down on a parallel between 2012 and 1976
when a moderate Gerald Ford won the nomination over a more conservative
Ronald Reagan but lost the general election. And Santorum will say he`s
the proper heir to the Reagan throne. Of course, an alternative view will
be that the GOP went off the rails with religious and social litmus tests
in the 2012 primary season and it`s conservative candidates cannibalized
moderates, and then split the right wing vote between the likes of
Santorum, Gingrich, Bachmann and Cain, and they allowed the most liberal of
the field to survive the nomination process.
Make no mistake: Romney didn`t win it, he survived it. He was the
tortoise in the race that had no hares. But history could repeat itself,
because if present trends continue, the Republican Party would be even more
conservative in 2016. The party has done nothing to broaden its tent, and
registration figures document the resulting growth of independents.
There will be Santorum fresh from a lucrative tour on the speaker`s
circuit and a stint on FOX News running again, facing the likes of Ryan and
Rubio, et cetera. They`ll divide the evangelical vote and they`ll create
an opening for anyone who can cobble together whatever GOP independent
thinkers never got the memo and stayed in the party.
So, who benefit? Anyone than with a less than doctrinaire of the
world. Trouble is, there are few Republicans with national stature who are
not ideologues. Jeb Bush, maybe. But more likely, Chris Christie. He
could be on the heels of an unsuccessful bid as Mitt Romney`s V.P.
Last September, "New York" magazine offered five things conservative
voters would hate about Chris Christie. The list included immigration
reform, gun control ands the view that, quote, "climate change is real." A
list like that will make him the anomaly a crowded conservative field which
is a strategic advantage if the ideologues again split the primary vote.
The 2016 nominee, Chris Christie. Call me a soothsayer, or remind to
meet some crow.
That`s HARDBALL for now. Thanks for being with us.
"POLITICS NATION" with Al Sharpton starts right now.
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text:
Apple Scent
Use apple scent as an aid to train animals that the fence is energized.
Apple scent entices the deer and other wildlife to sniff the metal Scent Cap and thus receive a strong shock through its sensitive low-resistance nose.
It's a less messy, more enduring form of peanut butter.
Common Uses
- 4 oz plastic bottle.
- Ingredients: Salt, Sodium Carbonate, Citric Acid, Xanthum Gum, Propylene Glycol, Guar Gum, Natural & Artificial Sweeteners, Natural & Artificial Apple Flavors.
How to Use
Baiting is a matter of walking along the fence; twisting the cap upwards; and squeezing a few drops of apple scent onto the cotton inside the cap. (Turn off the energizer first!).
How many scent caps per ft. of fence?
You should bait the fence with a scent cap every 50 ft. in heavy traffic areas. Every 100 ft. in less traffic areas. Deer are very sensitive to smell.
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Fence Connectors and Accessories
Scent CapsItem #256300 -
Use scent caps as a method to attract deer and other wildlife to a fence. To be used as an aid to train animals that the fence is energized.$0.69
Conductors - Tape-Rope-Twine-Wire
EnduraSoft® 6.0, 660 ft rollItem #256500 -
For permanent electrified fences. Made of polyester so it's soft to the touch. Very good conductivity (50Ω/1000 ft) so it's suited for any length of fence line and nearly all energizers.$93.50
Fence Connectors and Accessories
Warning SignItem #346000 -
Attaches to an electric fence for netting to warn people that the fence is electrified.$1.20


text:
Pitchers in these times are fragile creatures, most of whom think that nine innings in a day is about enough and that two appearances in the same week are as much as can be expected from the hardiest. ... Either our ancestors were better men than we or there is a good deal of reserve energy in the average pitcher of our time which rarely gets an opportunity to display itself under conditions that tend to cultivate the psychology of the prima donna.
New York Times, May 4, 1920


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KEEP IT SIMPLE - One Row Bracelet - Gold & Black
This Bijou's delicate bracelet is perfect for stacking or to go solo.
Made intirely by hand at bijou's studio, this beaded bracelet strung with Japanese glass beads and gold plated silver links.
MADE TO ORDER - This bracelet can be order to fit your size