text:
(Revised November 6, 2015)
SUBPART 1846.1 GENERAL
1846.102 Policy.
1846.103 Contracting office responsibilities.
1846.370 NASA contract clauses.
SUBPART 1846.4 GOVERNMENT CONTRACT QUALITY ASSURANCE
1846.401 General.
1846.407 Nonconforming supplies and services.
SUBPART 1846.6 MATERIAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVING REPORTS
1846.670 Introduction.
1846.670-2 Applicability.
1846.670-3 Use.
1846.670-4 Multiple shipments.
1846.670-5 Forms.
1846.671 Contract quality assurance on shipments between contractors.
1846.672 Preparing DD Forms 250 and 250c.
1846.672-1 Preparation instructions.
1846.672-2 Consolidated shipments.
1846.672-3 Multiple consignee instructions.
1846.672-4 Correction instructions.
1846.672-5 Packing list instructions.
1846.672-6 Receiving instructions.
1846.673 Distribution of DD Forms 250 and 250c.
SUBPART 1846.7 WARRANTIES
1846.703 Criteria for use of warranties.
1846.703-70 Additional criteria.
1846.704 Authority for use of warranties.
1846.770 Administration.
Subpart 1846.1—General
1846.102 Policy
(f) See NPR 8735.2, Section 2.1, concerning quality assurance for critical acquisition items. Generally, the quality assurance requirements set forth in the NPR for critical acquisition items are not allowed under Part 12 procedures. See FAR 12.208.
(f) Ensuring the request originator has annotated on the NF 1707 whether the acquisition involves the procurement of safety critical parts, as defined in NPR 8735.1, Procedures for Exchanging Parts, Materials, and Safety Problem Data Utilizing the Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) and NASA Advisories, and that any such safety critical parts have been GIDEP screened.
Subpart 1846.3—Contract Clauses
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 1852.246-73, Human Space Flight Item, in solicitations and contracts for human space flight hardware and flight-related equipment if the highest available quality standards are necessary to ensure astronaut safety.
Subpart 1846.4—Government Contract Quality Assurance
(a) The Government may conduct inspection and other quality requirements through "insight" or "oversight."
(i) Insight requires the monitoring of contractor quality data and Government-identified metrics and contracted milestones, and may also involve the review of contractor work procedures and records. Insight is a continuum that can range from low intensity, such as reviewing quarterly reports, to high intensity, such as performing surveys and reviews.
(ii) Oversight occurs in line with the contractor's processes. The Government retains and exercises the right to concur or non-concur with the contractor's decisions affecting product conformity. Non-concurrence must be resolved before the contractor can proceed. Oversight is a continuum that can range from low intensity, such as quality system audits, or Government concurrence in reviews (e.g., preliminary design review or critical design review), to high intensity oversight in which the Government has day-to-day involvement in the contractor's decision making process (e.g., mandatory hardware inspections or process witnessing). The decision to use insight or oversight is based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the activity being surveilled. Surveillance must be conducted whether or not the contract effort has been structured as a performance-based acquisition.
(iii) The quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) contents may range from low-intensity, insight-only functions to high-intensity oversight functions depending on the acquisition's criticality, complexity, contractor past performance, and other risk factors. The project office prepares the QASP in conjunction with the statement of work and periodically adjusts it thereafter based on changing risk factors as the contract requirement progresses through acquisition planning, source selection, and contract administration. The QASP shall not be included in the contract. Detailed requirements and guidance concerning QASP development and administration are provided in NPR 8735.2, Management of Government Quality Assurance Functions for NASA Contracts.
(h) NASA personnel at all levels are responsible for reporting to the Office of Inspector General and the NASA Director, Acquisition Integrity Program (AIP), when they become aware of noncompliant conditions or failure experiences which may constitute evidence of fraud, malpractice, or other serious misconduct. Suspected counterfeit goods shall not be returned to the contractor without the authorization of the AIP Director.
The contracting officer may insert a clause substantially as stated at 1852.246-71, Government Contract Quality Assurance Functions, in solicitations and contracts to specify the location(s) of quality assurance functions.
Subpart 1846.6—Material Inspection and Receiving Reports
This subpart contains procedures and instructions for use of the DD Form 250, Material Inspection and Receiving Report (MIRR), (DD Form 250 series equivalents, and commercial shipping/packing lists used to document Government contract quality assurance (CQA).
(a) This subpart applies to supplies or services acquired by or for NASA when the clause at 1852.246-72, Material Inspection and Receiving Report, is included in the contract.
(a) The DD Form 250 is a multipurpose report used for—
(1) Providing evidence of CQA at origin or destination;
(2) Providing evidence of acceptance at origin or destination;
(3) Packing lists;
(4) Receiving;
(5) Shipping; and
(6) Contractor invoice support.
(b) Do not use MIRRs for shipments—
(1) By subcontractors, unless the subcontractor is shipping directly to the Government; or,
(2) Of contract inventory.
(c) The contractor prepares the DD Form 250, except for entries that an authorized Government representative is required to complete. The contractor shall furnish sufficient copies of the completed form, as directed by the Government Representative.
(a) If the "shipped to," "marked for," "shipped from," "CQA," and "acceptance" data are the same for more than one shipment made on the same day under the same contract in a single car, truck, or other vehicle, one MIRR shall be prepared to cover all such shipments.
(b) If the volume of the shipments precludes the use of a single car, truck, or other vehicle, a separate MIRR shall be provided for each vehicle.
An electronic copy of the DD Form 250 may be downloaded from the General Services Administration's Forms Library at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP.
(a) The supplier's commercial shipping document/packing list shall indicate performance of required CQA actions at subcontract level. The following entries shall be made on the document/packing list:
Required CQA of items has been performed.
__________________________ (Signature of Authorized Government Representative)
__________________________ (Date)
__________________________ (Typed Name and Office)
(b) Distribution for Government purposes shall be one copy each—
(1) With shipment;
(2) For the Government representative at consignee (via mail); and
(3) For the Government representative at consignor.
(a) General.
(1) Dates shall include nine spaces consisting of the four digits of the year, the first three letters of the month, and two digits for the date (e.g., 2012SEP24).
(2) Addresses shall consist of the name, street address/P.O. box, city, State, and ZIP code.
(3) The data entered in the blocks at the top of DD Form 250c shall be identical to the comparable entries in Blocks 1, 2, 3, and 6 of the DD Form 250.
(4) Overflow data of the DD Form 250 shall be entered in Block 16 or in the body of the DD Form 250c with block cross reference. Additional DD Form 250c sheets solely for continuation of Block 23 data shall not be numbered or distributed as part of the MIRR.
(b) Classified information. Do not include classified information on the MIRR. MIRRs must not be classified.
(c) Block 1 – PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION (CONTRACT NUMBER) Enter the ten-character, alpha-numeric procurement identifier of the contract.
(d) Block 2 -- SHIPMENT NO.
(1) The shipment number is a three-alpha character prefix and a four-character numeric or alpha-numeric serial number.
(i) The prefix shall be controlled and assigned by the prime contractor and shall consist of three alpha characters for each "shipped from" address (Block 11). The prefix shall be different for each "Shipped From" address and shall remain constant throughout the contract period.
(ii) The serial number for the first shipment under a prime contract from each "shipped from" address shall be 0001; subsequent shipments under that prime contract shall be consecutively numbered. Alpha-numerics shall be used when more than 9,999 numbers are required. Alpha-numerics shall be serially assigned, with the alpha in the first position, followed by the three-position numeric serial number. The alpha-numeric sequence shall be (the letters I and O shall not be used) A001 through A999 (10,001 through 10,999); B001 through B999 (11,001 through 11,999); to Z999. When this series is completely used, numbering shall revert to 0001.
(2) The shipment number of the initial shipment shall be reassigned when a "replacement shipment" is involved (see (r)(4)(iv) of this section).
(3) The prime contractor shall control deliveries and on the last shipment of the contract shall suffix the shipment number with a "Z" in addition to that required for line items (see Block 17). If the contract final shipment is from other than the prime contractor's plant, the prime contractor may elect (i) to direct the subcontractor to suffix the "Z" or (ii), on receipt of the subcontractor final shipment information, to correct the DD Form 250 covering the last shipment from the prime contractor's plant by adding a "Z" to that shipment number.
(e) Block 3 -- DATE SHIPPED. Enter the date the shipment is released to the carrier or the date of completion of services. If the shipment will be released after the date of CQA and/or acceptance, enter the estimated date of release. When the date is estimated, enter an "E" after it. Distribution of the MIRR shall not be delayed for entry of the actual shipping date. Reissuance of the MIRR is not required to show the actual shipping date.
(f) Block 4 -- B/L TCN. When applicable, enter the commercial or Government bill of lading number after "B/L"; and the Transportation Control Number after "TCN."
(g) Block 5 -- DISCOUNT TERMS.
(1) The contractor may enter the discount in terms of percentages on all copies of the MIRR.
(2) When the MIRR is used as an invoice, see 1846.672-5.
(h) Block 6 -- INVOICE.
The contractor may enter the invoice number and actual or estimated date on all copies of the MIRR. When the date is estimated, enter an "E" after the date. Do not correct MIRRs to reflect the actual date of invoice submission.
(i) Block 7 -- PAGE/OF. Consecutively number the pages comprising the MIRR. On each page, enter the total number of pages of the MIRR.
(j) Block 8 -- ACCEPTANCE POINT. Enter an "S" for origin or "D" for destination as specified in the contract as the point of acceptance.
(k) Block 9 -- PRIME CONTRACTOR. Enter the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and address.
(l) Block 10 -- ADMINISTERED BY. Enter the code and address of the contracting office cited in the contract.
(m) Block 11 -- SHIPPED FROM/CODE/FOB.
(1) Enter the code and address of the "shipped from" location. If identical to Block 9, enter "See Block 9."
(2) For performance of services that do not require delivery of items upon completion, enter the code and address of the location at which the services were performed. If the DD Form 250 covers performance at multiple locations or if identical to Block 9, enter "See Block 9."
(3) Enter on the same line and to the right of "FOB" an "S" for origin or "D" for destination as specified in the contract. Enter an alphabetic "O" if the FOB point cited in the contract is other than origin or destination.
(n) Block 12 -- PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY. Enter the address of the payment office cited in the contract.
(o) Block 13 -- SHIPPED TO/CODE. Enter the code and address from the contract or shipping instructions.
(p) Block 14 -- MARKED FOR/CODE. Enter the code and address from the contract or shipping instructions.
(q) Block 15 -- ITEM NO. Enter the item number used in the contract. If four or fewer digits are used, position them to the left of the vertical dashed line. Where a six-digit identification is used, enter the last two digits to the right of the vertical dashed line.
(r) Block 16 -- STOCK/PART NO./DESCRIPTION.
(1) Enter, as applicable, for each item, using single spacing between each line item, the following:
(i) The National Stock Number (NSN) or noncatalog number and, if applicable, prefix or suffix. When a number is not provided or it is necessary to supplement the number, include other identification such as the manufacturer's name or Federal Supply Code (as published in Cataloging Handbook H4-1), and part numbers. Additional part numbers may be shown in parentheses. Also enter the descriptive noun of the item nomenclature and, if provided, the Government-assigned management/material control code. In the case of equal-kind supply items, the first entry shall be the description without regard to kind (e.g., "Resistor"). Below this description, enter the contract item number in Block 15 and stock/part number followed by the size or type in Block 16.
(ii) On the next printing line, if required by the contract for control purposes, enter the make, model, serial number, lot, batch, hazard indicator, and/or similar description.
(iii) On the next printing line, enter the FEDSTRIP requisition number(s) when provided in the contract or shipping instructions.
(2) For service items, enter the word "SERVICE" followed by a short description of less than 20 characters. Do not complete items 4, 13, and 14 when material is not shipped.
(3) For all contracts administered by the Defense Contract Management Agency, with the exception of fast pay procedures, enter and complete the following:
Gross Shipping Wt.__ (State weight in pounds only).
(4) Enter on the next line the following as appropriate (entries may be extended through Block 20). When entries apply to more than one item in the MIRR, enter them only once after the last item and reference the applicable item numbers.
(i) Enter in capital letters any special handling instructions/limits for material environmental control (e.g., temperature, humidity, aging, freezing, and shock).
(ii) When an NSN is required by, but not cited in, a contract and has not been furnished by the Government, shipment may be made at the direction of the contracting officer. Enter the authority for the shipment.
(iii) When Government-furnished property (GFP) is included with or incorporated into the line item, enter "GFP".
(iv) When the shipment consists of replacements for supplies previously furnished, enter in capital letters "REPLACEMENT SHIPMENT" (see paragraph (s)(3) of this section for replacement indicators.)
(v) For items shipped with missing components, enter and complete the following: "Item(s) shipped short of the following component(s): FSN or comparable identification , Quantity , Estimated Value , Authority ."
(vi) When shipment is made of components that were short on a prior shipment, enter and complete the following: "These components were listed as shortages on Shipment Number , date shipped ."
(vii) When shipments involve drums, cylinders, reels, containers, skids, etc., designated as returnable under contract provisions, enter and complete the following: "Return to , Quantity , Item , Ownership (Government/contractor)."
(viii) Enter shipping container number(s), the type, and the total number of the shipping container(s) included in the shipment.
(ix) The MIRR shall be used to record and report the waivers and deviations from contract specifications, including the source and authority for the waiver or deviation (e.g., the contracting office authorizing the waiver or deviation and the identification of the authorizing document).
(x) For shipments involving discount terms, enter "DISCOUNT EXPEDITE" in at least one-inch outline-type letters.
(xi) When test/evaluation results are a condition of acceptance and are not available before shipment, the following note shall be entered if the shipment is approved by the contracting officer: "Note: Acceptance and payment are contingent upon receipt of approved test/evaluation results." The contracting officer will advise (A) the consignee of the results (approval/disapproval) and (B) the contractor to withhold invoicing pending attachment to its invoice of the approved test/evaluation results.
(xii) The copy of the DD Form 250 required to support payment for destination acceptance (top copy of the four with shipment) or Alternative Release Procedure (ARP) origin acceptance (additional copy furnished to the Quality Assurance Representative (QAR)) shall be identified by entering "PAYMENT COPY" in approximately one-half-inch outline-type letters with "FORWARD TO BLOCK 12 ADDRESS" in approximately one-quarter-inch letters immediately below. Do not obliterate any other entries.
(xiii) A double line shall be drawn completely across the form following the last entry.
(s) Block 17 -- QUANTITY SHIP/REC'D.
(1) Enter the quantity shipped, using the unit of measure indicated in the contract for payment. When a second unit of measure is used for purposes other than payment, enter the appropriate quantity directly below in parentheses.
(2) Enter a "Z" below the first digit of the quantity when the total quantity of the item is delivered, including variations within contract terms; and all shortages on items previously shipped short are delivered.
(3) If a replacement shipment is involved, enter below the first digit of the quantity the letter "A" to designate first replacement, "B" for second replacement, and so forth. The final shipment indicator "Z" shall not be used when a final line item shipment is replaced.
(t) Block 18 -- UNIT. Enter the abbreviation of the unit of measure indicated in the contract for payment. When a second unit of measure is indicated in the contract for purposes other than payment or is used for shipping purposes, enter the abbreviation of the second unit of measure directly below in parentheses. Authorized abbreviations are listed in MIL-STD-129, Marking for Shipping and Storage.
(u) Block 19 -- UNIT PRICE. Enter the unit price on all NASA copies whenever the MIRR is used for voucher or receiving purposes.
(v) Block 20 -- AMOUNT. Enter the extended amount when the unit price is entered in Block 19.
(w) Block 21 -- CONTRACT QUALITY ASSURANCE. The words "conform to contract" contained in the printed statements in Blocks A and B relate to contract obligations pertaining to quality and to the quantity of the items on the report. The statements shall not be modified. Notes taking exception shall be entered in Block 16 or on attached supporting documents with block cross reference.
(1) "A. ORIGIN."
(i) The authorized Government representative shall—
(A) Place an "X" when applicable in the appropriate CQA and/or acceptance box(es) to evidence origin CQA and/or acceptance. When the contract requires CQA at destination in addition to origin CQA, an asterisk shall be entered at the end of the statement and an explanatory note in Block 16;
(B) Sign and date; and
(C) Enter the typed, stamped, or printed name of the signer and office code.
(2) "B. DESTINATION."
(i) When acceptance at origin is indicated in Block 21A, no entries shall be made in Block 21B.
(ii) When acceptance or CQA and acceptance are at destination, the authorized Government representative shall—
(A) Place an "X" in the appropriate box(es);
(x) Block 22 -- RECEIVER'S USE. This block shall be used by the receiving activity (Government or contractor) to denote receipt, quantity, and condition. The receiving activity shall enter in this block the date the supplies arrived. For example, when off-loading or in-checking occurs subsequent to the day of arrival of the carrier at the installation, the date of the carrier's arrival is the date received for purposes of this block.
(y) Block 23 -- CONTRACTOR USE ONLY. This block is provided and reserved for contractor use.
When individual shipments are held at the contractor's plant for authorized transportation consolidation to a single destination on a single bill of lading, the applicable DD Forms 250 may be prepared at the time of CQA or acceptance prior to the time of actual shipment (see Block 3).
The contractor may prepare one MIRR when the identical item(s) of a contract is to be shipped to more than one consignee, with the same or varying quantities, and the shipment requires origin acceptance. Prepare the MIRR using the procedures in this subpart with the following changes:
(a) Blocks 2, 4, 13, and, if applicable, 14 - Enter "See Attached Distribution List."
(b) Block 15 - The contractor may group item numbers for identical stock/part number and description.
(c) Block 17 - Enter the "total" quantity shipped by item or, if applicable, grouped identical items.
(d) Use the DD Form 250c to list each individual "Shipped To" and "Marked For" with—
(1) Code(s) and complete shipping address and a sequential shipment number for each;
(2) Item number(s);
(3) Quantity;
(4) The FEDSTRIP requisition number and quantity for each when provided in the contract or shipping instructions; and
(5) If applicable, bill of lading number and mode of shipment code.
When, because of errors or omissions, it is necessary to correct the MIRR after distribution, it shall be revised by correcting the original master and distributing the corrected form. The corrections shall be made as follows:
(a) Circle the error and place the corrected information in the same block. If space is limited, enter the corrected information in Block 16, referencing the error page and block.
(b) When corrections are made to Blocks 15 or 17, enter the words "CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN VERIFIED" on page 1. The authorized Government representative shall date and sign immediately below the statement. This verification statement and signature are not required for other corrections.
(c) MIRRs shall not be corrected for Block 19 and 20 entries.
(d) Clearly mark pages of the MIRR requiring correction with the words "CORRECTED COPY", avoiding obliteration of any other entries. Even though corrections are made on continuation sheets only, also mark page 1 "CORRECTED COPY".
(e) Page 1 and only those continuation pages marked "CORRECTED COPY" shall be distributed to the initial distribution. A complete MIRR with corrections shall be distributed to new addressee(s) created by error corrections.
Copies of the MIRR may be used as a packing list. The packing list copies shall be in addition to the copies of the MIRR required for distribution (see 1846.673) and shall be marked "PACKING LIST".
When the MIRR is used for receiving purposes, procedures shall be as prescribed by local directives. If acceptance or CQA and acceptance of supplies are required upon arrival at destination, see Block 21B for instructions.
(a) DD Forms 250 and 250c shall be distributed in accordance with installation procedures.
(b) The contractor is responsible for distributing DD Forms 250 and 250c in accordance with the provisions of the contract or instructions of the contracting officer.
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 1852.246-72, Material Inspection and Receiving Report, in solicitations and contracts when there will be separate and distinct deliverables, even if the deliverables are not separately priced. The clause is not required for —
(1) Contracts awarded using simplified acquisition procedures;
(2) Negotiated subsistence contracts; or
(3) Contracts for which the deliverable is a scientific or technical report. Insert number of copies and distribution instructions in paragraph (a).
Subpart 1846.7—Warranties
In deciding whether to use a warranty clause, at least the following factors shall be considered in addition to those at FAR 46.703:
(a) Cost of correction or replacement, either by the contractor or by another source, in the absence of a warranty;
(b) The warranty as a deterrent against the furnishing of defective or nonconforming supplies;
(c) Whether the contractor's quality program is reliable enough to provide adequate protection without a warranty, or, if not, whether a warranty would cause the contractor to institute an effective quality program;
(d) Reliance on "brand-name" integrity; and
(e) Whether a warranty is regularly given for a commercial component of a more complex end item.
(1) A warranty clause may be used when it is found to be in the best interests of the Government, after an analysis of the factors listed in 1846.703-70 and FAR 46.703.
(2) Except for the warranty of commercial items (see FAR 12.404 and 46.709), and warranties contained in Federal, military, or construction specifications, the decision to use a warranty clause or to include a warranty provision in a specification other than a Federal, military, or construction specification shall be made only upon the written authorization of the procurement officer or a designee. This decision may be made either for individual acquisitions or classes of acquisitions.
(3) Warranties required by applicable architect-engineer specifications shall be included in construction contracts.
When notified of a defect in warranted items, the contracting officer should ascertain whether the warranty is currently in effect and ensure that the contractor is given proper and timely notice of the defect.


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If left untreated, glaucoma may cause your vision to continue to deteriorate. Fortunately, early detection and treatment of glaucoma may help preserve your vision.
This is the most common type of glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma comes on gradually and may not cause pain or vision changes in the earliest stages. In this type, your eye fails to drain fluid normally, which causes IOP to build up and damage your optic nerve.
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text:
A lottery is a game of chance that involves selecting a set of numbers. The odds of winning the jackpot depend on how many winning numbers are drawn. Generally, the higher the number of winning numbers, the greater the jackpot. However, the order in which the winning numbers are drawn can also influence the jackpot.
Lotteries originated in Europe. In the early Roman Empire, lotteries were a form of amusement at dinner parties. Later, it was a means of raising money for public projects such as schools and canals. They were tolerated by the government in some cases, but were illegal in others. As a result, they were banned in most European countries by 1900.
In the United States, the first modern government-run US lottery was established in New Hampshire in 1964. This lottery includes a variety of draw games including Keno, Powerball, and Mega Millions.
Many states use lotteries to raise funds for public programs. For instance, in Illinois, 25 cents of every dollar collected on tickets goes to the state's Common School Fund. North Carolina's lottery, officially named the North Carolina Education Lottery, has contributed more than $5.5 billion to educational programs.
During the French and Indian Wars, several colonies held public lotteries to raise funds for local projects. A few hundred lotteries were held in colonial America between 1744 and 1776. These included the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' "Expedition against Canada" in 1758, and the Academy Lottery in 1755.
Other lotteries in the United States include the Iowa Lottery and the New Jersey Lottery. Both of these lotteries include several multi-state games, including Mega Millions and Powerball. Some of these games are instant win games, and are similar to scratch-off games.
Another popular lottery format is the 50-50 draw. This is a game where each guest receives a ticket. There are usually six out of 49 possible winning combinations. If all six are drawn, the winner will receive an annuity payment, which is a fixed percentage of the money collected on the ticket. Once the winner claims their prize, the jackpot resets to a predetermined minimum amount.
In the past, a number of lotteries were organized to raise funds for colleges and libraries. For example, the Academy Lottery funded the University of Pennsylvania. Even Alexander Hamilton, the third president of the United States, wrote that "lotteries should be kept simple and easy to understand."
There are currently no federal laws that prohibit the sale of lotteries. The only thing that most states prohibit is the sale of tickets to minors. That is why it is important to purchase your tickets through an official lottery vendor.
It is worth noting that online sales of lottery tickets are illegal in Minnesota. Several states are considering expanding their online reach. Currently, only a handful of states offer online lottery ticket sales. But more are expected to join the fray in the future.
Buying a lottery ticket is fun, and it can bring you the thrill of becoming wealthy. You can buy tickets from a local retailer or from a lottery agent online.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
require 'spec_helper'

describe Array do
  context "#all_empty?" do
    it "returns true if all elements of the Array are empty" do
      expect(["", "", ""].all_empty?).to be_truthy
    end

    it "returns false if some of the Array elements are not empty" do
      expect(["",1, "", Object.new, :a].all_empty?).to be_falsey
    end

    it "returns true for an empty Array" do
      expect([].all_empty?).to be_truthy
    end
  end

  context "#all_same?" do
    it "returns true if all elements of the Array are the same" do
      expect(["A","A","A"].all_same?).to be_truthy
    end

    it "returns false if some of the Array elements are not the same" do
      expect([].all_same?).to be_truthy
    end

  context "#any_empty?" do
    it "returns true if any of the elements are empty" do
      expect(["A","A",""].any_empty?).to be_truthy
    end
  end

  context "#none_empty" do
    it "returns true if all the cells are filled" do
      expect(["A", "A", "A"].none_empty?).to be_truthy
    end
  end
 end
 end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The final round of oral arguments for the Iowa Supreme Court's 2018-19 term set for April 9
by Rox Laird | April 8, 2019
The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in five cases on April 9, and nine other cases will be submitted to the court without oral argument. Three cases will be argued beginning at 9 a.m., and two will be argued beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Go to the On Brief Cases in the Pipeline page to read briefs in these cases.
With the submission of the final 14 cases in April, the Court will have heard a total of 104 cases, including 12 attorney discipline cases. As of April 5, the justices had decided 54 cases. Assuming no last-minute cases are added between now and the end of the term, there will be 50 cases to be decided, or an average of about 4 decisions per day over the 12 decision days remaining on the calendar.
Loading the schedule with 14 cases in a single day is not typical, but this has not been a typical term for the Court, with two retirements and the arrival of two new justices. Indeed, 28 cases were resubmitted to the Court following the addition of Justice Christopher McDonald in February so that he could participate in those decisions.
The April 9 oral arguments are the final scheduled arguments for the Court's 2018-19 term. The justices are scheduled to meet privately six more times in the remainder of this term to discuss opinions or applications for further review before they begins the two-month administrative term in July.
Tags: Iowa Supreme Court, Iowa Supreme Court 2018-19, Oral Arguments


text:
Home » About Us » Site Map
Keywords (ALL)
List of Members We have 18 Members on our Authority. Twelve are County Councillors who are appointed by Pembrokeshire County Council to provide local knowledge and expertise, but not to represent their own local authority constituency. The other six are appointed by Welsh Government, to represent the national interest and to provide additional specialist skills relevant to the work of the Authority. list, members, county, councillors, welsh, assembly, government,
National Park Authority and its Committees The National Park Authority is made up of 18 Members. The Authority, as well as its Committees, hold regular meetings to discuss and vote on various issues affecting the workings of the National Park Authority and indeed the National Park. From planning applications to the Sustainable Development Fund, all aspects of how the Authority works is overseen by Members elected by Pembrokeshire County Council and appointed by the Welsh Assembly Government. committees, members, development, management, performance, review, personnel, standards,
National Park Authority Members The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has 18 Members, 12 of whom are nominated by Pembrokeshire County Council, whilst the remaining 6 Members are appointed – following an interview process – by the Welsh Government. members, code, conduct, good, practice, committee, decisions, councillor, allowances,
National Parks: Supporting Economic Wellbeing The National Parks of Wales are living, working areas that support vibrant communities and iconic landscapes that are used to market Wales across the world. They are also special places that must be conserved for future generations. The Valuing our Environment report indicated that the National Parks of Wales support 12,000 jobs, produce a total income of £177million and generate a GDP of £205million. wales, members, seminar, supporting, economic, wellbeing,


Experience with a labor broker's payroll is advantageous. * Experience with the administration of a salary payroll of approximately 90 employees and wages of approximately 1000 employees. * Experience in processing payroll in a bargaining council environment advantageous * Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of legislation and bargaining council agreements related to the processing of payroll * Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of administrative requirements and systems relating to the running and processing of payroll * Ability to process payroll from start to finish * Ability to verify and import work hours for salaries employees and perform all relevant capturing into payroll system. * Ability to perform all relevant reconciliations with regards to payroll, wages and salaries and month end reports for submission to the accounts department. Experience with a labor broker's payroll is advantageous. * Experience with the administration of a salary payroll of approximately 90 employees and wages of approximately 1000 employees. * Experience in processing payroll in a bargaining council environment advantageous * Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of legislation and bargaining council agreements related to the processing of payroll * Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of administrative requirements and systems relating to the running and processing of payroll * Ability to process payroll from start to finish * Ability to verify and import work hours for salaries employees and perform all relevant capturing into payroll system. * Ability to perform all relevant reconciliations with regards to payroll, wages and salaries and month end reports for submission to the accounts department.
Responsible for time and attendance, performance management and payroll. Ensure that all HR payroll documents are signed and filed and scanned and saved electronically. Payroll Responsible for the efficient running and administration of payroll. Processing / capturing on VIP Payroll and collate all VIP reports for checking monthly. Ensure quick resolution of all payroll queries by employees and management. Suitable qualification – DIPLOMA HR / Payroll related qualification - 3 years VIP Payroll Premier - Ziegler * Cape Town * Permanent * Full Time - Introduction - HR Reporting. Maintain staff files and records. Duties & Responsibilities - Time and attendance - Identity daily late coming and absentees. Check and control medical certificates. Check if correct leave is applied for. Produce monthly reports. Performance management - Coordinate performance reviews on Premier HR. Process third party payments e.g. garnish orders. Responsible for time and attendance, performance management and payroll. Ensure that all HR payroll documents are signed and filed and scanned and saved electronically. Payroll Responsible for the efficient running and administration of payroll. Processing / capturing on VIP Payroll and collate all VIP reports for checking monthly. Ensure quick resolution of all payroll queries by employees and management. Suitable qualification – DIPLOMA HR / Payroll related qualification - 3 years VIP Payroll Premier - Ziegler * Cape Town * Permanent * Full Time - Introduction - HR Reporting. Maintain staff files and records. Duties & Responsibilities - Time and attendance - Identity daily late coming and absentees. Check and control medical certificates. Check if correct leave is applied for. Produce monthly reports. Performance management - Coordinate performance reviews on Premier HR. Process third party payments e.g. garnish orders.


Old Hollywood: New Designer: Hart-Variations!
Hart-Variations is one of the newest designers to join our vast jewelry selection here at Old Hollywood! Based in Portland, this artist uses "feathers, bones, snakeskin, insects and other objects" combined with glass and metal to create a "wearable snapshot of the vitality and endurance of these natural elements." From striking Sunset Moth wings to tiny jaw bones, these Hart-Variations pieces are sure to add a vital pop of color to your jewelry collection and your everyday look! All pieces are currently available in-store.


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Mobile Game Development is totally different from conventional application development as it brings together creativity, skill, imagination, technology and best user experience practices especially over the mobile platform which is quickly becoming the preferred choice for gaming. Gaming applications become a necessary part in the mobile and web industry that grows business rapidly with billions of dollars.
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The LED nail lamp is a nail polish dryer that allows you to perform a professional nail art treatment as you do by the beautician. Let's see what are the main features to be evaluated during the purchase and which are the best LED nail lamp gel polish currently on the market.
and remains shiny and resistance for weeks. The oven is also useful for the reconstruction of the nail or for the application of false nails.
Today you can make these treatments at home by purchasing a professional nail polish . One of the advantages of the nail lamp is that it can save time and money , as it is not necessary to go to the beautician but doing everything comfortably at home.
To lengthen your life, just use the lamp for the right time depending on the type of nail polish, setting the timer to avoid unnecessary waste, do not keep it on or connected to electricity when not in use. For cleaning, it is sufficient to remove it from the power supply and use a dry cloth, while when it is not used, it must remain in a place free from humidity and dust.
Based on the characteristics described we see which are the best models most recommended for purchase. Among the most prestigious brands we find body, uspicy and nail star offering professional bakers with prices ranging from 25 to 70 euros.
To make the choice easier and safer, here is the list of the 10 best LED lamps and nail furnaces chosen for value for money, features and features.
Today we bring you the TOP 10 of the best anti-lice shampoos on the market. Who has not had lice at any time in their life?
It is very annoying, it stings a lot, in short, a headache . Lice are more common in children, but adults can also get them if we get it.
I remember that as a little girl I had and my grandmother was crazy; also at that time it was thought that lice were flying (nowadays it is known that neither fly nor jump, its contagion is by direct contact between heads) with what I happened to be a walking time bomb.
Nowadays, much more is known about these insects, which are known scientifically as Phthiraptera. Specifically, these affect birds and mammals (also humans) and their eggs are called nits.
Head lice measure 0.5 to 8mm in adulthood. When you're already totally infected, it's called pediculosis, and that's when your whole head is absolutely itchy.
Well, nowadays and especially as you know the fathers and mothers, these small insects also continue to exist and to eliminate them, although they continue to resort to home remedies, the most normal thing is to buy an anti-lice shampoo.
That is why, in this guide we are going to leave you the TOP 10 of the best anti-lice shampoos, as well as a series of tips before buying one or the other.
Before going to our TOP 10 of the best anti-lice shampoos, you have to bear in mind that, in most cases, they have to be applied to children, and since most of them contain chemical products, here we will leave you the different ones types of shampoos depending on their components.
Chemical insecticides: They are the most common and also, the most used. The components that usually carry are permethrin, malathion or lindane. As they are chemical, they have some adverse effects that you should know about. The most common are irritation or itching of the scalp. As regards the components, permethrin is the least toxic, being lindane one of the most dangerous since it can even lead to neurological toxicity.
Silicones: These are non-toxic and are of the latest generation. In fact, they are the best and their usual components are cyclomethicone and dimethicone. They are ideal for pregnant women who have been infected. As a hit we can say that before nits are not very effective.
Natural: Normally, natural anti-lice shampoos are made up of tea tree or lavender oil among others. According to some forums, its effectiveness against lice or nits has not yet been proven, although they are undoubtedly the safest for children.


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The highest scoring game in NFL history during regular season
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John Setian, 76 years, of Las Vegas, NV, died Friday, April 11, 2003 at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center. Beloved husband of Lucy Setian of Las Vegas, NV; loving father of Alfred and Alex Setian of Las Vegas, NV, and Albert Setian of Chicago, IL. Donations to St. For them, Hartley said of the Oilers winning the draft lottery. Buy lottery tickets every day, and I tell the lady at the convenience store, can stop selling because I just got the winner, Hartley said. Hope I win the next lottery. Is a long standing tradition that is prepared for from a security process, defends Haggith. Ready for those. When play is stopped, hats are thrown on the ice and they removed. What's more, the book that mentions Atlantis, the Timaeus, is fewer than 100 pages long. This is shit you can seriously knock out while you're killing time at the bus station. Though it should not come as much surprise that countless books and god knows how many hours of the History Channel have been dedicated to asking a riddle as easy to solve as looking up a word in the dictionary.
Of course strapping rockets to the blades didn't make the helicopter any easier to control. The project was scrapped when they realized that the jetcopter's design required the pilot to land it while facing the sky with the ground behind him obscured by a whirling blur of flaming metal. That's right, the idea of rocket tipped blades was so awesome that they put the jetcopter into development without ever considering how to land the damn thing.. To start with, you can independently own a Zumba coaching center, where people can join for a fair amount of fees and learn Zumba from you. The more you expand, both in terms of infrastructure and services, the more money you make. Many Zumba instructors also work in community as well as corporate centers, and are paid on an hourly basis..
This whole Sherman story got me thinking about if such a thing as a non obnoxious sports fan can really exist and I'm beginning to think the answer is no. For example, one of my best friends in the world is a diehard Arizona Wildcats basketball fan like myself. Every time we win, which may I remind you, is every single time we have played this year because we are No. I know what I want out of basketball. Whatever it took, I needed to do.»But now look at her.»She was more of a follower than a leader. Doug [Bruno] and Carol Callan [USA's manager] said she was a nice kid, but had a lot of growing up to do, readily influenced by others,» Auriemma said. It turned out to a lottery mystery out of Iowa. Sixteen and a half million dollars at stake. ticket holder waited to the last minute to claim his prize and lottery officials are so suspicious of his story there refusing for now.
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Once you have found a pizza place of your liking, go in and buy a couple of pies, or better yet, have a friend or family member buy the pies for you. Thanks Dad Carlw!I like to let the pizza's cool for a while before starting to package them. If you pack them up while the cheese is still hot it can stick to the packing material. When Boudreau puts the trio together, it may be the most talented line in the NHL.But it is when Semin plays on another line, typically with Sergei Fedorov, and both groups are playing well that the Caps are a potential Stanley Cup contender.you the coach of the other team, you say, we always going to put our best against Alex O., and that leaves Alex Semin to play against their second best pairing or sometimes their third, Boudreau said. Frankly, it can sometimes be overwhelming for those guys unless you one of the elite teams that have four great defensemen like the [New] Jerseys or the Bostons. It is hard to contain them both when they are both going.
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A general gripe in a part of London that is not flush with cash is the lack of cricket on English terrestrial TV. Since Sky got the rights to all England cricket in 2006, the resultant money has produced many tangible successes, but for those who can't afford the subscription fee, the annoyance of not being able to watch any cricket reigns. «How can we get our kids into the game if there's nowhere to play it and no chance of watching it? Cheapest seat at Oval Test is 55, and to take my two boys, too much,» moaned one frustrated punter.. Many men have a hobby that takes up a lot of their time cheap jerseys, and they may really appreciate a gift that will make their hobby easier or more enjoyable. Does he enjoy woodworking? How about a new tool? Does he enjoy hiking? Would he appreciate a new pair of hiking boots? If you aren't sure what to get him, get him a gift certificate to a sporting goods store that carries items for his hobby. Better yet, give him the gift certificate with a card and a note telling him that you want to take him shopping and out to lunch.
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Young.The club are also starting a Friday night gents triples league for season 2009/2010 with a new format, teams are invited to enter with a named non member. See club for details.lCraig England (Northfield) has been selected to play for Scotland gents outdoor team at the Home Internationals in Worthing next year. Graeme Campbell (Newton Park) is a travelling reserve.Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDaily NewsletterTransfer TalkTransfer news live as Celtic and Rangers plus the rest of the Premiership step up their squad rebuilds for new seasonScotland's best transfer blog is up and running join us for all the latest done deals, news and rumours from Scottish football and further afield.Celtic FCCeltic dealt blow as Liverpool end interest in Virgil van DijkThe Hoops were set for a bumper sell on fee for their former star but the deal is now off the table after the Anfield side retreated.Celtic FCFormer Celtic star Darren O'Dea recalls the time Roy Keane got his own back on Mark WilsonThe former Hoops defender told Open Goal's Simon Ferry about the time the Irish football legend made his team mate pay in training..
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The car's owner, Muhammad Ikhlaq, was nearby getting cash from a cashpoint.At that point, Ikhlaq probably should have accepted he'd been caught, but no. When questioned, he told officers the money was for tomatoes and the woman was going to show him a good place to buy them.»I've heard some excuses before, but in the 10 years that I have been a police officer I have never heard of a kerb crawler covering up his crimes by claiming to be buying tomatoes,» Walsall police's PC Stacey Paterson told the BBC . Ikhlaq was found guilty of soliciting.11 shades of grey(Photo: Getty Images Europe)In April 1996 Manchester United was playing so badly against Southampton Sir Alex Ferguson came up with a half time move that could act as a genius excuse for poor play.He made his team change out of their grey road jerseys.
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The most famous tanks of the Second World War in a collection of nineteen 1:72 scale models. Made of metal and complete in every detail, they are exact reproductions of the actual vehicles, with the same colours and the same insignia as the originals.
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A series dedicated to collectors, with a limited number of pieces available.


Answer: they can all be the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.
B12 deficiency is far more common than health care practitioners and the general public realize. A study from Tufts University( Framingham Offspring Study) suggest that 40 percent of people between the ages of 26 and 83 have low plasma B12 levels – a range at which many experience neurological symptoms. 9 percent had outright deficiency, and 16 percent exhibited "near deficiency". The researchers were surprised to find out that low B12 levels were as common in younger people as they were in the elderly.
B12 deficiency has been estimated to affect about 40% of people over 60 years of age. It's possible that some of the symptoms we attribute to "normal" aging – such as memory loss, cognitive decline, decreased mobility, etc. – are in part caused by B12 deficiency.
The scientific literature reveals that people with B12 levels between 200 pg/mL and 350 pg/mL – levels considered "normal" in the U.S. – have clear B12 deficiency symptoms. Experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency, like Sally Pacholok R.N. and Jeffery Stewart D.O., suggest treating all patients that are symptomatic and have B12 levels less than 450 pg/mL. They also recommend treating patients with normal B12, but elevated urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA), homocysteine and/or holotranscobalamin (other markers of B12 deficiency).
Vitamin B12 works together with folate in the synthesis of DNA and red blood cells. It's also involved in the production of the myelin sheath around the nerves, and the conduction of nerve impulses. Our nervous system is somewhat like a big tangle of wires. Myelin is the insulation that protects those wires and helps them to conduct messages.
B12 deficiency can cause problems like fatigue, lethargy, weakness, memory loss and neurological and psychiatric problems. Anemia is the final stage of B12 deficiency, where the body destroys a protein necessary for the absorption of B12.
Several steps are involved in the absorption of B12 – each of which can go wrong.
This explains why B12 deficiency can occur even in people eating large amounts of B12-containing animal products. Many my patients that are B12 deficient are following a Paleo diet where they eat meat 2-3 times a day.
B12 is the only vitamin that contains a trace element (cobalt), which is why it's called cobalamin. Cobalamin is produced in the gut of animals. It's the only vitamin we can't obtain from plants or sunlight.
This explains why studies consistently demonstrate that up to 50% of long-term vegetarians and 80% of vegans are deficient in B12. This is because plant foods contain B12 analogs called cobamides, that block the intake of and increase the need for true B12.
…a significant association between cobalamin [b12] status and performance on tests measuring fluid intelligence, spatial ability and short-term memory" with formerly vegan kids scoring lower than omnivorous kids in each case. This fluid intelligence involves reasoning, the capacity to solve complex problems, abstract thinking ability and the ability to learn. So any defect in this area may have consequences for the individual functioning.
It is absolutely crucial for those individuals that abstain from animal products to understand that there are no plant sources of B12 and that all vegans and most vegetarians should supplement with B12. This is especially important for vegetarian or vegan children or pregnant women, whose need for B12 is even greater than adults.
Diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency is relatively easy and cheap. A B12 test can be performed by any laboratory.
Adequate treatment will vary depending on what is causing the problem. People with pernicious anemia or inflammatory gut disorders like Crohn's disease are likely to have impaired absorption for their entire lives, and will likely require B12 injections indefinitely. This may also be true for those with severe B12 deficiency causing neurological symptoms.
Recent studies have suggested that high dose oral or nasal administration may be as effective as injections for those with B12 malabsorption problems.
If you suspect you have B12 deficiency, the first step is to get tested. If you are B12 deficient, the next step is to identify the mechanism causing the deficiency. Once the cause is identified, the appropriate form (injection, oral, sublingual or nasal) of supplementation, the dose and the length of treatment can be selected.
Next time if you see someone "having a senior moment", remember: it might not be "just aging". It could be B12 deficiency.
Original Article written by Chris Kresser, , a globally recognized leader in the fields of ancestral health, Paleo nutrition, and functional and integrative medicine.


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Long Time No Write. Time to Catch Up
Long time no write. Two weeks is an eternity for a blogger. But I have an excuse. Having Gilda at home because of her broken wrist disrupted my normal routine. However, too much of a good thing, like too much candy or cake, can be detrimental to one's senses, though I have learned some new skills, such as how to affix earrings to her ears, how to hook up a bra (so counterintuitive to most men's experiences).
Gilda went back to work Monday. We resumed our chauffeur-client status, meaning I get up at 6 am to drive her to work, return home and then go back to pick her up at the end of her shift at Mount Sinai Hospital. Today we're hoping it's "coming off day," as in, the cast finally will be removed from her left, dominant hand, wrist. I will still have to drive her around until she regains full use of her extremity, but we hope to see light at the end of the tunnel later this afternoon.
Meanwhile, some updates on previous blogs and some new tidbits to chew over:
Inspired Celebration: Though she admitted she prefers harder than her mother's matzo balls, Ellie's Rosh Hashana batch mostly melted in one's mouth. Even more savory were the two types of ruggelach she baked. The hit of the evening, even topping my brisket (prepared under Gilda's watchful eye). Ellie also reminded me she made kreplach, one of my favorite foods, for my birthday.
Rosh Hashana is the earth's birthday, number 5775, according to the Jewish religion. For only the second time in 19 years Ellie did not sing with our cantor during our congregation's New Year's services. For many worshippers it seemed the holiday was a little less whole. She had good reason to demur. She didn't want to feel queasy in front of them. For those who didn't get my drift, Ellie and husband Donny are expecting their first child, our third grandchild, in late March-early April.
While the congregation didn't get to enjoy Ellie's singing, our family did during a back-to-nature communion on the second day of Rosh Hashana. Instead of going to temple, we celebrated Rosh Hashana at Croton Gorge Park and Croton Point Park. We recited prayers, read children's books to Finley, Dagny and their cousin Elliot, took a hike to the top of the dam, Ellie sang and we blew the shofar. Gilda had bought toy rams' horns for the kids. I trumpeted our elongated shofar. It was one of the more inspirational Rosh Hashana commemorations I have experienced.
Giant Turnaround? Perhaps I was too hasty in my criticism of the NY Giants. They've played much better in winning their last two games. I even picked them in one of my football pools. A good test will come Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Farewell to the Captain: I've previously expressed my admiration for Derek Jeter, the now retired captain of the New York Yankees. His grace under pressure and ability to conquer the moment separated him from other players, many who were more talented and skilled than he. But as I wrote back on September 12, 2009,
"Watching Jeter year-in, year-out brings joy to any true baseball fan. Sure he's had a full reel of highlights. But it's the everyday work ethic and performance that impresses me.
"During the early Joe Torre years it seemed whenever we needed a late score, if Jeter led off an inning he ignited a rally. Because he was not a home run hitter, or exceptionally fast, or had the best arm or range at shortstop, Jeter made you feel comfortable, made you feel that you too could do his job if only you had dedicated your life to his career choice, to baseball. But then he'd corral a pop up into short left field with an over the shoulder, back to the infield catch and you'd say, 'I couldn't do that.' or he'd glide into the hole and do one of his now patented jump throws to first, and you'd say, 'I couldn't do that.' or he'd hit a home run when you least expected it, as he did to become Mr. November in the Series against Arizona in 2001, and you'd say, 'I couldn't do that, not under the pressure, the constant pressure, he's under.'"
I won't recount his exploits during his last game at Yankee Stadium or the last game of his career at Fenway Park in Boston. Suffice to say, I doubt there will be another player who will make as many favorable memories as Derek Jeter did during his 19-year career.
Shoah. Showa: Reading an Op-Ed piece in Tuesday's New York Times ("Hirohito: String Puller, Not Puppet"), I was struck by the similar sounding names Shoah and Showa. Showa, the author wrote, is how Emperor Hirohito is known in Japan. During his reign from 1926 to 1989, Japan modernized and militarized. During the Showa period, wrote Herbert P. Bix, Japanese aggression "took the lives of at least 20 million Asians (including more than three million Japanese) and more than 100,000 citizens of Western Allied nations, primarily the United States and Britain."
Shoah is the Hebrew word for the Holocaust when six million European Jews were killed by the Nazis and their collaborators.
Ready When You Are, C.B., (as in DeMille): My acting career has hit a scheduling bump. Show Me a Hero, an HBO mini-series filming in Yonkers, alerted me my services as an extra were wanted. But the date they offered conflicted with another appointment, so I must now wait for them to find a mutually convenient time slot. At least I'm not waiting tables until my big break comes, unless, of course, you consider all the cooking and cleaning I'm doing during Gilda's convalescence from her broken wrist.
Labels: brisket, Croton Gorge Park, Derek Jeter, HBO, Hirohito, Holocaust, kreplach, Matzo balls, NY Giants, NY Yankees, Rosh Hashana, ruggelach, Shoah, Show Me a Hero, Showa
From Nail-biting Addict to Football Enabler
Last week I confessed I was an addict, someone who bit his fingernails. Well, I think I'm over that nasty habit, at least for now. Thanks to some paper medical tape I found in our first aid kit I managed to cover my left pinkie long enough for the nail to grow back without awakening my desire to chew it off.
Today I'm admitting to an even more serious shortcoming—I'm an enabler. Like hundreds of millions of other Americans, and an increasing number of foreigners, I enjoy watching football. In other words, I condone and enable violence that I know will destroy an athlete's health and the lives of his family because of repetitive brain trauma.
I'm like so many of the wives and girlfriends of football players keeping my mouth shut so I can enjoy Sunday afternoons, and now Sunday nights, and Monday nights, and Thursday nights. It's a good thing I'm not into high school or college football or else I'd have no respite from sanctioned violence and have almost unlimited tutelage in how to behave badly toward women.
Did anyone else notice that during the halftime report of the New York Giants-Arizona Cardinals game on the Fox Network, the segue from each segment was a simulated stiff arm blasted into one's face? How inappropriate given Ray Rice's left hook to his then fiancée's, now wife's, face in that New Jersey casino elevator.
It's our real-life version of The Hunger Games, or maybe a recreation of Roman gladiators, though the deaths of the participants are not as immediate.
Perhaps you're thinking I'm being a bit too melodramatic, that football players voluntarily assume the risk. Of course, it wasn't until last week, according to The New York Times, "that the National Football League, which for years disputed evidence that its players had a high rate of severe brain damage, has stated in federal court documents that it expects nearly a third of retired players to develop long-term cognitive problems and that the conditions are likely to emerge at 'notably younger ages' than in the general population."
In The Daily News, Steve Almond, the author of "Against Football," wrote, "Yes, of course these players are grown men (in most cases). And of course they choose to incur the risk of playing a violent game; the pros get paid a lot of money to do so. They also wear helmets and uniforms that help insulate them from damage, and that insulate us, the viewers, from the bone-rattling reality of collisions.
"That's why we don't view these acts as crimes. They are what sociologists call "sanctioned violence." Fans consume these collisions without feeling that they are watching something barbaric. Indeed, they are regarded as necessary and even heroic in the context of the game, which is why television networks place parabolic microphones on the sidelines, and why they replay the most violent hits over and over again.
"But to the human brain—which is what's at issue for football players—the context is irrelevant. At the neurological level, violence is violence. Trauma is trauma.
"Whether or not Roger Goodell can weather the storm and cling to his tenure as commissioner—and he has at least 44 million reasons to try (a reference to his $44 million paycheck last year)—the larger moral question that looms over him and the NFL and us fans is whether we should be consuming as a form of entertainment a sport whose end result is, in too many cases, permanent brain damage."
Sadly, even though I question the morality of parents who invest their children in football programs given our current knowledge of the consequences, I still devote time to watching football, mostly my favorite team, the Giants, but other games as well when I have nothing better to watch. So, the bottom line is, I'm an enabler.
Giant Bust: Am I a disloyal fan or just a realistic one? At this point in the season, two games in, it is obvious the Giants are not a good football team. The offensive line can't open holes for the running backs. They don't pass protect well, either. The quarterback is too prone to forcing his throws and incurring interceptions. The receivers are mediocre. The defense is okay on the run and pass but gives up too many big plays, especially on third down. Special teams are a liability. In short, rooting for the Giants is an exercise in hope and futility.
Last year I stayed loyal to the Giants and it cost me in my football pools. This year I am listening to my head, not my heart. Last week, for example, I picked Arizona to beat the Giants even with a backup quarterback starting for the Cardinals. The Giants didn't disappoint: They fumbled twice in critical situations, once on a kick return near their goal line and another time near the Cardinal goal on what could have been a game-tying scoring drive; The defense gave up at least five first downs on penalties, resulting in at least seven points for Arizona. The special teams allowed a touchdown on a punt return. Receivers, including the normally sure-handed Victor Cruz, dropped numerous passes.
The only joy I had from watching the game was knowing I didn't lose any money on the Giants. Though as a fan I would have preferred that outcome to seeing them go bust again.
Posted by Murray at 11:55 AM No comments:
Labels: Against Football, Arizona Cardinals, Daily News, football, Fox Network, gladiator, Hunger Games, New York Giants, NFL, Ray Rice, Roger Goodell, Steve Almond
Matzo Ball Wars and a Thrill Ride from Summer Camp
Time will tell, but I suspect we might have a Benedict Arnold in our family. The proof will be in the pudding, er, matzo balls, we eat on the eve of Rosh Hashana.
Let me explain. Gilda makes soft, fluffy matzo balls. Dear friends who celebrate with us on the first night of the holiday, with whom we visit on the second night, like hard matzo balls, the type you need to knife through because if you use your spoon to carve out a chunk you're just as likely to douse your seat-mate with chicken soup as you are to catapult the "cannon" ball across the table. Over the years it has been a source of amusement between our respective families as to which type of matzo ball is tastier.
With Gilda's broken wrist this year (she had corrective surgery early Wednesday morning and is recuperating at home), Ellie jumped into the breach last weekend to make matzo balls under Gilda's tutelage. Gilda advised the secret to fluffy matzo balls was to not squish too many into the soup pot as they cook, thus giving them room to expand. Despite Gilda's protestations, Ellie kept adding one, two or three more matzo balls to the soup. She even hinted she prefers hard matzo balls.
Proof of her potentially sacrilegious treason, or filial devotion, will have to await our communal dinner for 38 in two weeks. The suspense is gnawing at me.
By the way, as much as I enjoy Gilda's matzo balls, which are the equal of my mother's, I really miss my mother's kreplach (Jewish wontons). Gilda has made kreplach in the past as a treat for me but it is truly intensive work.
Red Sports Car: Last week I wrote about my disagreement on Arab-Israeli matters with Rabbi Barry Konovitch. Today's blog will harken back to a special day I shared with two of my bunkmates at Camp Columbia courtesy of Barry who, at the time, was head of the waterfront (and, who I mentioned, lifted me out of the deep water when I went under a year earlier).
Larry Jacobs, Stu Garay and I were waiters enjoying a day off from serving our fellow campers. As 15-year-olds, however, we were not permitted to leave camp grounds. Our day off coincided with one of Barry's who chose to hang around camp that day. In the late afternoon we implored him to take us off campus in his car.
Though at first reluctant, Barry agreed if we could secure the permission of the head counselor, Hal Gastwirt. Hal wasn't available, so we asked his second in command, Tully Dershowitz. He consented.
We were all set. But what I haven't told you yet is that Barry's car was a TR4, a red convertible Triumph sports car with a back seat not intended to support two near-six foot tall teenagers (Larry and me; Stu had not yet hit his growth spurt, which he never really did as I discovered some 30 years later when I became a short-term patient of his medical practice). The back seat was no more than 12 inches deep. Leg room? There wasn't any.
Stu won the rights to ride shotgun on our way out of camp. Barry did not hold back on the throttle. He whizzed down the two-lane country roads of Elizaville, NY. Wind whipped through our hair. Larry and I felt as if we were riding in an old-fashioned rumble seat. We felt every bump, fearful we would be tossed out.
We drove to an ice cream stand on the outskirts of Red Hook, some 10 miles away. Barry parked the car, he and Stu got out and waited, and waited, and waited for Larry and me to unfurl our cramped legs. It seemed like a full five minutes before we could support ourselves on our legs.
Larry and I were relegated to the back seat again on our return ride. When we untangled ourselves back in camp we asked Barry why the TR4 even had a back seat. He explained it was for insurance purposes. Without a back seat the TR4 would be classified as a sports car with high insurance rates. But with a back seat, even one clearly not intended for use by anyone older than six, lower family car rates prevailed.
I suspect Barry does not recall the thrilling ride he provided three impressionable teenagers that summer afternoon (heck, he doesn't remember saving me in the pool). But he still drives a red sports car, albeit not the TR4. For the last 46 years he has been motoring around in a 1968 C3 Corvette! (http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2014/01/31/florida-rabbi-has-been-driving-the-same-1968-corvette-since-new/)
Labels: Barry Konovitch, Benedict Arnold, Camp Columbia, Corvette, Elizaville, Hal Gastwirt, kreplach, Larry Jacobs, Matzo balls, Red Hook, Rosh Hashana, Stu Garay, TR4, Triumph, Tully Dershowitz
A Dialogue on Freedom and Peace
(Editor's Note: This is a realllllly long entry as I have chosen to reproduce two blogs from Rabbi Barry Konovitch who I knew as head of the waterfront in Camp Columbia back in the early 1960s. Barry is the rabbi of Temple Anshei Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Delray Beach, FL. For more background on him, click on this link: http://www.templeansheishalom.org/abouttherabbi.html. His blogs are reproduced in italics. My thoughts follow his.)
President Obama's Legacy
The world is in crisis because the United States has relinquished its traditional leadership position as the most powerful democratic nation on earth. Free people everywhere have always looked to America for inspiration, guidance, and when needed, military intervention to support and protect basic human freedoms and rights. It has been a heavy and sobering responsibility but we have risen to the task each time we were called. We supported our friends unequivocally and unhesitatingly; and we punished the enemies of freedom decisively and unsparingly. For the better part of the 20th century we imposed a Pax Americana that encouraged the spread of democracy and improved the daily lives of all people under our umbrella.
Now our leadership role is being relinquished as we retreat from global challenges instead of facing them head-on. The enemies of democracy are emboldened by our indecisiveness and wavering in the face of serious challenges. The murder of our ambassador in Benghazi and his compatriots produced "what difference does it make" from the Secretary of State. The Russian invasion of the Crimea and Ukraine and the concomitant, threats to the Eastern European NATO countries resulted from the 'reset of our relationship" with the Russian government. The Iranian program to produce a nuclear warhead with which to threaten the Middle East and the Western world with the avowed promise to "wipe Israel off the face of the map" has produced a sham agreement that will allow the Ayatollahs to move with alacrity toward their nuclear goal. Our red lines threat to attack Syria's Assad regime if they used gas weapons, evaporated as the gas floated over Aleppo. Our friends are appalled by the American paper tiger and our enemies are emboldened. Islamic terrorists arise in every corner of the globe where we have retreated. Nature abhors a vacuum and so does geopolitics. Everywhere American troops are "drawn down" (a euphemism for ignominious retreat) Islamic terrorists arrive to take their place. They terrorize the local populations into fearful submission and they dare to challenge the might of the American military. When the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists murder men women and children in Nigeria, and they blatantly kidnap several hundred young girls from their villages, we are led in a protest to "bring our girls home" by none other than Mrs. Obama. The protests and the interest from the public lasted no more than a week before it no longer captured our interest, much less our concern, or heaven forfend, any real attempt both politically and militarily to "help our girls".
To understand what has happened to us, American citizens, we need to be reminded of the presidential agenda clearly set forth for us right at the beginning of the political campaign and underscored, reinforced and elaborated upon in such "democratic" venues as Cairo and Riyadh. We would do well to remember Pres. Obama's words and, yea his promise to bring the troops home, to disengage ourselves from all wars and conflicts and leave a much smaller American footprint on the world. We will contract into ourselves and concentrate on improving our internal economic and political lives. Conveniently forgotten is the basic lesson of the 21st century; the world is connected, for better or worse, and no nation lives in an isolated vacuum, and no ocean or mountain chain will protect us from our enemies.
"Yes, Virginia," we have enemies around the world who seek to destroy us, and are just waiting for the chance to take advantage of any perceived American weakness or hesitation. Pres. Obama has projected American weakness and indecisiveness to the world and our enemies are on the move.
No one should be surprised. We elected a president who by virtue of being the first black man to attain our highest office, was immediately granted the Nobel peace prize, for doing absolutely nothing to advance world peace. The award was a sham and an embarrassment to all responsible citizens. This was the president who spent 20 years sitting in a church pew listening to the right Rev. Wright spewing anti-American and anti-Semitic hatred to his parishioners. And the future president sat quietly and without protest and absorbed the lessons of black revolutionary theology. This is the President who apologizes to the Muslim world for the American anti-Islamic transgressions and bows low to despotic Arab potentates. This is a president who promised the president of France that he will "deal" with the Prime Minister of Israel who dares to disagree with his utopian plan for the Middle East. After all, this is the president who was raised in the largest Muslim country in the world, Indonesia, and was sent to school to absorb the lessons of Islam at a young age. A man who accepts the name "Hussein" is clearly trying to tell us something about his mindset.
Our friends around the world feel abandoned and our enemies are emboldened. And we sit quietly waiting for the next 9/11, which is certain to come.
The Ongoing War on Islamic Terrorism
The latest war against the Hamas terrorists in Gaza has come to an end, but by no means to a satisfactory conclusion. The Negev communities are still susceptible to mortar fire and the major Israeli cities are still within rocket range. The Army has not packed up the Iron Dome and the reserves remain on alert. The ominous quiet is merely a precursor to the next round of attacks and the Israeli public remains uneasy if not downright angry and disgusted. People tread lightly in the streets of Ashdod and Tel Aviv, anticipating the next air raid sirens announcing the start of yet another terrifying round of terrorist attacks. The question is asked in the streets: Why hasn't the Army finished the job? Why does the government hesitate to give the orders: destroy the Hamas terrorist once and for all? Why should the deaths of the Gaza so-called "civilians" concern us or at least prevent us from doing the job which is protecting Israeli citizens? The world clearly sees, but as yet refuses to understand, that Hamas terrorists use their neighbors as human shields in the hope that they will be martyred and sacrificed on the altar of public relations. There is absolutely no interest in and condemnation of the tens of thousands of people massacred by Islamic terrorists in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Lebanon, Mali, and a host of other countries. Only Israel is singled out for vilification which clearly is the 21st century is manifestation of anti-Semitism.
The civilian population of World War II Germany and Italy and Japan were "enemy populations", subjected to indiscriminate carpet bombing by the US and British air forces until these enemy governments surrendered unconditionally. There was no hand wringing and mea culpas in the White House or in Whitehall. Clear eyed Western leaders understood that destroying the Nazis and fascists and militarists was the moral thing to do.
The Islamic Jihadists are the 21st century version of the Nazis; they have the same brutal intentions. These barbarians are at the gates of Western civilization, all across Europe and even in our United States. How many warnings do we need before we truly awake and take action? What we have witnessed on 9/11 and at the Boston Marathon is only the beginning of a spreading cancer that will destroy our civilization if we don't act decisively and unhesitatingly. I fail to understand how known Islamic radicals, or even suspected terrorists are not stopped at our borders, removed from our airplanes and deprived of their visas and passports. How do we tolerate Muslim preachers who exploit their thousands of followers and hundreds of mosques across America, to murder all infidels in the name of Allah? Infidels, of course, mean all of us; Jews, Christians, Mormons alike and anyone who doesn't accept Islam.
This is not the time to hide behind political correctness or cultural liberal ideas of personal freedoms. Our first order of business must be self preservation and the preservation of our Western democratic way of life, and if it means giving up some of our personal freedoms to accomplish it, then I for one say so be it.
How refreshing to hear the British Prime Minister layout a detailed and thoughtful program for immediately taking up the challenge of worldwide Islamic terrorism. Would that are own president would follow suit instead of "leading from behind". The people of Israel are on the front lines of the war against Islamic terrorism. The names may change across the world but make no mistake about it, they are all the same with the same tactics and the same goals: kill the infidels, destroy western corrupt civilization, impose Islam on the World. Isis, Nusra, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Hamas, Fatah, Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Aqsa Brigade, these are all manifestations of the same barbarians, who wish to erase thousand of years of Western enlightened civilization and return us to the savage evil caliphate fulfilling the call of the Koran "convert or die by the sword". How many beheadings do we have to watch, how many exploded bodies do we have to see, how many genocidal massacres do we have to witness before we are galvanized into self-defensive action? The Israeli public continues to feel vulnerable. The Hamas terrorists have not been eradicated; they will resupply, rearm and continue to attack. The Israeli government can surely finish the job, but at what expense? 100 more young soldiers would die in the alleyways of Gaza before every Hamas terrorist would be dead. Israeli parents would be up in arms; it is too costly a proposition. So the terrorists nurse their wounds and make their plans. And Israel waits and prepares for the next round. And so should we, because it is coming to a "theater near you".
Sorry, Rabbi, I Respectfully Disagree
As head of the waterfront of Camp Columbia, Barry Konovitch saved my life when I, a non swimmer, slipped under the deep water during an ill-fated intermediate swimming course training exercise. But, as a respected rabbi and blogger, Barry Konovitch is misguided in his analysis of America's place in the world and what should be our response to the increasing rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the terror it has engendered.
Foremost among his missteps is his willingness to give up some of our cherished liberties if it meant more protection from terrorism, as if we would be able to control this downward slope on our freedoms. It is the same compact with the devil Jews, intellectuals and businessmen made with Hitler in the hope he would restore order to Germany and they would be able to control him. Once liberties are ceded to government officials they rarely, if ever, are reinstated. Scapegoats throughout history, Jews should never, ever, be on the side of restrictions.
Yes, we are appalled at the evil that Islam has fostered. But as a country we cannot hope to be the police force to 1.6 billion world-wide adherents to the Koran. We cannot go back in history and become a colonial power.
The world is suffering because of decisions made 100 years ago by the then colonial powers to create countries with borders that made little sense to the indigenous peoples they contained. This divide-and-conquer strategy has come back to bite western civilization. After World War II, America's corporate and military industrial complex layered on another form of oppression on people who wanted nothing more than we had—a life of freedom to pursue happiness in peace and prosperity. But we supported dictators who strong-armed their subjects while they enriched themselves.
Militant Islam is found throughout Europe. In France. In Great Britain. In Germany. In Holland. In Denmark. Is America to blame? I think not.
Barry Konovitch laments the United States no longer is the beacon it once was to the rest of the world, that it "has relinquished its traditional leadership position as the most powerful democratic nation on earth. Free people everywhere have always looked to America for inspiration, guidance, and when needed, military intervention to support and protect basic human freedoms and right."
Last I checked the United States was still the country most people aspired to enter, both legally and illegally. The U.S. still was the country people called out to for military relief.
Barry is wrong to say we encouraged democracies. Truth is, we repeatedly overthrew or undermined governments when we disapproved of the leaders voted in by their respective electorates. We supported feudal leaders throughout Arabia. Under four Republican presidents we negated the success of the Suez War of 1956 (Eisenhower), abandoned Lebanon after 241 Marines were killed in Beirut (Reagan), illegally sold arms to Iran and illegally supported the Contras in Nicaragua (Reagan), let Assad I gas thousands in Hama (Reagan again), let Saddam Hussein wreak revenge on Shiites after the first Gulf War (Bush I) and started a war in Iraq under false pretenses while ignoring the real enemy in Afghanistan (Bush II).
Yes, Barack Obama did not deserve the Nobel Peace prize. But it is a canard to accuse him of bowing to Arab despots. Did Barry criticize Bush II for walking hand in hand with the Saudi king, the same king who has supported and funded the extreme Wahhabi form of Islam that is the root for much of the fundamentalism now spreading throughout the Muslim world?
I, too, would have liked Israel to wipe out Hamas. But it would have required a re-occupation of Gaza, with no end in sight for a withdrawal, not to mention the numerous casualties, civilian and military, both sides would have incurred.
It is most unfortunate that technology has overtaken diplomacy. The means of inflicting destruction and death have outpaced any sincere effort in finding a solution to the Arab-Israeli question. Perhaps, if Israeli leaders had been more imaginative and accommodating (yes, accommodating) in decades past, they would have achieved a solution that would have lifted Palestinians out of the poverty so easily exploited by Islamic jihadists. When your family has few or no jobs, little to eat, no dignity, insufficient housing, sanitation, medical care and education, there is too little to keep youth from committing to the tantalizing dream of the jihadist.
Palestinian and Arab leaders have repeatedly rejected Israel's presence. They are more culpable because they rejected offers of peace. And the Arab Street was silent in asking for peace. The latest war in Gaza, however, has demonstrably shown that creativity must be employed to secure a lasting peace because, surely, destructive minds are hard at work creating new means of terror, above and below ground.
Labels: Barry Konovitch, Boko Haram, Camp Columbia, Gaza, Gulf War, Hitler, Iran Contra, Islam, Israel, jihadist, Koran, Middle East, Obama, Palestinians, Reagan, Syria, terrorism, World War II
Matzo Ball Wars and a Thrill Ride from Summer Camp...


With every season there comes change, and so it is at the Johnston County Visitors Bureau. We said goodbye to two staff members recently as their career paths took them on to new adventures. We wish them much success!
After the months of posting job openings, interviews, and second interviews, the JCVB has hired two outstanding individuals to join our team. Here's just a snapshot of our new employees and we encourage our tourism industry community to get to know them as they both have critical roles in the marketing efforts for Johnston County.
Ashby Brame is a Johnston County native, who like many, have gone off to college, worked a few years elsewhere and decided that there is no place better than home. Ashby's title is Marketing/PR Manager and she will handle all aspects of advertising placement, development of marketing strategies, BLOG writing, and social media campaigns. Ashby has a Masters of Business Administration, Marketing from East Carolina University, and BS in Management, Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She has worked for The Biltmore Estate for Group Sales, and most recently as the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ruth's Chris Steak House in Asheville.
Sarah Campbell, also is well-known in the Smithfield community, and has worked for one of our past board members, Hank Daniels, owner of Sleep Inn and Super 8 for more than four years in all areas of the hotel. She also has experience working retail at Carolina Premium Outlets and as a lifeguard at the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center. She has a BS in Nursing from the University of NC at Wilmington, however, she has found her passion in the hospitality industry in particular with promoting the county to visitors. Sarah's title is Sports and Leisure Sales Manager, and she will work on attracting groups to the county, and promotion and development of leisure packages for shopping, trails, and golfing. In addition to sales, she will maintain the bureau's database and provide services to groups coming to the county.