DIANE'S CORNER: Amnesty International Day

DIANE'S CORNER ...

Celebrate Amnesty In'l Day

To Deny People Their Human Rights Is To Challenge Their Very Humanity.
Nelson Mandela

Human rights have been a hot topic in local and international politics since the 1960’s. Whether fighting for the right to marry the person of our choice or to end abuses like child labor all over the globe, Amnesty International has been in the trenches trying to make the world a better place. Amnesty International Day works to promote human rights and raise awareness of their abuses and how our choices affect them every day.

Learn about Amnesty International Day

This event calls upon everyone – no matter their nationality, culture, or race – to rise up and get involved in a number of different events that are going on around the world to protect human rights. Amnesty’s involved in a whole host of issues concerning the likes of torture, reproductive and sexual freedom, international justice, disappearances, and armed conflict. Through the research and campaigning of this organization, it plays a huge role in helping to free those who have been unfairly jailed, bring perpetrators to justice, and help fight all types of abuse.

The importance of human rights

Understanding the importance of Amnesty International Day is essentially about understanding the importance of human rights. Human rights represent key fundamental freedoms that belong to all of us. In WW2, it was shown that basic rights are not always guaranteed. Because of this, the former US first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the United Nations came together in 1948 to tackle this issue.

Their collaboration resulted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is this declaration that Amnesty International works to implement and protect, and therefore, it is really this declaration that is at the heart of what Amnesty International Day is all about. These statutes are critical because they are based on necessities such as respect, dignity, equality, and fairness. These are basic things that every human should be entitled to. Sadly, though, there human rights abuses that happen around the world on a daily basis. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, and this is why a day like Amnesty International Day is so critical.

History of Amnesty International Day

Amnesty International was first established in the month of July 1961 in London. Peter Benenson, an English labor lawyer was inspired to establish this organization after learning of two Portuguese students being imprisoned for seven years after “having drunk a toast to liberty.” Together with Eric Baker of the Religious Society of Friends, and numerous other intelligentsia, including academics, writers, and lawyers, they composed an article called “The Forgotten Prisoners” that would see publication in The Observer in May of 1961. This led to an appeal which quickly grew into an organization that would work to change the world and see that everyone would be entitled to a set of basic human rights.

The tireless efforts of this organization have since been central to revealing violations of human rights and working to change government policy as relates to their protection. Their work wasn’t always popular, with its members being accused of everything from espionage (1980’s Russia) to protectors of the criminal element (the Moroccan Government). In truth, they are champions of the downtrodden and the oppressed and work every day to alleviate the struggles of people everywhere facing famine, the trials of war, and those seeking asylum.

Why Amnesty International is vital

Amnesty International works hard to protect children, women, and men across the world in cases whereby their truth, dignity, and justice are denied. The organization investigates and exposes cases whereby resources, people, and power have been abused. You can look into a lot of the cases that they have worked on. This is a global movement, involving more than seven million people across the world, making it the biggest grassroots, human rights organization across the globe. The organization is imperative in creating a safer world and transforming societies that need help.

thanks for the photos, Patty

"A beautiful long spring here in VT--savored every moment...and every bloom!"

Joke of the Day

OFFER OF HELP

One summer evening, a 3-year-old came in while his parents were setting the table for supper. Quite surprisingly, he asked if he could help. His mother said, "No, but I appreciate your asking."

The child responded, "Well, I appreciate your saying no."

Word of the Day

homologate

MEANING:

verb tr.: To approve officially, especially a car, engine, etc., for sale in a particular market or for its use in racing.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin homologare (to agree), from Greek homologein (to agree or allow). Earliest documented use: 1644.

NOTES:

Some auto racing competitions require participating vehicles to be available for sale to the general public, and not be custom made for racing. In other words, the vehicle must be a production model, not a prototype. The process of homologation verifies this. The initials GTO listed after some auto names (Ferrari, Pontiac, etc.) stand for “Gran Turismo Omologato”, Italian for “Grand Touring, Homologated”.

USAGE:

“In fact we had earlier this year set a date for the UCI (officials) to come here and homologate the track.”
Covid-19 Slams the Brakes on Johor Velodrome; New Straits Times (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia); Apr 30, 2020.

Idiom of the Day

Golden handshake

Meaning: Big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire.

This Day in History

1863 - The first black regiment left Boston to fight in the U.S. Civil War.

1892 - The Sierra club was organized in San Francisco, CA.

1929 - Warner Brothers debuted "On With The Show" in New York City. It was the first all-color-talking picture.

1934 - The Dionne quintuplets were born near Callender, Ontario, to Olivia and Elzire Dionne. The babies were the first quintuplets to survive infancy.

1953 - The Walt Disney film "Melody" premiered in the Paramount Theatre in Hollywood. The picture was the first 3-D cartoon.

1957 - National League club owners voted to allow the Brooklyn Dodgers to move to Los Angeles and that the New York Giants could move to San Francisco.

1961 - Amnesty International, a human rights organization, was founded.

1987 - Mathias Rust, a 19-year-old West German pilot, landed a private plane in Moscow's Red Square after evading Soviet air defenses. He was released August 3, 1988.

1998 - Dr. Susan Terebey discovered a planet outside of our solar system with the use of photos taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.

1999 - In Milan, Italy, Leonardo de Vinci's "The Last Supper" was put back on display after more than 20 years of restoration work.

2015 - The Observatory at One World Trade Center officially opened.

DAILY SQU-EEK

If You Were Born Today, May 28

You are a determined, independent, and possibly quite stubborn person. You possess common sense and great wit, and you come across in a straightforward way. As practical and logical as you can be, you are also very intuitive and attuned to the world of beauty and creativity. A strong desire to achieve security drives you. Famous people born today:

1660 George I, King of England (1714-27), born in Hanover, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1727)

1887 Jim Thorpe, American all-round athlete (2 gold Olympics 1912, College, Pro Football Halls of Fame), born in Indian Territory, Oklahoma (d. 1953)

1910 T-Bone Walker, American blues guitarist (Funky Town, Well Done), born in Linden, Texas (d. 1975)

1940 Betty Shabazz, American educator and civil rights activist who was the widow of Malcolm X, born in Pinehurst, Georgia (d. 1997)

1944 Rudy Giuliani, American Mayor of New York City (Republican: 1994-2001) at the time of the September 11 attacks, born in NYC, New York

1968 Kylie Minogue, Australian pop star and singer (Locomotion), born in Melbourne, Victoria

READERS INFO

1.

(Not So) Totally Useless Facts of The Day:

Which celebrity A-List actor turned down the roles of BOTH Superman and James Bond? That would be “Mr. Dirty Harry” himself, Clint Eastwood. While other actors may regret passing on these the iconic roles, it’s safe to say that Eastwood’s career did not suffer from skipping out on playing these characters.

Whether it's vanilla extract in your chocolate chip cookies or vanilla beans for ice cream, vanilla is used in many different recipes. But did you know that Vanilla comes from an orchid? The most widely used orchid to produce vanilla is the
Vanilla planifolia. After the Vanilla orchid flower is pollinated, the orchid’s seed pod develops into what we know as a vanilla bean. Once they are harvested, they are sold either as vanilla beans or used to create vanilla extract. Today,
Mexico and Madagascar is where most vanilla is grown and harvested commercially.

December 31, 1907 marked the first Times Square ball drop in history, when a 700-pound, 5-feet-in-diameter ball made of iron and wood and covered with 100 light bulbs made its way down in time to ring in January 1st. The event was the
brainchild of Adolph Ochs, owner of the New York Times, and included an all-day street festival culminating in fireworks to the delight of the more than 200,000 attendees. Today's ball is covered in 2,688 crystals, is lit by 32,256 LED lights,
weighs 11,875 pounds and is 12 feet in diameter.

2.

Shavuot Facts

On Shavuot, it is customary to adorn the Synagogue and home with flowers and green plants. This is in memory of the foliage around Mount Sinai

On Shavuot, it is customary to eat milk products. Many Jewish houses, replace the normal meat/chicken dinners with a festivity of milk products, including cheese cake, blintzes, cheeses and ice cream. This custom commemorates the acts of the children of Israel at Sinai.

Having received the Law, they understood that their dishes were no longer Kosher, having been used for milk and meat together. They also were in need of teaching on the intricate details of ritual slaughter (Shechitah). Lacking these, they opted to eat only milk products.

It is customary in Orthodox and some traditional communities to partake in Bible/Jewish Law lessons throughout the eve and night of Shavuot. This is in order to accept the Torah for their generation. In Jerusalem, many people learn the whole night through until dawn and then walk to the Western Wall at sunrise and pray the morning and festival prayer from around 5-8 am. Thereafter, they go home for a hearty festive breakfast and then sleep the rest of the morning.

The Book of Ruth is read in the Synagogue in the Morning of Shavuot. Ruth converted to Judaism and it is her descendant, David, who became King in Israel. The book of Ruth demonstrates that achieving a high level in Judaism, is neither ethnic nor genetic.

It is customary to wear new clothes on Shavuot. In the seven weeks (the Omer) preceding Shavuot, people refrain from purchasing major clothing items.

3

Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent

Pictures of the day

Abundantia was a divine personification of abundance and

prosperity in ancient Rome. One explanation of the origin of

the cornucopia myth, as related by Ovid, is that while the river

god Achelous, in the form of a bull, was fighting Hercules, one

of his horns was ripped off. The horn was taken up by the

Naiads, who filled it with fruit and flowers, transforming it into

a "horn of plenty", and gave it into Abundantia's care. This oil-

on-panel painting of Abundantia by Peter Paul Rubens, dating

from around 1630, was probably a study for a tapestry. On her

lap, the buxom goddess holds a cornucopia, spilling out an

abundance of fruits and flowers, symbolising the goodness of

nature for mankind. Two putti gather up the fruit, while a purse

under her foot represents more material treasures. The painting

is now in the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan.

Thailand

Bats fly out of a cave at Wat Khao Chong Phran in Ratchaburi.

knit
thanks, Ruth

Men's cabled tank top

knit
thanks, Rae
Diamond Lace Purse Free Knitting Pattern

Diamond Lace Purse
knit

Swaddle Fun Times Poncho

knit

Mod Baby Blanket

knit, vintage

Sun Set

Crochet Pattern of the Day:

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Free Crochet Tea Cosy Pattern

Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket

crochet

thanks, Rae

The Daydreamer Bag

crochet

Party Pup Crochet pattern by Irene Strange

crochet

Chic Aran Cardigan

crochet

Mandala Crocheted Blanket Bag Pattern

crochet

thanks for sharing your work, Bev

Wheelchair Tote Bag

Quarantine Cooking Recipes

thanks, Debbie

Roast Sticky Chicken-Rotisserie Style

RECIPE

thanks, Anita

Here’s IKEA’s recipe for Swedish meatballs

This recipe makes between 16 and 20 meatballs

Ingredients for the meatballs:

500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef
250 grams (slightly more than ½ pound) ground pork
1 onion finely chopped
1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
100 grams (3.5 ounces) breadcrumbs
1 egg
5 tablespoons of whole milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the cream sauce:

Dash of oil
40 grams (1.4 ounces) butter
40 grams (1.4 ounces) plain flour
150 ml (5 fluid ounces) vegetable stock
150 ml (5 fluid ounces) beef stock
150 ml (5 fluid ounces) thick double cream
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Here’s how you start making those fantastic Swedish meatballs:

Combine the beef and the pork mince and mix all of it thoroughly to break up any lumps. Add finely-chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg and mix. Add milk and season well with salt and pepper. Shape the mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for 2 hours. This helps them hold their shape while cooking. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add your meatballs and brown on all sides. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven, 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius, and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Now, it’s time to make the cream sauce:

Melt the butter in a frying pan. Whisk in the plain flour and continue cooking, stirring continuously for 2 minutes. Add the vegetable stock and beef stock and continue to stir. Add the thick double cream, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. Continue to stir. When ready to eat, serve with your favorite potatoes—either creamy mash or mini new boiled potatoes. And voilà, dear Pandas, we’re ready to start eating!