Own Land

From Reuters:
"Saudi crown prince says Israelis have right to their own land"

Saudi Arabia's crown prince said Israelis are entitled to live peacefully on their own land in an interview published on Monday in U.S. magazine The Atlantic, another public sign of ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv appearing to grow closer. Asked if he believes the Jewish people have a right to a nation-state in at least part of their ancestral homeland, Mohammed bin Salman was quoted as saying: "I believe the Palestinians and the Israelis have the right to have their own land. But we have to have a peace agreement to assure the stability for everyone and to have normal relations." Saudi Arabia - birthplace of Islam and home to its holiest shrines - does not recognize Israel. It has maintained for years that normalizing relations hinges on Israeli withdrawal from Arab lands captured in the 1967 Middle East war, territory Palestinians seek for a future state. "We have religious concerns about the fate of the holy mosque in Jerusalem and about the rights of the Palestinian people. This is what we have. We don't have any objection against any other people," said Prince Mohammed who is touring the United States to drum up investments and support for his efforts to contain Iranian influence. Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fueled speculation that shared interests may push Saudi Arabia and Israel to work together against what they see as a common Iranian threat. "There are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries", Prince Mohammed added. Saudi Arabia opened its airspace for the first time to a commercial flight to Israel last month, which an Israeli official hailed as historic following two years of efforts. In November, an Israeli cabinet member disclosed covert contacts with Saudi Arabia, a rare acknowledgment of long-rumored secret dealings which Riyadh still denies. Saudi Arabia condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last year, but Arab officials told Reuters at the time that Riyadh appears to be on board with a broader U.S. strategy for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan still in its early phases of development.  

^ It seems that Saudi Arabia really wants to become part of the rest of the world. Not only are they starting to give equal rights to Saudi women, but now they are backing away from their rigid stance on Israel - which hasn't worked in the past 70 years. Hopefully Saudi Arabia will continue these positive reforms domestically and internationally. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/news/saudi-crown-prince-says-israelis-own-land-195856244.html

Food Opening

From the DW:
"Embattled German food bank reopens membership to migrants"

The NGO unwittingly became the center of a heated national debate when it started refusing membership to foreigners. Now, it says, it will focus on single parents and the elderly, regardless of nationality.  A food bank in the German city of Essen that found itself at the center of the country's increasingly divisive debate about immigration announced on Tuesday that it would once again allow non-Germans to sign up for its services this week. The non-profit had introduced the measure in January over worries about resources and the comfort of elderly patrons. The measure had always been a temporary one, the organization's management committee agreed on Tuesday, lifting the ban on foreigners effective Wednesday. The Essen food bank (or Tafel, as it is known in German) implemented a rule on January 10 that said only people with German passports could sign up for new membership cards. The reasons they cited were that 75 percent of members were foreign, and that older Germans were staying away because of "pushing and shoving" in the line for food. But when the media caught wind of this in February, the food bank was shocked to find itself at the center of a heated national debate about the status of migrants and refugees. The organization's manager, Jörg Sartor, argued that the move was not xenophobic, but rather a necessary decision for dealing with limited funds. He added that as an NGO, the food bank was not the last line of defense between the needy and starvation, as it's the government's job to keep people from going hungry.  But as observers and lawmakers from across the political spectrum pointed out, such measures should be decided based on neediness, not nationality. The Tafel's entrances and vans were vandalized with graffiti reading "F*** Nazis," and even Chancellor Angela Merkel waded into the debate, saying that she didn't think the food bank had dealt with its issues in the proper way. Announcing the change in policy on Tuesday, Sartor said that from now on "when things get tight, we will focus on certain groups," such as single parents, families with small children and the elderly – regardless of origin. 

^ It's good to see that the Essen Tafel realized they were in the wrong (even if they are trying to act as though they meant to do this all along.) If people continue to push and shove then they need better organization within the store even if that means removing those that do the shoving - regardless of nationality. ^

http://www.dw.com/en/embattled-german-food-bank-reopens-membership-to-migrants/a-43237196

NI Vote

From the BBC:
"Michelle O'Neill calls for unity referendum within five years"

Sinn Féin's northern leader has said there should be a referendum on Irish unity within the next five years. Michelle O'Neill was speaking at an Easter parade in west Belfast on Sunday. Mrs O'Neill said she was confident of the benefits a united Ireland would bring and that unionists would be treated as equals in it. She also said that only activism would bring it about. Mrs O'Neill also called on the British and Irish governments to honour agreements, in particular the Good Friday Agreement. Republicans hold annual parades to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising. The rebellion was an attempt to overthrow British rule in Ireland. Meanwhile, speaking at an Easter Rising commemoration in Castlewellan, Sinn Féin's national chairperson, Declan Kearney said that the party aims to be in government both north and south of the Irish border. He also said that republicans "seek authentic reconciliation with unionism".  "A new phase of the peace process based upon reconciliation and healing must be our future," he said. 

^ It is 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement (where both the UK and Ireland agreed to respect a vote in Northern Ireland on whether or not to remain part of the UK or re-unite with Ireland.) I think 20 years (well nearly 100 if you include when Northern Ireland left Ireland in 1922) is long enough to wait for a unity referendum. A vote (regardless how it ends) will at least make the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland known - especially if no side (Catholic or Protestant) boycotts the vote. ^

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-43610869

Autism Day

CR Voted

From Reuters:
"Center-left author wins Costa Rica presidency with support for gay rights"

The center-left’s Carlos Alvarado Quesada decisively defeated a conservative Protestant singer in Costa Rica’s presidential runoff election on Sunday by promising to defend gay rights, handing a major victory to the ruling party.  Former minister and fiction writer Alvarado Quesada, 38, had 61 percent of the vote with results in from 91 percent of polling stations. His rival, Alvarado Munoz, a 43-year-old former TV journalist, had 39 percent of the vote.  Alvarado Quesada, who will be the youngest president in the modern history of Costa Rica, used the campaign to appeal to the progressive streak in a country known for pacifism and ecological stewardship. Alvarado Munoz, best known for religious dance songs and ballads, has vowed to restore what he calls traditional values by preventing gay marriage and restricting women’s access to abortions.  The election exposed deep divisions in the Central American tourist destination known for its laid-back beach culture and pristine rainforests, but whose rural communities remain socially conservative.  It could also reflect the mood elsewhere in Latin America, where several countries that have backed same sex unions are holding elections in 2018.  At a polling place in the western Pavas neighborhood of the capital San Jose, Alvarado Quesada, until recently a minister in the outgoing government also known for his student rock band, voted and spoke briefly to supporters.  “Costa Rica is an amazing country and we want to not only preserve its great democracy, its peaceful nature, its respect for the environment and human rights, but we also want to move Costa Rica forward,” he said.  Shortly after Alvarado Munoz cast his vote at a school in the capital he pledged to lead a government free of bias, in a possible sign that he had sensed his hardline stance was turning off centrist voters.  “We’re going to work for everyone and we won’t discriminate against anyone. We will protect all groups that have felt vulnerable ... people with disabilities, people with different sexual orientations,” he told reporters.  The two men took opposing positions on a January decision by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, an influential regional body based in San Jose.  Fabricio, as supporters refer to Alvarado Munoz, called the ruling an affront to sovereignty. Threatening to remove the country from the court’s jurisdiction, he shot from the margins to win the first round of voting in February.  Quesada, by contrast, backed the court’s ruling. In the campaign’s final debate, he called his opponent’s comments homophobic.

^ It's good to see the Costa Ricans pick someone that won't set them backwards in time. I have been to Costa Rica and hope that this win will improve things there. ^

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-costarica-election/center-left-author-wins-costa-rica-presidency-with-support-for-gay-rights-idUSKBN1H80XC

Falling Station

Is anyone really surprised that the Chinese Space Station broke apart? It did have "Made in China" on it.

Disability Camps

From Disability Scoop:
"Disability Camps: Children, Teens; Adults with Disabilities"

Disability Camps

Camps for children and adults with disabilities can be defined under the respite services category as they provide planned short term, time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid carers of children, young people and adults with a disability with the intention that families/carers resume care at the end of the respite period. They are services that assume the caring role during the period of respite. In the U.S. public accommodation means a facility operated by a private entity whose operations affect commerce and fall within at least one of the enumerated categories under the law. Day camps and overnight camps fall under two categories of public accommodation as defined by the A.D.A.; subsections 9 and 12.

Main Document

Everyone, including children and adults who have physical disabilities, need a vacation away from home. Today you will find a large number of disability groups, clubs, and recreational camps for people with a wide range of disabilities, including summer camps for visually impaired students, teens, and children. Disability Camps provide barrier free outdoor experiences that promote personal growth and foster independence for children and adults with disabilities. Campers are encouraged to try new experiences in order to gain self-confidence, learn cooperation and communication, and increase personal independence in a safe and fun environment, providing a real summer camp experience for people with special needs. Separated from their parents, many for the first time, campers of all ages begin to take on challenges that build their self-confidence and sense of independence. Campers get to participate in swimming, nature studies and arts and crafts, canoeing, fishing, evening socials and sports and games. Many camps offer horse riding program for children and adults with disabilities through quality therapeutic riding programs. While other camps provide activities for children who are visually impaired and blind Some summer camps also cater for kids with complex neurological disorders who need highly specialized support to be successful at camp. There are many good reasons to send your child to camp, but the short answer is that it will be good for both of you. Your child will be in a place where they will receive care from skilled and experienced counselors, giving your child a chance to discover their independence, build their self-confidence and establish new friendships with peers. Campground staff have an understanding of youth with disabilities and special needs including the unique potential of each child and special attention is paid to peer relations, building self-confidence and learning new life skills. An emphasis is placed on building self-esteem and how to make and keep friends. Whether building a campfire, cleaning the cabin or learning how to handle a canoe, each camper learns to share the responsibility of camp life. Families enjoy peace of mind that their family member with a disability is having a good time with trained dedicated volunteers who are ready to help participants to try the activities of their choice. If a participant requires help with personal care, their carers can often attend certain camps at a reduced rate. Listed below we have provided several resources and information on disability camps and adventure holidays offering people with all types of disabilities fun and challenging opportunities. Winter camps and activities are also available with adaptive snow sports offering a variety of new innovative ways kids with a disability can enjoy the snow, ice, and year around camping activities.

Quick Facts: Disability Camps

The ideology of inclusion has resulted in increased opportunities for youth with disabilities to attend typical summer camps, while segregated recreational camp programs for otherwise healthy youth with disabilities have become fewer in number (Bullock, Mahon, & Welch, 1992). Programs that have provided exemplary summer camp services solely for youth and adults with disabilities for over 25 years are moving toward models of inclusion, resulting in the closure of segregated camps.

Summer camp programs for youth with disabilities in North America represent three broad categories.

(a) Inclusive in nature, bringing together youth with and without disabilities to enjoy recreational experiences (Bedini, 1990);

(b) Segregated in nature, providing recreational programs specifically designed for campers with disabilities within barrier free environments (Thurber & Malinowski, 1999);

(c) Designed to provide the medical and social supports necessary for campers who might otherwise be excluded from recreational camp settings (e.g., campers with kidney disease, cancer, sickle cell disease, asthma; Klee, Greenleaf, & Watkins, 1997; Martiniuk, 2003; Powars & Brown, 1990; Punnett & Thurber, 1993).

Statistics: American Camping Association Camp

- Camp Costs: Fees to attend camp vary from less than $100 to more than $1,500 per week

- Each year more than 11 million children and adults attend camp in the U.S. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Camps employ more than 1,500,000 camp staff to work in various camp positions. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Since 2002, the number of ACA day camps has increased by 69% and resident camps have increased by 21%. (CRM Camp Statistics Report, June 2013)

- More than 12,000 day and resident camps exist in the U.S., 7,000 are resident (overnight) and 5,000 are day camps. (2011 ACA Sites, Facilities, Programs Report)

- In the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the use of international staff to expose campers to different cultures. Nearly 20% of staff are from other countries. (2010 ACA Camp Compensation and Benefits Report)

- Nonprofit groups including youth agencies and religious organizations operate approximately 9,500 camps, and 2,500 are privately owned independent for-profit operators. (2011 ACA Sites, Facilities, Programs Report)

^ I worked at an overnight summer camp for people with physical and mental disabilities for 4 summers and know how hard the work being a counselor there is, but also how much joy and fun the campers who get to go to camp feel. ^

https://www.disabled-world.com/entertainment/camps/

Israeli Wars

Israeli Wars from 1947-2018

With the 70th Anniversary of Israeli Independence in 3 weeks here is what that country has had to go through. Israel has won every single War they have ever been in. Many Arab/Muslim countries not only continue to not recognize Israel as a country, but many also still officially call for the complete destruction of Israel and for all the Jews to be killed. Only Turkey, Jordan and Egypt have recognized Israel. No other country in the world in any time in history has been attacked so many times by so many countries on all sides (every land border, the sea and the air) and not only has survived for 70 years, but has thrived to become the only Democracy in the Middle East as well as a modern. industrialized and civilized country.

1.) War for Independence: 1947-1949
A.) Fought between Israel and the Arabs/Muslims (Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the Holy War Army and the ALA.)
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: 10,000 in 1947 to 115,000 in 1949
- Arabs/Muslims: 70,000
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 4,000 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 2,400 Civilians Killed
- Arabs: Between 12,000 and 20,000 Soldiers Killed

2.) Sinai War: October-November 1956
A.) Fought between Israel, the UK and France and Egypt
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: 175,000, UK: 45,000 and France: 34,000
- Egypt: 300,000
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 231 Soldiers Killed
- UK: 16 Soldiers Killed
- France: 10 Soldiers Killed
- Egypt: Between 1,650 and 3,000 Soldiers Killed
- Egypt: 1,000 Civilians Killed

3.) Six Day War: June 1967
A.) Fought between Israel and the Arabs/Muslims (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon with support from: Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, the PLO, Sudan and Tunisia.)
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: 264, 000 total with 100,000 deployed
- Arabs/Muslims: 547,000 total with 240,000 deployed
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 20 Civilians Killed
- Israel: 776 Soldiers Killed
- Arabs/Muslims: 13,206 Soldiers Killed

4.) Yom Kippur War: October 1973
A.) Fought between Israel and the Arabs/Muslims (Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Cuba.)
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: Between 375,000 and 415,000
- Arabs/Muslims: Between 914,000 and 1,067,500
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 2,656 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 0 Civilians Killed
- Arabs/Muslims: 18,500 Soldiers Killed

5.) First Lebanon War: 1982-1985
A.) Fought between Israel, the South Lebanese Army, the Lebanese Front and Syria, the PLO, Hezbollah.
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: 78,000, South Lebanese Army: 5,000, Lebanese Front: 30,000
- Syria: 22,000, PLO: 15,000
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 675 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 50 Civilians Killed
- Syria: 1,200 Soldiers , PLO: 2,400 Soldiers Killed

6.) South Lebanon Conflict: 1985-2000
A.) Fought between Israel, South Lebanon Army and Hezbollah
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: Between 1,000 and 1,500 , South Lebanon Army: 2,500
- Hezbollah: Unknown
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 256 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 90 Civilians Killed
- South Lebanon Army: 621 Soldiers Killed
- Hezbollah: 1,276 Soldiers Killed
- Lebanon: 270 Civilians Killed

7.) 1st Intifada: 1987-1993
A.) Fought between Israel and Arabs/Muslims (Palestinians, Hamas, Iraq)
B.) Casualties:
- Israel: 60 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 100 Civilians Killed
- Arabs/Muslims: 1,962 Soldiers Killed

8.) 2nd Intifada: 2000-2005
A.) Fought between Israel and the Palestinians
B.) Casualties:
- Israel: 332 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 731 Civilians Killed
- Palestinians: 3,168 Killed By Israel, 406 Killed By Palestinians
- Foreigners: 55 Civilians Killed (45 by Palestinians.)

9.) 2nd Lebanon War: July-August 2006
A.) Fought between Israel and Arabs/Muslims (Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Hezbollah)
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: Between 10,000 to 30,000
- Arabs/Muslims: Unknown
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 121 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 44 Civilians Killed
- Arabs/Muslims: 855 Soldiers Killed
- Arabs/Muslims: 1,191 Civilians Killed

10.) Operation Pillar of Defense: November 2012
A.) Fought Between Israel and Palestinians (in Gaza)
B.) Casualties:
- Israel: 18 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 52 Civilians Killed
- Palestinians: 120 Militants Killed
- Palestinians: 103 Civilians Killed

11.) Operation Protective Edge: July-August 2014
A.) Fought between Israel and Palestinians (Gaza)
B.) Troop Strength:
- Israel: 176,500 Active, 565.000 Reservists on stand-by
- Palestinians: 48,000
C.) Casualties:
- Israel: 67 Soldiers Killed
- Israel: 5 Civilians Killed
- Palestinians: 789 Militants Killed
- Palestinians: 789 Civilians Killed
- Palestinians Killed By Palestinians: 23

12.) Suicide Attacks Within Israel by Arabs/Muslims : 1989-2008
A.) Israel: 805 Civilians Killed
B.) Israel: 964 Civilians Wounded

^ This doesn’t include all the casualties that have occurred from the numerous missile attacks launched by the Palestinians (mostly from Gaza) since the 1990s. ^

Mandatory Reporting

From the DW:
"Merkel's CDU urges mandatory reporting of anti-Semitism in schools"

The Bundestag faction leader of Germany's CDU party has called for mandatory reporting of anti-Semitism in schools. The problem has been rearing its head in recent months with several cases gaining notoriety.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party on Sunday called for mandatory reporting of anti-Semitism in state schools. CDU Bundestag faction leader Volker Kauder told Welt am Sonntag there was a lack of systemwide information on the issue. "In every federal state, schools should be obliged to consistently report such incidents to the school administration," Kauder told the paper. He said it was important they report it so education authorities could form an interschool response to problem, which has been under the spotlight in Germany in recent months. "In schools, each individual case must be punished consistently," the CDU politician added. "On this subject in particular, there must be zero tolerance!"  Kauder's comments came after nation-wide outrage when a little Jewish girl was bullied for months on end by her Muslim classmates in Berlin. The president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, told DW last month that Muslim children were being indoctrinated in their homes. "We must be clear about one thing. No child, no youth, is born as an anti-Semite. That means these children must have gotten those ideas somewhere." The case brought many similar cases out of the woodwork, with the director of Human Rights Watch in Germany accusing authorities of "burying their heads in the sand."  The issue of anti-Semitism in Europe was further highlighted by the violent murder of an elderly Holocaust survivor in France at the end of March. The CDU's Kauder on Sunday, however, warned against reducing the topic of intolerance to the fight against anti-Semitism. "The statements of the father of the Jewish girl in Berlin, whose case triggered the discussion, were very thought-provoking for me," said Kauder. "He spoke of some boys from Muslim families treating classmates badly, whether they were Jews, Christians or even Muslims, for example when they went to the wrong mosque." 

^ Mandatory reporting of Anti-Semitism in schools through Germany should just be one step in the German Government cracking down on Anti-Semitism throughout Germany. Anti-Semitism has long been accepted throughout Europe for centuries. Many people think it simply went away in 1945 and yet it did not go away - in many places it only got stronger. Anti-Semitism in Germany, France and the rest of Europe today has gotten to dangerous levels and every country needs to do a lot more to make sure it ends. Even Putin blamed the Jews in his TV interview not too long ago. Europe needs to stop blaming the Jews for all their problems and start protecting the Jews while at the same time admitting the true reasons for the troubles that plague their country. ^

http://www.dw.com/en/merkels-cdu-urges-mandatory-reporting-of-anti-semitism-in-schools/a-43213052

Disabled Reality

I posted this on Facebook and got a lot of responses and so am posting it here too:

- I had to push a wheelchair in many different terrains and weather. It wasn't easy to do in: the snow, mud, on cobblestones, on ice, up/down mountains, on crowded sidewalks, over pot-holes, etc.

- Add to that pushing the wheelchair with one hand and pushing a shopping cart with the other and having to deal with: snow, mud, ice outside the store; small aisles, corners, crowds of people inside the store.

-- It wasn't just in stores, but in busy, crowded airports. I pushed a wheelchair with 1 hand and a fully loaded luggage cart with the other to/from parking lots, from one terminal to another terminal (most of the time by walking and a few times by taking an airport monorail) dealing with crowds of people pushing and shoving.

- Through all of this the vast majority of people just stood by, made jokes or tried to push their way through rather than help. They include German policemen in Munich laughing as the wheelchair got stuck in a snow bank while trying to cross the street and onlookers just standing by watching, Airport Employees (especially those whose sole job is to help the disabled) at London Heathrow abandoning throngs of disabled (young and old) in a dimly-light , smelly 3rd World looking basement and then going on break and never coming back. To regular people who hold the door for others and when they see you coming with a wheelchair make a point to close it on you a second before you reach the door. To bus drivers at Disney World who are there to transport you to/from your resort hotel to the attractions and refuse to open the wheelchair accessible door so you can get on because they are too lazy to take half a minute to help.

- My list could go on and on. The fact is that most of people around the world like to think they are so-evolved and would help, but when it comes down to it the vast majority actually go out of their way to not help. I have seen it first-hand in nearly every US State and every country I have been to.

Pope's Message

From USA Today:
"'End the carnage': Pope delivers powerful Easter message to warring countries"

Pope Francis used strong language on Easter Sunday to call for peace in parts of the world torn by war and conflict, including Syria, the Israel-Gaza border and countries in Africa.  Amid heavy security, tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square to celebrate Mass and to hear the pope's "Urbi et Orbi" message ("to the city and the world.") Francis, 81, who two weeks ago celebrated his fifth anniversary as pope, used his homily to lament Friday's deaths of 15 Palestinians in Gaza, where he said the violence is causing “wounds of conflict that do not spare the defenseless.” He also called for an end to Syria's civil war and urged the warring parties to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered there. And he urged an end to the violence in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  “This Easter, may the light of the risen Christ illuminate the consciences of all political and military leaders so a swift end can be brought to the carnage,” Francis said. The pope recited the biblical parallel of the grain of wheat that must die in order to bear fruit as an example of focusing on the long term. “It is the power of the grain of wheat, the power of that which humbles itself and gives of itself until the very end, and in that way renews the world,” Francis said. Salvatore Cernuzio, a Vatican expert with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, said, “It’s notable that the pope used such strong language when talking about violence in the world. His papacy has never shied away from taking strong political stances, and he continued that” on Sunday. Rome was on high alert in the days leading up to Easter, and police were stationed around the city. Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti warned Thursday that some of the tens of thousands of Islamic State militants on the run after defeats in Syria and Iraq could end up in Italy. “It is a national security priority,” Minniti said. Security here was the tightest on record, Italian newspapers reported.  People had to go through two security checks to enter St. Peter's Square. Traffic was stopped for several blocks in all directions, and armed security was visible on surrounding streets and nearby rooftops.  “For every security measure that is visible, you can be sure there are 10 we do not know about,” said Massimo Blanco, a criminology and security expert at Rome’s La Sapienza University. “The security of the pope or of any place where large crowds are gathered is something Italy takes very seriously. After the Easter Mass, Francis gave his blessing from a balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, closing with a plea: “Please don’t forget to pray for me.” The faithful in the square had mixed views after the pope's remarks about war and conflicts.  “I see the pope as a kind of moral compass for Christians, and I think it is his duty to cast a certain light on problems that religious people should be more aware of,” said Matthew Reynolds, 27, a philosophy and theology graduate student from Detroit studying in Rome. Meaghan Ellis-Nowicki, 40, a Massachusetts high school administrator, agreed.  “If the pope says he is outraged, then maybe it should mean something to us,” said Ellis-Nowicki, who is on vacation in Rome with her parents. Some Italians in the crowd were less convinced by the pope’s remarks about global events. “I agree there is tragedy in the world, but I also think the pope should focus on being a spiritual leader and leave politics to others,” said Leo Rosiello, 68, a church volunteer and retired municipal bus driver.  Anna Maria Alfonso, 49, a hospital worker, said she would have liked the pope to address problems within the church as well as secular, global topics. “We have a church splitting between conservative and progressive, we have problem of sex scandals,” Alfonso said. “Pope Francis is a holy man, and I think I agree with his vision of the world. But he probably focuses too much on things he cannot control directly and too little on areas where he can have an immediate impact.”

^ I wasn't so impressed with the Pope's Easter message. He spoke all about the different parts of the world, but did not mention the terrorist attacks by ISIS on Christians in: the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Canada, the US, etc. It didn't even seem to register with the Pope even though (as the rest of the article states) there was heightened security in the Vatican and Rome because of ISIS. ^

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/04/01/pope-francis-celebrates-easter-mass-st-peters-square/476512002/

PM's Easter

From the Canadian Prime Minister:
"Statement by the Prime Minister on Easter"

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Easter: “This weekend, I join millions of people in Canada and around the world to celebrate Easter. “Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time of renewal, and a chance to appreciate the present – whether by going to church, watching kids hunt for Easter eggs, or coming together around the table. “On this occasion, we also take time to reflect on the Easter message of love and hope. The story of the resurrection embodies the meaning of compassion. It challenges us to put into practice what it means to love our neighbours as ourselves – not just today, but every day. “For our family, Easter is a chance to celebrate along with Christians across the country. Christians have made foundational contributions to Canada, and Christian Canadians of all backgrounds continue to shape our country’s future for the better. “On behalf of our family, Sophie and I wish joy and renewal to all those celebrating Easter.”

Du Premier minister du Canada:

"Déclaration du premier ministre à l’occasion de Pâques"

Le premier ministre Justin Trudeau a fait aujourd’hui la déclaration suivante à l’occasion de Pâques :

« Cette fin de semaine, je me joins à des millions de gens au Canada et à travers le monde pour célébrer Pâques. « La fête de Pâques célèbre la résurrection de Jésus-Christ. C’est un moment de renouveau et une chance de profiter du moment présent, que ce soit en allant à l’église, en faisant la chasse aux œufs avec des enfants ou en nous unissant à nos proches autour de la table. « À cette occasion, nous prenons aussi le temps de réfléchir au message d’amour et d’espoir de Pâques. L’histoire de la résurrection illustre ce que veut dire la compassion. Elle nous incite à mettre en pratique ce que signifie le fait d’aimer son prochain comme soi-même, non seulement aujourd’hui, mais chaque jour. « Pour notre famille, Pâques est l’occasion de célébrer ensemble avec les chrétiens à travers le pays. Les chrétiens ont apporté des contributions fondamentales au Canada, et aujourd’hui les Canadiens chrétiens de toutes les origines continuent de façonner l’avenir de notre pays pour le mieux. « Au nom de notre famille, Sophie et moi offrons tous nos vœux de joie et de renouveau à tous ceux qui célèbrent Pâques. » 

^ A good Easter message. ^

https://pm.gc.ca/eng/

https://pm.gc.ca/fra

Easter Traditions

Easter Traditions Explained:

 For Christians, Easter is about the crucifixion and resurrection (coming back to life) of Jesus Christ. After his death, Jesus’ body was put in a tomb (a type of grave). Three days later, the tomb was found to be empty, and people discovered that Jesus had risen.

Easter Traditions

Easter is a Christian spring holiday which celebrates new life and rebirth. Many of its symbols, such as rabbits and eggs, come from ancient (really old) traditions. Not everyone celebrates Easter at the same time. For example, the Greek Orthodox Church celebrates at a different time to the Catholic Church. Easter is not on the same date each year. It is usually celebrated somewhere between late March and late April.

Symbolism

Crosses – Jesus was crucified on a wooden cross. These symbolise his death and resurrection.

Eggs – symbolise new life and rebirth.

Rabbits – symbolise new life.

Lambs – represent spring and new life.

Palm fronds – symbolise peace and have links to the bible which tells of Jesus being greeted with palm fronds when he arrived in Jerusalem a few days before he was arrested.

Purple – the colour of royalty and a sign of mourning.

Religious observance

Many Christians participate in a time called Lent (the forty days before Easter). During Lent some people give up simple items such as chocolate while others do not eat meat, fish, eggs or dairy. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week. Palm Sunday (the first day of Holy Week) is the day that Jesus arrived in Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday is the day of the Last Supper and Good Friday is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Easter Sunday comes as a huge celebration at the end of Lent with feasting and treats, commemorating Jesus’ resurrection.

Easter Egg

The symbol of the egg may have origins in pagan rituals celebrating the spring season. The religious symbolism is the resurrection of Jesus. Decorating eggs for Easter dates back to at least the 13th century, according to the History channel. Dying eggs red symbolized the blood of Christ. The Easter egg is also a byproduct of Lent, as many families would give up eggs during those fast days, which end with Easter.

Easter Bunny

One theory is the Easter bunny also comes from pagan rites of spring, brought to the U.S. by 18th-century German settlers in Pennsylvania.These settlers prepared nests for the bunny in their gardens or barns and waited for Easter Eve for the rabbit, known as "Oschter Haws," to lay eggs, according to Christianity Today.

White House Easter Egg Roll

Since 1878, when Rutherford B. Hayes was in office, American presidents have hosted the "egg roll" on the White Houses' South Lawn, according to the White House Historical Association website.The tradition of egg rolling actually began around the Capitol building. Starting in the 1870s, Washingtonians converged there to celebrate Easter, but the brightly colored eggs made a mess of the lawn. In 1876, President Ulysses Grant signed a law that banned egg rollers on Capitol grounds, according to the website.

Easter Around the World:

Australia

In Australia we celebrate Easter over a four day long weekend. It starts on Good Friday and ends on Easter Monday. Over the weekend you might attend a church service, have an Easter egg hunt or receive a chocolate egg or bilby. Bilbies are like rabbits. They have long pointy ears and fine fur. People prefer bilbies in Australia as rabbits can be pests who steal native animals’ homes.Another treat which Australians enjoy eating over Easter is the hot cross bun. These delicious treats are usually made with spices and dried fruit and decorated with a white cross, but you can also buy chocolate or fruitless hot cross buns.

Greece

Easter in Greece is a very religious time. Eggs are painted red to represent the blood of Christ. Traditionally, when people meet they knock their eggs together and say ‘Christos anesti!’ meaning ‘Christ is risen!’

Germany

Germany has many Easter traditions. Easter Sunday is known as ‘Family Day’. Lots of sweet treats are eaten, including a cake shaped like a lamb, and eggs and cookies are hidden in the garden.Many Germans also have an ‘Easter Fire’ where they burn their Christmas tree to show that winter is over and spring is coming. It is also popular in Germany to have an egg tree. Real eggs are painted and then hung from branches in a vase inside the house.

Hungary

In Hungary, Easter is celebrated with the baking of delicious pastries and the painting of hardboiled eggs.People in northeast Hungary celebrate with girls and boys wearing traditional dress. The girls run down the street while the boys throw buckets of water on them! Afterwards, the girls reward the boys with coins or Easter eggs painted with flowers.

Russia

As in many countries, eggs are decorated at Easter. During the nineteenth century, Russia took this to a whole new level of extravagance.The Tsar Alexander III asked a jeweller named Peter Carl Fabergé to create an Imperial Easter Egg as a gift for the Empress each Easter. Each egg was made from precious stones and metals such as gold, silver, pearls, rubies and diamonds and took a whole year to make. When the egg was opened it held a surprise such as a beautiful pendant, a portrait or a golden hen.

Easter fast facts

- In Norway, it is popular to read a detective or crime novel over the Easter long-weekend.

- Eggs are often ‘blown’ to empty out the yolk and white before they are painted. Each end of the egg is pricked, and then air is blown into one end so that the yolk and white comes out of the other. The hollow eggshells can then be painted.

- It is believed that the word ‘Easter’ may come from ‘Eostre’ (sometimes called ‘Eostare’), the Anglo-Saxon goddess of sunrise and spring, who had festivals and feasts held in her honour during April.

- The cross on hot cross buns is there to remind us of Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection.

- One of the world’s largest chocolate Easter eggs measured over 27 feet tall and weighed over 4000kgs.

- The day before Lent begins is called Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. Traditionally, a feast was held on this day to use up all of the food that people would not be able to eat during Lent. Pancakes were a popular recipe to get rid of eggs and milk.

^ It's always interesting to learn why we do the traditions on different holidays as well as how other people around the celebrate the same holiday. ^

https://www.forteachersforstudents.com.au/site/themed-curriculum/easter-lp/facts/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/03/31/eggs-bunnies-peeps-easter-traditions-explained/475686002/

April Fools

Happy Easter!

April