A world of terror, a way to peace, The Dispatch, my cookbook, and peace again
October 12, 2023
What’s Going On?
People in many countries deal with terrorism on a daily basis. To get an idea of the extent, see this Global Terrorism Index Map from Vision of Humanity, a project of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). More about IEP in the next section.
You may or may not be surprised at where the USA stands in the Overall Terrorism Index Score to the right of the Global Terrorism Index Map page, or its rank in the Global Peace Index.
But, of course, the answer to What’s Going On is the terrible events unfolding in Israel and Gaza at this time. I have good friends with friends and family in affected areas of Israel. I can’t even imagine the horror felt by those who have been captured or those whose loved ones have been captured or killed and/or have had their homes destroyed. Nor can I imagine what it is like for the people living in the Gaza Strip at this time. It’s a lose-lose for everyone. I need to avoid thinking about it as it tears my heart.
Here is an excerpt from “Christian leaders call for end to violence after Hamas’ attack ignites new war with Israel” posted on October 10, 2023, by the Episcopal News Service:
Churches for Middle East Peace released a new statement on Oct. 9, calling for an immediate end to violence while also emphasizing some of the root causes of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Without attention to the core systemic issues of the war and the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory, there will be no real peace,” the statement reads. “At a time when the rush by governments will be for more military responses, CMEP prays for the de-escalation of violence to prevail. We urge an escalation of diplomatic efforts by the United States, through the United Nations and other regional bodies. Too many people are already grieving the loss of loved ones.”
The Episcopal Church’s General Convention has approved a range of resolutions over the years reacting to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In 2022, the 80th General Convention approved a new measure to “recognize the right of the State of Israel to exist and condemn the continued occupation, segregation and oppression of the Palestinian people; recognizing that for Israel to continue as a democracy it must allow for equality of all its peoples.”
Three other resolutions were deferred until 2024 that would have labeled Israel’s unequal policies toward Jewish Israelis and Arab Israelis as evidence of an apartheid state, like the South African government’s former policy of racial separation.
To quote Dan McCool, founder of the Blue Revolution group on Facebook:
You can feel bad for an oppressed Palestinian while also grieving for the Israeli civilian who did nothing to deserve death or kidnapping.
What to Do?
In researching responses to this heinous attack on Israeli civilians, I came across the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the source of the project that created the terrorist and peace maps cited above.
I have only just started exploring their website, but I am already very impressed and plan to take the free online course offered by IEP’s Peace Academy.
Created by internationally renowned think-tank the Institute for Economics & Peace, this free short course introduces the transformational framework — Positive Peace. Rethink peace with the Institute's data driven approach and discover how Positive Peace is associated with better performance on ecological sustainability, improved wellbeing, stronger GDP growth rates and better business outcomes.
https://www.positivepeace.academy/about-the-course
Anyone can take this course and take it on their own time.
If so moved, you can also support IEP with a financial donation:
https://www.visionofhumanity.org/donate/
Not convinced this is an excellent and trustworthy institution? Maybe I am biased by my Wakefield MA friends who are active in Rotary, but I am pretty confident that I can trust any group Rotary trusts.
Why peace equals prosperity
The Institute for Economics and Peace had done the research on how countries could create and sustain peace. But how to put that research into action at the grassroots level? Enter Rotary. (My emphasis)
https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-helps-institute-economics-and-peace-get-research-reality
It is quite a low-budget operation, considering how much programming they produce. Click HERE to see a recent Form 990.
What to Read?
I am still reading the second book of the five I listed (but not the actual 2nd book as I listed them - just sayin’) in my September 23, 2023 newsletter so I won’t actually recommend it fully yet, but I am enjoying Bad Girls Go Everywhere: The Life of Helen Gurly Brown, by Jennifer Scanlon. But, again, just in case it has anything awful or ridiculous in the later part of the book, I’ll hold off on saying anything else about it as of yet.
So, what to read? I’d like to recommend The Dispatch, which is an online publication.
The Dispatch is an American conservative subscription-based and advertisement-free online magazine founded by Jonah Goldberg, Stephen F. Hayes, and Toby Stock.[1][2][3] Several of The Dispatch's staff (including Hayes) are alumni of the defunct The Weekly Standard.[1]
You might be surprised to learn that I am a paying subscriber to a publication that comes at things from a conservation angle. But they don’t like Trump or anything he stands for. Just so you know I have not lost my mind.
Most of its material is behind a paywall, but you can get a taste of its take on things on its website, and there is no charge to sign up for its many newsletters.
I have to catch up on my world news reading - I have not read The Dispatch since last week. I’ll let you know if it’s take on the attacks by Hamas changes my mind about their publication.
What's Cooking?
All sorts of things are cooking as I do final recipe-testing on my upcoming cookbook. I thought I was going to have it done by early December last year, but that didn’t happen, and then last winter was tough, and then knee surgery, then summer and other distractions - but I am bound (no pun intended) and determined to get it done in time to be considered as a holiday gift for yourself, another, or many others. 😊 I am self-publishing, so I hope I get through the final learning curves quickly. (Any advice is welcome!)
In the meantime, I will share one of my favorite recipes from my cookbook. It is SO much better than the instant onion soup mix kind.
Homemade Onion Dip
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (225 grams)
1/4 cup minced fresh onion (40 grams)
1 tsp onion powder
1/8 to 1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt (quite optional)
1-2 tsp dried parsley
Mix all the ingredients together. I used to use a mini whisk but finally realized that a soup spoon works just fine. Or use a sturdy spatula since you will want to get the very last bit of dip out of the bowl.
If you can stand to wait, pop it into the fridge for at least an hour to give the flavors a chance to meld. Or not. Life is short.
Notes: The Cabot brand 10% fat plain Greek yogurt provides a “best of both worlds” experience: that fatty feel and taste of sour cream AND probiotics – so it’s healthy, right? If you use regular plain Greek yogurt, you might want to substitute a tablespoon or so of mayo to give it a fattier feel, or just use all or part sour cream. You can also use 1 tablespoon dried chopped or minced onion in lieu of fresh (but let it meld in the fridge for a bit!) or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley in lieu of dried. But as written is my favorite way to make it.
A thank you to The Pioneer Woman for the inspiration! (The link to her homepage will only be in the e-book version.)
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a83200/how-to-make-french-onion-dip/
What Else?
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
But they shall all sit under their own vines and fig trees,
And no one shall make them afraid.
- Micah 4:3
Peace be with you.
Wendy
