Gershom Gorenberg says his story about Israel's refuseniks (" The Thin Green Line") "isn't about a debate between patriots and peaceniks; it's about a debate between patriotic peaceniks over the methods they should use to get their country to do what it must: end the occupation." Gorenberg is the author of The End of Days: Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount, which examines religious extremism.

While reporting on cybersecurity, Brendan I. Koerner (" The Security Traders") was "struck by how much software vendors were capitalizing on 9/11." Koerner, a fellow at the New America Foundation, wrote about the marketing of mental-illness drugs in " Disorders, Made to Order" (July/August).

Michael Scherer (" Born-Again Zionists") first reported for the magazine on the campaign contributors of the 2000 Mother Jones 400. His most recent story revealed the Pentagon's plans for a new "mini-nuke."

New York-based photographer Gillian Laub (" The Thin Green Line") says she wasn't sure how she felt about the Israeli refuseniks until she met some of them in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to shoot their portraits. "They are strong-minded and strong-willed, and I have a lot of respect for them for standing up for their beliefs," she says.

Contributing writer Eric Schlosser (" Making It Work") is author of the best-selling book Fast Food Nation. His last story for the magazine, " The Chain Never Stops" (July/August 2001), investigated dangerous working conditions in the nation's meatpacking plants.

Ken Silverstein (" Born-Again Zionists") is Mother Jones' new Washington editor. His last article for the magazine was about government contractors who violate federal laws (" Unjust Rewards," May/June).

"It's heartening that I always find something from Dan Quayle," says Jack Hitt, who, after again surveying the silliest moments of Congress, bestows our second biennial Diddly Awards. "His presence adds a sense of continuity -- the man is a national treasure."