Author Archives: Harry Katz
Keeping the Faith
Russell Shorto’s Keeping the Faith in the Sunday New York Times magazine of April 8, 2007 (TimesSelect subscription required) is another in a recent spate of articles about Pope Benedict XVI. This most likely coincides with the 2nd anniversary of … Continue reading
The Pope and Islam
The April 2, 2007 issue of The New Yorker has an article titled The Pope and Islam by Jane Kramer. It’s an analysis of the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and Islam under Pope Benedict XVI. Kramer’s thesis, as … Continue reading
Betrayed
George Packer has written another excellent if depressing article in the March 26, 2007 edition of The New Yorker. Betrayed follows a group of Iraqi interpreters who risk their lives every day to work with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad and in … Continue reading
Violence in Decline?
In a recent article published in The New Republic, and posted at The Edge, Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker argues in A History of Violence that violence has been declining over the long term development of human society. Today, Pinker says, violence … Continue reading
Not guaranteed for children under 5
I recently purchased a Pelican case for our camcorder and assorted audio/visual equipment. These hard-sided plastic cases are filled with foam padding that you custom cut to create snug-fitting indentations to hold your camera, lenses, microphones, laptop, or whatever equipment you need to … Continue reading
Thomas Friedman: The Oil-Addicted Ayatollahs
In his February 2, 2007 New York Times column, The Oil-Addicted Ayatollahs (registration required), Tom Friedman argues that oil addiction can be just as bad for the selling nation as it is for the buying nation. He traces the influence of … Continue reading
Prayer over IP
Over at CNET, Leslie Katz (no relation) blogs about an Israeli start-up that allows you to broadcast your prayers over speakers in Webcams at various holy sites like the Western Wall in Jerusalem, all without leaving the comfort of your … Continue reading
Status quo in motion
In the January 8, 2007 edition of The New Yorker, Milan Kundera writes a lengthy and somewhat wandering article titled Die Weltliteratur. Towards the end of the article, he quotes Polish noveliset and dramatist Witold Gombrowicz on tha acceleration of … Continue reading
Knowing the Enemy
George Packer’s article, Knowing the Enemy, published in the December 18th, 2006 issue of the New Yorker is a fascinating account of recent work by an Australian lieutenant colonel named David Kilcullen for the US State Department. Kilcullen’s career has … Continue reading
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