As terrorism fears grow, Jersey barriers are becoming ubiquitous not only on highways but around almost all public buildings. Do they actually work? Or are they just an urban eyesore?

Perhaps in an effort to curry favor among Republicans, the National Endowment for the Arts approached the military about bringing Shakespeare to the boys abroad. Well, whatever works.

New York City's Five Points area, back in the 19th century, was a sewer of crime, violence, and poverty. Charles Dickens was there.