Day after day, I found myself eating into those four hours with other business, beginning late, ending early (text about message about text about laptop) and never feeling mentally removed enough from the flurry of activity which comprised the rest of my day to do any worthwhile creative work.

FORBES: Why Benjamin Franklin Was More Productive Than I Am

Lewis said that ending the fight against terrorism will help reinforce the administration's message that America is not at war with Islam.

NPR: Obama Refocuses Terror Threat To Pre-9/11 Level

Dr. JENDAYI FRAZER (Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs): Well, the basic message was that the government of Sudan needs to take responsibility for ending the humanitarian crisis and the war in Darfur.

NPR: U.S. Officials Look for Political Solution to Darfur

And despite its depressing enumeration of the failure of so many schools, particularly in poorer urban areas, its miserable ending, and the bleakness of its title, the movie also has a message of hope: there are good schools and teachers in America, whose methods could make its education system as good as any in the world if only they were allowed to.

ECONOMIST: Education in America