The Disneyfication of Times Square really has come full circle—the formerly gritty crossroads of the world has become so family-friendly that it's starting to become seedy again, thanks to a mob of street hustlers dressed as cartoon characters demanding tips from tourists. On Sunday, a man dressed as Cookie Monster allegedly shoved a child and cursed at his mother when she didn't tip fast enough, and several other characters have been arrested in recent months. The situation has attracted so much media attention that now regulation is being considered.

In the movie Toy Story 3, of all places, the Barbie doll utters this quote in the face of oppression from Lotso, the big purple teddy bear: “Authority should derive from the consent of the governed; not from the threat of force.” Political philosopher barbie? Maybe she was channeling Locke and Jefferson. Anyway, it is interesting to see these kinds of messages popping up in movies and car commercials.