tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post7982470500206359656..comments2024-03-29T01:22:33.864-04:00Comments on Rex Parker Does the NYT Crossword Puzzle: Balbo right-hand man to Mussolini / FRI 12-16-16 / Postprandial handouts / Ho Slumdog Millionaire song / Scandalous '80s initials / Server of pink champagne on ice in songRex Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16145707733877505087noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42404234537602493352017-01-22T20:43:43.229-05:002017-01-22T20:43:43.229-05:00Rex: If you are going to become unhinged by seeing...Rex: If you are going to become unhinged by seeing references to the president's family in the crossword clues and grid, I would recommend getting a grip.<br /><br />This very puzzle, as you mentioned, had a clue about Mussolini's right hand man ITALO Balbo. Do you think that the appearance of Mussolini in the clues normalizes him? This puzzle had TOSSPOTS, while the previous day's puzzle had SOTS. Do you think that the crossword is trying to promote alcoholism? <br /><br />Suppose there had been a right-wing crossword blogger who reacted with outrage every time OBAMA, or even MALIA, turned up in the grid. I doubt that such a blogger would have been worth paying attention to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-45950241276225579652017-01-21T20:55:11.046-05:002017-01-21T20:55:11.046-05:00All things political aside, that was the most pomp...All things political aside, that was the most pompous thing I've read all week! You are not any better than "trumpers" and "trumpers" are no better than you. There's a reason people voted for him and you can either belittle them for doing so, or God forbid try to understand their reasoning...Instead of resorting to childish behavior that divides Americans even more. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-69865522894248391012017-01-21T16:43:18.981-05:002017-01-21T16:43:18.981-05:00What a gratuitous and egregious comment about simp...What a gratuitous and egregious comment about simple cluing for the name Eric. I seriously doubt that you know anything about Eric Trump yet you choose to insult him by calling him a halfwit. I have seen him interviewed and to me he seems like an intelligent and thoughtful young man- certainly not a halfwit. He at least has accomplished something in the real world and does not live in an ivory tower of academia like you. <br />As for 'normalizing', I would think that the election and inauguration of Trump constituted normalization in the history of the United States and you'd better get used to it. By the way, I expect you will see names like Ivanka and Ivana will appear with some regularity since they meet most of your criteria for useful crossword entries as well as Obama and Malia.<br />I generally have enjoyed your blog but knew that you were pretty far left. I just did not appreciate that you were also part of the nasty intolerant radical 'alt-left'. Now I know better. George Yorknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-41206252042122488382017-01-21T00:13:36.751-05:002017-01-21T00:13:36.751-05:00Irrelevant post today. Babysitting grandson.
How...Irrelevant post today. Babysitting grandson.<br /><br />However I did watch the inaugural address, unfortunately. He said he wrote it himself, but you could tell that Steve Bannon had a major part in it. I'm a Canadian, and I don't know why I care so much (although his trade policies may have an effect on us) but the speech was the worst outpouring of protectionism, and the least statesmanlike, utterings of an incoming president. He is a cancer. He is a know-nothing misogynistic, racist, and elitist individual, totally unfit to represent your country and your citizens.<br /><br />The puzzle was fine, except for the inclusion of ERIC (puke), and there, I agree with OFL. I like your politics Michael. I did DNF at the CASCO/ADAIR cross because I put an O in there - Irish, eh.<br /><br />A sad day for the US.rain forestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-84319721222479281342017-01-20T19:53:26.106-05:002017-01-20T19:53:26.106-05:00Badly distracted from the puzzle as I tried to lis...Badly distracted from the puzzle as I tried to listen to Trump's inaugural speech here in PST syndiland. Heard little more than blustering TRiUMPhalism, and still have little or no idea of what may actually happen.leftcoastTAMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-76760965459620035932017-01-20T19:15:03.621-05:002017-01-20T19:15:03.621-05:00In Greed We Trust is POTUS now. He did drain the s...In Greed We Trust is POTUS now. He did drain the swamp and is putting all the worst ones in office at a rapid clip. The choices run from loony toons to nasty bits. In two years we will see how many Trumpfenproles have wised up. I have only a shred of hope. You know the old saw about hoping in one hand and crapping in the other and seeing which one fills up faster. <br />Mr. Tiny Hands would not know about that one, I'm betting.centralscrewtinizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03404913280254786506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-39695883578535706022017-01-20T18:40:10.080-05:002017-01-20T18:40:10.080-05:00I know that Rex and his so-called liberal elite do...I know that Rex and his so-called liberal elite do not care what the hicks in Mid-America think, but his psychotic rant about our new President shows how literally crazy you people really are. If conservatives threw around the "f" word as easily as Rex in referring to President Obama or Secretary Clinton, we would be rightly branded as people who no longer have the right to participate in our democracy and certainly not be a quasi spokesperson for it. <br /><br />So long Rex. Your criticisms of constructors that use words like the "Sabine" River as being not worthy of the NYT shows your ignorance of anything west of Lake Erie. FYI, the Sabine was the western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase for years and the entry into the Texas Republic <br /><br />Sincerely, Gary Key<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12750315126815086786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-18940904041610830022017-01-20T17:00:01.292-05:002017-01-20T17:00:01.292-05:00One more comment. I thought it would be "no ...One more comment. I thought it would be "no ice" we're British. As they serve warmish beer and iceless Cokes. Mr. W does not approve of either tradition.<br /><br />Di,LIWDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25052106829608458152017-01-20T16:52:14.120-05:002017-01-20T16:52:14.120-05:00Poor George B, getting stuck in a political dustup...Poor George B, getting stuck in a political dustup 2 years after creating a puzzle. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy, huh?<br /><br />I loved being able to solve this buncha Friday stacks. Have seen BISHOP a few times - he puts on quite a show. And HOTELCALIFORNIA is still played something like every other song on radio and in grocery stores. <br /><br />Hoping for happier days. We most certainly will see.<br /><br />Diana, WaitingDiana,LIWnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5758960428031291572017-01-20T13:55:29.116-05:002017-01-20T13:55:29.116-05:00Now I see he didn't, so I will give the puz a ...Now I see he didn't, so I will give the puz a PARR.rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5493680697873930292017-01-20T13:51:17.109-05:002017-01-20T13:51:17.109-05:00Well, it’s 5 weeks later and the swearing in is ov...Well, it’s 5 weeks later and the swearing in is over, but the swearing isn’t. I don’t think the sky is falling yet. Time will tell who has HADTHELASTLAUGH. The biggest problem OFTHEPAST hour today was filling in homER instead of TATER. But HOTELCALIFORNIA and ELVINBISHOP were gimmes and very helpful. HEA and INA were a tad weak, but not INA terrible way.<br /><br />I’ve got PHLOX in my rock garden that seem to want to overrun everything else.<br /><br />Yo. Michelle YEOH is COPACETIC as today’s yeah baby, ORR YEOH baby.<br /><br />ASONE Minnesotan to another, fine job @George B and co-constructor @MAS. Wonder if @spacey will give this puz a PARR?<br />rondonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31295391642028953332017-01-20T13:50:47.424-05:002017-01-20T13:50:47.424-05:00Some challenging fun ruined by pisser infested clu...<br /><br />Some challenging fun ruined by pisser infested clues/answers. Rejected.<br /><br />Note: seemed to be a lot of fan club activity in the comments about the authors...shouldn't this be about the puzzle?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-32557861961686649372017-01-20T13:11:14.798-05:002017-01-20T13:11:14.798-05:00Well, here in Syndiland it's The Date that wil...Well, here in Syndiland it's The Date that will Live in Infamy: Jan. 20. Somehow, this living caricature got himself elected, and today is the first day of the rest of our miserable lives. Boys, dust off the Atomic Clock and reset it to 11:59:59. *gulp*<br /><br />So the puzzle is an afterthought. Knowing ELVINBISHOP helped a lot, as well as the words to "Nowhere Man." (Ha, we're ALL nowhere men now!) So, eminently doable; easy-medium for Friday. Didn't know the Maine bay, and thought the big name in pop might be mOtorOLA, ha ha. Cleared that up; also seA for drowned valley. The X at the bottom is skilfully woven in; the X in the NE corner is totally unnecessary. We have at least our share of bad fill: the RMK {"INA"), IMON, HEA...<br /><br />My "ha" above may well represent THE LAST LAUGH I ever HAD. I can't get the image out of my mind: Slim Pickens riding the lightning, SLAPping his ten-gallon hat against his "horse" and yelling "YEOH!" to the strains of "We'll Meet Again." I do fervently hope we will--but I ain't gonna bet on it.spacecraftnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-5574915724626745942017-01-20T12:37:47.729-05:002017-01-20T12:37:47.729-05:00note to self: proofread
CASCOnote to self: proofread<br />CASCOBS2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-62067099962036847222017-01-20T12:14:47.465-05:002017-01-20T12:14:47.465-05:00PHLOX HEW
As a SERVICEPROVIDER FIONA’s just fine,...PHLOX HEW<br /><br />As a SERVICEPROVIDER FIONA’s just fine,<br />you can’t ARGUE that she LAIDITONTHELINE,<br />she didn’t SPOIL her HEX<br />by saying, “NOSEX!”,<br />she HADAHANDIN both YEOH pants and mine.<br /><br />--- CONDE CSACI<br />Burma Shavenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-44349998302949940142016-12-20T13:10:13.466-05:002016-12-20T13:10:13.466-05:00Hillary called us deplorable. Rex now calls us Naz...Hillary called us deplorable. Rex now calls us Nazis.<br /><br />I find it amusing how the camp that refers to Trump as a bully is very fond of bullying.<br /><br />Congrats, Rex. You're not just the King of CrossWorld, you're an accomplished King of Bullying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-31182441811145076982016-12-17T15:13:24.989-05:002016-12-17T15:13:24.989-05:00I finally found the right forum to discuss this th...I finally found the right forum to discuss this thought. Have any of you noticed the resemblance of the election to Isaac Asimov's emergence of the Mule is the Foundation books? An unimaginable bolt from the blue. History not proceeding as anticipated. And, although the Mule is defeated, what is left behind is a world in disorder. Let's have the oligarchy, as long as I am one of them.<br /><br />PS I come to the blog often too see if others are as pleased/disturbed/confused/gob-smacked as I am. Thanks, Rex.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20329862547568283252016-12-17T14:33:24.403-05:002016-12-17T14:33:24.403-05:00Sticks and stones...and you wonder why you lost???...Sticks and stones...and you wonder why you lost???tgm1217https://www.blogger.com/profile/01538948980629354514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82790980209325969532016-12-17T13:58:31.787-05:002016-12-17T13:58:31.787-05:00I agree as well. I do puzzles to keep my mind sha...I agree as well. I do puzzles to keep my mind sharp and to relax, and I come here to share the puzzle experience. If I want to read about politics there are plenty of other venues more suited. Coming out against the incoming administration isn't edgy or brave. We're all scared as hell and want a respite from that reality. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-81021660115997556152016-12-17T12:41:36.375-05:002016-12-17T12:41:36.375-05:00One of many crucial differences between Reagan and...One of many crucial differences between Reagan and Trump is that Reagan was not mentally ill and deluded into thinking he knew everything about everything. While one might not have been a fan of Reagan (I wasn't), he at least was smart enough to realize that he did not know all there was to know. So he, with help from trusted advisors, found people with expertise and experience in the areas of responsibility, which persons he was politically aligned with, and then he trusted and relied on those people. Trump has not chosen for any position a single person who has any knowledge or experience of the area the appointee is to be in charge of. If utter chaos does not follow, it will be a miracle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-25959972334092912122016-12-17T11:09:10.291-05:002016-12-17T11:09:10.291-05:00Best puzzle of the year👍Best puzzle of the year👍Steve Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13905645038228675933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-40576582191746355102016-12-17T09:55:00.315-05:002016-12-17T09:55:00.315-05:00You got it right, Rex...Alt-Right is in fact a ver...You got it right, Rex...Alt-Right is in fact a very thin euphenism (sic) for Nazi. It was in fact coined by white supremacist Spencer. Burns me that it's now considered an appropriate word.<br /><br />I misspelled MARMeLADE, somwondered for a very long time I'd La Boheme was Jewish...LEVeE Boheme?<br />Wanted pasta to end in i...<br />In short, while I flew through the top 2 thirds, I got totally blocked in the south...had to cheat by erasing wrong letters...that gave me the oomph I needed to finally be able to finish.<br />I was really annoyed that my friend George was able to stump me!!<br /><br />Loved the clue for MINTS...because I love the word post-prandial. Our cats are masters of the post-prandial nap. I also loved the irony of the clue for COCACOLA...gave me my biggest aha moment of the puzzle.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br /><br /><br />Titahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16368251255494687496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-42507322652923333772016-12-17T00:29:04.138-05:002016-12-17T00:29:04.138-05:00Really, Trump reminds me of Reagan more than any o...Really, Trump reminds me of Reagan more than any other President. He had experience as governor of California but he was an awful governor He really did change in the Oval Office. I still didn't like him but I thought at last he knew what he was doing. I still detested him, but I no longer thought he was dumb or totally under the control of his aides. Time will tell withTrump and I certainly don't like him at all. But I think he has played the role of President-elect pretty damn well.<br />old timer3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-82054487019472642362016-12-17T00:01:00.185-05:002016-12-17T00:01:00.185-05:00Grateful as ever for the social conscience you rea...Grateful as ever for the social conscience you read into and out of crosswords -- so I add my thanks for your commentary on "Eric"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35115061.post-20069752696406204082016-12-16T23:11:15.569-05:002016-12-16T23:11:15.569-05:00#notmynormalization#notmynormalizationMarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02004390938711706983noreply@blogger.com