The campaign theme song! Brilliant secret message!
Well, Mr. Bill may have destroyed American manufacturing, thrown millions of children into poverty, and deregulated Wall Street laying the groundwork for the 2008 recession and the casino economy that preys upon all of us in the 99% every day, but at least he enjoys a good crossword. Bully for him.
1
Did he kill Nicole Brown Simpson, too? Maybe Hoffa as well. Can't blame him for the Lindbergh baby, though.
1
Implicit in the question as to whether any Republicans have constructed a crossword puzzle is that someone can be a Republican and be able to engage in any process requiring analysis and imagination. It is my experience that the analysis--however flawed--might be there but not the imagination. Piecing together an image of the whole when seeing only a fragment appears to be the province of truly superior human beings, such as Democrats.
Think humor, people!
Think humor, people!
1
Ditto Gabe Nugent! My thoughts exactly!
Please, nothing more about anything Clinton! If not for them we would not have this travesty of a president.
7
Well, that certainly exonerates the Democratic Party, and Bernie and Jill voters who refused to support anyone except their chosen ones. Add the 45% of voters who didn't bother to vote - ones who didn't register, or never bother with primaries, or local elections and politics.
It's all on the Clintons. She had an annoying voice, after all, they couldn't put up with that.
It's all on the Clintons. She had an annoying voice, after all, they couldn't put up with that.
22
It's our fault we have such a horrible president. It's our fault for watching stupid news, subjecting ourselves to brain hacking by social media, etc., etc., etc. We should celebrate the Times Crossword puzzle and its long history. Truly, it is a brain exercise with a sense of humor for smart people. It takes practice, stubborn determination, and a lust for facts obscure and otherwise.
Most of all, the crossword puzzle is an exercise in making you see things in different ways - to think inside the boxes.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Democratic and Republican brains are wired differently. I wish we could get some factual anatomical information on how because we need to understand the physical issues which prevent us from working together. The obstacles appear to be insurmountable.
My private theory is that brain hacking by over-reliance on digital information (even for driving across town when we know the best way at rush hour) is causing parts of our brains to shrink and die. So rather than evolving, we are devolving. How else to explain how much worse kids do on national tests today than in past times. Have you noticed that the staff in your coffee shop can't make change when the computer is down?
The Times Crossword Puzzle is a living dinosaur - sort of like birds. And like birds, it is in danger of extinction.
Most of all, the crossword puzzle is an exercise in making you see things in different ways - to think inside the boxes.
It's becoming increasingly clear that Democratic and Republican brains are wired differently. I wish we could get some factual anatomical information on how because we need to understand the physical issues which prevent us from working together. The obstacles appear to be insurmountable.
My private theory is that brain hacking by over-reliance on digital information (even for driving across town when we know the best way at rush hour) is causing parts of our brains to shrink and die. So rather than evolving, we are devolving. How else to explain how much worse kids do on national tests today than in past times. Have you noticed that the staff in your coffee shop can't make change when the computer is down?
The Times Crossword Puzzle is a living dinosaur - sort of like birds. And like birds, it is in danger of extinction.
8
Huh? How about all the people who voted for him?
It was.
2
The secret message: 17-, 35-, and 57-across answers.
1
I hate to be "that guy", but did no one notice MONIKA starting in the middle of the puzzle and snaking upward? Most embarrassing.
2
Being an ex-POTUS has its privileges. I don't begrudge anyone these perks.
3
i begrudge giving any perks to a sexual predator, whether he's POTUS or ex-POTUS.
4
Crosswords to me are like fish. I love to eat it but don't necessarily want to be reminded of where they came from.
Ok, do the NYT actually believe he did this by himself or someone did the puzzle and then he said, make me look smarter..come on.
For the rewrite of Clinton era, every Clinton legislation was rewritten by the class of 94 that Clinton then signed. Are the NYT readers this delusional to think the success at this time was NOT directly related to the internet bubble, Y2K, and the GOP controlled congress. You can not give him credit without recognizing the other 2.
For the rewrite of Clinton era, every Clinton legislation was rewritten by the class of 94 that Clinton then signed. Are the NYT readers this delusional to think the success at this time was NOT directly related to the internet bubble, Y2K, and the GOP controlled congress. You can not give him credit without recognizing the other 2.
1
David Gergen, the journalist and pundit whom Clinton brought into his administration tells a story of how some important issue arose that required all the subject-matter experts to assemble in the Oval Office on a Sunday.
Gergen describes how he was annoyed with the President because as everyone was discussing the issue, Clinton was working on the Sunday Times' puzzle, not seeming to be paying any attention to the matter that drew everyone in on their offday.
But then a question on the subject arose that none of the experts could answer and Clinton immediately jumped in with the correct response.
So, yes, I take the article at face value: that Clinton's collaboration with Judge Fleming was more than superficial.
Now, to answer the question you only asked implicitly: do we all think your reflexive criticism of Mr. Clinton on something as trivial as a crossword puzzle makes you look unintelligent? Yes, we do.
Gergen describes how he was annoyed with the President because as everyone was discussing the issue, Clinton was working on the Sunday Times' puzzle, not seeming to be paying any attention to the matter that drew everyone in on their offday.
But then a question on the subject arose that none of the experts could answer and Clinton immediately jumped in with the correct response.
So, yes, I take the article at face value: that Clinton's collaboration with Judge Fleming was more than superficial.
Now, to answer the question you only asked implicitly: do we all think your reflexive criticism of Mr. Clinton on something as trivial as a crossword puzzle makes you look unintelligent? Yes, we do.
13
The man's been a life-long crossworder and is quite bright to boot. I'm not a Rhodes Scholar but have made fairly advanced crosswords myself. You should give him (and, if I were to guess, yourself) more credit in life.
13
Before being so critical, perhaps you should try imagining Donald Trump sitting down to do a NYTimes crossword puzzle.
32
Number 45 down, 5 letters,' A Man Who Would be King," if it were at all possible. Rhymes with stump, and just as smart.
10
Can anyone imagine Donald Trump solving a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday NY Times crossword puzzle, let alone constructing one? One wonders if he could even solve the Mini -- unless, of course, someone else did it so he could claim he did
Anyway, Happy Mothers Day.
Anyway, Happy Mothers Day.
21
Maybe if you read these comments instead of shooting from the hip you could learn something (I did). It would take less effort than either googling your question, reading a wikipedia article, or having paid attention to a sitting President.
I was thinking the same thing! We should be happy Trump can read at all.
2
President Clinton was included in the wonderful 2006 documentary "Wordplay," in which Will Shortz had a prominent place. President Clinton, Jon Stewart, and several other notables picked up pencil or pen and did the NYT crossword on camera, a task that would make me wilt. Creating a crossword, as well as filling in one, requires focus. I'll leave it at that.
17
And can you remember what day of the week they took on?
1
Regular puzzle doers on the Republican side? Let's start at the bottom of the top. Surely Trump could compose a Times crossword, clueing such words as "sad", "amazing", "sick", "bad", "win" and "loser".
10
Doubt it.
6
I care not a whit about "celebrity" crosswords. The only thing that matters is how much fun the puzzle is to solve.
Celebrities need hobbies too, but by the nature of what they are you are required to know what they are. It's a very needy place to dwell.
Bill Clinton speaks in cogent, grammatically perfect paragraphs. He was a terrific president - creative, insightful, politically brilliant - and I would have gladly supported him for another two terms if it were possible.
Now we have a no-talent boob with the aptitude of a slow sixth grader and the emotional maturity to match. Trump makes George W. Bush sound like Disraeli, for God's sake. He cannot successfully make it through a single sentence. Not. One. Sentence. That's ominous.
Now we have a no-talent boob with the aptitude of a slow sixth grader and the emotional maturity to match. Trump makes George W. Bush sound like Disraeli, for God's sake. He cannot successfully make it through a single sentence. Not. One. Sentence. That's ominous.
53
Yes, I also miss having an articulate, insightful, politically brilliant sexual predator, serial adulterer in the White House
Rejoice, you have so-called president trump who loves to grab young women because he's a reality TV star.
2
In that case you're missing some history of the current POTUS
"If any high-ranking Republican officeholder is reading this... please contact me through The Times."
Um, Mr. Shortz, have you forgotten that no RepubliCant would deign to read The Times?!?!?
First of all, it's fake news.
Second of all, the fact that you capitalized the T in "The" demonstrates that you're nothing more than an elitist Librul.
Besides, Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer have admonished us Libruls that we take the meanings of words too literally. Only out-of-touch literati believe that the actual meanings of words truly matter; real 'Muricans don't have to bother thinking at all, because we should all simply trust whatever our Exalted Leader tells as being the proper non-alternative facts.
Um, Mr. Shortz, have you forgotten that no RepubliCant would deign to read The Times?!?!?
First of all, it's fake news.
Second of all, the fact that you capitalized the T in "The" demonstrates that you're nothing more than an elitist Librul.
Besides, Kellyanne Conway and Sean Spicer have admonished us Libruls that we take the meanings of words too literally. Only out-of-touch literati believe that the actual meanings of words truly matter; real 'Muricans don't have to bother thinking at all, because we should all simply trust whatever our Exalted Leader tells as being the proper non-alternative facts.
19
So, I guess the future looks like celebrity crosswords in the NY Times, just as celebrities get more publicity for their paintings, their photography, their music. Whatever celebrities create has to be more important and publication-worthy than what the rest of us come up with.
1
Ouch. Did you create a complete, high-quality crossword puzzle and get it rejected? My urge to rescue someone is strong today; please find a way for us to share your puzzle.
2
Looks like "Bubba" has Elvis' recipe.
Note to current POTUS: words matter.
Note to current POTUS: words matter.
12
Republicans don't do brain-thinking. Just gut-feeling to enrich themselves, other rich people and maybe some others from the right ethnicity and religion.
30
Besides the old Fleetwood Mac song, I like the conga line in the puzzle. Party like it's 1992.
6
When, o, when will we ever get a POTUS again who can do, let alone construct, an x-word puzzle? Answ.: later, not sooner. Still miss Bill, even though he squandered his vast political capital. BTW, have you called both your senators (www.senate.gov/general/contacting.htm) and asked them to vigorously support an investigation of the current resident of the WH who will do an x-word when heck freezes over? If not, why not? If so, WTG.
24
Seriously? It has been less than a year since we had a POTUS who could. See, it goes in cycles- smart, stupid, smart, stupid. if only there were some other correlation we could depend on to know what would come next!
3
Is the Easter egg the word "economy," as in, "It's the economy, stupid"? I thought the puzzle was a bit too simple for a Friday. but I bet Trump's crossword would be a Monday.
8
The Easter egg is in the horizontal answers.
Trump's puzzle wouldn't qualify for TV Guide.
Trump's puzzle wouldn't qualify for TV Guide.
18
Can't I PLEASE get these Clinton people out of my life once and for all??!!
5
The Clintons are not in your life. They don't give you a thought.
54
You didn't have to read the article.
49
No he was one of the best presidents in the last 50 years which I know is not saying much, and his wife would have been another.
60
Bill Clinton is also writing a thriller with James Patterson. He and President Carter have a way with words. George Bush, on the other hand, is a good amateur painter.
13
I agree with your first two sentences, Diogenes but, alas, not the last one. Ol' W tries but no cigar even for an amateur. Yikes.
3
@Marilyn,
Did you have to mention a cigar? Yikes
Did you have to mention a cigar? Yikes
4
@Diogenes,
Yes, Bill Clinton does a way with words. Nobody will ever forget his enormous input in English language with his genius statement about "is".
Yes, Bill Clinton does a way with words. Nobody will ever forget his enormous input in English language with his genius statement about "is".
1
Nice reminder, Bill. No, I'm in tears.
6
It's nice to be reminded of a time when we had a President who was a Rhodes Scholar, was articulate, and did crossword puzzles to relax.
Make America Great Again - vote for the smartest guy (or gal) in the room.
Make America Great Again - vote for the smartest guy (or gal) in the room.
110
The problem with electing an individual that hypnotizes the voters with his personality, charisma and theatrics, but lacking the qualification to serve as president and lead the free world is that once he is in office he does not know what end is up. The U.S. can ill afford to waste four years with an incompetent individual in the W.H. Hopefully, the midterm elections will sideline Trump and get the country on an even keel.
23
Trump thinks crossword puzzles are for people without time to watch TV.
54
A always in such cases - a great spontaneous photo. A photographer just happened to stand nearby and the subject of the photo of course is totally unprepared and oblivious to how he looks.
6
Not to mention wearing lipstick.
4
Nancy - Thank you, I hadn't noticed that. Likely the image was photoshopped, maybe many years later. Pleasant picture though of a simple guy that likes to do crossword puzzles. It's even possible/likely that the papers and the pen are photoshopped in. It's a great example of a well art directed photo image. Peanut butter and bananas:-) The red lips are the same shade as the blank but red label on the peanut butter jar too.
1
Not lipstick, Nancy. Just flush with excitement over a good bit of tucker. Set how deeply he is concentrating, working to get the goo spread just right? And those banana slices...so orderly and perky? The man is having a moment.
2
I wondered if it was him when I saw the name, but became pretty certain when I saw "It's the economy, stupid!"
I didn't know there was an Easter egg until I read this column, then went back and saw it right away. Song still rattles around in my mind sometimes. Such different times.
Message for Mr. Clinton--it was kinda easy for a Friday. Thanks.
I didn't know there was an Easter egg until I read this column, then went back and saw it right away. Song still rattles around in my mind sometimes. Such different times.
Message for Mr. Clinton--it was kinda easy for a Friday. Thanks.
6
Argh. That's the trouble with doing the puzzle in the iPad app: no title to clue you in. I thought the phrase was the egg. Now I have to go look again.
That peanut butter looks like the partially-hydrogenated-oil version, so treated so it won't sperate. Ug-ly! I search out the Real Thing, mix in the oil as needed. What he is using I call peanut-flavored lard.
3
Great story--thanks! I am a crossword puzzle maniac---at least three per day during my retirement. I enjoy the mental stimulation and the challenges, especially, of many foreign words--nearly always French, German, Spanish, or Italian.
The puzzles centered around themes are the most fun, but nearly every one is enjoyable, whether easy or supremely challenging.
The puzzles centered around themes are the most fun, but nearly every one is enjoyable, whether easy or supremely challenging.
8
Cute and fun! Thanks, Mr. President!
16
no such thing as boring or not boring, idts
2
The words THINKING, CHILE, and ARAL going thru the bottom of "GI BILL" embed "HILLAREE", plus CHILE includes CHEL- and the clue for ARAL provides -SEA. Stilted and cryptic, but singularly appropriate for the former First Family on Mother's Day weekend.
2
No wonder I couldn't find The Times today. I get the paper version Fri-Sun because I enjoy doing the crossword. Online crosswords are not for me but thanks for making it available so I can at least see it.
4
I don't see the Easter Egg. Any hints?
1
Hi Brad,
Take a look at 17, 35 and 57 Across, and see if it reminds you of something related to one of the authors of today's puzzle.
Take a look at 17, 35 and 57 Across, and see if it reminds you of something related to one of the authors of today's puzzle.
11
It's a song title -- relevant to one of the creators. ;)
2
Found it only when it was pointed out. Hate to pop the Clinton balloon, but the campaign made me hate that song. Maybe my mind was blocking the trauma.
Mr. Shortz in the final paragraph of his article kindly invites any Republicans to join in on the fun of *creating* a puzzle.
Hmmm. Just sayin' that's all
Hmmm. Just sayin' that's all
4
Did this puzzle in about 10 min. Too easy for a Friday version methinks.
Love the puzzles in general. Despise the fairly often recurring clues that are answered with the name of the last President or his family.
Can't anything not have a political overtone with the usual ridiculing nastiness?
Love the puzzles in general. Despise the fairly often recurring clues that are answered with the name of the last President or his family.
Can't anything not have a political overtone with the usual ridiculing nastiness?
3
Can you imagine the puzzle that Trump would come up with?
6
huuuge
fantastic
incredible
bigly
fantastic
incredible
bigly
12
Fake____(NEWS)
Alternative______(FACTS)
Incendiary words (YOUREFIRED)
You get one, I get two (SCOOPS)
The walls have ears (WIRETAPPS)
Now you see it, now you don't (TAXRETURN)
The other one (Tiffany)
Alternative______(FACTS)
Incendiary words (YOUREFIRED)
You get one, I get two (SCOOPS)
The walls have ears (WIRETAPPS)
Now you see it, now you don't (TAXRETURN)
The other one (Tiffany)
9
Just a bowl of his usual Word Salad.
1
The campaign thing isn't what I'd call an "Easter egg"---it's the puzzle theme. What I've found is more of an "Eester Eg"---not quite spelled right but appropriate for BILL to do with Mother's Day coming up. It snakes around and jumbles a bit and interacts with one clue---if it's not intended then it's a testament to the ability to find (imperfect!) patterns randomly in things...
1
I'm a regular NYT crossword puzzler. Sunday's puzzle is splashy with a theme, and not overly difficult. To challenge yourself, Saturday is the hardest, Friday runner-up.
4
Agreed. But this Friday was way too easy a fill (even though I didn't catch the egg, I admit).
1
Didn't figure it out until I saw this column saying there was something hidden. But then it just took a few minutes to detect. Cute.
8
Can anyone imagine our current president doing a crossword puzzle, let alone set one. Clinton had his shortcomings, but what we now have is farcical self-promoter demeaning his office and our country.
31
I figured out the Easter Egg as well...familiar from his campaign!
4
(17, 35, 57)
2
Thank you!
While we're on the subject of the Crossword, how about showing the dyspeptic Rex Parker the door. Either that or have him fish or cut bait (or the unexpurgated version of that adage)--create his own puzzle that is free of all the objections he finds in others'. Which isn't to say that all the Times puzzles are exemplary.
4
I see the "Easter egg" - very clever.
3
Peanut butter and bananas. That figures.
I guess there are some things you can't unlearn
from an Arkansas upbringing.
I guess there are some things you can't unlearn
from an Arkansas upbringing.
4
Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
11
Love that as a snack!! (and it's nutritious)
13
Just add bacon for the Elvis Presley special.
3
I wonder if President Trump has ever done a crossword puzzle.
30
In 'Highlights'?
41
TV Guide crossword, but he prefers the Jumble.
5
The only thing he is good at is, filling in Executive Orders in BOLD STROKES....no clues required.
6