10.07.08 -- Court Count

Sunday, October 7, 2007

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POLITICAL POSITIONS

Puzzle by Nancy Salomon and Harvey Estes, edited by Will Shortz

Nine squares of three abbreviations for political affiliations (or as the title of the puzzle suggests "positions") -- four squares contain DEM on the left of the puzzle, four contain REP on the right, and one IND in, of course, the center -- otherwise, this crossword puzzle is the very model of free speech. Coming fast on the heels of the first Monday of October -- the day on which the United States Supreme Court traditionally convenes following its summer recess -- is timely!

TUPPERWAREPARTY (24A Event where there might be burping) with FIcIT (15D Sunken cooking site);

DEMARCATED (26A Set boundaries) with DIAc (1D King topper);

READEMANDWEEP (33A Poker player's gloat) with cOS (36D Some records or cars);

CAREPACKAGES (42A Students' gifts from home) with CcE (39D Brunch serving);

DONTMINDIFIDO (65A Response to "Want some?") with SATcOLL (51D Duke Ellington classic);

ACADEMYAWARD (87A Prize since 1928) with INTANc (58D Working together);

INSTANTREPLAY (92A Help in checking calls) with ADc (86D Worker in the TV biz);

SPAREPARTS (103A Junkyard supply) with cORT (104D Loud noise); and

IDEMANDARECOUNT (109A Candidate's "This isn't over!") with SIcAN (95D Supporting instrumentalist)...

Additionally, we are reminded of TUES (107D When to vote: Abbr.).

And now a few words from our sponsors, Nancy Salomon, Harvey Estes, and Will Shortz:

Across: 1. Surgeon’s instrument; 8. Egg white; 15. Having no master; 20. Queued up; 21. Sewing machine parts; 22. Ex of the Donald; 23. Sunflower seeds, botanically; 28. Offends the olfactory; 29. Cleans; 30. Coming; 32. Wait on; 38. Start on a stage; 40. Vacuum tube filter; 41. Bad EMS (German spa); 48. Like Cain; 51. Brought forth; 52. Factor in a wine rating; 53. Afternoon affair; 54. Crew implement; 55. Character size; 57. Mogul; 58. Kind of service offered at some cafes; 60. Rain-BLO (classic bubble-gum balls); 62. Simple housing; 63. Cariou of Broadway; 68. Somme time; 69. Jazzman Jackson; 70. Foolish sort; 71. One present but not participating; 73. Energy secretary under Clinton; 75. Obstinate; 77. Snaps; 78. Delivery people, briefly; 81. Food in Exodus; 82. Slow mover; 84. Feature of many modern computer monitors; 89. Turnabout, slangily; 90. Journalist ADELA Rogers St. Johns; 91. Specify; 95. Wrist injury; 99. Excite; 100. Mum; 101. Mottled mount; 112. Smooth; 113. Not so nutty; 114. Obviously embarrassed; 115. Like a skunk; 116. Blown away; 117. Has in mind; 118. In quality?

Down: 2. Foe of Pizarro; 3. Cowardly Lion portrayer; 4. Baldwin of “The Cat in the Hat”; 5. Turner of records?; 6. Like some trucks; 7. Forward; 8. Flight no.?; 9. Pilgrimage site; 10. Girl with a crook; 11. Stimulant; 12. Like a milquetoast; 13. Goes off; 14. Sydney’s state: Abbr.; 16. Get around; 17. RARIN to go; 18. Put chips in up front; 19. Places; 25. Story that’s over one’s head; 27. Widow’s inheritance; 31. Scrap; 32. Not much; 33. Whole slew; 34. Iroquoian language; 35. Indian tourist mecca; 37. Chekhov who wrote “Uncle Vanya”; 38. Rhine tributary; 42. Summons: Abbr.; 43. Bandleader Kyser; 44. Zodiac symbol; 45. Leave home; 46. Wax theatrical; 47. Lacking, to Louis; 49. Ball club come-on; 50. Snacks often served with milk; 58. Baguette, for one; 57. Accepted criticism without complaint; 59. IV givers; 60. Life story; 61. Parkinsonism treatment; 63. Sachet scent; 64. “Uncle Vanya” woman; 66. Press coverage; 67. Angle with artificial bait; 69. N.Y.C. attraction; 72. Brit in America, maybe; 74. Light line; 75. Show fully; 76. A helping hand; 78. Scott Turow title; 70. BELA Fleck and the Flecktones; 80. Put in stitches; 82. Park lake denizen; 83. Where many vets served; 85. Lead-in to “pray”; 88. Ekberg of “La Dolce Vita” ; 89. Like neglected muscles; 92. Successively; 93. Venomous; 94. Approaching; 96. Primary strategy; 97. Periodical plea; 98. Physicist Ampere; 99.Cybermemo; 100. “You bet!” in Yucatan; 101. Hammer’s end; 102. “Rhyme Pays” rapper; 105. Have ANIN with; 106. Weapon in the game Clue; 108. F.C.C. concerns: Abbr.; 110. Swinger’s stat; and 111. N.F.L. successes.

Another fine crossword from a great team -- Salomon, Estes & Shortz!

Linda G of Madness...Crossword and Otherwise has been vacationing in Hawaii -- during her absence, various guest bloggers have paid tribute to her icon of Ava Gardner -- so for Linda -- AVA!

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For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.

The New York Times Crossword Puzzle solution above is by the author of this blog and does not guarantee accuracy. If you find errors or omissions, you are more than welcome to make note of same in the Comments section of this post -- any corrections found necessary will be executed promptly upon verification.

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