tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post2483035094887376997..comments2024-03-29T03:51:31.793-05:00Comments on L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Thursday April 12, 2012 Bill ThompsonZhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-64032383925571048672012-04-12T22:51:03.393-05:002012-04-12T22:51:03.393-05:00Hey, everybody.
Whoopee, I got it done and early,...Hey, everybody.<br /><br />Whoopee, I got it done and early,too, but I had appointments and couldn'post till now. <br /><br />Great article, Kazie. We certainly do need to get some right-thinking educators busy improving our educational system. Some of you may have read "The Freedom Writers Diary" , also a movie, wherein a beginning teacher reforms a classroom of delinquents by having them write every day. It's a great read and full of common sense. True story, too.dodohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06118973969033979741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-30090915712467604332012-04-12T20:05:55.827-05:002012-04-12T20:05:55.827-05:00One of my early morning college classes was from a...One of my early morning college classes was from a professor who had written the text we were using. Boring. Another eight o'clock elective was English history with a very dull professor. He required attendance. So I hiked up the hill every morning, put my head down on the desk and slept through the lecture. A few professors were such good speakers that the students whistled and clapped when the lecture was over.<br /><br />Another boring professor (who had written the text) had a habit of looking out over the class to the back of the room while never making eye contact. I was sitting up front but had a hard time keeping awake. I would occasionally doze off. I would awake with a start afraid he had noticed me sleeping. But no. He had just paused and was still staring over the class at the back of the room.Bill G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04142837879175561312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-87992911982093659682012-04-12T18:10:51.287-05:002012-04-12T18:10:51.287-05:00One professor's lectures were so boring they p...One professor's lectures were so boring they put everybody in the room to sleep. The notes from which he read were so old the paper was literally yellowed and crumbling. By far the most instructive classes were seminars, study groups, and discussion groups. IMO lectures are utterly useless.Jaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906163232315177399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-79745647610960624062012-04-12T18:07:01.287-05:002012-04-12T18:07:01.287-05:00I dropped out of college, I was so bored, unintere...I dropped out of college, I was so bored, uninterested. My dad was so mad he made me enlist in the military. The military taught me 100 times more than college ever could and did, and did it 100 times more effectively. My disgust for college professors grew so profound I gave up my objective to go into that profession and became an engineer and scientist instead. Darn glad I did.Jaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906163232315177399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-74933709375317896062012-04-12T17:25:53.114-05:002012-04-12T17:25:53.114-05:00PK,
I know that academic college degrees don't...PK,<br />I know that academic college degrees don't always bring the highest incomes, that is obvious to any teacher who has to pay electricians or other tradespeople these days. <br /><br />I agree that kids/people should be guided into what interests them and can lift them to whatever level they are capable of, which is certainly not the same path for everyone. That is where our system fails many students. Often bright kids drop out, either mentally, or altogether because of lacking a challenge too. I'd also like to see more gifted and talented programs for them.kaziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06761801803016465459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-25995787943485784352012-04-12T17:06:43.596-05:002012-04-12T17:06:43.596-05:00(cont.)
My daughter and I recently discussed the ...(cont.)<br /><br />My daughter and I recently discussed the fact that basketball players go to a year or so to college then opt to become NBA players without a degree. Colleges deplore this. <br /><br />She recently had a ballplayer student who could not write an understandable paper. Some athletic programs provide tutoring at her college, while others don't. She feels they all should.<br /><br />She would prefer getting an education before going to pro-ball. I told her this is sad, but it seems to me the goal should be to do whatever lifts these guys out of poverty. Usually, the big pro-ball money is most practical. Hopefully, they can learn to spend it wisely.PKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-20181069079597582992012-04-12T17:03:03.503-05:002012-04-12T17:03:03.503-05:00Kazie @1:24: For awhile our state had vocational-t...Kazie @1:24: For awhile our state had vocational-technical schools where high school students could go for training before HS grad. These have evolved into tech colleges for the most part. I don't know whether high schoolers still can go part-time.<br /><br />Two of my kids went for two-year vocational training after HS and two went for full bachelor's degrees. One has two bachelor's and a master's degrees. Strangely, the one with the most education makes the least money. The one with vo-tech training makes the most. But both are doing what they love, so money is not the first consideration.<br /><br />I urged my yard boy to do vo-tech when he was graduating from HS. His parents wanted college. He went for two months and was home again then went to vo-tech and is now a plumber with a good job. His brother with a 4-yr. philosophy degree clerks in a bike shop.<br /><br />Some kids just are not scholars.PKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-11161633484855457162012-04-12T16:02:31.751-05:002012-04-12T16:02:31.751-05:00Lucina, i am very sorry to hear about your brother...Lucina, i am very sorry to hear about your brother.<br /><br />I managed to finish the puzzle using red letters, but it was a difficult slog. My brain was stuck on some car emissions gadget, & unkowns like "crostic,ringlet/curl,LPGA" pretty much bottled me up and sent me back to night school.CrossEyedDavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745913007262424048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-63604992776617384372012-04-12T15:55:09.902-05:002012-04-12T15:55:09.902-05:00The minimalists totally stole the "Less is mo...The minimalists totally stole the "Less is more" line from the modernists! Then again, so did the Brutalists... and the Functionalists... and De Stijl... The Bauhaus... Bucky Fuller ...Tuttlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-364114777473166132012-04-12T15:53:54.170-05:002012-04-12T15:53:54.170-05:00Thanks to Marti for answering,
sympathy being sen...Thanks to Marti for answering,<br /><br />sympathy being sent to LucinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-50746107427638344472012-04-12T15:36:21.373-05:002012-04-12T15:36:21.373-05:00Hi all,
I found this a hard puzzle but plugged awa...Hi all,<br />I found this a hard puzzle but plugged away at it.<br /><br />Lucina: I'm sorry about your brother and you have my sympathy. I have two brothers and they are very important to me.<br /><br />Oshkosh was a Menominee Native American Chief in NE Wisconsin and the name of the city where the Oshkosh B'Gosh Company is.<br /><br />This morning I found myself singing a couple songs as I did some chores around the house. One was 'My Country 'tis Of Thee' before I even looked at the puzzle. Strange!<br /><br />I never heard of ROUX, I use flour. Oops, I just looked it up and see its base is flour and butter mixed together but appears to be a term used in the south. Well, we live and learn.<br /><br />Thanks to all involved with this blog. Thanks C.C. for finding Kazie's letter and posting it. I thought it was very good.<br /><br />Have a good afternoon!<br />MargeMargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07781756196891709805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-6567722799268208722012-04-12T15:32:44.725-05:002012-04-12T15:32:44.725-05:00Hello everybody. Wow, what a terrific enhancement ...Hello everybody. Wow, what a terrific enhancement to an already good day: a fun puzzle with some razzle-dazzle fill and awesome cluing, an interest-piquing writeup by Marti, links to some tear-evincing and knee-slappingly funny clips, and thought-provoking discussions of the American education system. Can't ask for more! I'm a happy man! Thank you all.Jaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906163232315177399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-35646832857150655772012-04-12T15:23:03.624-05:002012-04-12T15:23:03.624-05:00Anon @ 2:55, William REHNQUIST was the 16th Chief ...Anon @ 2:55, William REHNQUIST was the 16th Chief Justice of the US, serving from 1986 - 2005. Before him, the Chief Justice was Warren Burger. So, REHNQUIST "followed" Burger.<br /><br />Remember - it's late in the week, and clues get trickier.HeartRxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786026973246127946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-53606106509473053232012-04-12T15:16:59.412-05:002012-04-12T15:16:59.412-05:00I thought of Hamalton Burger of Perry Mason (being...I thought of Hamalton Burger of Perry Mason (being thusday and anything goes) so thats how I got Rqst. Pretty easy except for southwest and northwest VERY easy. cheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-2490076316637241712012-04-12T14:55:30.535-05:002012-04-12T14:55:30.535-05:00Please explain the burger clue
thanksPlease explain the burger clue<br /><br />thanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-30017545539418627432012-04-12T14:50:57.121-05:002012-04-12T14:50:57.121-05:00Welcome to Huckses and Parachute Jump.
ERSATZ has...Welcome to Huckses and Parachute Jump.<br /><br />ERSATZ has appeared at least 5 times in the LAT during the last 3 years according to a Corner search.Spitzboovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04448007368332133086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-9377648940710404152012-04-12T14:32:24.273-05:002012-04-12T14:32:24.273-05:00After I played the Pavarotti rendition of NESSUM D...After I played the Pavarotti rendition of NESSUM DORMA, I saw this one in the sidebar. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo&feature=related<br /><br />Amazing. Both my wife and I had a good cry.john28manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03650453284994460688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-67176442124565716382012-04-12T14:24:34.930-05:002012-04-12T14:24:34.930-05:00To add to the comments concerning education: Equal...To add to the comments concerning education: Equality in education <b>does not</b> mean educating everyone the same way. It means educating each individual to the fullest potential <i>they</i> will allow. No one can make a person learn if they choose not to. I have seen many a capable student choose to be mediocre because of cultural and peer pressure. What a great pity!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-89843564576235434062012-04-12T13:38:53.832-05:002012-04-12T13:38:53.832-05:00Good afternoon everyone:
I'm late to the danc...Good afternoon everyone:<br /><br />I'm late to the dance as I had appts. and errands. <br /><br />I thought the puzzle was very, very clever and, like so many others loved Ersatz, Plethora, Asterisk, etc. I did go astray early on with cameo instead of extra for 43A, and return instead of retort for 5D. Perps soon ironed those out. Good job, Bill T., and great expo, Marti.<br /><br />Yes, Marti, I did read Omertà, but many, many years ago. Puzo's masterpiece was The Godfather; everything after that was so-so, IMHO. Also, Marti, I have a friend who taught in the nursing program at Mass. General several years ago.<br /><br />Welcome, Huckses and Parachute Jump.Irish Misshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12527047622731333304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-670839483690262312012-04-12T13:30:53.058-05:002012-04-12T13:30:53.058-05:00Oh, and the clues were "Overcome with emotion...Oh, and the clues were "Overcome with emotion, to Linda Richman", and "Choked up", respectively.HeartRxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786026973246127946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-55438691338111125322012-04-12T13:29:42.027-05:002012-04-12T13:29:42.027-05:00Bill G. @ 1:11, VERKLEMPT has been used twice - on...Bill G. @ 1:11, VERKLEMPT has been used twice - once in a NY Times Friday puzzle (John Farmer, 2007), and once in a CrossSyngery Tuesday puzzle (Randall Hartman, 2008).HeartRxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786026973246127946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-62788195156905873032012-04-12T13:24:18.032-05:002012-04-12T13:24:18.032-05:00Great to see all the education discussion continue...Great to see all the education discussion continue. <br /><br />PK, yes, my husband and I have always been amazed that so much time, energy and money is spent on sport in school here. We hear that some kids would not stay in school if it weren't for sport. The answer to that is not to force them to continue an academic schedule for four years, but rather to let them seek alternate skill training at tech schools by leaving high school earlier. But it's always the lockstep all the same for everyone program here. <br /><br />Anon @12;11 mentioned the European tracking, which is frowned upon here, but which allows students with a less academic leaning to start following more practical interests sooner. Many of them, presumably late bloomers, return to college type courses later on. Most degreed engineers in Germany have worked several years in the field before taking their degree courses.kaziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06761801803016465459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-38176802159442966282012-04-12T13:11:58.313-05:002012-04-12T13:11:58.313-05:00Good puzzle! Bill Thompson got this Bill at least ...Good puzzle! Bill Thompson got this Bill at least twice. 'Horn for one' (CAPE) and 'Burger follower' REHNQUIST were too tricky for me until the crossing words filled in some of the letters. Hard but about right for a Thursday. Fun writeup Marti. Thanks.<br /><br />It was fun to see ERSATZ in a puzzle. Who will be the first constructor to clue VERKLEMPT (or has it been done already)?<br /><br />Kazie, I enjoyed and appreciated your letter.Bill G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04142837879175561312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-77288712373834142812012-04-12T13:05:36.495-05:002012-04-12T13:05:36.495-05:00Clever theme. Interesting write-up, Marti. Enjoyed...Clever theme. Interesting write-up, Marti. Enjoyed KUDZU and WHYME. Got the middle late. For some reason I couldn’t figure that “Burger follower” would be a surname and I stared at ??HN??IST for ten minutes before I conceded to a DNF; I hate when what should have been the “aha” moment during a solve is instead the “duh” moment of reviewing an unfinished puzzle. ERSATZ, as many have stated, rocks. The semantics of PLETHORA are such that it indicates an overabundance, as clued here, and not just, as it is often used, an abundance; i.e., technically, “plethora” and “bevy” are synonyms, “plethora” and “multitude” are not. <br /><br />Marti, thanks for the “Whose Line” clip. I was rolling. Classic show. Nothing else like it. The show’s maturation is fascinating, starting on BBC with a stark, awkward format and reaching its peak in the American version that simply allowed four talented improv artists to do their thing.<br /><br />Kazie, I’ve read a lot about the “teach the test” mode of American education, and how it pales in comparison to that of other countries. Makes me sad. I think, collectively, we’re becoming more aware of this and one reaction to that awareness is the boom in home-schooling. . . . Mass education is young, and we’re learning (pun intended).placematfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00991724369300576192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-83130136781553966732012-04-12T12:52:44.927-05:002012-04-12T12:52:44.927-05:00Welcome huckses! No matter what your opinion of th...Welcome huckses! No matter what your opinion of the puzzle, it is always welcome. <br /><br />Constructors should especially enjoy hearing what you do or do not like, as it allows them to hone their constructing skills, just as doing them hones your solving skills!<br /><br />So don't be afraid to jump in any time - the water here is quite friendly!!HeartRxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08786026973246127946noreply@blogger.com