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ACROSS
1 Alert: Spanish uncle vanished with slip of the lip over my dead body (3,2,1,3,4,2)
9 Fed reorganized, amid loud call for strange political ally? (9)
10 Mathematician’s error breaking rule (5)
11 Circle swimming hole the other way (4)
12 Uniformed students overdose on drinks, backing up propagandist (4,6)
14 Heard (perceived) part of show (5)
15 Engineer dictates conclusive assessment (4,4)
18 Exceedingly shoddy mimic in box (8)
20 Third of December: frightful date for military trainee (5)
Between the reemergence of right-wing red-baiting and Donald Trump’s use of the chilling National Security Presidential Memorandum–7 to criminalize left political organizing, we’re seeing McCarthyism reborn before our eyes.
This assault on democracy cannot be ignored or wished away. Resisting it requires bravery in the face of threats and repression, a steadfast commitment to the truth, and the unwavering belief that we can—and will—overcome this darkness.
We must have an independent media that sets the record straight, unearths corruption and abuses of power, and advances a politics of justice and dignity for all if we’re to win this fight.
That’s why I’m writing to you today. This September, The Nation needs to add 100 monthly donors to sustain our progressive journalism. Your contribution makes the next investigative report, the next truth-speaking column, and the next pathbreaking essay all possible.
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Onward,
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Editor and Publisher, The Nation
23 Diner with lounge atmosphere, not excluding oxygen (10)
25 Formal park boundary (4)
27 A large quantity of boys grabbing ring (5)
28 50 imprisoned in chains with incomplete plan to deliver a nasty surprise (9)
29 Compilation of letters from maligned YA author (9,6)
DOWN
1 Singer, for example, with a number on live record (8)
2 Arrange to plead for slippery youngster? (7)
3 Oral disease moved quickly (4)
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4 I teach pal mysterious Muslim rule (9)
5 Aware, naked, and hopeless (2-3)
6 Symbol pinned to your ear is a critical feature of many conversations (3,7)
7 Exercise regimen for Pontius and his family? (7)
8 Spanish performer, ripped or flipped (6)
13 Bone and grain maintaining Turkic population (10)
16 Highly concentrated incentive discussed after trade (9)
17 Mad, steep chaos! (8)
19 Carefully conserve a set of cards securing computer connection (7)
21 Head of livestock entrusted to brave pet (7)
22 Phase originally boosting runner! (6)
24 Barbie nearly failing as congregation’s leader (5)
26 British comic is an object of worship in audio recording (4)
SOLUTION TO PUZZLE NO. 3499
ACROSS 1 & 4 LE + GAL + DOUB(LE)TS 9 ME(GAP)H + ONE 11 NU[tshe]LL {+VOID} 12 PER + SU + ASIV-E (rev.) 15 [t/L]-OI-[l/T]-ER 16 SOS[o] 18 GA(LO)SH 20 HE(IF)ER (here anag.) 23 POST(P + ON)ING 24 hidden 26 C(E)ASE {+DESIST} 27 HO(I + POLL)OI (Ohio anag.) 29 DE-[f/BU]-G
DOWN 1 LEMON(A)DE 2 GIG OLOS (rev.) 3 LAP + D (rev.) 4 DO(O)VE + R 5 U(TENSIL[e])S 6 anag. 7 T(HEW)IRE 8 F(RE)E {+CLEAR} 14 SHOW(PIE)CE (chew so anag.) 16 SHANG(H)AI (Ghana is anag.) 17 B + RE(AKIN)G {+ENTERING} 19 [c]AB + STAIN 21 F(ANC)LUB 22 [l]ENDING 23 2 defs.
Joshua Kosman and Henri PicciottoJoshua Kosman and Henri Picciotto are The Nation’s puzzlers. To read more about Kosman, click here. To read more about Picciotto, click here. Kosman and Picciotto explain what they’re up to in “Solving The Nation’s Cryptic Crosswords” (also available as a PDF).