This is the constructor’s note: “ Thrilled to have my first Sunday puzzle in The Times! This grid features one of my favorite open middles that I’ve made as it pulls from a variety of subject areas. I had originally tried to make it work in a 15x15 grid but then decided to expand the grid out to a Sunday-size puzzle with a fun whirlpool shape. Hope you enjoy!”

I believe him. He saw a whirlpool. Not everyone sees swastikas everywhere.

Anonymous wrote:The guy who made the crossword puzzle is a gay economist living in DC. Pretty sure he's not antisemitic.

Being gay and an economist shields you from anti-semitism? Hmmm.

Anonymous wrote:The guy who made the crossword puzzle is a gay economist living in DC. Pretty sure he's not antisemitic.

His twitter: https://twitter.com/mcgridsxwords
https://choralarts.org/behind-the-scenes-with-ryan-mccarty/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s an unfortunate accident and they should address it and apologize for the accidental offense. (There’s is actually a whole thing about accidentally creating a swastika pattern in quilts and I can imagine the crossword layout presents similar issues. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t ignore it!)

They are ignoring it, and other media outlets are ignoring it. Why is that?

Because the NYT is finally regaining some integrity and not falling for the victimhood that is sweeping the first world countries. The editor says up front that this is a fist NYT Sunday puzzle for the constructor although he has published others firing the week. He works for a consulting firm that does work for defense contractors, so yiu could also do one of your paranoid rants about that. Twenty of the words have never been used in a NYT puzzle. For example, 3 Down. I am more surprised that DCUM isn’t offended by this and the implication that they would ever eat at a restaurant serving this item.

It is a tough puzzle and makes it enjoyable. Once yiu are finished deluding over it try The Spelling Bee. “Frack” is one of the words and you could riff on that for pages

If yiu are really filling under attack, have a kind thought for people throughout the world of all faiths who actually have much,ore to worry about.

The guy who made the crossword puzzle is a gay economist living in DC. Pretty sure he's not antisemitic.

How are the references to Islam anti semetic?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has there ever been another design that looks similar with the diagonal black boxes? As someone who does not to crossword puzzles is this a standard design? Because that is either an extremely unfortunate accident or malicious, and that would be heart breaking.

I have never seen a swastika crossword puzzle in my life…especially one with “boxcars” as a hint.

I am disgusted, but apparently dcum thinks it’s no big deal?

I didn’t see the swastika at my initial glance at the top puzzle, but then I saw it with the colored corners on the bottom example and now I can’t on see it. So that is why I asked.

Adding to my earlier, comment that I just went on Twitter to see New York Times response and it’s lacking. It really is dismissive. They say it’s not a swastika, but imo their answer should have been a little more apologetic, even though maybe it was not on purpose. Which makes them look double bad.

Because it is not an accident and they really don’t care if they come across as antisemitic, because they obviously are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s an unfortunate accident and they should address it and apologize for the accidental offense. (There’s is actually a whole thing about accidentally creating a swastika pattern in quilts and I can imagine the crossword layout presents similar issues. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t ignore it!)

They are ignoring it, and other media outlets are ignoring it. Why is that?

Because … it’s not newsworthy

I thought swastikas were bad. Apparently we are cool with them now.

58 - Boxcars

60 - Brandenburg Gate, the entrance to the Reichstag

88 - Group led by Darth Sideous ( the Emperor in Star Wars) — the cross word is too low resolution to see if this fits, but my first answer would be “stormtroopers”.

7 down is a reference to Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd. Their wall concerts were openly antisemitic, with the fascists of the “wall” being adorned with Stars of David and a Hitleresque fascist leader — with Roger Waters being a open antisemite and hater of Israel.

Lots of various references to Islam throughout.

Not a chance any of this was accidental.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has there ever been another design that looks similar with the diagonal black boxes? As someone who does not to crossword puzzles is this a standard design? Because that is either an extremely unfortunate accident or malicious, and that would be heart breaking.

I have never seen a swastika crossword puzzle in my life…especially one with “boxcars” as a hint.

I am disgusted, but apparently dcum thinks it’s no big deal?

I didn’t see the swastika at my initial glance at the top puzzle, but then I saw it with the colored corners on the bottom example and now I can’t on see it. So that is why I asked.

Adding to my earlier, comment that I just went on Twitter to see New York Times response and it’s lacking. It really is dismissive. They say it’s not a swastika, but imo their answer should have been a little more apologetic, even though maybe it was not on purpose. Which makes them look double bad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Israel Hayom political correspondent Ariel Kahan shared the image writing "Kids, can you identify the illustration that is hiding in the crossword puzzle?"

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What exactly is the problem with attacking Israel?

They didn’t attack Israel for the record— they said certain racists and extremists should not be part of the next government and the US should be concerned that it looks like they will be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s an unfortunate accident and they should address it and apologize for the accidental offense. (There’s is actually a whole thing about accidentally creating a swastika pattern in quilts and I can imagine the crossword layout presents similar issues. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t ignore it!)

They are ignoring it, and other media outlets are ignoring it. Why is that?

Because … it’s not newsworthy

Anonymous wrote:Oh good lord. Antisemitism is a real problem but you don’t help address it with crap like this. I mean, if I fill out the crossword puzzle just do, I can make it look like any number of symbols. That’s on ME not the people who designed the puzzle, weirdo.

+1

If I ignore half the spaces, then I see a bad design in the puzzle!

Well, why would I do that? Hmm.

Anonymous wrote:Israel Hayom political correspondent Ariel Kahan shared the image writing "Kids, can you identify the illustration that is hiding in the crossword puzzle?"

" border="0" class="embeddedImage" />

What exactly is the problem with attacking Israel?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh good lord. Antisemitism is a real problem but you don’t help address it with crap like this. I mean, if I fill out the crossword puzzle just do, I can make it look like any number of symbols. That’s on ME not the people who designed the puzzle, weirdo.

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So it’s scary that people defending antisemitism post here. You should be ashamed of yourself.

What is there to report?

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s an unfortunate accident and they should address it and apologize for the accidental offense. (Theirs is actually a whole thing about accidentally creating a swastika pattern in quilts and I can imagine the crossword layout presents similar issues. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t ignore it!)

Jeez can you imagine spending all that time on a quilt and then laying it out to discover….
That would suck.