"Tower of Babel" by an Unknown Flemish Master, 1587 -- Kurpfalzisches Museum, Heidelberg Genesis 11:1-9 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
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Friday, May 2, 2008 Puzzle by Barry C. Silk, edited by Will Shortz AYCARAMBA (12D. “Sheesh!,” south of the border), a crossword that opens with SPACERACE (1A Contest with many missions) and ends up STONEDEAD (56A. Unrevivable). IWANTYOU (47A. Famous finger-pointer’s declaration) that old saw from a SLOGANEER (13D. One whose work may be catchy) joins a PANELIST (14D. “What‘s My Line?” participant) and OVERSEERS (17A. Heads) of TUTELAGE (20A. Charge) to lead the UNLED (43D. Anarchic) with a posse of puzzle people like LAYLA (16A 1972 top 10 hit that‘s seven minutes long); 1960s Elvis-style singer RAL Donner (24A.); RHONDA (25A. Beach Boys title girl); EELERS (35A. Some fishermen); Philosopher Mo-TZE (40A.); SERBS (41A. Some Bosnians); George SZELL, longtime Cleveland Orchestra conductor (55A.); a PAVER (2D. One of a lot of workers?); CHRIS (4D. Rock on a stage), an EASTERNER (5A. Bay Stater or Garden Stater); a GAEL (11D. Iona College athlete); “I Wish” rapper SKEE-Lo (30D.); TANIA (45D. “Lost” actress Raymonde); NELL (48D. 1994 Jodie Foster title role); GWEN (“Jubilee Trail” novelist Bristow) and a GUNMAN (49A. Torpedo). AGASP (10A. Showing shock) of CRIMES (31A. Record listings?); “And their lies caused them TOERR”: Amos 2:4 (23A.); but not a STEAL (41D. Diamond datum); this puzzle lacks not food nor drink -- MANHATTAN (15A. Cousin of a Rob Roy); SHAKERS (33A. Couple seen in a restaurant); SHERBET (34A. Ice relative); NILLA Wafers (53A.); SMORE (1D. Gooey goody); ATE (7D. Took sides?); CARTONS (8D. Egg holders); HERSHEY (26D. City where Chocolate Avenue crosses Cocoa Avenue); CHEEZWHIZ (28D. Kraft brand); and perhaps a steak, UNBURNT (36D. Still “well,” but not beyond) hopefully not down the TRACHEA (21D. Bronchoscopist’s view). CANI (27A. Kid’s query) prattle on? BALDEAGLE (29D. Great Seal image) and REDSQUARE (32D. Kazan Cathedral locale) represent the U.S. and U.S.S.R., SECTIONS (33D. Paper parts) and CBSNEWS (28A. “See it Now” producer of 1950s TV) the press. USEDCAR (36A. Sonata that might not sound good) has a totally weird clue; ENSUED, EROSE and ERODES seem related, but not by their clues: 9D. Came after, 22A. Jagged and 39D. Undermines. OHGEE (50A. “Well, golly”), everything’s ENTEREDIN (54A. Became a participant) -- Ah, there’s left over REMITS (19A. Pays); DECON (18A. Purification process, briefly); CEDES (37A. Turn over); HENNAS (38A. Leatherworking dyes); QUITO (42A. Capital just south of the Equator); ANEMO (3D. Wind: Prefix); RTES (6D. Some are rural: Abbr.); ALDER (10D. Tree with catkins); TOWS (23D. Garage jobs); CIRC (27A. Magazine figure, for short); SSNS (34D. I.R.S. data: Abbr.) and IMIDE (44D. Amonia derivative) -- but who cares! ATO Z (52D.), one could go ONEND (46D. Without a break), but here’s the place to DRAWALINE (51A. Declare “I will go no further than this”)! ----------------- For today’s cartoons, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
