Any crossword worth it's clues definitely should not be attempted by those who have not or do not read extensively IN ALL AREAS. The clues range across history, geography, mythology/religion, science, sports/entertainment, literature, language (native, foreign, idioms, puns, homonyms), et _ _ _ _ _ _ ! (is that alia, tu brute, or cetera? oh yeah, 6 letters).

I read 2 newspapers everyday, (local & regional), and find that I really need the critical thinking skills warm-up provided by crosswords & sudoku before wading into intn'l/national/local events, business, and the op-ed section.

Rather than cavil about puzzle fans quietly pursuing a brief eureka, why not aim a diatribe at those cell-phone users who carry on inanely obtrusive, one-sided public conversations. At least puzzle-solvers aren't annoying everyone within a 50-foot radius.