Dear Editor:

Is it just me, or is the Plaindealer crossword puzzle often taking pleasure by inflicting pain on others (sadistic)?

For example, here are some actual clues (and answers) from the Oct. 9 crossword: nest of pheasants (nide), one point east of northeast (nebe), adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH). Rude! I’m no genius, but I bet even Einstein would have a quantum meltdown over clues like that.

What’s the big deal, you say? The solution is right there at the bottom of the page. It’s not even upside-down.

Shame! You and I both know sneaking a peek at the solution is morally bereft. So is asking ChatGPT, although it’s always fun to try to make it hallucinate.

Cheating is cheating.

Well, at least you’re learning some new words, you say. Right. Words I’ll never use in any normal conversation, and if I do, I deserve to be slapped.

Words that I’ll remember about as long as the phone numbers of the day’s phishing texts.

Once a week, I’d like to be able to enjoy a morning cup of coffee while I notch a victory on the Plaindealer puzzle page before I get pummeled by my newsfeed and to-do list. Is it too much to ask for a challenging but fair crossword that I can complete and feel good about myself for a few moments, maybe even get an attaboy from my wife?

Intro to a polite request (please),

Dave Kehmeier

Ridgway