The New York Times crossword puzzle, published daily since 1942, is a popular and widely recognized feature of the newspaper. One particular clue in a recent crossword puzzle attracted the attention of many crossword enthusiasts and sports fans alike. The clue read "Collegiate beaver mascot" and had a five-letter answer. The answer to this clue was "Benny". Benny the Beaver is the beloved mascot of Oregon State University, often referred to as "Beavers" or "OSU Beavers". Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and has a long-standing tradition of using the beaver as their official mascot.
The “Get Him to the Greek” star has been accused of sexual assault by four women. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The accusers, who remain anonymous, included one who claimed she was sexually assaulted during a relationship with him when she was 16 and another who claimed Brand, 48, raped her in Los Angeles in 2012. Maye is a model, recognized widely as a silver-haired beauty who found a new level of success in her later career, both as one of the oldest women to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and as an advocate against ageism.
Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and has a long-standing tradition of using the beaver as their official mascot. The choice of the beaver as a mascot stems from the animal's importance in the state's history and economy. Beavers played a vital role in the development of Oregon, as they were hunted for their fur during the early days of the fur trade.
Elon Musk says it's 'witch burning season' as he defends Russell Brand again during X Spaces interview with Ben Shapiro
Tesla founder Elon Musk leapt to the defense of embattled comedian Russell Brand once again during X Spaces conversation about free speech and religion with Ben Shapiro on Thursday. Conservative activist Shapiro brought up the multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault being leveled at Brand, 48, in particular the deplatforming that Brand has gone through after YouTube demonetized his account earlier this month. Brand denies allegations of sexual assault made by four women in a Channel 4 television documentary and The Times and Sunday Times newspapers. The accusers, who have not been named, include one who said she was sexually assaulted during a relationship with him when she was 16. Another woman says Brand raped her in Los Angeles in 2012. 'There needs to be, obviously, a conviction here. It can't be guilty until proven innocent. Because obviously we're just sort of in the witch burning phase here; just being declared a witch is enough to make you a witch and be burnt,' Musk said.
During an interview with Ben Shapiro, Elon Musk once again leapt to the defense of comedian Russell Brand
Brand denies allegations of sexual assault made by four women in a Channel 4 television documentary and The Times and Sunday Times newspapers
The South African said added his concerns that 'anyone could be accused at any time of false charges, and we can't be destroying their lives on the potential of false accusations.' He also claimed that because Brand has been 'rattling the cage' of the 'powers that be,' the public should ask why the allegations against the London-born podcaster have come out now. 'Seems like an odd coincidence that it's happening when Russell is really gaining traction, questioning a lot of the conventional wisdom.' 'I think we're running out of conspiracy theories that didn't turn out to be true,' he added. Musk went on to mention that he has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories online in the past. Brand's other platform, Rumble, is being abandoned by advertisers in the wake of the new allegations. Promoters also canceled several scheduled live shows by Brand, and he has been dropped by his talent agency and a publisher since the allegations became public. Brand still has a presence on Rumble, a video site popular with some conservatives and far-right groups, where his channel has 1.6 million followers. The site has been criticized for allowing— and at times promoting — disinformation and conspiracy theories.
Musk's interview with Ben Shapiro centered around faith and free speechHungarian President Katalin Novak and Musk tour the recently inaugurated Tesla plant Gigafactory Texas in Austin
Brand hosted a new broadcast on Rumble on Monday, saying the platform had made a 'clear commitment to free speech.' Last week YouTube said it would stop Brand from making money from the streaming site, where he has 6.6 million subscribers, due to the 'serious allegations' against him. London's Metropolitan Police force said that it had 'received a number of allegations of sexual offences' after a television documentary and newspaper investigations. It said there have been no arrests. 'We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us,' said Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation. Known for his unbridled and risqué standup routines, Brand was a major U.K. star in the early 2000s. He hosted shows on radio and television, wrote memoirs charting his battles with drugs and alcohol, appeared in several Hollywood movies and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012. Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media but has built up a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories. Musk had earlier rushed to Brand's defense. A week ago he wrote on X: 'There is more to this than meets the eye. If the concern is actually sexual predation in the entertainment industry, that is a very long list. Why Russell Brand now?' When the allegations against Brand first emerged Musk wrote: 'I support Russell Brand. That man is not evil.' In his interview with Shapiro, Musk also discussed his views on the Jewish religion. He noted that he attended a Jewish preschool growing up in South Africa and that his first name means tree in Hebrew. 'Now I don’t know if I’m sort of genetically Jewish or what. Maybe somewhere. But I’d say I’m aspirationally Jewish, let me put it that way,' Musk said to raucous laughter from Shapiro. Musk went on to say that he has 'twice as many Jewish friends as non-Jewish friends. I think I am Jewish basically.' The billionaire has frequently been a target of the Anti-Defamation League since his takeover of Twitter. In response, Musk has blamed the group for a loss in advertising, accusing it of putting pressure on companies and of labeling him as an anti-Semite.
“There needs to be, obviously, a conviction here. It can’t be guilty until proven innocent,” the Tesla founder said in a conversation with Ben Shapiro Thursday.
The state's nickname, "The Beaver State", also reflects this historical connection. Benny the Beaver made his first appearance as the university's mascot in 1952. He is depicted as a friendly and energetic beaver, often seen wearing the university's orange and black colors and sporting the OSU logo. Benny is a beloved figure on campus and at sporting events, rallying the crowd and boosting school spirit. In recent years, Benny the Beaver has also gained recognition beyond the boundaries of the university. In 2011, Benny was named one of the top 10 mascots in college football by The Bleacher Report. He has also been featured in national media and has a significant presence on social media platforms. The inclusion of the "Collegiate beaver mascot" clue in The New York Times crossword puzzle highlights the cultural significance and popularity of mascots in college sports. Benny the Beaver's presence in the puzzle not only delighted Oregon State University alumni and fans but also exposed a wider audience to the school's unique mascot and its connection to the state's history. The crossword puzzle clue also demonstrates the importance of pop culture references and current events in constructing crossword puzzles. Editors and constructors of crossword puzzles aim to engage solvers by incorporating clues that encompass a broad range of topics, from history and literature to sports and popular culture. Overall, the "Collegiate beaver mascot" clue featuring Benny the Beaver in The New York Times crossword puzzle served as a reminder of the diverse and intriguing world of mascots and their role in college sports. It not only entertained crossword enthusiasts but also shed light on the rich history and traditions of Oregon State University..
Reviews for "Beaver vs. Crossword: Analyzing the Collegiate Mascot Phenomenon"
1. Jessica - 1 out of 5 stars - I found the "Collegiate beaver mascot" crossword puzzle to be incredibly frustrating. The clues were vague and obscure, making it nearly impossible to solve without hints or outside assistance. Additionally, the theme of the puzzle was unclear and did not seem to connect to the title. Overall, I was disappointed with this crossword and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars - As a crossword enthusiast, I was excited to tackle the "Collegiate beaver mascot" puzzle. However, I was quickly let down by the lack of creativity and overly repetitive clues. It seemed like the author ran out of ideas and resorted to recycling the same types of clues over and over again. The puzzle lacked originality and left me feeling unsatisfied. I hope that future puzzles in the New York Times crossword series will be more engaging.
3. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I couldn't understand the logic behind the "Collegiate beaver mascot" crossword. The clues made no sense and did not lead to the correct answers. It felt like the puzzle was intentionally trying to confuse and frustrate me. I ended up giving up halfway through and just looking up the solutions online. This was a waste of time and definitely not worth the effort.
4. Michael - 2 out of 5 stars - I have been a fan of the New York Times crossword for years, but the "Collegiate beaver mascot" puzzle left me disappointed. The clues were too obscure and relied heavily on niche knowledge or trivia. It felt more like a test of random facts rather than a puzzle that required logical thinking and problem-solving skills. I prefer crosswords that challenge me intellectually and stimulate my mind, but this one fell short.