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I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Little Deuce Coupe

For last week's theme, we gave the hint: "[P]olitical theorist Friedrich Engels, singer Faith Evans and former representative Fred Eckert (R-NY) would be at an advantage, if they tried to solve it." We later added: "the fellow who starred in the famous anti-littering commercial from the 1970s would [also] have an advantage when it comes to figuring it out." And now, the solution, courtesy of reader N.S. in Los Angeles, CA:

These headlines all contain a word that combine with "iron" to make a popular phrase.

In Congress, Part I: Once Again, Time For Senate Democrats to Man (and Woman) Up—Iron Man

In Congress, Part II: The (New Jersey) Eagle Has Landed—Iron Eagle

More Scandal in North Carolina: CNN Further Pulls Back the Curtain on Robinson's Porn Habit(s)—Iron Curtain

TrumpWatch 2024: Was There a Full Moon This Week, Perhaps?—Iron Moon (I'd never heard this one)

Election Predictions: Two High-Profile Prognosticators are Picking the Lady From California—Iron Lady

There Is No Place Like Nebraska: Republicans Look to Tighten Their Grip on State's EVs—Iron Grip

I Read the News Today, Oh Boy: Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!—Iron Mike, appropriately

This Week in Schadenfreude: The Mask Comes Off (Even More)—Iron Mask

This Week in Freudenfreude: Where There's a Will...—Iron Will

The clue, with all the people who have the initials F.E., gave it away, especially so close to "Mike Tyson." By the way, I still remember the code to skip straight to Mike Tyson: 007-373-5963. I assume, like my first phone number, I'll never forget it. Actually I think I also remember the code to skip the first 3 matches: 005-737-5423. Damn, wow.

That means you must also remember the Konami code: Up-Up-Down-Down-Left-Right-Left-Right-B-A-Start.

"Iron Moon," incidentally, is a somewhat well known Chinese poem and documentary film, as well as an American beer flavor. And "Iron Deuce" (the headline for this item) is the nickname of a famous armored unit in the U.S. Army. Finally, the second hint last week refers to the stage name of the not-actual-Native-American who starred in that commercial, Iron Eyes Cody.

The first 50 readers to get the theme:

L.M. in Carmel, IN
K.D. in Kirkland, WA
M.M. in Dunellen, NJ
A.L. in Jackson Heights, NY
R.L. in Concord, MA
E.O. in Melbourne, VIC, Australia
S.K. in Ardmore, PA
M.T. in Wheat Ridge, CO
P.R. in Kirksville, MO
E.B. in Bloomington, IL
B.A. in Edmond, OK
G.M.K. in Mishawaka, IN
J.E. in Syracuse, NY
H.Z. in Halle, Germany
E.B. in Hannover, Germany
J.S. in Somerset, NJ
W.V. in San Jacinto, CA
A.F. in Minneapolis, MN
M.M. in Manahawkin, NJ
L.W. in Nashville, TN
B.G. in Atlantic Highlands, NJ
G.K. in Calgary, AB, Canada
M.M. in Leonardtown, MD
B.F. in Nashville, TN
F.Y. in Ann Arbor, MI

W.M. in Istanbul, Turkey
D.E. in High Springs, FL
N.S. in Los Angeles
D.H. in Leesburg, AL
M.F.H. in Forest Park, IL
D.S. and S.S. in Fort Collins, CO
E.F. in Indian Rocks Beach, FL
S.W. in Winter Garden, FL
J.R. in Austin, TX
B.P. in La Habra, CA
V.T. in West Deptford, NJ
J.W. in York, England, UK
D.H. in Portland, OR
B.B. in Avon, CT
Z.K. in Albany, NY
J.T. in Sydney, NSW, Australia
D.F. in Minneapolis, MN
B.G.M. in Dedham, MA
R.M. in Riverside, RI
J.W.N. in Oakland, CA
T.O. in Malvern, AK
E.W. in Skaneateles, NY
T.F. in Buffalo, NY
M.L. in West Hartford, CT
P.C. in Santa Monica, CA

D.E. in High Springs notes, correctly, that the theme works with just movie titles. In that case, D.E. points out, the answer for last week's "I Read the News" item is: "Iron Mike: The Mike Keenan Story (2014). Nice bit of misdirection here! After mentioning Mike Tyson in the item, the reference actually leads to a movie aboot... a 'Nade? Is everything OK out there? Have they gotten to you? Blink twice if you need help."

For this week's theme, the Trivial Pursuit category is "Sports," and the theme relies on a single word in some headlines, multiple words in others. As to a hint, we'll say that you might serve while doing this, but nobody is going to eat.

If you have a guess, send it to comments@electoral-vote.com, preferably with subject "September 27 Headlines." (Z)

This item appeared on www.electoral-vote.com. Read it Monday through Friday for political and election news, Saturday for answers to reader's questions, and Sunday for letters from readers.

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