Subject:      PCWC 47 Final Results
From:         evan@scd.hp.com (Evan Whitney)
Date:         1995/09/26
Message-Id:   <44985l$48r@hpscit.sc.hp.com>
Newsgroups:   rec.puzzles.crosswords

I am pleased to announce that on this first day of closing arguments
in the OJ Simpson case,

Don Monson has proven himself Deputy District Attorney of PCWC 47
with his clue that achieved 77.32%:

    What the D.A. does creeps out, unfortunately (9)


Don edged out Robert Galejs by less than 1%, so Robert deserves
kudos as well with his clue:

    Indict whacked out creeps (9)


Don has agreed to moderate PCWC 48. 

Congratulations to Don and Robert and thanks to all participants for
making my job easy by comforming to the entry and ballot formats. :-)


And now a few words about voting 0 for bonus clues. I offered it as
a choice, not a recommendation, but it ruffled a few feathers anyway.
It turns out that only one person actually did vote 0 for a bonus
clue, but it did not affect the final results. No harm, no foul.
Two others also voted for bonus clues, but gave them intermediate
ratings, not 0 nor 100. Since they did not affect the spread, the
votes were irrelevant.

Again, thanks to all who participated. The results of PCWC 47 follow.

Evan Whitney
evan@scd.hp.com

	 PCWC 47 Final Results

Several clues went beyond what I'd consider proper definitions
of "prosecute":  indictment is a process which enables 
prosecution, but "indict" does not mean "prosecute"; similarly,
"to try" involves the entire trial process, of which the 
prosecution is but a part.  Clues which took these liberties
lost a few points in my scoring.

Lots of anagrams and charades, but only one true &lit ;-)
However, I don't think I'll win - I think it'll be one of
either 4 or 6, which hide the word under pretty flowers and
pink dresses!

Too much cute prose about Indians, but otherwise a nice
group.  I wonder if the amended voting instructions will cause 
any fluctuation in the scores.

A better than average collection of clues this time, I thought.
I wish I had time to comment on them individually, but with
25 clues in the pot I really can't.

A good set of answers. There were a lot of different approaches.
It made it a pleasure to vote.

Over 30% of entries used the word "cute" in one form or another.
"Prose" or its variants appeared frequently as well. What did we expect
when the WORD is actually two other words strung together? Perhaps if
the word to be clued did NOT contain another English word(s), we would
see much more variety in the clues...

Lots of anagram possibilities.
Not too wide a range for definitions

-------------------------------------------------------------------

1st place (score 77.32%) - clue 9
From Don Monson <dmonson@direct.ca>

    What the D.A. does creeps out, unfortunately (9)

Votes (normalized): 50 50 70 71 74 75 80 90 90 100 100

Really good clue, in all aspects, with no waste or poorly-
phrased sections.  And it's not even my clue! :-)

I would hope the DA's work creeps out.

Now why can't Mssrs. Cochran, Bailey, and Dershowitz keep
their arguments so succinct?  Lovely clue.

A nice try, but 'creeps' just doesn't quite convey the type
of imagery intended

At least I know what a DA is. A very good clue.

Nice & clean but maybe too direct.  (too many "creeps out" anagrams)

Another good anagram, with a believable surface, but "creeps out"
flashes brightly as contrived anagram fodder

I liked the surface

-------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd place (score 76.39%) - clue 21
From Robert Galejs <galejs@ll.mit.edu>

    Indict whacked out creeps (9)

Votes (normalized): 20 50 70 70 80 86 86 89 90 100 100

Another word --- "indict" --- which is only close to being
synonymous with "prosecute".  Otherwise, short and to the
point, with a good surface.

Formally fine but the surface is nothing special

Indictment ain't prosecution.  Better use "try" instead.
Still, a nice surface.  Shouldn't it be "whacked-out", with
a hyphen, OED notwithstanding?  :-)

Good. Brief, good surface, solid mechanics.

The best - a nice crisp precise clue. (It wasn't mine either)

Another "out creeps" anagram.  Otherwise too plain.

My only quibble is that the clue is too obvious; too easy.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd place (score 70.31%) - clue 1
From Bob Gregory <bobg@cullen.demon.co.uk>

    Pursue writing-style attractive to Americans (9)

Votes (normalized): 35 48 50 67 70 70 70 74 90 100 100

Being an American, I'd be disinclined to construct this clue
myself (even though my dictionary and thesaurus confirm your
approach).  Nevertheless, a good clue, making adequate use of 
the non-legal definition of the word.  No wasted words in
the cryptic part; pretty good surface.

Nice 

This American didn't even realize 'cute' was an Americanism.
Especially since I hear it so frequently from my Pom pal.
But maybe he's just trying to fit in.
This is a tough clue - one where I wouldn't be sure
I had the right answer, even if I had solved it.

Solid mechanics, ok surface reading

Rather a plain clue. I disagree that "cute" is deemed an Americanism
this side of the Pond.

CUTE is NOT an Americanism.  PROSE+CUTE is too easy.

Best of the "prose + cute" clues. Nice, meaningful surface. But blah.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

4th place (score 69.38%) - clue 2
From Chris Rimmer <crimmer@liv.ac.uk>

    Begin pressing to secure correction! (9)

Votes (normalized): 40 40 50 63 71 80 80 80 89 100

Pretty good &lit clue; no waste in the cryptic part.  As for
the definition interpretation, it's reasonable, although it
doesn't quite convey the legalistic atmosphere that it should.

This is my clue, so I won't vote. I was also thinking of
"damages" for the anag. indic...

Shouldn't that be 'conviction?'

The def. part of this &lit doesn't need "begin", and
because of its quirkiness, should probably be punctuated
not '!' but '?!?'

I don't care for partial anagram, but this is a nice construction
otherwise.  I particularly like the indirect reference to the
goal of prosecution by correction.

not bad; quite a decent attempt at an &lit

Another plain clue, and I don't particularly like the surface as a
definition.

True &lit.  Excellent clue!

Too strained an overall definition of "prosecute" for a good &lit.

very nice &lit

-------------------------------------------------------------------

5th place (score 69.37%) - clue 4
From Brian Westley <merlyn@digibd.com>

    Sue's soft rose is pretty (9)

Votes (normalized): 32 50 60 60 67 70 70 80 86 89 100

Cute clue; the "is" is a little extraneous, but not offensively
so; pleasant surface, and clever dual use of "'s" as possessive
in the surface and contraction in the cryptic/definition.  Were
it me, though, I would have used something in place of the 
literal "rose".

I like the use of "sue", but that "is" is superfluous isn't it?

A ho-hum clue.

A nice try, but you can't account for the 'is'

Nice use of "Sue", even though it isn't the most accurate
definition in the world.  The cryptic would be better if Sue's 
writing were pretty.

Solid; nice surface reading. Nothing special, but still a decent clue

Rose should be encrypted, maybe "flower"?

Soft = Piano = P isn't really fair.  Otherwise good.

I like "Sue's" to define "prosecute is" but "is" before pretty"
destroys the charade, which now says "proseiscute"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

6th place (score 67.15%) - clue 18
From Tom Deneau <tom.deneau@amd.com>

    To enforce regulation, try wine and prune during exercise class (9)

Votes (normalized): 16 44 50 53 55 70 70 80 100 100 100

Another near-miss definition ("try" doesn't quit equal 
"prosecute".  Good cryptic, particularly with the use of
"wine".  The surface, though, seems somewhat mismatched:
I take it that you're trying to connote "intestinal 
regularity" (particularly well-matched with "prune"), but
"enforce" just doesn't seem well-suited to the task.

Rough surface, I take it you mean 'to ensure regularity'.
long definition.

Nice theme (but only one prune?); the definition needs some
sharpening.

Killer surface!  Killer clue!  I'd give it an 11 (except that
everything is normalized anyhow.

The "To enforce regulation" is superfluous.
Poor charade - "prune during exercise class"??!!

A large bottle of wine and 1 prune while doing aerobics? I think 
I would be sick not regular! 

"To enforce regulation" should be dropped, since it makes the clue 
too wordy and is superfluous.  Which regulations are these?  
"Blush" or "Pink wine" might be better

Cute surface with "regulation" and "prune". How about All-Bran instead?

Amusing surface reading.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

7th place (score 63.32%) - clue 6
From Kevin Wald <wald@math.uchicago.edu>

    Go a-courtin', leading on pink and pretty Penny? (9)

Votes (normalized): 30 40 40 44 60 60 67 80 86 90 100

Nice surface; clever disguising of the legalistic definition
amid the colloquialism.  The "leading on" cryptic instruction
(lacking a comma before "Penny") is kind of misleading,
though.

"Go a-courtin" is almost as good as "sue" in clue 4 and there are
no superfluous words here.

I like the definition but not the surface or the cryptic part.

Inventive but rather far afield definition.

Very nice clue.  Though it's tough, I feel like it's an "Aha!",
which are my favorite type.

Surface reading gives a nice feel to the clue, but the charade doesn't work

For consistency shouldn't it be "leadin'". A bit unfair on poor
Penny leading her on while courting her.

Good, but "leading on" doesn't really indicate the P(enny) to the front.

Points given were SOLELY for "Go a-courtin'" as def. of "prosecute"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

8th place (score 61.90%) - clue 15
From Jake Bergmann <jbergmann@bbn.com>

    Plain words to describe Eve's first split nail? (9)

Votes (normalized): 25 30 50 50 59 60 60 80 81 86 100

meaning), making this a nearly impossible clue to solve.
Bzzt.  "Nail" more properly corresponds to "arrest" or 
perhaps "convict" in law-enforcement lingo, not 
"prosecute"; although I appreciated the clever attempt.
Good cryptic, interesting surface.

"Nail" is pretty good, but I'm a bit dubious about describe.

Nail is a weak definition.

I like the start ("plain words" for prose), but it tails off
after that.  "to describe" doesn't work as a container and
"nail" really isn't a good definition (even with the '?').
When the police 'nail' a suspect, that's an arrest or 
conviction, not a prosecution.

def. sucks - if a prosecution succeeds *then* the defendent can be
said to be nailed but not before. Don't like the container indicator

Very good, but I didn't like "describe" as a container.

"Nail" = prosecute is QUITE a stretch!  PROSE+CUTE is too easy. 

My pick for winner. Great, imaginative charade/container with an
amusing surface, and I love "nail" as the def. of "prosecute"!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

9th place (score 61.87%) - clue 12
From John Hakemian <sailorjohn@delphi.com>

    Follow Pawnee Chief to rescue mongrel (9)

Votes (normalized): 30 30 50 50 59 68 70 70 71 87 95

The definition is a little shaky; I'd have preferred "follow
up" (which, of course, wouldn't have fit well in the surface);
Pretty good surface and cryptic.

"Follow" is not the best definition!

Follow is a weak definition.

'Follow' is a limp definition; 'pursue' would be much
better.  Excellent anagram indicator ('mongrel')

"Follow" seems incomplete as a definition, and the surface
makes no sense to me.

Not bad. Solid mechanics, so-so surface.

Very good, though I'm not sure I would have guessed mongrel 
to indicate the anagram.

FOLLOW = pursue = prosecute.  Iffy at best.   
Mongrel is not a good anagram indicator and why is Pawnee chief
trying to rescue it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

10th place (score 61.44%) - clue 11

    Try mutilation of corpse with uterus cut in half (9)

Votes (normalized): 30 50 50 60 60 70 70 71 73 80

Nice "try", but "try" isn't quite synonymous with "prosecute".
Solid cryptic, and clear --- if graphic --- surface reading.

UGH! I feel sick.

Kind of gruesome.  I think 'mutilating' would work better in the 
surface instead of 'mutilation of'.

'Try' is not integrated into the surface

Blech!

My apologies for perpetrating this disgusting clue!

Truly bizarre. It's nice that surface is consistent, but
what does it mean?

Nice hidden definition - "try" used meaning "attempt".

YUCK!!!!  (Can't be published in "family" magazines.)
But otherwise clever clue.

Great clue (although somewhat disgusting) marred only by the "Try
mutilation" spoiling the surface. Seems that a corpse with her
"uterus cut in half" is ALREADY "mutilated".

-------------------------------------------------------------------

11th place (score 58.10%) - clue 10

    Writing too coy? Put him on trial! (9)

Votes (normalized): 33 45 50 50 53 57 60 70 70 74 76

Another overly-punctuated non-&lit clue.  Pretty good surface
and cryptic; the definition part would, technically, 
correspond to "prosecute him" rather than "prosecute".

I don't like the definition here.

'too coy' = cute? No puns or &lits here.

Don't see what 'too' is doing here

I like this definition, though you should leave off the '!', as
it indicates an &lit.

The clue reads well, although "too" is extraneous.

I don't think coy is cute, and why should he be prosecuted for
shy writing?

If it's author of _Bridges of Madison County_:  YES!  This clue: NO!

Second "prose + cute" clue, with a somewhat extraneous "too"

-------------------------------------------------------------------

12th place (score 56.17%) - clue 20

    To sue, in court, by yourself, is nice (9)

Votes (normalized): 14 20 30 40 50 70 70 70 80 81 92

Kind of a choppy surface; an okay definition.  But I take
exception to "pro se":  unlike "pro rata" or "pro tem", 
it's not in any of the (several) dictionaries I have at 
my avail.  Since I'm not a lawyer, I find your clue to be 
guilty of getting too tied up in legal lingo.

I prefer clues where some attempt is made to hide the word
in question. (see clues 4 & 6)

Good idea but it does not make for a smooth surface reading

I don't, think, without a law, degree, I would have, much luck here.

I would suspect that "Pro Se" and "Prosecute" are from the
same root, so this isn't really cricket.  Otherwise, a fine
upstanding clue.

Good charade, slightly bizarre surface (you actually *enjoy* getting
the chance to go to court and sue someone, by yourself? Yeah, right :-)

Very good, but too many commas stop the clue, scanning.

If this were a puzzle in a law journal, OK.  But not for me.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

13th place (score 53.19%) - clue 13

    Expert takes a moment, getting Indian tribe to go to court (9)

Votes (normalized): 7 17 20 45 56 57 60 74 80 80 90

Pretty good clue; slightly long, but nice surface; decent 
surface and definition.

"Indian tribe"="Ute"?? You lose marks for obscure references.

A few extraneous, misleading words. 'takes' usually implies a 
container, 'getting' could also

Yes, we know the so-called experts the White Man sends
to us.  We get just 'a moment' of their time and then
never see them again.

A good solid charade, though definitely American-centric.

Solid mechanics, good surface, not too long

The (Amer?)indian tribe was beyond me I'm afraid. Also the definition
was a bit loose, it includes being prosecuted.

OK, but not great.  Somewhat clumsy surface.

Solid clue construction, but surface would be greatly improved by
deleting the comma and substituting "to get" for "getting", and perhaps
by changing to past tense...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

14th place (score 52.86%) - clue 17

    Hooker with mastectomy walks about Eastern city - take her to court (9)

Votes (normalized): 8 20 33 43 44 70 70 75 80 85

The "take her" strikes me as unnecessary in the definition,
and the "city" part strikes me as an arbitrary abbreviation.
Good surface.  The first part of the cryptic "hooker with
mastectomy" --- is quite good and original.

Not more slicing of women's bodies!(see clue 11) Using 
"Mastectomy"="- Tit" is certainly unorthodox!

Cute cryptic except for city = c.

Grammar error in the definition; the 'her' is superfluous.
'walks' isn't well motivated either; it suggests an anagram.

Oh the tragedy.  Except for "Eastern City", this is a great clue!
The tragic part is that "European Community" is such a sound
clue for "EC".  Still, high marks for surface.

Urrrgh. Dislike image, dislike the indirect excision. Why take her to
court for simply walking about?

Apologies for the coarse language!

"Walks Around" might be better.  Tough clue.  But see #11.

I'm still laughing about the clue's method of getting "PROSUTE", but
I couldn't, unfortunately, ignore the clumsy "walks about" and
strained "C" as an abbreviation for "city". Dishonorable Mention?? (-:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

15th place (score 49.81%) - clue 7

    Doggedly pursue uncertain pesto cure (9)

Votes (normalized): 8 30 33 44 50 57 60 60 60 65 80

Good surface and okay cryptic, but "pesto cure" scans so
suspiciously that it detracts from the clue.

What is this? Pasta therapy? 

Does pesto require a cure?

Little coherence in the surface

My kind of cure!  Unless you're trying to cure me of pesto
sickness, whatever that is.  Very tight clue.

I dislike the definition, the anagram is way too obvious, and
the surface reading is poor

Accurate clue but a bit bland (unlike the pesto)

Unique anagram, but I'm uncertain what pesto cures.

Clean anagram clue marred by contrived surface.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

16th place (score 48.46%) - clue 3

    True! Scopes disclaimed Genesis ultimately, monkeyed around and
    hence put on trial (9)

Votes (normalized): 17 30 30 30 43 50 50 56 60 73 95

Ugh!  The clue is far longer than necessary, particular for
an anagram clue.  You've got three enormous words separating
the anagram indicator from its fodder, and I'm not overly
thrilled with the cryptic use of "disclaimed".  The thematic
and punny surface ("monkeyed") is good, but not enough to
redeem the clue as a whole.

I'm not overly keen on these "themed" clues unless they are 
short and read well, which this doesn't really.

Kind of wordy. Reserve use of '!' for &lits.

the implied passive of 'put' is a problem in the surface,
as is the ill-fitting 'True!'

On the positive: a story in the surface
On the negative: it wasn't a short story
In addition to quibbles about the length of the entry, I
continue to dislike partial (or overful) anagrams.

Nice pickup on 'Scopes' but the clue loses it as it drags on

Good, but a few extraneous words.

A little wordy, but very good!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

17th place (score 46.58%) - clue 22

    Try reading cute prose backwards (9)

Votes (normalized): 0 17 30 40 40 50 51 67 86 86

First, the self-criticism:  not even close to being an
&lit in my book, because the clue as a whole doesn't get
anywhere near meaning "prosecute".  Once again, "try" isn't
a good synonym for "prosecute".  Also, I don't like the use
of "backwards":  to me, it indicates complete reversal
(producing "esorpetuc"), rather than swapping of the words.
The surface is good, though.

I don't see how this is even vaguely &lit.  It's not very
cryptic even.

Really needs an indication that the reversal is by words.
Why is 'reading' there?

Nice idea but just too unconcealed (i.e., too easy)

Obligatory abstention on my own (admittedly weak) clue.

Good. Unusual device.

What is ESORPETUC? 

ESORPETUC???  Otherwise way to easy!  Took away points for trying to
claim this was "almost" an &lit.  (But not many points!)

Points awarded only for the EXAMPLE given of "cute prose backwards"!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

18th place (score 42.63%) - clue 16

    Poet's cure creates dispute (9)

Votes (normalized): 14 15 20 30 33 40 40 50 60 67 100

Not a bad surface, but I'm not particularly satisfied with 
the definition, and the anagram indicator is really weak.

I'm not sure about using "dispute"

Create is a poor anagram indicator.  Odd surface

Unusual definitions need a dictionary citation.  Also, the
surface is pretty colorless.

Dispute == Prosecute?  Slippery surface.

Brief, good surface, well-contructed. Very Good.

I would dispute the definition.

"Dispute" does equal prosecute.  Creates is an iffy anagram indicator.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

19th place (score 37.29%) - clue 23

    Read cute prose wrongly to pursue at law (9)

Votes (normalized): 5 10 16 17 29 30 50 50 60 70 74

The definition and cryptic are okay, but, as a whole, the 
two parts don't "mesh" very sensibly into a logical surface
reading.

This is too obvious an anagram!

Why is 'Read' there? 

gobbledegook

Amongst all clues, this best explains the OJ Trial.

Simple, nothing wrong, but doesn't grab me.

Poor anagam but cute prose.

Just too easy.  But at least you didn't try claiming you had an &lit!

Inferior "prose + cute". Like #22, but surface is meaningless

-------------------------------------------------------------------

20th place (score 37.01%) - clue 8

    Rescue pot boiling? Do! (9)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 10 17 24 35 50 59 60 67 86

Grumble, grumble.  Too much punctuation, especially for a 
non-&lit clue.  Not too bad a surface and cryptic, but I
can't buy the definition --- it's a slangy approach that I'm
not familiar with.

What does this all mean?

What does this mean? Where's the pun or &lit?

I love the 'do', but have a problem with 'rescue' in the
surface, pots can't be in personal danger.

"Do" doesn't.  For me, at least, it's not enough of a clue.

Good choice of anagram fodder, but the indicator is awkward,
as is the surface, and the definition sucks.

I didn't like the interruption of the "?". 

DO = Prosecute.  NO!

I thought "Do" was slang for "kill (do away with)", not "prosecute"

Do?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

21st place (score 27.10%) - clue 14

    Creeps out to avoid conviction (9)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 56 60 60 93

Okay surface, but unacceptable anagram indicator.  Also, 
"prosecute" is a verb, while "conviction" is a noun (and
its related verb, "convict", differs from "prosecute" in

Prosecution and Conviction are DIFFERENT!

Avoid is a weak anagram indicator. Conviction is not a definition 
of prosecute, convict might be.

A weak anagram indicator, and "conviction" is not a definition 
(or a 'definitive') of "prosecute".

Good anagram clue. Nice surface. I like it.

Conviction is the end product of prosecution. I didn't like avoid as
an anagram indicator.

Where to begin:  A "creeps out" anagram.  "Avoid" is not an
anagram indicator.  "Conviction" is a noun, Prosecute is a verb.

I don't see "to avoid" as an anagram indicator, and "conviction" is
the hoped-for RESULT of prosecution, not a definition thereof.

avoid = anagram indicator?

-------------------------------------------------------------------

22nd place (score 24.25%) - clue 19

    Protection to sue for damages but not for Ito to try (9)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 5 10 14 17 27 40 44 50 60

Another (failed) attempt to convince me that "try" equals
"prosecute"; this one is further damaged, in my opinion,
by an overly complex task for the solver --- using twice
as many as the required number of letters, anagram, and
subtract (impressive cluing feat, perhaps, but overly 
burdensome to the solver).

Not more OJ references! (see clue 5) I'm not a big fan of
the "Anagram this lot and remove all these" school of clues.

What does the surface mean?  Can protection sue? 'But' does not 
really mean remove.

Do people have software to do this kind of work, or are you
just cleverer than me?  Most likely, both.  The style isn't
my favorite, though.  Surface and, no sense makes.

Anagram indicator should be 'damageD' not 'damageS'.
Think that you need more than 'but' as a cue to remove those letters.

I don't like this sort of clue.

I HATE "Take 18 letters and drop 9" clues!

Double indirect anagram with major deletion is much too contrived.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

23rd place (score 17.67%) - clue 5

    Utah football player who has lost his amateur standing...
    Hold on a sec...will be trying O.J.? (9)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 0 0 0 17 30 30 40 60

Another overly long clue, mostly due to hugely long phrases
used to cryptify the short fragments "ute" and "pro"; "Ute" is 
a rather parochial term.  To top it all off, the defintion 
part of the clue would correspond more closely to "prosecuting" 
than "prosecute".

Another "themed" clue. Utah football player="UTE"?  Lose marks
for America-only word/phrase.

Wordy. Needs a 'for example' since O.J. is a very specific case. 
No '?' is needed as this is not a punny definition

A Pro Ute, eh?  I'd be happier with "Anti-Mormon" than this
meandering surface.

Dreadful. "Utah footbll player" ->  Ute?? Verbose. Poor definition.

"Ute" escapes me I'm afraid. One dictionary doesn't have it, The
other refers to an Australian utility wagon (Station wagon). What
has Orange Juice to do with prosecution?

I know this clue is AWFUL!  
And I'm the AUTHOR for God sakes!!!  (No vote)

Where do I start?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
BONUS CLUES - BONUS CLUES - BONUS CLUES - BONUS CLUES - BONUS CLUES

clue 24

    Sue and Pete scour furiously (9)

Votes (normalized): none

Really good surface, but the cryptic, perhaps obviously, is
flawed by the gratuitous use of a proper noun in an anagram.

This clue makes cute prose!

Can't accept proper names as anagram fodder.

Nice use of "Sue".

Mechanically sound, dubious surface. It's not good to use proper names
as anagram fodder as it tends to be too obvious, but perhaps it's ok here
as you have 'Sue' as a counter-example.

I'll rate this anyway. [50]  Unique anagram, but a bit plain.

Too bad this was a bonus--it deserves a honorable mention at least!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

clue 25

    Scramble, secure "pot"; that's what the DA does (9)

Votes (normalized): none

Decent clue, but DAs, typically, leave the scrambling and 
securing activities to the police.

I like this clue better than most of the contenders.

Yeah, but the DA *doesn't* secure pot. Ok, but no cigar

WAY too artificial!  Terrible surface. 

Contrived surface spoils otherwise decent anagram clue.

-------------------------------------------------------------------