Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from October (either by email or comments below). The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced on Friday.

State secrets?..........................RAT
Pit-y party?............................BBQ
Joint rooms?............................CELLS
National defense goal?..................OUT
This answer ends in "T," e.g. ..........HINT
Mobile message media....................TEES

Clever Clue of the Month

September 2017
Clue: Components of ranch dressing?........STETSONS
Constructor: 'Marie Kelly'; Editor: Mike Shank
Wall Street Journal, Friday, September 8, 2017