Disqus - Latest Comments for dgriff13

Re: Grand Finale: Welcome Home

dgriff13 — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:23:15 -0000

Hi Rob! Thanks so much for your kind comment, I'm happy to see Z&F has a timeless aspect to it, as well as being quite all-ages. I still sell books like crazy at conventions. I am currently writing my next graphic novel which has similar tones... societal commentary but with a supernatural thriller type twist!

many thanks for reading :0)

Re: CAT-SCAN Calisthenics

dgriff13 — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:20:25 -0000

Ha! Can you believe I haven't watched a single episode of Dr.Who? I think I'm waiting for a lull in good tv to dive into that gold mine.

Re: Pa. gerrymandering case: State Supreme Court releases new congressional map for 2018 elections - Philly

dgriff13 — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 14:05:01 -0000

I agree, I think it's better than what it was (but, yknow, LOW bar, right?). PA is a 50/50 state, and this
gets closer to that, though I think the GOP will still maintain a
majority, probably 10-8. HOWEVER-- this is NOT the right way to do this going forward-- which is my point. It doesn't
change the state constitution that says the party in power draws the
lines. I don't want politicians drawing the lines, or the judges-- it's a
BLATANT conflict of interest. I want an independent committee of
voters-- 4 dems, 4 republicans and 3 independents (what the 2 bills
mentioned call for) --- working together to draw the lines. It's the
most sensible process, which is why I have lobbied in Harrisburg for it.

Re: Pennsylvania Gets a New Map

dgriff13 — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:37:46 -0000

Because the bills changes the state constitution, this is a long-haul type deal. It has to pass 2 consecutive sessions. If it doesn't pass by June, it won't affect elections until after 2032. Which means until then, one party or the other will get to draw the lines themselves in 2020-- no doubt gerrymandering in their favor.

Re: PA supreme court releases new congressional map

dgriff13 — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:30:02 -0000

You are correct. The new map IS much more fair, as PA votes close to 50/50. I mean, that old map was awful-- REALLY low bar, right? If it stands (the GOP will do it's best to fight it to get the old gerrymandered lines back) .. our democracy is better off. But this doesn't solve the problem going forward. That's why I lobby for these bills. Every time PA redraws the districts, the party in power will get to do it (it's complicated, but usually that's what happens)... to ensure they retain that power. That conflict of interest is low hanging fruit, and BOTH parties will take it. Then we have to take that party to court each time (like the League of Women Voters did this time) and have the PA supreme court rewdraw the lines? This isn't functional. We have to change the state constitution so, like 21 other states, an independent committee of voters (4 dems, 4 repubs, 3 independents) draws the lines, needing 7 votes to pass (and at least 1 from each group). That's a LOT more fair than the current rules. Until we have that, the parties will continue to gerrymander and rig elections, taking turns attacking each other, even using gerrymandering as a weapon to blackmail members of their OWN party to always tow the party line. We the voters need to put an end to this petty BS, so we can choose our representatives and not the other way around.
HB722 already has 107 cosponsors of both parties! This isn't something they disagree with-- we just need to push even harder, and DEMAND the committee chair Metcalfe to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Re: PA supreme court releases new congressional map

dgriff13 — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:19:07 -0000

Oh, you're right. Math and technology SHOULD come into play, for sure. Actually, that's how politicians do it now--- but using services like RedMap, to gerrymander safe districts using all sorts of data about voters. The developments in mapping & data collecting technology in the past 10 years is why gerrymandering has gotten out of control lately. So, change the rules so politicians aren't in charge of drawing the lines, give it to a committee of voters (4 dems, 4 repubs, 3 independents-- as these bills lays out), and allow them to use the same tech and math as before-- but in a FAIR manner. Keeping counties and communities together, no cracking or packing to aid a political party.
It's not hard. 8th graders can do it... check out this article, about a math teacher who had his students draw a new fair-er map. https://whyy.org/segments/d...

Re: Pa. gerrymandering case: State Supreme Court releases new congressional map for 2018 elections - Philly

dgriff13 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:56:56 -0000

PENNSYLVANIANS! If you're like me, and don't like the fact that a Dem-controlled supreme court drew these lines themselves, for the SAME reason you don't like the previous map that was drawn by Republicans in power, to maintain that power.... then pick up a phone. Call your state reps and senators. Demand they CALL A VOTE on SB22 and HB722 (107 bipartisan co-sponsors already!)--- for an independent committee of voters, without skin in the game, to draw the districts going forward. 21 other states draw their districts this way. No parties involved. No more conflict of interest. No more safely drawn districts, to silence voters. No more using gerrymandering as a weapon against politicians who don't tow the party line. CALL NOW. If these bills don't pass by June 30th, we have to wait another 10 years!!!

Re: PA supreme court releases new congressional map

dgriff13 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:53:02 -0000

No, I think it's better than what it was. PA is a 50/50 state, and this gets closer to that, though I think the GOP will still maintain a majority HOWEVER-- this is NOT the right way to do this. It doesn't change the state constitution that says the party in power draws the lines. I don't want politicians drawing the lines or the judges-- it's a BLATANT conflict of interest. I want an independent committee of voters-- 4 dems, 4 republicans and 3 independents (what the 2 bills mentioned call for) --- working together to draw the lines. It's the most sensible process, which is why I have lobbied in Harrisburg for it. And we are running out of time.

Re: Pennsylvania Gets a New Map

dgriff13 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:42:31 -0000

PENNSYLVANIANS---
If you're like me, and don't like the fact that a Dem-controlled supreme
court drew these lines themselves, for the SAME reason you don't like
the previous map that was drawn by Republicans in power, to maintain
that power.... then pick up a phone. Call your state reps and senators.
Demand they CALL A VOTE on SB22 and HB722 (107 bipartisan co-sponsors
already!)--- for an independent committee of voters, without skin in the
game, to draw the districts going forward. 21 other states draw their
districts this way. No parties involved. No more conflict of interest.
No more safely drawn districts, to silence voters. No more using
gerrymandering as a weapon against politicians who don't tow the party
line. CALL NOW. If these bills don't pass by June 30th, we have to wait
another 10 years!

Re: PA supreme court releases new congressional map

dgriff13 — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 19:39:50 -0000

If you're like me, and don't like the fact that a Dem-controlled supreme
court drew these lines themselves, for the SAME reason you don't like
the previous map that was drawn by Republicans in power, to maintain
that power.... then pick up a phone. Call your state reps and senators.
Demand they CALL A VOTE on SB22 and HB722 (107 bipartisan co-sponsors
already!)--- for an independent committee of voters, without skin in the
game, to draw the districts going forward. 21 other states draw their
districts this way. No parties involved. No more conflict of interest.
No more safely drawn districts, to silence voters. No more using
gerrymandering as a weapon against politicians who don't tow the party
line. CALL NOW. If these bills don't pass by June 30th, we have to wait
another 10 years!!!

Re: Havertown celebrates diversity at first annual Pride Picnic

dgriff13 — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:00:03 -0000

This makes my heart so happy! Was a gorgeous day and I was happy to take part as an outspoken ally. :0)

Re: As Good As It Will Ever Be

dgriff13 — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:48:24 -0000

Indeed, had the Cavs not won, I would STILL be wounded from the World Series. It's just like my Philly-fan husband said after the Phillies won in '08 (after a 30 year city drought) .. once your city finally wins, you can just shrug off losses with a "Eh, we got the 2008 Phils". It's so true!
(not to say the WS loss didn't burn... it just didn't flat out sideline me)

Re: Political Threshold

dgriff13 — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:57:30 -0000

Indeed, this was just the prelude... a foreshadowing of worse to come.
We have got to move past the social media bitching and on to CALLING, going to town halls, and meeting legislators in person! A tweet makes no real change.

Re: Shenanigans

dgriff13 — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:54:59 -0000

Hi Bailey! Thanks for your comment. I do think you're right! Funny.... this comic is 4 years old, so this is actually referring to Obama and Romney! funny, eh?

Re: What does it all mean?

dgriff13 — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 14:45:44 -0000

As a female cartoonist in a male-dominated field that's pretty much dying and pays very little.......
As a kid growing up during the generation of "you can be anything you want to be".....
As an adult going paycheck to paycheck in my field of study, in a dwindling economy, with nowhere to move upwards...
As a wife to a guy who was laid off 10 years ago and is bouncing from one benefit-less contract job to another....
As an idealist who refused to "grow up" and become cynical and accepting of my fate....

....It would be extremely comforting to know that big money doesn't always win and that hardworking underdogs who believe in each other still have a shot in this world.

Re: The Thrill and The Agony of Playoff Baseball

dgriff13 — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:29:26 -0000

ughhhhhh, yes, I feel ya... it was RIGHT THERE ...one more game and we coulda smoked the Rockies.

Re: Why you probably shouldn’t watch the Presidential debates

dgriff13 — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 18:13:48 -0000

Exaaaaactly, Craig. I'm a bit of a politi-junkie and am reading the debate transcripts with fact-checking... But the debates are corporately sponsored trainwreck reality TV masquerading as intellectual discourse.
And I haaaaaaate trainwreck reality TV.
I went to see Kubo Two Strings, a fantastic, cultured & inspiring claymation film, and basked in the division championship glory our Indians achieved. 'Twas a good Monday night.

Re: Coco to Mingo: The Top 100 Names in Cleveland Sports History

dgriff13 — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 19:04:37 -0000

Is it really Lonald? we never bothered to look it up as that would ruin the fun.

Re: Coco to Mingo: The Top 100 Names in Cleveland Sports History

dgriff13 — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 19:03:44 -0000

Right? My husband and I like to mimic how Hamilton says his name, and come up with
ridiculous full first names for "Lonnie".. Lonald... Lonnington...
Lobbert.

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 17:16:05 -0000

well....maybe Kyle is the WFNY janitor who would have to clean it up.

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:56:41 -0000

maybe Kyle didn't want me to explode into confetti. MAYBE KYLE IS THINKING OF ME!

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:53:51 -0000

Season 2 feels like it's an eternity away.....
thank you!

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:53:15 -0000

YAY for poster thingys! thanks!
(it's actually one of the "prints" I offer for free with book purchase, at comic cons and the like)

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:05:10 -0000

For any fellow Stranger Things fans, I drew up a poster thingy.
If you haven't watched it yet, check your vitals. It's a fantastic 80's throwback thriller with modern effects.

Re: Browns, Netflix TV, and Smashing Pumpkins: While We’re Waiting

dgriff13 — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:02:00 -0000

I knew I liked this place. Pumpkins, Calvin & Hobbes, and of course CLE sports. That's basically....me. If you had mentioned Stranger Things on Netflix, I may have exploded into confetti.