Forget primaries; focus on new map for November

The battle over Pennsylvania’s congressional district boundaries is one of the most significant political struggles of this decade (Feb. 22, “GOP Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Block Latest Redistricting Map”). I cheered when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued its ruling. However, in terms of divisiveness, it is problematic.

The old maps are clearly unfair. But it is (currently) the Legislature’s job to make the map. Any substitute process, no matter how unbiased, will be deemed illegitimate by Republicans. They have a point. But so does the state Supreme Court. The only way out of this dilemma is for the Legislature to vote on a new map. Claims that there is not enough time to do so are misguided (as were the state court’s deadlines).

Aug. 1 is the deadline for candidates filing to run in the November elections. Yes, the timing of this ruling has thrown a monkey wrench into the primaries. So what? The primaries are party affairs funded and run by the state — an unfortunate institutionalization of the twoparty duopoly. The two main parties will just have to figure out for themselves how to choose their candidates this time round (other parties do).

New district boundaries for the November election can and must be put through the state Legislature in Harrisburg. There is plenty of time to do that before Aug. 1. Stop whining and get to work, instead of litigating our tax dollars away. JIM LAWRENCE

North Side about the new funnies. I’m 72 years old, and I need something to laugh about. Surveys show that mostly older people buy newspapers, so why would the PG alienate these senior readers? Pleasereverse the changes.

One of my daily pleasures is sitting down to a morning cuppa and my newspaper. And now the pleasureis diminished. Don’t you want to make an old lady happy? Bring back “Mary Worth,” “Rex Morgan, M.D.,” “Beetle Bailey,” “Tundra,” “Sally Forth” and others.There was no warning. LAURETTA CLAYTON

East Carnegie

As I read about the changes to the Sunday comics (Feb. 25, “Five New Comics Join the Post-Gazette’s Funnies”), I felt relief that “Mutts” was not mentioned, that it had survived the cut and would continue to grace the funnies. Patrick McDonnell’s comic has always been a breath of fresh air — masterfully drawn, clever in its simplicity, rich in its range of feeling.

But my heart sank as I searched for the darling cat and pup in the comics section, nowhere to be found. Instead, I found a new collection of cynical strips lacking wit or charm. The ill-crafted“Pooch Cafe” is a disappointing replacement to say the least, its maiden strip highlightingtrolling, bully dogs.

As our newspapers overflow with headlines of death and destruction, the comics ought to be a safe haven, a tool that inspires a smile and a warmed heart. “Mutts” served as a form of relief, an antidote to the division and discord of our Trumpian era. Perhaps some acknowledgement of the discontinued legacy comics would have been appropriate.

We would all do well to keep the “Mutts” Manifesto in mind as we move forward without the beloved antics of Mooch, Earl, Ozzie, Millie and Frank:

1)To be kind; 2) to be present. 3) to love nature; 4) to love all animals; 5) humans, too; 6) to keep it simple. And real; 7) to encourage rescues and adoptions; 8) to make humane choices; 9) to be a positive force; 10) to be mindful of the bigger picture; 11) to make new friends; 12) to bring smiles to everyoneevery day. REBECCA VOGAN

Observatory Hill

Regarding “Fashion Industry Aims for Reform in #MeToo Era” (Feb. 19): If the fashion industry truly aims at reform, why does it continue to promote waif-models who portray unhealthy figures, which females try to achieve? JANE SHEEHAN

Brownsville