Happy retirement, Leonard Pitts Jr. Readers will miss your thought-provoking words

Thoughtful work

Congratulations on your retirement, Leonard Pitts Jr. (Dec. 15, 9A, “Thanks to a bunch of people — and so long!”) May you find enjoyment and satisfaction in this new phase of life. Best wishes for continued success in writing novels. Your commentary has always been thought provoking and relevant, and it will be greatly missed.

- Donna Rowland, Lenexa

Crack the code

Learning to code — writing computer language — at an early age can help young people develop valuable skills and prepare for future career opportunities.

One of the key benefits is the development of problem-solving skills. Coding involves solving complex problems and creating logical solutions, which can help young people develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can help young people tackle challenging tasks, both in school and in their future careers.

Coding can be a creative and expressive activity, as it involves creating new and unique solutions to problems. Learning to code at a young age can help young people develop their creativity and imagination, as well as an ability to think outside the box and generate new ideas.

Finally, learning to code can be fun and engaging. Coding can provide a sense of accomplishment and can be a rewarding way to learn something new. With the right resources and support, young people can explore their interests and passions through coding, and can develop valuable skills and experiences that will benefit them in their future endeavors.

- Ethan Cox, Blue Springs

Yemen’s plight

In a season when many are reminded of the life choices required for peace on earth and goodwill for all people to grow, the Biden administration disrupted a vote to end support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

The administration argues that a Yemen War Powers Resolution considered by the Senate is unnecessary because hostilities have dramatically subsided since the warring parties agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire during Ramadan in April, and the resolution would disrupt subsequent sensitive negotiations. The ceasefire expired in October.

Prior attempts to stop the war by terminating U.S. in-flight refueling for the Saudi bombing campaign, and claiming U.S. weapons sales and logistical support for Saudi Arabia are only to be used for defensive purposes, have allowed the war to continue for seven years, killing almost 400,000 Yemenis and pushing 23 million into humanitarian crisis. Nothing prevents the resumption of hostilities.

The administration claims it will work with Congress to end the war. The first step to ending war is to stop fighting. A war powers resolution stopping the flow of weapons and support would keep it from restarting.

In this season of choices for peace, a war powers resolution is needed.

- Steve Kellogg, Independence

Help, Sen. Blunt

Gun violence is becoming a youth epidemic, specifically in schools. According to David Riedman’s K-12 School Shooting Database, there have been more than 900 school shootings in the U.S. since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 left 20 children and six adults dead.

How do we stop tragedies like the shooting at the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, which claimed two lives on Oct. 24? We need to ban assault weapons.

I am asking Sen. Roy Blunt to co-sponsor and urge Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to schedule the vote for S. 736 before the end of 2022. Let’s work together to help kids be excited to go to school, instead of scared.

Sen. Blunt, please help us prevent mass shootings and show that the lives of Americans matter.

- Sammie Magee, Louisburg, Kansas