Submitted by Samii from florida

Q: In your story, "Making the World Safe for Stupidity", What is the purpose of mentioning the Car Ad again? (Structurally, why was it done?) "Rant Resinated" is an alliteration, Why did you use this literary device? What argumentive/persuasive technique do you use when you wrote, "Don't get me wrong." How does that whole paragraph serve your argument? What was your attitude when writing it? What was the irony with your title?

Answered 02/08/12 12:18:15 by Leonard Pitts

A: Sami, I'm sorry I'm late in getting to this note, but I'm not sure I'd have answered your questions anyway. I have a sneaking suspicion you're trying to get me to do your school work for you.

Submitted by Ann Patch from Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Q: After reading today's column I am even more discouraged that anything regarding gun control will happen. Where can we apply the pressure to get some results?

Answered 02/08/12 12:15:49 by Leonard Pitts

A: Sorry to discourage you, but I'm fairly discouraged on the subject myself. I think the best we can do at this point is to urge both sides to cool down the rhetoric and for gun control advocates to encourage and find ways to work with responsible gun enthusiasts. The big problem in that formulation, however, is that the NRA - the signature gun rights lobbying group - doesn't meet anyone's definition of responsible these days.

Submitted by Cindy Day from Pompano Beach

Q: Hello Mr. Pitts. I'm sorry I missed the chat at noon. I'm writing because I sent an email to your Miami Herald address last week and wonder if you're able to respond. In the email, I explained an idea I have of sending inner city middle school kids to Ghana. I want your opinion of the idea if you have the time to consider it. Thanks

Answered 02/08/12 12:13:39 by Leonard Pitts

A: I have not seen the email, I'm sorry to say. I do like the idea of sending inner city (i.e., black and brown) kids to Africa; I think having a chance to see how the rest of the world lives and (for the black kids at least) to connect with ancestral culture could be life changing.

Submitted by Christian Golden from Oak Park, IL

Q: We're men of around the same age. What are your thoughts on the passing of Don Cornelius? He unlocked the love of a variety of musical voices and styles an Irish kid might never have found on his own. There were giants in those days. "As always in parting, [I wish him] Peace. Love. And soul."

Answered 02/08/12 12:11:49 by Leonard Pitts

A: As you might have seen by now from the column I wrote for Sunday's paper, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

Submitted by George from Miami

Q: G'afternoon Leonard, in ref to Sundays/Todays' columns....THATS EXACTLY why I read you..Excellent, Excellent columns..I think Christianity/Catholicism is the easiest religion to bash..If Bill Mahrer was really cutting edge, he would have defended the cartoonist who is in hiding because of the depictions of Allah in a local newspaper, or, maybe why Salman Rushdie had to go away for awhile..

Answered 02/08/12 12:11:01 by Leonard Pitts

A: Thanks, George. As for Maher, I flat out don't like the guy. His whole smug demeanor turns me off which is interesting, given that outside of religious matters, I probably agree with him more often than not. But give me Jon Stewart any day.

Submitted by Karen Jacobs from Northbrook, IL

Q: I asked this morning about Susan G. Komen's decision to stop funding grants to Planned Parenthood and you asked if I would follow up with more information. Here are two different news reports (which, by now, you may already have seen): http://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146160911/susan-g-komen-halts-grants-to-planned-parenthood http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/02/01/susan-g-komen-pink-slips-planned-parenthood-who-what-and-why/ thank you for all you do, Mr. Pitts. I am a great admirer of your writing and how you carry yourself in this world.

Answered 02/08/12 12:09:23 by Leonard Pitts

A: Yes, I've seen a lot more on the story since then and, yes, was more than a little disheartened by the political cowardice of the Komen folks. I'm considering column topics for Sunday, and that may be the one.

Submitted by Philip Girmus from Prince George, Virginia

Q: I submitted this request earlier. Please check the list of your articles to determine if the one entitled: "War Troops. No forgetting all they've seen" has been omitted. If it is "easy" to find, please outline the steps to do so. Respectfully, Phil

Answered 02/08/12 12:07:39 by Leonard Pitts

A: It's online at www.miamiherald.com. Follow the columnists link to my columns. If you're having trouble finding it, I suspect that's because on The Herald's website, it carries a different headline: "On video of Taliban corpses, let’s not be so quick to pass judgment"

Submitted by CaptainCritter from NJ

Q: On the subject of books, have you perchance seen Ralph Richard Banks' "Is Marriage for White People"? (http://ismarriageforwhitepeople.stanford.edu/) Some of what's discussed is another knock-on effect of mass incarceration.

Answered 02/08/12 12:04:50 by Leonard Pitts

A: I've seen it online, haven't read it. I thought the title raised a necessary and provocative question.

Submitted by Marianne Steen from Washington

Q: The email address from the Spokesman Review didn't work so I am sending "I want it. I'll read it" about The New Jim Crow to you this way. In case I get chosen, my address is: Marianne Steen, 5003 N. Washington, Spokane, WA 99205 Thanks for the opportunity of reading your column. I was sorry to have missed your last visit to Spokane. Marianne Steen, teacher, CCS.

Answered 02/01/12 12:58:26 by Leonard Pitts

A: I'll see that this gets put into the contest entries.

Submitted by Kim H. Wells from Inman, South Carolina

Q: Mr. Pitts, I frequently use your commentary in my 7th grade Language Arts classroom instruction. What one piece of advice would you give my students besides the cursory 'set dreams, study hard, and stay in school'? My second question relates to the Wikipedia blackout, but is more of a request. THIS topic is begging for your commentary, as well.

Answered 02/01/12 12:57:32 by Leonard Pitts

A: I would tell them that the road to success is a one lane footpath. Meaning that sometimes, you have be prepared to go it alone; you can't always ttavel with your friends. They may not have the vision you do, may not have the goals you do and you can't sabotage your own life in order to stay with them. Think for yourself.