El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 15

7B pusm fe Paso Times Monday, Jan, 19, 2004 Editorial Page Editor Mary Benanti, 546-6160, mbenantielpasotimes.com www.elpasotimes.com Mack Qulntana, President and Publisher Dlonlclo "Don" Ftores, Executive Vice President and Editor VS PROBNay AS GOOD mes Robert Moore, Executive Editor A TIME AS ANY TO 9UILPA fi Rirarrfn toE CW MS THE HWN Pimentel I 1 mm A Gannett newspaper Founded in 1881 EDITORIAL BOARD Dionicio "Don" Floras, Editor Mary Benanti, Editorial page editor Bemadetta Sedillo Self, Editorial writer Charles Edgren, Editorial writer 300 N. Campbell El Paso, 7X 79901 546-6100 OURVIEWS Remembering King The dream must continue Defections could hurt Democrats The conventional wisdom is that Democrats should worry that a Howard Dean candidacy will spark an exodus of centrists to the GOP and cost the party the election. Forget about it. It's wishful thinking by Republicans and just plain hooey spread around by Democrats who want to be front-runners but aren't The truth is that the party should worry about its progressives. These are the defections that could ensure anoth This nation is a better place because of the Rev.

Martin Luther King Jr. It is as yet imperfect, but certainly better. Forty-six years after the civil-rights leader was slain, his actions, sacrifices and words continue to insDire and emDower YOURVTEWS The El Paso Times welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. Limit letters or e-mail to 200 words.

Allow 30 days between letters. Provide full name, address, ZIP code and day and evening phone numbers for verification purposes. Letters to the editor, opinion columns and other articles submitted to the Times may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms. Aceptamos cartas en espahol. people of all colors around the world.

Today, it is fitting that the nation that grew so much because of this man's work celebrate his achievements. King's message of tolerance and justice are eternally relevant. His passion and extraordinary convictions and willingness to sacrifice himself for those beliefs transcend the passage of time. That's why even the coldblooded circumstances of this dynamic leader's death couldn't stnn thf nrnorpsQ ctf thp Hvil- E-mail: opinionelpasotimes.com (Microsoft Word documents can be attached) Fax letters: 546-6343 Mailing address: Letters to the editor, Paso Times, P.O. Box 20, Paso, TX 79999 tion's history had to be shed.

A democracy with justice based on one's skin color is no democracy at all. Days after King's death on April 4, 1968, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed civil-rights legislation banning racial discrimination in the sale and rental of housing to blacks and Government has continued in many ways to end the discrimination that had been institutionalized. Today, King would be proud that the "evolution" continues. It's difficult to imagine what the United States would be like today without the actions and sacrifices of King and others. The reverend became a great man, not because he was "perfect" and not because he was martyred for a cause but, rather, because he overcame the obstacles that keep many people shackled in mediocrity and fear.

It's one thing to rant about or lament injustices. It's quite another to put one's life on the line to change them. Future generations may forget that King earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. They may even forget King's famous, and incredibly moving "I have a Dream" speech (delivered in 1963). But the kind of hope for change that King inspired will live in this society as long as it remembers the dreams and sacrifices of people such as King.

A elpasotimeolm rights changes that King helped LETTERS Bad driving? Not so in El Paso I read with displeasure the letter from the out-of-town Sun Bowl spectator who was critical of El Pasoans' driving skills. She said we do not use turn signals, cut off people, don't yield and that many people speed. Clearly, she doesn't understand El Paso. We do not use turn signals in order to confuse al-Qaida operatives who may be following us. We do not let others pass in front of us because it would be impolite for them to do so.

We do not yield to vehicles entering the freeway because yielding is a sign of weakness. It's un-American. So, no yielding (see my And yes, we speed because, hey, we're important. We have things to do, places to go. So get out of our way! Besides, I'm guessing that as much as 80 percent of the drivers in the area are either law-enforcement officers or married or otherwise related to officers.

Also, I'm sure that any bad driver this woman may have seen was, of course, a New Mexican. YoH Del Rio East El Paso Race is heated In the county attorney's race, the vast amount of money that has already been expended tells the tale. It says two things: (1) this campaign is exceedingly important, and (2) it flunks the smell test Where is all of this money set into motion. Civil rights had been evolving in previous years, thanks to the actions of many civil-rights activists. The poll taxes were ruled unconstitutional in 1966 and during the 1950s the Supreme Court issued several opinions declaring race-based discrimination in schools and on public transportation systems unconstitutional.

The bond projects will help the district keep pace with the student growth. To ensure that bond monies are spent wisely, the SISD's board of trustees is establishing a Citizens' Oversight Committee. This is a very positive initiative for the district I encourage you to support the district's building program in order to meet the needs of its growing student population. Please vote for our children on Jan. 24 by voting "Yes" in Socorro's bond election.

Linda East chairwoman. Pro Socorro Schools Committee Dean on right track As we try to understand how the new prescription bill will affect us and our pocket-book, the Wall Street Journal recently documented in a front-page story how the bill will undoubtedly benefit large companies like Lucent Technology, General Motors, Dow Chemical Co. and SBC Communications Inc. These companies will receive payments from the gov But King's death slapped this country awake. Many finally realized that the sins of racial intolerance and hatred that have tainted this na er Bush victory.

Yes, centrists can be, and of- ten are, progressive. But we're mostly talking here of folks who can describe themselves as liberal and not feel they have to make an apology for doing so. The more liberal wing of the party is where the passion and the potential for defection or inaction is keenest. The most vocal Democrats out there are not making impassioned pleas for establishment candidates. It's why Dean is an early front-runner and, among centrists who realize that "establishment" isn't selling, why former Gen.

Wesley Clark is gaining steam. Those inclined toward cen-trism will warm to Dean if he is nominated, Republican moderates among them. Clark and Joe Lieberman will be their first choices, perhaps, but they will vote for anyone thought to be in the top tier of candidate. That's because they know Bush is anything but the moderate, centrist uniter he sold us in his 2000 campaign. They've seen his true colors.

It's red ink, socially conservative, partisan at any cost, internationally unilateralist and too cozily tight with corporate America. Dean is labeled as liberal mostly because of his early and vocal antiwar stance. In any case, the danger is not that disaffected centrists will sit the election out or vote Republican. The real danger is in that small body of voters who are among the most passionate I've detected in this election. People like Dennis Kucinich's boosters.

He is unfairly labeled as a wacky fringe candidate. He isn't. The danger is that although Kucinich says he will support the ultimate nominee, his supporters might not listea They are not numerous but along with other left-leaners, are a big enough niche to matter in a close election. It's not too early for Democrats to start worrying about what comes after the primaries. They shouldn't fret about the centrists or moderates in the party taking their marbles home.

They should worry about liberals or progressives insisting on having it all but in- stead losing it all. O. Ricardo Pimentel is a columnist for the Arizona Republic. E-mail: ricanjo. pimentelarizonarepublic.com North Korea obdurate U.S.

must insist on nuke verification i iromr i ne contrast Talk about it at the Times' discussion forums laws of this country. There are rules and regulations governing how an immigrant can attain a legal status in this country. Once an immigrant satisfies the criteria for citizenship (which means a legal status) I fully support him or her in getting any part of the so-called American Dream. I wonder how many people who are here illegally are enjoying the benefits of our nation, state, county or city even though the system is aware of their status. It's downright discouraging tot see our president advocate such a policy, and I think he is advocating his plan purely for selfish reasons: re-elec-tioa Tommy Loyd Northeast El Paso Vote for SISD bond I want to encourage voters in the Socorro Independent School District to support the $188.7 million bond election on Jan.

24. Socorro is one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. In the next 15 years, more than 25,000 homes are expected to be built in the district This growth will result in more students. The district is expected to exceed 50,000 students in the next 10 years. The need for more schools is evident.

With voter approval of the bond election, the district will build nine new schools, make additions, renovations and improvements to existing facilities, enhance educational programs and purchase land for future schools. North Korea is once again busily engaged in its favorite pastime baiting and bullying the United States. Foremost on the Bush administration's mind is somehow get- Weapons program unhindered. Indeed, The Associated Press reported that Charles Pritchard, a former State Department official visiting North Korea recently with a private delegation, was told by Vice Foreign Minister, Kim Kye Gwan, "Time is not on the U.S. side.

Lapses of time will result in quantitative and qualita-' tive increases in our nuclear deterrent." The group reportedly saw evidence of North Korea's progress in the nuclear-weapons field. It couldn't be much clearer. North Korea doesn't intend to give up on its nuclear-weapons program no matter what kinds of concessions the United States offers. So the United States should not bend in its insistence upon verification of nuclear disarmament as a condition to resume talks with North Korea. between the qualifications of Rick Porras and the qualifications of the current occupant, Jose Rodriguez, are extreme.

Is this an effort to win a routine election? Or is it a power play calculated to show every decision-maker in our region that they'd better not shake up the status quo? Taylor Moore West El Paso Nation of laws? I think our president sometimes forgets he was sworn into office on the condition that he would uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution. To me that means Bush has a legal obligation to see that the laws of our country are followed. Illegal immigrants should not be afforded any opportunity in this country simply because they have broken the ernment that cover their expenses in providing health care. They can add these government subsidies to their bottom line tax-free.

Meanwhile, we individuals pay our part of the health care and we pay our taxes. Howard Dean has consistently charged that the Bush administration is in the pockets of big business, at the expense of consumers. These four companies have contributed $25 million to the Republican National Committee since 2000 and $140,000 to Bush's campaign. This bill is one more piece of proof that Dean is on the right track. Marge GianelB East El Paso ung uie iuiui rwuiccuis iu give up their nuclear weapons program.

The North Koreans say they're willing to do this, but the price is too high and they know it. North Korea accuses the U.S. of foot-dragging in setting up another round of six-nation talks, saying it won't agree to talks unless this country drops its insistence on verifiable elimination of the nuke program in exchange for economic help and security assurances. But some verification process is necessary. Yet North Korea doesn't want any kind of verification, obviously so it can continue its nuclear- OTHERS 1 VIEWS Loretto's history a story of Mother Praxedes Absurd use of $1.5 billion Government should not meddle in marriages CI Leon i Metz YT-) Amft.

For many reasons, I spend a lot of time in my car, always driving somewhere, and last week I chanced to pass Loret-to Academy on Hardaway Street, a thoroughfare in itself that most of us will be hard-pressed to recall. But the name Loretto Academy brings twinges of recognition to many El Pasoans, even if they can't place the name or know the academy's location, which is roughly between Trowbridge and Montana streets, a couple or three blocks east of Highway 54. City maps refer to the region as Austin Terrace. This is an interesting, old, intriguing belt of town, a quiet, prosperous neighborhood of sprawling lawns, large well-kept houses, huge trees, streets that run in gentle curves. In short, it's an area as peaceful as it is quaint.

The architecture is early and well kept. It is antebellum and relaxing, a tucked-in free zone amidst the hurley-burley movement of El Paso traffic and business. Several architectural land- perior General, establishing 51 Sisters of Loretto schools, and two four-year colleges, all granting degrees to womea In 1922, she planned Loretto's first foreign missioa in China. At 68 years of age that same year, after stepping aside as Superior General, Mother Praxedes moved to El Paso to retire completely. Instead, she hit the ground running.

In those days Austin Terrace was desert, outside the city and a long way from water. El Paso already had a St Joseph's Academy, but Mother Praxedes envisioned a boarding school for womea young girls from Mexico and the El Paso Southwest. J.W. Morgan and Sons thus built today's Sisters of Loretto College: an academy, convent and chapel joined by two colon-ades at total costs of slightly less than a million dollars. And Mother Praxedes raised every dime of it.

Mother Praxedes is no longer here, although her spirit never left. The El Paso County Historical Society placed her in its Hall of Honor in 2001. Today, the Austin Terrace District still reflects her mem-; ory. Because the area is so near and yet so remote, driv- ing through it is pleasurable, expressive words such as laxing and comforting" com- ing easily to mind. And what one finds here at Loretto Academy is housing, God and schools.

As for myself, I go to the mountains for isolation and scenery; Downtown and the Lower Valley for history; and Juarez for uniqueness. But I visit the Austin Terrace area occasionally for serenity. Those huge trees, majestic buildings and somewhat slower traffic speak of another time, of an age when one could be awed and inspired by beauty, elegance and goodness, plus the majesty of thoughts and grandeur regarding a creation and a creator greater than ourselves. Leon Metz, an El Paso historian, writes often for the El Paso Times. E-mail: cmetz48888aol.com 1 We're from the government, and we're here to help your marriage.

If President Bush has his way, troubled American couples could be hearing those words soon. Who would have imagined that a Republican president would want the federal government in the marriage-counseling business? Bush is going to propose $1.5 billion that's' billion to fund an initiative to train couples; particularly low-income ones, in skills intended to help their marriages thrive. An unnamed presidential adviser tells The New York Times, "This is a way for the president to address the concerns of conservatives and to solidify his conservative base." Whom is Team Bush kidding? Social conservatives worry that the judiciary is going to legalize gay marriage, absent a constitu- tional amendment barring the practice. And they are increasingly concerned that the president hasn't endorsed the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. This is a very big deal to these people, and the notion that a new government program to teach poor folks how to be happily married is going to buy the social and religious right off is absurd.

And it's an absurdity we can't afford in a time of ballooning deficit spending. Once the network of social workers and counselors is put in place, it will be difficult to get rid of them. They will become yet another group of government employees dependent on the taxpayer for support. This proposal looks like election-year pandering by a president eager to appease social conservatives. Dallas Morning News 3 marks exist here, one being the Radford School for Girls.

Another is Loretto Academy, and therein hangs my tale. The story begins with the Carty family: Mark, his wife Ellen, and their 11 children who migrated to the United States from Ireland. A daughter, Susan, at age 20, joined the Sisters of Loretto and attended a Motherhouse in Kentucky. There she became Sister Praxedes. By 1875, at 18 years, she transferred to Santa Fe where she became fluent in Spanish, her Spanish no doubt having a touch of Irish brogue.

Sister Praxedes had financial competence above and beyond the average, so her initial calling consisted of talking financial titans out of foreclosures. She became Su.