Letters to the Editor 6/9/2004

New Mexico's drug courts are cheap and effective

I attended a celebration recently. The celebration was triggered by a unique event, the New Mexico Supreme Court proclaiming May to be Drug Court Month.

New Mexico drug courts are among the best in the country. They have a re-arrest rate of 6 percent -- other drug courts are 15 percent and, for incarcerated persons, about 50 percent.

Drug courts are cheap. It costs about $16 a day for a participant in a drug court; it costs over $80 a day to jail that person. New Mexico saves over $23 million a year by sending people to drug court instead of jail.

Had readers come, they might have learned how a very young mother credited a drug court with saving her life, and how she delivered a baby free of drugs. And, in the end, that's what the celebration was really about -- the real changes people make for the better in their lives.

Marty Halvorson
Santa Fe

Cell-phone fines

Recently, while talking to someone about getting a ticket for using my cell phone while driving -- without a hands-free device -- we were discussing the ticket fee. When I was stopped on March 8 of this year, the officer told me that the citation was $95. When I went to traffic court, I was told it would cost me $110.

Why is there a sign at Siler Road and Agua Fría Street that has a cell phone slashed out and, underneath, a sign that says the fine is $60? Can anyone clarify this?

Francine E. Wunk
Santa Fe

Bishop Sheridan

Bishop Michael Sheridan's list of political views that must preclude taking communion in the Roman Catholic Church is quite revealing for its lack of scope. Capital punishment is against the teachings of the church as well, but Bishop Sheridan does not ban communion to those politicians who vigorously support it. Indeed, the Pope spoke against going to war in Iraq. Would Bishop Sheridan like to touch that hot potato?

Cardinal Joseph Louis Bernadin once wrote that the church's teachings on the sanctity of human life should be a "seamless garment." Bishop Sheridan seems more interested in power and control than setting a good example of Christ's love.

It is worth remembering that Jesus gave communion to Judas. Obviously, Bishop Sheridan either chooses to be less compassionate than Jesus or thinks that he has greater wisdom in judging others than our savior. Either way, he brings shame upon his office.

Neal Devitt
Santa Fe

'Uncharitable words'

I hope the two or three Roman Catholic bishops who have assailed another Catholic candidate for the executive branch are in a minority. They're God's children, have human feelings, but do not speak ex cathedra.

Since their words get so much press, I prefer to see them go for it: Condemn candidates who promote capital punishment. Damage candidates who empower graft and greed. Attack candidates who wage offensive wars. Be caustic toward candidates who threaten pristine forests and ignore pollution. Be prejudiced against candidates who promote hatred, torture and intolerance. And, while they're at it, slander all the Republican candidates who support a woman's right to free will.

Why save the uncharitable words for a potential Catholic president who wants to lead the effort to restore peace and respect in the world? Share the shame.

Deborah Potter
Santa Fe