According to your Jan. 29 front-page article, "Leaving La Fonda," Lalo Ortega had worked at the hotel for 64 years before he retired last week. He began at a dollar an hour, and was making $9.75 (plus tips, which were usually "a lot of ones") when he left. He began and ended at minimum wage, so essentially, he never got a raise.

He was recognized as the first impression given to guests, making them feel at home. He had a large family to support. And after 64 years, he was making minimum wage. This should be incredibly embarrassing to La Fonda. I am absolutely horrified. That Mr. Ortega spoke with affection for his workplace is to his credit.



I awoke last Friday totally snowed in, but my New Mexican had arrived. There was a lovely story about La Fonda's retiring longtime employees and an inspiring story about Capital High School junior Moises Tarango. More small jewels in Santa Fe's crown.



I read, "Leaving La Fonda," Phaedra Haywood's Jan. 29 salute to "six old-timers" retiring from La Fonda and am reminded of the importance of people in place. We have a plentitude of wonderful and historic sites in New Mexico, and cause to celebrate them, but often the most important story behind a place is the people who inhabit it. I salute the retirees: Ernest Martínez, Adelaido Ortega, Tonie Pacheco, Nellie Senteney, Tiburcio García and Bernard Nuanez, and wish them well in their new adventures. They left their mark on La Fonda and thus enriched its (and Santa Fe's) history.


Plan new Haiti

I believe that with thorough, excellent pre-planning, and soon, a comprehensive execution of these plans, Port-au-Prince could be reborn, and with it, the complete, extensive republic of Haiti could be reborn, also.

This could provide and promote new chances for a better, safer life for the total island population. I would hope that college-educated Haitians, devoted young people and qualified inhabitants, including of the adjoining Dominican Republic, could join all together to further this goal to the benefit of all.

Of course, the U.S. and other members of the United Nations, especially from the neighboring Caribbean Islands, should be enlisted to serve and advise as needed. With this excellent planning for the future, "the past" could be permanently put in the past, only with valuable lessons learned.


Dissident hero

The New Mexican's obituary for Howard Zinn was incomplete. Other than Noam Chomsky's brief quote, the piece was missing the perspective of someone who truly appreciates the work of Zinn. Howard Zinn was a true American hero who spoke of the true indivisible nation — the one truly of the people — and he spoke with the voice of "liberty and justice for all."

In a world of domination by Big Business and Big War, Zinn spoke truth to power, exposing the hidden elite. Mainstream media and academics deride Zinn's message, but such is the fate of a dissident in this fine nation of freedom. Their voices are shut out; Inconvenient Truth is always shut out. May Howard Zinn rest in peace; the New Guards will not let him down.


Force the issue

One year has passed in the Obama administration. Some difficult issues have been tackled; most are still afoot in the political battlefield. The most significant moral issue of our time, however, remains unanswered. The White House has refused to tackle investigation of torture authorized by the Bush administration.

This refusal is politically based, and can only be reversed by the concerted, moral, clear and unrelenting moral outrage of the people of this country. We the people must force President Barack Obama to be the leader he promised to be. We the people must require a moral and legal reckoning on torture.



We need to remind President Barack Obama that he has recognized the act of torture as illegal. Concerned readers should please write him and ask him to hold accountable those in office who OK'd these inhuman acts. The address is President Barack Obama, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington D.C., 20500.


Missed New Mexico

On Jan 31, The New Mexican carried a picture of the crowning of Miss America, but no mention whatsoever of the fact that Miss New Mexico made it to the top seven out of 53 contestants. Why would the newspaper of our state capital not have run her picture, along with congratulations?