WAR WOUNDS

AND IN THE WAKE OF Don Imus' suspension and the Duke lacrosse sex charges being dropped, there's more news:

The Public Broadcasting System has backpedaled and agreed to include the contributions of Latinos in Ken Burns' upcoming documentary "The War." The seven-part documentary, scheduled to air in September, looks at World War II from the perspective of four cities and towns.

We applaud this development. (And still don't understand how Burns could leave such a hole: at 44 million, Latinos are America's largest minority group). And kudos to the many Latino groups that rallied around the omission, and convinced PBS president Paula Kerger to listen to their protests. There were doubts PBS would have the will to change it, especially since it was made by the highly successful Burns.

Narratives about Latino and Native American veterans will now become part of the film; a Latino producer will be hired to work on the added information.

This story didn't get the media exposure that the Imus or Duke lacrosse cases received. There was no sex or high-profile radio jock involved. But it is a reminder that as our country becomes more diversified, more grassroot checks and balances will be required. *