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Low mineral value Local government forced to ‘do more with less’ By KENDRA ABLAZA Photo by Hans-Maximo Musielik | AP file
A truck crosses the border between Mexico and the United States in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Oct. 21, 2011.
Trucking program progresses Mexican companies will be able to travel further inland By JULIÁN AGUILAR
THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Judge Joe Rathmell said that from 2007-08, Zapata County’s mineral value was at about $2 billion from its natural gas production and some oil production. Now, the county’s mineral values are at a little more than $500 million, he said. Rathmell said the price of
natural gas has been depressed for several years now, and it has had a dramatic effect on drilling in the county. “Production is depleted,” Rathmell said. “(Old wells) don’t produce as much as one that is recently drilled. A new well will produce at a higher rate than an older well. “If you want to keep a certain amount of produc-
tion, you try to drill more wells to keep up the production. Because of the price being so low for it, companies just aren’t drilling for new wells.” Rathmell said though some Zapata County residents in the oil and gas industry have found jobs at nearby sites like Eagle Ford Shale, the county did not have such a fruitful comeback.
The county judge said they’ve had to reduce their county workforce over the years by nearly 20 percent — almost 70 positions — to make up for its lower oil and gas values. Rathmell said the county has also been trying to “do more with less” when it comes to county services. “We’ve basically eliminat-
See VALUE PAGE 9A
IMMIGRATION
PROGRAM ON HOLD
TEXAS TRIBUNE
After two decades of political posturing, a cross-border trucking program will soon be ready to roll, opening up an avenue to expand trade between Texas and Mexico. The U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking program allows Mexican trucking companies to apply for permission to travel with their U.S.-bound goods beyond the current 20- to 25-mile limit past the border. Currently, most trucks haul goods to the border, where the products are warehoused and reloaded by American carriers for shipment to their final destinations. But trade and union groups in the U.S. say a recent pilot program that tested the policy — a component of the North American Free Trade Agreement — did not compile enough reliable data and that American drivers could be at risk as a result. Designed to make international trade more efficient, the program has been in limbo amid several bitter exchanges between U.S. and Mexican officials over the last two decades. After a pilot program initiated in 2007 by former President George W. Bush was defunded by the U.S. Congress two years later, the Mexican government retaliated and imposed tariffs on about $2 billion worth of American goods. That applied to nearly $200 million of Texas-produced goods in 2009, according to the office of the state’s former agriculture commissioner, Todd Staples. After a second, three-year pilot program was completed in October, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in January that Mexican carriers are on track to enroll in the program if they meet various safety and training standards. The program could add to an already booming trade relationship between Texas and Mexico. Mexico is the state’s largest trading partner and the country’s third, behind Canada and China, according to WorldCity, a Florida-based trade-tracking company. The Laredo and El Paso customs districts are the busiest ports on the border, with $269 billion and $86.4 billion in two-way trade, respec-
See TRUCKING PAGE 9A
Photo by Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle | AP
Mercedes Herrera and others chant during an event on DACA and DAPA Immigration Relief at the Houston International Trade Center, Tuesday. The White House promised an appeal after a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration.
Texas federal judge blocks Obama’s executive action By ERICA WERNER AND JIM KUHNHENN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration put its new deportation-relief program on hold Tuesday on the eve of its launch, complying reluctantly with a federal judge’s order that roiled immigrant communities nationwide and seemed to harden an already-tense stalemate on Capitol Hill. President Barack Obama promised an appeal and pre-
dicted he’d prevail. But for tens of thousands of immigrants in line to begin applying today for work permits and deportation stays under his directives, their plans were canceled, at least temporarily. Talking to reporters in the Oval Office, Obama said he disagreed with the ruling by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Texas that the administration had exceeded its authority. But he said that, for
now, he must abide by it. “We’re not going to disregard this federal court ruling,” Obama said, but he added that administration officials would continue to prepare to roll out the program. “I think the law is on our side and history is on our side,” he said. On Capitol Hill, the Homeland Security Department stood 10 days away from losing funding, but Hanen’s ruling made a compromise on
that dispute look more distant than ever. Republicans are blocking funding for the agency unless Democrats agree to cancel Obama’s immigration orders, and they seized on the ruling as validation for their position. Yet Senate Democrats, who have been blocking a Housepassed bill that would fund the department but also undo Obama’s actions, said the rul-
See IMMIGRATION PAGE 5A
ANÁHUAC, MEXICO
20 dead in bus, train crash THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
A passenger carries his child to safety after the bus they were traveling in crashed into a train Friday.
The death toll from a collision between a passenger bus and freight train near the Camaron customs station outside of Anáhuac, Mexico on Friday night has risen to 20, according to Civil Protection and Fire authorities in Nuevo Laredo and Anáhuac. While no official report on the incident has yet been released, authorities believe the bus driver tried beating the train at a railroad crossing. The resulting collision left the bus nearly destroyed. Sixteen people died at the scene — nine men, five women
and two children. Four other people died Friday night in Nuevo Laredo hospitals. Victims who died in Solidaridad General Hospital were Juanita Luna, 67, and an unnamed woman between 25 and 30 years old. Social Security Hospital Number 11 recorded the death of Carlos Fernando Rico Cabriales, 39, while Emily Marlene Perez Rangel, 6, died at San Jose Hospital. Transportes Frontera bus 4146 left Nuevo Laredo for Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, at 4 p.m. Friday. The bus left Nuevo Laredo with 28 people. During the trip the bus made several stops to
pick up passengers, which totaled 51 at the time of the accident. The impact with the train split the bus into two parts. Besides the 20 who died, 22 others were left injured. Some of the injuries were classified as serious. Nuevo Leon state authorities identified the driver as Jesus Carlos Fernandez Rico, whose whereabouts are unknown. State attorney general’s officials confirmed neither the driver nor anybody connected to the accident are jailed in Nuevo Laredo.
See CRASH PAGE 5A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
Wednesday, Feb. 18
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Free heart health education class. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland. All materials are in English. Topics to be discussed: Blood Pressure 101, Cholesterol 101, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, Weight Management and Physical Activity, Heart-Healthy Cooking and Fast Food Survival for Heart Health. Contact Patricia at 722-1674.
Saturday, Feb. 21 TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium. Earth, Moon and Sun, 2 p.m. New Horizons, 3 p.m. Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens, 4 p.m. Led Zeppelin, 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. Call 956-236-DOME (3663).
Tuesday, Feb. 24 TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium. Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens, 5 p.m. Black Holes, 6 p.m. Admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. Call 956-236-DOME (3663).
Wednesday, Feb. 25 Free heart health education class. 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland. All materials are in English. Topics to be discussed: Blood Pressure 101, Cholesterol 101, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, Weight Management and Physical Activity, Heart-Healthy Cooking and Fast Food Survival for Heart Health. Contact Patricia at 722-1674.
Thursday, Feb. 26 Spanish Book Club from 6 to 8 p.m. at Laredo Public Library on Calton Road. Call Sylvia Reash at 763-1810. Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society will meet from 3-5 p.m., at the Center for the Arts in downtown. A $2 donation for non-members is requested. Call Sanjuanita Martinez-Hunter at 722-3497.
Friday, Feb. 27 TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium. Led Zeppelin, 6 p.m. Live Star Presentation (observing will occur after show if weather permits), 7 p.m. Admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. Call 956236-DOME (3663).
Saturday, Feb. 28 TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center Planetarium. Earth, Moon and Sun, 2 p.m. New Horizons, 3 p.m. Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens, 4 p.m. Led Zeppelin, 5 p.m. Admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. Call 956-236-DOME (3663).
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott arrives to the House Chamber to deliver his State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Tuesday in Austin. Abbott told lawmakers that roads, education and border security are the biggest issues facing Texans.
Abbott’s State of State By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — While savoring a major court victory from his old job, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday gave marching orders at his new one in a State of the State address that abandoned the fiery flair and defiant rhetoric on social issues that his predecessor had. Rather than use his biggest platform yet to reaffirm opposition to same-sex marriage or abortion, Abbott mostly stuck to the meat and potatoes of governance. He declared more highway funding and a limited expansion of pre-kindergarten among five priorities for the Legislature to immediately tackle. Ethics reforms also made the cut, and Abbott took a fresh swipe at transparency issues within former Gov. Rick Perry’s flag-
Judge in ‘Sniper’ denies request for mistrial
Crews rescue man stuck in pit with concrete mix
Woman to lead A&M corps for first time in its history
STEPHENVILLE — A judge has denied a defense request for a mistrial in the case of a former Marine accused of killing “American Sniper” author Chris Kyle and Kyle’s friend. The request came Tuesday in the trial of Eddie Ray Routh after prosecutors said they mistakenly suggested glass vials presented earlier belonged to Routh. Prosecutor Alan Nash said “inartful” questioning likely made jurors believe the vials stored in boxes of evidence seized from Routh’s house belonged to him.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio firefighters and rescue teams have pulled a construction worker from a trench partially filled with concrete. A fire department official says the man was filling trenches with the cement mix late Monday when a metal retaining wall broke, flooding the pit that was about 20 feet below street level. He was trapped in the trench for at least an hour and a half.
COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M University has announced the Corps of Cadets will be led by a woman for the first time in the university’s 139-year history. The university said Monday that junior Alyssa Marie Michalke of the Fayette County town of Schulenburg will assume command of more than 2,400 cadets in the spring. Michalke currently is corps sergeant major, the highest rank for a cadet who is not a senior. She’s the first woman to hold that rank.
Power back on at UT Austin campus AUSTIN — Power has been restored to the University of Texas at Austin following a 90-minute campus-wide outage that did not interrupt classes. A UT spokesman said Tuesday’s outage was the first time in 10 years that the entire campus lost electricity.
(Submit calendar items at lmtonline.com/calendar/submit or by emailing editorial@lmtonline.com with the event’s name, date and time, location and purpose and contact information for a representative. Items will run as space is available.)
Dallas hospital posts live tweets of heart transplant DALLAS — A Dallas hospital has live-tweeted a heart transplant operation, offering Internet users a front row seat. A medical team traded in a scalpel for a smartphone Monday to post Twitter updates of the surgery that occurred at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The patient agreed to let the hospital report on the surgery.
Traffic stop yields $700K hidden in tire, 2 arrests WESLACO — A South Texas traffic stop has led to the discovery of nearly $700,000 hidden in a tire and two arrests. The driver, Reyes R. Hernandez III of Humble, was being held Tuesday on charges of money laundering and unlawful carrying of a weapon. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION
Saturday, March 7 Texican CattleWomen’s Steaka-Rama. In Memory of Mary Kay & Gene Walker. Steak dinner with all the trimmings. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Laredo International Fair & Exposition on Hwy. 59. Donation: $7. Get tickets from any CattleWoman member, the LIFE Office (Hwy 59), Guerra Communications (6402 N Bartlett Ave at Jacaman Rd.) or Primped Style Bar (7718 McPherson).
ship economic development program, the Texas Enterprise Fund, which has doled out nearly a half-billion in taxpayer dollars to private companies. The tempered tone and content of the speech starkly contrasted to bombastic State of the State addresses under Perry, who in the run-up to his failed 2012 White House bid made divisive issues such as voter ID and sonograms for women getting abortions his legislative priorities. Perry, who is now preparing for another possible presidential run in 2016, was not mentioned by Abbott. One of Perry’s final major acts as governor was deploying National Guard troops to the Texas-Mexico border — and Abbott confirmed to a packed House chamber that the mission will not end in March as previously planned.
Oil train derails and explodes in W.Va. MOUNT CARBON, W.Va. — Fires were still burning more than a day after an oil train carrying more than 3 million gallons of crude derailed in a snowstorm, shooting fireballs into the sky and leaking oil into a West Virginia waterway. Hundreds of families were evacuated and two water treatment plants were temporarily shut down after 19 of the tanker cars left the tracks and caught fire, burning a nearby house down to its foundation. One person was treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported, according to the train company, CSX.
More measles cases tied to Disneyland, day care NEW YORK — The number of U.S. measles cases this year has risen to 141, with most of the
Today is Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, the 49th day of 2015. There are 316 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 18, 1885, Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the U.S. for the first time (after already being published in Britain and Canada). On this date: In 1546, Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, died in Eisleben. In 1861, Jefferson Davis was sworn in as provisional president of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1913, Mexican President Francisco I. Madero and Vice President Jose Maria Piño Suarez were arrested during a military coup (both were shot to death on Feb. 22). In 1930, photographic evidence of Pluto (now designated a “dwarf planet”) was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 1953, “Bwana Devil,” the movie that heralded the 3D fad of the 1950s, had its New York opening. In 1970, the “Chicago Seven” defendants were found not guilty of conspiring to incite riots at the 1968 Democratic national convention; five were convicted of violating the AntiRiot Act of 1968 (those convictions were later reversed). In 1984, Italy and the Vatican signed an accord under which Roman Catholicism ceased to be the state religion of Italy. In 1995, the NAACP replaced veteran chairman William Gibson with Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Ten years ago: Explosions tore through Baghdad and a nearby city on the eve of Shiite Muslims’ holiest day, killing three dozen people. Five years ago: In Austin, Texas, software engineer A. Joseph Stack III crashed his single-engine plane into a building containing IRS offices, killing one person besides himself. One year ago: Defiant protesters shouted “Glory to Ukraine!” as burning tents lit up the night sky after thousands of riot police moved against the sprawling protest camp in the center of Kiev Today’s Birthdays: Actor George Kennedy is 90. Former Sen. John Warner, R-Va., is 88. Author Toni Morrison is 84. Singer Yoko Ono is 82. Singer Irma Thomas is 74. Actress Jess Walton (TV: “The Young and the Restless”) is 69. Singer Dennis DeYoung is 68. Actress Cybill Shepherd is 65. Singer Randy Crawford is 63. Actor John Travolta is 61. Actor John Pankow is 60. Game show host Vanna White is 58. Actress Jayne Atkinson is 56. Actor Matt Dillon is 51. Rapper Dr. Dre is 50. Actress Molly Ringwald is 47. Actress Sarah Brown is 40. Actor Ike Barinholtz is 38. Actor Kristoffer Polaha is 38. Singer-musician Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) is 38. Actor Tyrone Burton is 36. Rock-singer musician Regina Spektor is 35. Opera singer Isabel Leonard is 33. Roots rock musician Zac Cockrell (Alabama Shakes) is 27. Thought for Today: “Temperament is temper that is too old to spank.” — Charlotte Greenwood, American actresscomedian (1893-1978).
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Fire burns at the scene of a train derailment, near Mount Carbon, W.Va. Fires burned for nearly nine hours after the train carrying more than 100 tankers of crude oil derailed in a snowstorm. new illnesses tied to outbreaks at Disneyland in California and an Illinois day care center. Twenty new cases were added Tuesday to the tally by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: 10 in California from the Disneyland outbreak, 8 from
the suburban Chicago outbreak at a day care center, and two unrelated cases in Nevada. Most of the people who have gotten measles this year were not vaccinated, the CDC has said. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
State
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Muhammad cartoon event set ASSOCIATED PRESS
GARLAND — A month after hundreds of people protested outside a Muslim conference in suburban Dallas, a group critical of Islam has planned a cartoon contest of the Prophet Muhammad in the same building. The American Freedom
Defense Initiative will hold a “Muhammad Art Exhibit and Contest” on May 3 in Garland, Texas, with a $10,000 prize for the best cartoon, The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday. Many Muslims believe all images of the prophet are blasphemous. The same building in Garland was where hun-
dreds of people held antiIslam signs — including “Go home & take Obama with you” — and jeered attendees walking into an anti-terrorism conference sponsored by a Muslim group. Pamela Geller, a cofounder of the defense initiative and an outspoken critic of Islam, called at-
tention to that meeting and attended the protests. In announcing the cartoon contest this week, Geller cited the deadly January attack by Muslim terrorists on French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which was repeatedly threatened for its caricatures of the Muslim prophet.
Marriage equality eyed By EVA RUTH MORAVEC ASSOCIATED PRESS Courtesy image
The Zapata County Fair Parade will take place March 14. Registration is now open to participators.
Zapata County Fair Parade SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Zapata’s annual County Fair Parade will take place Saturday, March 14. The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce would like to invite all businesses, churches, clubs, schools, organizations and elected officials to participate in the parade. Trophies will be awarded to: Best in Show Top Equestrian Entry Top Law Enforcement Entry Top School Entry Top Musical Entry Top Military/Veteran Entry Top Dance Team/Studio Entry Top Cheer Entry Top Business Entry Top Club/Organization Entry Top Community Spirit Award
Parade lineup will be from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on U.S. Hwy 83 and 3rd Avenue, next to Pepe’s Car Wash. All entries must be in line no later than 8:30 a.m. The parade will start promptly at 9 a.m. and proceed on 3rd Avenue, heading north on U.S. Hwy 83 and taking a left on 23rd Street to the Zapata County Fairgrounds. Trophies will be issued and awarded at the Zapata County Fairgrounds at 1:30 p.m. Entry forms may be downloaded from zapatacountyfair.com. To submit a form, email cbalderas@zapatachamber.com, deliver to Zapata County Chamber of Commerce, Attention: Celia Balderas, 601 N. U.S. Hwy 83, Zapata, TX 78076. Forms may also be faxed to 956-7655434. For more information, call 956-765-4871 ext. 12.
AUSTIN — Faith leaders rallied for marriage equality Tuesday at the Texas Capitol, seeking to convince lawmakers that expanding rights to gay, bisexual and transgender couples won’t compromise their religious beliefs. “We demand equality!” chanted attendees, many of whom wore colorful liturgical vestments and held signs stating they were Methodist, Jewish, Unitarian, Baptist and Presbyterian. About 150 people traveled to the Capitol for the rally, sponsored by the advocacy group the Texas Freedom Network. Minister Leslie Jackson of the Houston United Church of Christ said that equality is “God in action,” adding that “LGBT equality is not a distant cousin to faith, it is its progeny.” Rev. Eric Folkerth, from Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, praised his city’s non-discrimination ordinance, adding that equality at work is also important. The Dallas statute that protects lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination in employment and housing has been in place since 2002; a similar ban in Houston is caught up in a legal battle.
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
A man wearing a rainbow-colored tie and Equality Texas flag joins faith leaders and congregation members of various churches from around the state rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol Tueday. “Less government involvement in our lives leaves us free to love who we love,” said Claire Bow, a transgender woman from Austin. “The real trick is getting legislators to see the effects of the things they put into law.” Following the rally, attendees filtered into the Capitol to meet with lawmakers on a variety of bills. Several, filed by Democrats, would support equality by barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender
identity in realms like public schools and insurance policies. Dallas Rep. Eric Johnson proposed a measure that would give the Texas Workforce Commission the power to investigate claims of workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. But through other proposals, Republicans have shown that equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans may be untenable for now. Magnolia Republican
Rep. Cecil Bell’s bill, called the “Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act,” has the support of 41 Republican House members. It would ban the use of taxpayer money to license same-sex marriages and ban government employees from recognizing, granting or enforcing same-sex marriage licenses. The constitutionality of Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage is currently before the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Writers can convey the moral exile of PTSD David J. Morris returned from Iraq with a case of post-traumatic stress disorder. The former Marine turned war correspondent was plagued by nightmares. His imagination careened out of control; he envisioned fireballs erupting while on trips to the mall. His emotions could go numb, but his awareness was hypervigilant. Images and smells from the war were tattooed eternally fresh on his brain, and he circled back to them remorselessly. "Trauma destroys the fabric of time," Morris writes in his book, "The Evil Hours." "In normal time you move from one moment to the next, sunrise to sunset, birth to death. After trauma, you may move in circles, find yourself being sucked backwards into an eddy or bouncing like a rubber ball from now to then to back again. … In the traumatic universe the basic laws of matter are suspended: ceiling fans can be helicopters, car exhaust can be mustard gas." Morris’ book is so good because it relies on literature, history and psychology to communicate the reality of PTSD, both to those who live with it and those who never have. But this book is also important because it’s part of a broader reevaluation of trauma. Most discussion about PTSD thus far has been about fear and the conquering of fear. But, over the past few years, more people have come to understand PTSD is also about exile — moral exile. We don’t think about it much, but in civilian life we live enmeshed in a fabric of moral practices and evaluations. We try to practice kindness and to cause no pain. People who have been to war have left this universe behind. That’s because war — no matter how justified or unjustified, noble or ignoble — is always a crime. It involves accidental killings, capricious death for one but not another, tainted situations where every choice is murderously wrong. Many veterans feel guilty because they lived while others died. Some feel ashamed because they didn’t bring all their men home and wonder what they could have done differently to save them. When they get home they wonder if there’s something wrong with them because they find war repugnant but also thrilling. They hate it and miss it. Many of their selfjudgments go to extremes. A comrade died because he stepped on an improvised explosive device and his commander feels unrelenting guilt because he didn’t go down a different street. Insurgents used women and children as shields, and soldiers and Marines feel a totalistic black stain
“
DAVID BROOKS
on themselves because of an innocent child’s face, killed in the firefight. The self-condemnation can be crippling. The victims of PTSD often feel morally tainted by their experiences, unable to recover confidence in their own goodness, trapped in a sort of spiritual solitary confinement, looking back at the rest of the world from beyond the barrier of what happened. They find themselves unable to communicate their condition to those who remained at home, resenting civilians for their blind innocence. People generally don’t suffer high rates of PTSD after natural disasters. Instead, people suffer from PTSD after moral atrocities. Soldiers who’ve endured the depraved world of combat experience their own symptoms. Trauma is an expulsive cataclysm of the soul. We now have a growing number of books and institutions grappling with this reality, including Phil Klay’s novel "Redeployment," which won the National Book Award; Nancy Sherman’s forthcoming "Afterwar: Healing the Moral Wounds of Our Soldiers"; and therapy programs like the one on moral injury found at the San Diego Naval Medical Center. These writers and therapists suggest that there has to be a moral reckoning, a discernment process that doesn’t whitewash what happened but does lead to merciful judgments about how much guilt should be borne; settled and measured conclusions about how responsibility for terrible things should be apportioned. Sherman, who is a philosopher at Georgetown University, emphasizes that most of the work will have to be done at the micro level — through individual conversations between veterans and civilians that go beyond the cheap grace of "thank you for your service." The conversations have to deal with the individual facts of each case. The goal is to get veterans to adopt the stance of a friendly observer, to make clear how limited choices are when one is caught in a random, tragic situation, to arrive at catharsis and self-forgiveness about what was actually blameworthy and what wasn’t. The civilian enters into the world the veteran actually inhabited during those awful crowded hours and expands his own moral awareness. The veteran feels trusted, respected and understood — re-integrated into the fabric of his or her homeland. We live in a culture that emphasizes therapy, but trauma often has to be overcome morally, through rigorous philosophical autobiography, nuanced judgment, case by case.
EDITORIAL
Cutting in line to get into UT THE WASHINGTON POST
Admission to an elite public university like the University of Texas at Austin is expected to be competitive. Just ask the 60 percent of applicants who were turned away from spots in last year’s freshman class. But the admissions process is also supposed to be fair, an expectation turned on its head by recent revelations that the school’s president repeatedly overruled the judgment of admissions professionals to enroll certain students. That these students had political and social connections may not be a surprise, but such influence-peddling — and the unseemly effort to conceal it — should come as an embarrassment to the university system. That its
officials are so lackadaisical in response is almost as alarming as the original sin. An independent investigation into admissions practices at Texas’s flagship university, including the law school and graduate business school, found that President William Powers Jr. used his influence to admit "must-have" applicants, typically those recommended by state lawmakers, university donors, alumni and even members of the board of regents. From 2009 to 2014, according to the report commissioned by the University of Texas chancellor, undergraduate applicants with connections flagged by university officials were admitted 72 percent of the time, compared with the overall admission
rate of 40 percent. The report determined that a small number, about 12 a year, had subpar academic records, that no applicant had been admitted as result of an explicit quid pro quo and that the practice did not violate the law. That’s hardly the vindication claimed by Powers, who, responding Thursday to the report’s release, said he acted in the "best interest" of the university. Why then, as the report detailed, were there efforts to minimize any paper trail of the process, and why did Powers mislead an earlier internal inquiry? Powers is set to leave office in June; no doubt that’s one reason University of Texas Chancellor William McRaven opted not to take any disciplinary action. But
more than Powers’s departure will be needed in correcting long-embedded practices of influence-wielding in a state where politicians consider it an art form. For starters, the public has a right to know which lawmakers and other powerful people acted on behalf of favored applicants; some of them, the report said, threatened the university’s funding. McRaven has promised to convene a committee to look at the report’s recommendations for reform. It would be in the interest of the president as well as the university to remove him from the admissions process altogether. But if the president is to continue to oversee it, rules need to be in place that ensure fairness and transparency.
COLUMN
Goodbye to electronics stores By VIKAS BAJAJ NEW YORK TIMES
I wasn’t surprised to read that RadioShack filed for bankruptcy this month and was planning to sell or shut down all of its 4,000 stores. It is no secret that Internet-based retailers, especially Amazon, have disrupted many brick-andmortar stores. But they have had a particularly devastating impact on electronics retailers, many of
whom have struggled to adapt to the very technological age that they helped usher in. In the ’70s, for example, RadioShack introduced the TRS-80, one of the earliest personal computers for the mass market. RadioShack is hardly alone. In 2009, Circuit City went out of business. And the once popular New York retailer J&R Music and Computer World closed last year. A big problem for physical stores is that they
cannot match the inventory available online. RadioShack’s corporate management has been trying to turn the chain away from electronic accessories so the stores could make room for hipper inventory like iPhones and Beats headphones. While one could question the wisdom of selling products widely available elsewhere, I can’t really fault RadioShack executives for trying to attract new customers.
I’m not nostalgic for the old days when shopping for electronics meant dealing with the hassle of driving to a mall, finding parking and studying inserts in the weekend newspaper for deals. Still, there was a certain excitement about hauling a stereo or computer home. Receiving a brown cardboard box with the Amazon smile logo emblazoned on it is more efficient but feels just a little less satisfying.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
CLASSIC DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
IMMIGRATION Continued from Page 1A
CRASH Continued from Page 1A Civil Protection and Fire officials in Nuevo Laredo released the names of 16 people hospitalized in the city. Hospitalized at Solidaridad General Hospital are Kendy Yamali Sifuentes Sánchez, 3, Sandra Janeth Sifuentes Sánchez, 18, Martha de Anda, 62, Héctor Cruz Rodríguez, 50, Beatriz Valadez Hernández, 56, Lilia Verónica Sifuentes, 29, Eloísa Pérez Flores, 43, Jesús (no last name), 5, Ofelia Martínez Sánchez, 48, Lucila Villanueva Madrigal, 59, and Maricela Gutiérrez Alba, 35. Hospitalized at Specialty Hospital are Néstor Cervantes, 10, Lesli Hernández, 16 months, Ruth Irasema Cervantes, 3, Yaresi Cervantes, 19, and Lidia Carolina Solís, 20. (Reported by a TZT correspondent. Translated by Mark Webber of the Times staff.)
Courtesy photos
Top: The freight train that collided with the Transportes Frontera bus is shown Friday night. Bottom: The remains of the bus.
ing from Hanen did nothing to budge them. “Democrats remain united in our belief that funding for the Department of Homeland Security should not be used as a ransom by Republicans, period,” said Chuck Schumer of New York. The agency’s $40 billion budget runs out Feb. 27, and with Congress now on recess lawmakers will have only a few days to reach an agreement once they return to Washington next week. One possibility is a shortterm extension of current funding levels, but House Speaker John Boehner said over the weekend that the House had done its job and he would “certainly” let a shutdown occur if the Senate didn’t act. If the political impasse seemed severe, so were the implications for millions of immigrants in the country illegally who have cheered Obama’s executive directives in the face of congres-
sional inaction. “We feel powerless but not defeated, sure that it will all work out,” 46-yearold Claudia Ramon, a native of Colombia, said at a rally in Houston, one of dozens nationwide where immigrants and their advocates vowed to continue with preparations under Obama’s programs. Obama’s directives would make more than 4 million immigrants in the United States illegally eligible for three-year deportation stays and work permits. Mostly those are people who have been in the country for more than five years and have children who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Applications for the first phase were to begin today, when as many as 300,000 immigrants brought illegally to the country as children could begin applying for an expansion of Obama’s 2012 program aimed at the younger immigrants known as Dreamers.
Yet there was also palpable anxiety, with their apparent White House gains under attack on Capitol Hill and in the courts. Advocates pledged to redouble their efforts to sign up as many people as possible. “It’s extremely important for the community to understand from a legal perspective it is on solid legal footing and actually the larger numbers of people who come forward to apply, the more likely we can protect the expansion,” said Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center. Hanen’s ruling late Monday night, in a case brought by 26 states led by Texas, said that Obama and his Homeland Security Department lacked the authority to take the actions they did. “No statute gives the DHS the discretion it is trying to exercise here,” wrote Hanen, and he issued a stay blocking the actions from taking effect.
PÁGINA 6A
Zfrontera
Ribereña en Breve WBCA El jueves se realizará el Desfile Juvenil Bajo las Estrellas de IBC, a partir de las 6 p.m., al sur de Avenida San Bernardo de Laredo. Asiento general gratis. Asiento en bancas, 3 dólares (en la puerta). El Fiesta Cocktail de Caballeros se realizará el viernes a partir de las 6 p.m. en el Salón de Baile del Centro Cívico de LISD. Evento tiene costo. El viernes dará inicio el Festival Jalapeño de 6 p.m. a 12 a.m. en El Metro Park & Ride (Thomas & Hillside). El sábado continuará el festival. Se presentará La Leyenda. Costo: 20 dólares. Otros precios especiales disponibles para el concierto. El Desfile y Baile Colonias de la Sociedad de Martha Washington, se realizará el viernes a las 8 p.m. en el Auditorio y Salón de Baile del Centro Cívico ed LISD. Mezzanine alto, 35 dólares; mezzanine bajo, 40 dólares; orquesta, 45 dólares; y, espectáculo, 85 dólares. La Ceremonia del Abrazo en el Puente Internacional Juárez Lincoln, está programada para el sábado a las 7:30 a.m. Asimismo, el Defile Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday, comenzará a las 9 a.m. en avenida San Bernardo de Laredo. Asientos en bancas tienen costo de 5 dólares en la puerta. Último fin de semana del Carnaval del 12 al 23 de febrero. sábado-domingo, puertas abren a mediodía. Estacionamiento de Laredo Energy Arena. Costo: 2 dólares entrada. Hoy McMonday, de 12 p.m. a 6 p.m.
MIÉRCOLES 18 DE FEBRERO DE 2015
INMIGRACIÓN
Congela acciones POR JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Un juez federal en Texas congeló el lunes las acciones ejecutivas del presidente Barack Obama sobre inmigración, y así le otorgó tiempo a una coalición de 26 estados para seguir adelante con una demanda que tiene como objetivo su suspensión definitiva. La decisión del juez federal de distrito Andrew Hanen interrumpe la implementación de las medidas de Obama, que tienen por fin proteger de la deportación a unos cinco millones de personas que viven sin autorización legal en Estados Unidos. Hanen escribió un memorando que acompaña su fallo que la demanda debe seguir adelante y que sin una orden preliminar los estados “sufrirían daño irreparable en este caso”. “Es imposible devolver el genio a la lámpara”, escribió, añadiendo que concuerda con el argumen-
to de los demandantes de que legalizar el estatus de millones de personas es una acción “virtualmente irreversible”. La Casa Blanca defendió su política en un comunicado emitido a primera hora del martes diciendo que las órdenes ejecutivas presentadas en noviembre estaban dentro de la autoridad legal del presidente y que la Corte Suprema y el Congreso han dicho que los funcionarios federales pueden establecer prioridades para el cumplimiento de leyes migratorias. “La decisión del tribunal de distrito evita erróneamente que entren en vigor esas políticas legales y de sentido común y el Departamento de Justicia ha indicado que apelará esa decisión”, dijo el comunicado. El recurso será atendido por el Tribunal de Apelaciones del 5to Circuito de Estados Unidos en Nueva Orleans. La primera de las medidas de Obama —ampliar un programa que protege a jóvenes inmigran-
tes de la deportación si llegaron al país de forma ilegal cuando eran niños— entrará en vigor el miércoles. La mayor parte de la orden presidencial, que amplía esa protección a padres de ciudadanos estadounidenses y residentes permanentes que lleven varios años en el país no comenzará a aplicarse sino hasta el 19 de mayo. Joaquín Guerra, director político de Texas Organization Project calificó el fallo de "revés temporal". "Seguiremos preparando a los inmigrantes para prepararlos para solicitar la ayuda administrativa", dijo en un comunicado. La coalición de los estados, liderada por Texas y formada en su mayoría por los estados conservadores del sur y del medio oeste, alega que Obama violó la "Take Care Clause" de la Constitución de Estados Unidos que, sostienen, limita el ámbito de acción de los poderes presidenciales. También dicen que la iniciativa de la Casa
RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES
TAMAULIPAS
REUNIÓN DE LÍDERES
Anuncian cifras tras temporada TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
DÍA DE APRECIACIÓN El jueves 19 de febrero se relizará el Winter Texan & Senior Citizen Appreciation Day, de 12 p.m. a 5 p.m. en el Centro Comunitario del Condado de Zapata.
AVISO DE TRÁFICO Continúa el proyecto de ampliación sobre US 83 y las líneas que dividen el Condado de Webb y Zapata. Este proyecto utilizará un control de tráfico para construir las transiciones de carreteras en las líneas divisoras del Condado de Webb/Zapata para los carriles del norte y sur, por lo que se pide a los conductores a poner atención y obedecer las señales de tráfico para evitar accidentes. Los trabajos continuarán hasta el 6 de marzo.
PATROCINIO La Cámara de Comercio de Zapata invita a la comunidad a participar en el Winter Texan & Senior Citizen Appreciation Day, que se celebrará el 19 de febrero en el Centro Comunitario del Condado de Zapata. Durante el evento se reconocerá y mostrará la gratitud de la comunidad para los adultos mayores que contribuyeron con la comunidad. Si desea puede participar como patrocinadores: Platino, 2.000 dólares; Oro, 1.000 dólares; Plata, 500 dólares; Bronce, 300 dólares. El dinero recaudado será destinado a la compra de comida, refrescos, entretenimiento, premios y regalos para el evento. En 2013, el evento ayudó a más de 400 adultos mayores participantes. Para más información puede llamar al (956) 765-4871.
JUNTA DE COMISIONADOS El lunes 23 de febrero, los Comisionados de la Corte del Condado de Zapata realizarán su junta quincenal en la Sala de la Corte del Condado de Zapata, a partir de las 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. Para mayores informes llame a Roxy Elizondo al (956) 765 9920.
Blanca obligará a aumentar la inversión en seguridad, atención sanitaria y educación. En su petición al juez, la coalición dijo que era necesario paralizar la norma porque sería "difícil o imposible deshacer las ilegalidades del presidente después de que los acusados empiecen a ver aceptadas sus solicitudes de aplazamiento de acciones". El fiscal general de Texas, Ken Paxton, calificó la decisión de "victoria para el Estado de Derecho en América" en un comunicado el lunes por la noche. El gobernador de Texas, Greg Abbott, quien como antecesor de Paxton promovió la demanda, dijo que el fallo de Hansen "frena adecuadamente la extralimitación del presidente". Los republicanos en el Congreso han prometido que bloquearán las acciones de Obama en este campo recortando el gasto del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional para el programa.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
Líderes de Texas se reunieron con Egidio Torre Cantú, Gobernador de Tamaulipas con el fin de fomentar las relaciones bilaterales entre Texas y Tamps. De izquierda a derecha, Torre Cantú, Tano Tijerina, juez del Condado de Webb y Pete Sáenz, Alcalde de Laredo.
Fomentan intercambio internacional TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
L
a semana pasada, líderes tejanos se reunieron con el Gobernador de Tamaulipas con la finalidad de incrementar el intercambio en la economía fronteriza entre los estados vecinos, en Ciudad Victoria, México, dieron a conocer autoridades tamaulipecas. El Alcalde de Laredo, Pete Saenz y el Juez del Condado de Webb, Tano Tijerina, se reunieron con el Gobernador Egidio Torre Cantú, después de que las autoridades tejanas pusieran en manifiesto el relanzamiento de las relaciones binacionales con
los tamaulipecos. Los mandatarios de Texas invitaron a Torre Cantú a Laredo para desarrollar una agenda en común entre Laredo y Tamaulipas, con la finalidad de impulsar proyectos de infraestructura que puedan seguir consolidando el sector logístico, señala un comunicado de prensa. “La reunión fue para establecer una colaboración y fortalecer los vínculos entre el Condado de Webb, la Ciudad de Laredo y el Estado de Tamaulipas”, dijo Tijerina. “Esta es una nueva alianza para el futuro que demuestra la voluntad de ambos para trabajar juntos, como un solo cuerpo para el progreso
económico de las dos naciones”. La cercanía con Texas plantea para Tamaulipas ventajas para el intercambio del comercio internacional al compartir 17 cruces fronterizos, lo que favorece el movimiento comercial carretero en un 39 por ciento y un 53 por ciento en la ruta ferroviaria hacia Estados Unidos, añade el comunicado. “Los empresarios del Consorcio de Eagle Ford Shale están muy interesados en participar de la apertura de la Reforma Energética y particularmente de venir a Tamaulipas”, señaló José María Leal Gutiérrez, titular de la Agencia Estatal de Energía.
La temporada de caza del venado cola blanca está por concluir, por lo que autoridades tamaulipecas han comenzado a evaluar y emitir el impacto económico que tuvo la época 2014-2015. La venta de cintillos de esta temporada fue de alrededor de 3.695, señala un comunicado de prensa. “Se notó un incremento en los cintillos vendidos a los socios a comparación del año pasado, esto quiere decir que los cazadores se sienten con confianza de venir a Tamaulipas”, dijo Gabriel Serna Aguilar, presidente de la Asociación de Ganaderos Diversificados (Angadi). “Llegan de Coahuila, Nuevo León y gran parte de Texas y esto refleja el impulso que se le ha dado a la promoción de este segmento turístico.” Los ranchos cinegéticos estuvieron llenos de deportistas acompañados por sus familias, por lo que sus viajes generan gastos como el combustible, alimento y hospedaje que se quedan en el estado y benefician a la economía de la región, señala el comunicado. “Existe una constante comunicación entre la Asociación y el Gobierno del Estado con el objetivo de atraer más personas al Tamaulipas”, dijo Serna. “Los dueños de ranchos cinegéticos tienen comentarios muy positivos y buena actitud. En Angadi se les dan conferencias y cursos que sirven para mejorar la calidez de los servicios”. La temporada del venado cola blanca termina el 22 de febrero. Actualmente siguen las temporadas de las aves: gansos, grulla gris, patos y cercetas, paloma morada, agachona, codorniz cotul común y codorniz escamosa; de mamíferos: mapache, jabalí de collar y jabalí europeo.
COLUMNA
Actitud de Juárez ante invasión francesa POR RAUL SINENCIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Un carruaje se deja ver en el paisaje que lleva a Monterrey, Nuevo León, a bordo de él viaja Margarita Maza de Juárez.
Contexto México vive aciagos momentos. Napoleón III estaba resuelto a imponer el imperio de Maximiliano de Habsburgo. Vencidos durante la guerra de Reforma, los conservadores continúan con su labor. Francia dio por hecho la facilidad de la conquista, sin embargo, Ignacio Zaragoza sostiene en Puebla una exitosa defensa. Al morder los polvos de la derrota, el oponente recibe tremendos refuerzos, por lo que logran ocupan la Ciudad de Mé-
xico y salen tras el presidente Benito Juárez. Lejos de intimidarse, Juárez les hace frente: “La autoridad es un depósito que la Nación me ha confiado (…) para su honor (…) y no lo pondré jamás a discreción del extranjero, antes bien sostendré la guerra hasta obligarle a reconocer la justicia de nuestra causa”, sostuvo.
Situación familiar En la capital de Nuevo León se reúne la familia Juárez Maza. Durante ésta época ocurren dos grandes acontecimientos para la familia: el 13 de junio nace el último hijo del presidente. Mientras que el 12 de julio nace su primer nieto. Avanza el verano de 1864. Sin embargo, Juárez debe reconcentrarse en otros asuntos bastante
serios, mientras encabeza memorable resistencia. No obstante, le pisan los talones hordas imperialistas apoderadas de gran parte del territorio mexicano. Al noreste se pelea por un refugio del Gobierno legítimo. Juárez encara numerosos problemas en filas republicanas. Quizás Tamaulipas le provocó constantes inquietudes. Sin embargo, prevalece ecuánime y mantiene su presidencia errante.
Malas noticias Maza, abandona Nuevo León, el 27 de julio de 1864, al lado de sus hijas e hijos. José, “El Negrito”, ronda los 12 meses de edad y Antonio, nacido pocas semanas atrás en Saltillo, México. Tropas del general Jesús González Ortega los escoltan. Se dirigen a Matamoros, México,
donde cruzan el Río Bravo y desembarcan en Brazos de Santiago, Texas. Tras ello el puerto tamaulipeco cae en manos francesas. Se refugian en Nueva York. Siguen días amargos. A Juárez se le informa que su hijo José, murió de una grave enfermedad; Antonio muere después. “No me extiendo porque bajo la impresión del profundísimo pesar que destroza mi corazón por la muerte del hijo a quien más amaba, apenas he podido trazar las líneas que anteceden”, escribe Juárez el 26 de enero de 1865 en carta oficial a Matías Romero, secretario de Hacienda. Tras las noticias, Juárez restauró la República y consolidó la independencia de México. (Publicado con permiso del autor conforme aparece en La Razón, Tampico, México)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE: DALLAS COWBOYS
Cowboys may tag Bryant Dallas weighing whether to use franchise tag on star wide receiver By MICHAEL MAROT ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS — The Dallas Cowboys are still trying to come up with the perfect pitch to Dez Bryant. With free agency looming and a March 2 deadline to use their franchise tag, the Cowboys are still debating whether to put the tag on Bryant, their top receiver, even as they try to work out a long-term deal. They still hope to keep running back DeMarco Murray, and they’re hoping to find enough cap room to do both. “We’re usually able to accomplish what we need to accomplish and the question just becomes strategy,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told a small group of reporters Tuesday. “Do you want to push money out in order to have money now? We’ll just have to make good, sound decisions.” Dallas’ most pressing decision involves Bryant, who can become an unrestricted free agent in three weeks. Last season, the 26-year-old receiver had 88 catches, 1,320 yards and a league-high 16 TD receptions. The presumption has been that if the NFC East champs can’t work out a long-term deal with Bryant, they will use the one-year tag. In that case, Bryant would likely get $12 to $13 million — a hefty price tag for a team that is trying to fit a high-priced quarter-
File photo by Nam Y. Huh | AP
Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant may receive the team’s franchise tag, keeping him as a member of the Cowboys next season for around $12-13 million. back, a top receiver and the NFL’s leading rusher under a salary cap projected to come in at about $140 million. Stephen Jones said the Cowboys have been talking to Bryant’s agent, Tom Condon. They plan to meet in Indianapolis during this week’s NFL’s annual scouting combine. If the sides can work out a more cap-friendly deal, the Cowboys could finally hit the trifecta — keeping Bryant, Murray and Tony Romo together for several more seasons.
But Bryant is already starting to show signs of frustration. “I wish They felt the same way but it’s cool,” Bryant posted Tuesday on Twitter, responding to a fan who wrote he loved the way Bryant was dedicated to the Cowboys. Either way, Dallas is committed to keeping Bryant. And if the Cowboys do use the tag, Jones said he expects Bryant “will be a pro and he’ll play.” “If we don’t get a deal, it just
shows how much we’re committed to him,” Jones said. “We don’t want to expose him.” The other decisions may have to wait. Murray, too, can become an unrestricted free agent and the Cowboys are scrambling to do their homework before making a decision. “Everything comes into play. What backs historically do. How many backs go on and play well after they’re 27? Which ones con-
sistently do it from start to finish?” Jones said. “Those are the things you have to weigh.” The other option would be freeing up cap space by redoing other contracts, such as Romo’s big deal, or cutting high-priced veterans. “I’m not going to get into any detail like that right now,” Jones said before acknowledging that he believes Romo still has a lot of football left in him. “We know what our options are and we’re just, as we move forward, we’ll get more definitive as to who we’re going to be working with and we’ll make those decisions.” Notes: Dallas announced Tuesday that it had signed offensive linemen Ronald Leary and Darrion Weems. Both were exclusive free agents. ... Jones said he believes the Cowboys will come in with the requisite four-year average toward the salary cap and will avoid being penalized for underspending. ... Jones also is on the competition committee, which had a preliminary meeting Tuesday, but like others in the room declined to say what had been discussed. One thing he said had not come up yet was the definition of a catch. The Cowboys’ season came to an end last month when Bryant appeared to catch a pass from Romo. The ball came loose when he hit the ground and the play was reversed to an incompletion following a replay challenge.
International
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Mexico won’t use pipelines By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Slammed by a 70 percent increase in illegal pipeline taps in one year, Mexico’s state oil company announced Tuesday that it will no longer ship finished, usable gasoline or diesel through its network of ducts. Analysts said it was a striking admission of Mexico’s inability to stop the fuel thefts, in which thieves drill into pipelines operated by Petroleos Mexicanos more than 10 times each day, on average. “This is a big admission of the vulnerability of Pemex,” said George Baker, publisher of the Houstonbased newsletter Mexico Energy Intelligence. Petroleos Mexicanos, known as Pemex, said the number of illegal taps rose to 3,674 in 2014, up 70 percent from 2013 and 137 percent over 2012 figures. The market for illegal gasoline and diesel, in which drug cartels have been implicated, has more than doubled in the last two years. Pemex lost an estimated $1.15 billion in fuel thefts in the first nine months of 2014, according to the latest figure available. Because the country is crisscrossed by tens of thousands of miles of pipelines, neither Pemex nor security forces can guard them all. Thieves, often highly organized gangs linked to drug cartels, pump the fuel from
Photo by Eduardo Verdugo | AP file
In this Sept. 7, 2014 file photo, new pipelines to carry gas from Texas to Mexico are laid underground near General Bravo, Mexico. dangerous pipeline taps into tanker trucks, and sell it to industrial users or sometimes even seek to sell it through legitimate Pemexfranchised gas stations. Pemex’s move will make it risky to buy stolen fuel. While the company didn’t specify what steps in the refining process will be left unfinished, it said fuels moved through its pipelines will not be “usable in vehicles and industrial plants.” “Customers should make sure that the fuel they buy has been delivered from Pemex terminals, and not buy gasoline or diesel from anyone other than gas stations or authorized dealers, given that ... it could damage motors,” the company said. It appears Pemex will do basic processing before shipping oil to tank farms and distributional terminals it operates. Employees there would then have to add additives that regulate the combustion process before the fuels could be used. “The only thing you
could do additionally to the gasoline is to put additives in it” at the tank farms, “but that is a very delicate process,” said industry consultant Guillermo Suarez, a chemical engineer. He predicted the change will lead to quality problems, because “the distribution or storage centers don’t have the technological capacity to do this.” Some doubt the measure will stop the gangs. “If you can just add an aspirin at the end of the process, the narcos can do that, too,” Baker said. The analysts noted that Pemex has acknowledged that some of its own workers are involved in the thefts. “When the process of finishing the gasoline is transferred to the terminals, obviously the people who are doing this (stealing fuel) will find out, because they are inside,” Suarez said. “So, very simply, they’ll steal additives and make their own mixture.”
Syria to suspend air strikes in largest city By CARA ANNA ASSOCIATED PRESS
UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations envoy to Syria said Tuesday he has received a commitment from the Syrian government to suspend airstrikes on the city of Aleppo for six weeks to allow a proposed U.N. plan to “freeze” hostilities in the country’s largest city to be tested. Staffan de Mistura was briefing the Security Council in closed session on his latest efforts to find a solution to the grinding civil war. There was no indication of when the suspension of airstrikes would begin, but the envoy said he will return to Syria “as soon as possible” to assess whether the government’s commitment is possible and to announce a start date. He called the new development a glimmer of hope. And he continued to emphasize a political solution to the nearly four-year conflict. But questions remain. De Mistura now has to get the opposition’s support for the plan. And Syria’s ambassador to the U.N. refused to comment after the council meeting. “Let’s be frank. I have no illusions,” de Mistura told reporters. “Based on past experiences, it is a difficult issue to achieve.” This was de Mistura’s
first council briefing since he explained his freeze plan in October, and council members wanted to know what kind of support, if any, it received from President Bashar Assad in his meeting with de Mistura earlier this month. Aleppo is divided into a rebel-controlled west and government-held east. De Mistura wants to see a U.N.monitored “freeze zone” that will calm violence there, allow more humanitarian aid access and act as the first step toward a wider solution to the conflict. “Our hope is that Aleppo could be a signal of goodwill, a confidence-building measure which could and can facilitate the re-starting of a political process with a clear political horizon,” he said last month in Geneva. But Aleppo-based opposition activists have expressed fears the government would exploit a truce to gather its forces to fight elsewhere, and they have questioned how a cease-fire could work with Islamic State fighters in the area. And the Nusra Front, the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria, recently dismissed de Mistura’s proposal as a conspiracy that would allow Syrian government forces to regroup for more assaults. Local truces have largely succeeded in several areas near Damascus and the cen-
tral city of Homs, but the deals were seen as heavily lopsided in favor of the government, and the U.S. State Department has described them as closer to “surrender arrangements.” The U.N. estimates the conflict has killed 220,000 people. Millions have fled to neighboring countries. De Mistura is the third in a series of U.N. envoys tasked with trying to find an end to the conflict. He was named to his post in July, not long after the Islamic State group launched an onslaught in Syria’s north and east. He told council members Tuesday that the Islamic State group has made no inroads in the western part of Syria and that no side in the conflict has made strategic gains since his last briefing, diplomats said. He also warned that Syria remains fertile ground for radical armed groups.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
TRINIDAD CUELLAR June 11, 1922 – Feb. 14, 2015 Trinidad Cuellar, 92, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2015 in Austin, Texas surrounded by his family. Mr. Cuellar was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Maria and Elvira Gutierrez Cuellar, his brother, Lauro Armando Cuellar, and his niece, Flora Cuellar Gonzalez. Mr. Cuellar is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eugenia M. Cuellar, of Zapata, Texas; his son, Gregory L. Cuellar (Carla Valdez); and his daughter, Cynthia Y. Myers, of Austin Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Andrew J. Van Winkle (Tana Brown) of Austin; Valerie and Nicole Cuellar of San Antonio; Justin Valdez of San Antonio; Austin T. Cuellar of Austin; and Hannah E. Myers of Austin; greatgrandchildren, Tyler A. Van Winkle, Ellen O. Van Winkle, and Isabella Y. Van Winkle of Austin, and Jacob R. Rodriguez of San Antonio, and by numerous family members and friends. Trinidad “Trini” was born to Jose Maria and Elvira Gutierrez Cuellar, on June 11, 1922, in Zapata, Texas. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas on January 18, 1943 as a member of the 305th Airdrome Squadron during WWII. He was a decorated soldier who fought in New Guinea Southern Philippines, Theater Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign, Philippine Liberation, and received the Good Conduct Medal and Victory Ribbon, and three Overseas Service Bars. He served honorably until January 5, 1946. He later worked for the Department of the Agriculture where he was assigned to work in various areas throughout Mexico from 1948 to 1954. It was there that he met the love of his life, Maria Eugenia Machuca, while visiting friends in Queretaro, Mexico. They
were married shortly after in 1952 in Queretaro. They later returned to the United States where they resided in San Antonio for 31 years and raised their two children. In San Antonio, he had an outstanding career as a short haul truck driver for Southwestern Motor Transport Company. He was highly respected by his employer, coworkers, and the customers he served, for his honesty, integrity, and commitment to his work. He had a perfect driving record for the entire 30 years up to his retirement. After retiring, he returned to his hometown of Zapata, where he was a very well-respected and beloved member of the community. He will be remembered by all who knew him as an honest, hard-working man. Ann, a dear family friend, often described Trini as a “man’s man,” and “the best man she ever knew,” a feeling shared by the people whose lives he touched. Known for his Stetson hat, from Zapata to New York City, Mr. Cuellar was a proud man and a true Texan and American. He was an incredible story-teller, his ability to remember details dating back to the war and beyond were amazing. Trinidad loved his wife and family, he was a devoted
and loving husband to Eugenia, who he affectionately called “Prieta.” She was the absolute love of his life during their 64 years of marriage. As a father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather, he was the greatest role model, a man of few words, but when he spoke you listened and learned. He made tremendous sacrifices for all his family so that they could lead a better life. He leaves an empty space in our world, shoes that can never be filled. We will miss him every second of every day, and remember him with respect, love, and admiration. He was a “hero” to all of us, the “wind beneath our wings.” The family wishes to thank the dedicated and compassionate ICU staff at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, especially his nurse, Charles Swenson, who demonstrated extra tenderness and care during a difficult moment. Special thanks to Dr. Vinh Nguyen, his cardiologist of nine years, Dr. Sireesha Gogineni, and Dr. Daniel Shih. And finally, we would like to thank Gypsy Ramsey, Consuelo Villarreal, and Mary Jane Bonoan, for their love and support in assisting our family. On Thursday, February 19, 2015 we will open at 6:30 p.m. and a rosary will be held at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Mass will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1609 Glenn St., Zapata, Texas. Burial services will follow at the Zapata County Cemetery, including full Military Honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard. A reception will be held by the family afterwards. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy 83 Zapata, Texas.
VALUE Continued from Page 1A ed all capital spending improvements, no projects coming on board, aside from those funded by loans and grants, as soon as values started going down, maybe more than five years” he said. Rathmell said Zapata County is looking into the possibility of hosting wind turbines to increase its value and provide jobs. The county will also implement a voter-approved local 2-percent sales tax on top of the state sales tax on April 1 which he said could offset its depleted mineral values. Webb County could lose up to $12 million if oil and gas prices remain low through the rest of the year. And, unfortunately, prices are likely to remain low due to an oversupply of oil and gas. These two commodities make up nearly 30 percent of the county’s $22 billion-plus market value. That portion, valued at $6 billion last year, translates to about $23.5 million Webb County is making in taxable value. Martin Villarreal, chief appraiser for the Webb County Appraisal District said during his presentation on county appraisal trends at a Feb. 9 Commissioners Court meeting that he is concerned with the potential snowball effect of these lowered prices. Oil prices dropped by about half their value last June from more than $100 a barrel to more than $50 a barrel, Villarreal said. Meanwhile, gas prices have slumped from $4.50 per MCF (or 1,000 cubic feet, gas’s standard unit of production) to $2.55 MCF, he said. Though there was a countywide uptick in oil production in 2014, Villarreal expects the lower prices for oil and gas
Last year’s lower prices could cause (Webb County’s) mineral appraised values, which include oil and gas values, to fall by as much as 20 percent this year. Falling oil prices mean its portion of revenue going to the state this year is expected to dip as well. could offset the increase of mineral value due to the upsurge in oil production. He said that when oil and gas prices go down, typically companies start cutting back because they want to protect their profit margins. “Companies are finding themselves in a situation where they can’t operate at these prices,” Villarreal said. When oil and gas companies scale back, it could hinder production. This cycle could further negatively impact the county’s mineral appraised values, which includes oil and gas values. For example, last year’s lower prices could cause the county’s mineral appraised values, which include oil and gas values, to fall by as much as 20 percent this year, he said. Falling oil prices mean its portion of revenue going to the state this year is expected to dip as well. The state’s severance tax ensures a portion of money from oil and gas production goes to the state’s Rainy Day Fund, a state emergency account that voters in recent elections have approved tapping a portion of for road and water projects. The severance taxes are paid when hydrocarbons are “severed” from the
ground. “I hope … you’re all proactive and at the same time prepared in case we do see the same situation that Zapata County, Jim Hogg County and other counties not along Eagle Ford Shale that have lost significant mineral value,” Villarreal said to commissioners at the meeting. Calls made to Jim Hogg County Chief Appraiser Jorge Arellano were not returned immediately. Webb County Precinct 3 Commissioner John Galo said at the Feb. 9 meeting that oil companies cutting back on employees and resources could also negatively impact sales tax and hotel and motel revenues. “The bottom line is we have to tighten up our bills,” said Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina at the meeting. Villarreal said that mineral appraisals are not fully developed because prices, production, expenses and ownership data are not yet available for numerous wells. His office will present another mineral appraisal update by late April that will have a more accurate preliminary mineral value, he said. (Kendra Ablaza can be reached at 728-2538 or kablaza@lmtonline.com)
TRUCKING Continued from Page 1A tively, passing through those ports in 2014. “Right now you have the opportunity for these trucks to go across the border faster. You have trade increasing because the economies are growing and energy costs are down,” said Shannon K. O’Neil, a senior fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan think tank. “So it’s an attractive area” for businesses. O’Neil said she didn’t anticipate a majority of Mexican trucking companies applying for the pro-
gram immediately because they have been using the current system — and its limited U.S. travel — for decades. The new program will also only apply to companies that can afford upgrades to their fleet, including electronic tracking devices. Carriers will also be subjected to pre-authorization audits, which include drug and alcohol testing, English proficiency and vehicle inspections. Union groups, on the other hand, aren’t happy. Fred McLuckie, the director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Department of Federal Legislation and Regulation, said the pilot program left out vital information. Specifically, McLuckie said, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration report included mainly data from truckers who traveled inside the current limits. “I don’t know how you test the safety of long-haul trucking if they’re not going any further than the currently permitted commercial zones,” he said. A report on the pilot program by the Congressional Research Service acknowledged that the
sample was relatively small. Through December 2013, only 14 Mexico-based carriers with operating capabilities were in the pilot program, five of which only had provisional operating authority, according to the report. And trucks from only two Mexican companies were used for the majority of the crossings. “The 14 approved carriers have used about 45 trucks to make nearly 10,000 border crossings since October 2011,” the report said. “To put this number in context, on av-
erage about 14,000 trucks cross the border from Mexico each day.” McLuckie added that the U.S. Department of Transportation’s report on the pilot program used supplemental data from other carriers that didn’t participate in the program. “The DOT said that they had these other groups of carriers, enterprise carriers and certificate carriers whose data they were using to ’complement the data’ that they obtained with the small number of carriers,” he said. “That’s not statutorily permitted un-
der the laws governing a pilot program.” McLuckie said that in general, he wasn’t opposed to Mexican truckers traveling more in the U.S. But the incomplete data means that American drivers will be on roadways with drivers who do not meet safety standards. That puts the safety of drivers in jeopardy, he said. But O’Neil said that the program clearly sets in place requirements that ferret out unreliable carriers. “It’s a pretty high bar in terms of standard and safety,” she said.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015