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U.S. GOVERNMENT
OBITUARY
Pursuing secrets? Feds think hackers seeking government information By TED BRIDIS, KEN DILANIAN AND ERIC TUCKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — The government is worried that hackers who raided more than 4 million federal employment files will use their loot to pry into moresecure computers and plunder
secrets about the U.S. military, economic strategy or foreign relations. Federal officials said Friday the cyberattack appeared to have originated in China, but they didn’t point fingers directly at the Chinese government. The Chinese said any such accusation would be “irresponsible and unscientific.”
Federal employees were told in a video to change all their passwords, put fraud alerts on their credit reports and watch for attempts by foreign intelligence services to exploit them. That message came from Dan Payne, a senior counterintelligence official for the Director of National Intelligence. “Some of you may think that
you are not of interest because you don’t have access to classified information,” he said. “You are mistaken.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he couldn’t divulge much while the case was under investigation. Still, he noted that investigators “are aware of the
See HACKERS
TREVIÑO
Treviño scumbs to cancer
PAGE 11A
NATURAL RESOURCES
STORMS HELP WITH REFILL Lake near SA rises by 60 feet
Zapata man worked for school district in Laredo By JUDITH RAYO THE ZAPATA TIMES
By ZEKE MACCORMACK SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
LAKEHILLS — Jason Polanco drove the 30 miles from San Antonio just to see Medina Lake, greatly replenished by recent rains after dropping to only 3 percent of its capacity during the drought. “It looks awesome,” said Polanco, 38, peering at the half-full reservoir through the closed gate at Bandera County Park. “I want to bring my WaveRunner. It’s been in storage for years.” Docks are again afloat. Boat Photo by William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News | AP ramps actually reach the water. The lake’s precipitous rebound Medina Lake is seen last Sunday, in this aerial photo. Recent rains, though devastating for other parts of Central Texas, — rising more than 60 feet have been a blessing for the long-on-the-verge-of-empty lake. The Texas Water Development Board website reported since May 1 — has residents the lake 48.4 percent full Sunday, up from 4.2 percent full one month ago. That translates to a 60 foot rise in the lake. and merchants along its 110mile shoreline along Bandera impact on our ecotourism.” drive vehicle and experience They’ve been restocking and Medina counties feeling upThe boat launch at Red Cove could do it,” said Chance shelves and hiring staff to rebeat about the summer. Cafe & Marina technically nev- Heyen, 19, whose parents, Deb- start the cafe June 12, he told “It’s good for everybody er closed, but the waterline had bie and Chris Heyen, own the the San Antonio Express-News, when the lake has water in it,” receded far from the paved business in Mico. “Now, pretty Bandera County Judge Richard ramp. much it’s no problem to launch See MEDINA LAKE PAGE 12A Evans said. “This has a great “Anybody with a four-wheel- anything.”
Cesar O. Treviño, a longtime United Independent School District (Laredo) administrator who oversaw the district’s energy and environmental management programs, died Wednesday night from cancer in Zapata. He was 56. David Garcia, UISD assistant superintendent of human resources, battled back tears as he spoke fondly of his colleague and friend. “You can replace the position but never the individual,” Garcia said. “He will be greatly missed.” Treviño was first employed at UISD in August 1995. He worked in the construction department and was later promoted to director of energy, where his duties consisted of maintaining the district’s electrical and air conditioning systems. “He was a hardworking individual,” Garcia said. “His biggest worry was the campuses.” Treviño is a 1977 graduate of the Instituto America de Estudios Supe-
See TREVIÑO PAGE 12A
TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
Trade deal pinches state’s congressional Dems By ABBY LIVINGSTON THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON – It took a fight between the president of the United States and the nation’s labor unions to put beleaguered U.S. House Democrats in a position of power on Capitol Hill. But it’s a fight hardly anyone, including a handful of Texans, want any part of. Over the next six months, Pres-
ident Obama will attempt to push through Congress the largest trade deal in American history. The far-reaching Trans-Pacific Partnership would knit together the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim countries in an economic pact dwarfing other trade alliances. Labor unions, fearing further wage and job losses for American workers, are vehemently against it, viewing this battle against a Democratic president as the fight
of a generation. And so House Democrats face an agonizing choice: oppose the measure and deep-six Obama’s economic legacy, or support it and antagonize labor, one of the largest financial constituents in the party. Democratic staffers call the situation a “nightmare,” and there is palpable fear that crossing the unions will mean facing laborbacked primary challengers in the future. The anxiety is so rampant
that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi had to reassure caucus members that she was addressing labor’s tactics, according to the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. “I can understand why they are feeling pressure,” said Jason Stanford, the spokesman for a coalition of labor, consumer and environmental groups that oppose the deal. A Democratic consultant from Texas, Stanford insists the discussion between traditional al-
lies should remain positive. “What is intended is a loving and firm embrace from concerned friends.” But from the Capitol halls to the members’ home districts, arms are being twisted, phone lines are burning and ads are airing. Behind closed doors at the Capitol, the fight is roiling the Democratic Party – and the Texas delegation.
See TRADE DEAL PAGE 11A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 Villa San Agustin de Laredo Genealogical Society meeting with speaker Albino Salinas Arreola on the Founding of Nuevo Laredo at the Laredo Public Library-Calton, from 10 a.m. to noon. Sanjuanita MartinezHunter at 722-3497. First United Methodist Church used book sale from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1220 McClelland. Hardcovers, $1; paperbacks, $.50; magazines, $.25; children’s books, $.25. The Laredo North Side Market association will host its monthly market day at North Central Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grave Yard Ethics Band will play at the market. Save the date and pick up some gifts for Father’s Day. For more information visit Facebook at Laredo North Side Market. Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 1 to 5 p.m. 2 p.m.: Accidental Astronaut (Matinee Show – $1 less); 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: Attack of the Space Pirates; 5 p.m.: Led Zeppelin. General admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. For more information call 956326-DOME (3663).
MONDAY, JUNE 8 The Laredo Stroke Support Group will be holding its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the San Martin de Porres Church Family Life Center. Visit www.laredostrokesupport.com for more information. Rock Fitness event for teens from ages 11-17, June 8 to July 3. A great way for adolescents to get a head start on fitness and nutrition in an enjoyable and engaging way. Email info@rock-fitness.com
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 2 to 5 p.m. 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket; 5 p.m.: Secrets of the Sun. General admission is $3. For more information call 956-326-DOME (3663).
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 2 to 5 p.m. 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket; 5 p.m.: Secrets of the Sun. General admission is $3. For more information call 956-326-DOME (3663).
THURSDAY, JUNE 11 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 2 to 5 p.m. 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket; 5 p.m.: Secrets of the Sun. General admission is $3. For more information call 956-326-DOME (3663). Elysian Social Club will be hosting its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Herlinda Nieto-Dubuisson at 285-3126
FRIDAY, JUNE 12 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 6 to 8 p.m. 6 p.m.: Stars of the Pharaohs; 7 p.m.: Live Star Presentation (Observing will occur after the show, weather permitting). For more information call 956-326-DOME (3663).
Photo by Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman | AP
Kyle Janek listens as the Senate of Texas Committee on Health and Human Services holds a public hearing March 23, in Austin. Janek is on his way out, state officials announced Friday, shaking up Texas’ biggest agency that plunged into turmoil over a $110 million no-bid contracting scandal that remains under criminal investigation.
Agency head resigns By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Health and Human Services Commissioner Kyle Janek is on his way out, state officials announced Friday, shaking up Texas’ biggest agency that plunged into turmoil over a $110 million no-bid contracting scandal that remains under criminal investigation. Janek, who makes $260,000 a year and was appointed in 2012, will step down on July 1. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott made no mention of the unrest at the massive agency, which includes an ongoing probe by public corruption prosecutors and the forced resignation of other top officials, in naming two veteran state executives to take over the 56,000-person commission. But tellingly, within an hour of announcing the changes, the governor touted his
signing of contracting laws that are being tightened after HHSC last year gave an Austin tech company lucrative no-bid deals to help the state root out Medicaid fraud. “I am proud to sign this bill that ensures Texans can trust their state government to issue contracts in a fair, open and responsible manner,” Abbott said. In a statement, Janek did not address the recent scrutiny on him and HHSC, saying his leave is timed to an impending restructuring of the agency that oversees the state’s Medicaid program, welfare payments and women’s health. As recently as March, Janek had given no indication that he planned to leave, even after a scathing state report ordered by Abbott urged changes at the top. “I think it’s important we have a smooth succession as the agency takes on these new challenges,” Janek said.
Seismologist disputes tremors linked to drilling
Man gets 25 years for jewelry store holdups
Vandalism could bar students from graduation
AUSTIN — The state seismologist says he sees “no substantial proof ” that recent North Texas earthquakes are linked to oil and gas activity, despite scientific studies finding probable cause. Staff seismologist Craig Pearson’s statement came during a Texas Railroad Commission meeting Friday in Austin.
DALLAS — A 36-year-old man has been sentenced to more than 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to participating in violent jewelry store robberies around Dallas. Mark Whitfield, of Mesquite, and a partner, 37-year-old Michael Demon Jackson, of Dallas, fled with more than $400,000 in jewelry from five robberies over a six-month period.
VICTORIA — Some Victoria West High School students could be barred from high school graduation ceremonies as punishment for vandalism that left food, spray paint and other items covering the school campus. Superintendent Robert Jacklich says some of the students also could face criminal charges for what began as a senior prank but left about $4,000 in damages.
Man who hoped to join ISIS prison time
Abilene woman charged with striking man with ax
AUSTIN — A 24-year-old Austin man has been sentenced to 82 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges he sought to join the Islamic State group. Prosecutors say he planned to travel overseas to participate in violent jihad. Michael Wolfe, also known as Faruq, will be on probation for five years.
ABILENE — A grand jury has indicted a 32-year-old woman on aggravated assault charges after she attacked a man with an ax. The unidentified victim told authorities Crystal Dawn Whitley was at his home the night of March 2, handling some swords he keeps there, when she picked up an ax that also was nearby and hit him in the neck. — Compiled from AP reports
Man convicted of disrupting flight AMARILLO — A 25-year-old Fort Worth man has been found guilty of interfering with a flight crew after disrupting a Southwest Airlines flight and forcing an unscheduled landing. A federal jury in Amarillo returned its guilty verdict against Zachary Marshall Ziba. Ziba was flying from Denver to Dallas on Jan. 18 when he intimidated a flight attendant and a flight crew member by disruptive, disobedient behavior.
SATURDAY JUNE 13 Rio Grande International Study Center’s 21st annual meeting from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Rd. Come learn about Laredo’s only environmental nonprofit organization. Raffle and silent art auction; meet our educator, volunteer and junior volunteer of the year; and become a member of RGISC. Free and open to the public. RSVP at 718-1063. Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 1 to 5 p.m. 2 p.m.: Accidental Astronaut (Matinee Show – $1 less); 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: Attack of the Space Pirates; 5 p.m.: Led Zeppelin. General admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Admission is $4 for TAMIU students, faculty and staff. For more information call 956326-DOME (3663).
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 Planetarium shows at TAMIU Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium from 2 to 5 p.m. 3 p.m.: Cosmic Adventures; 4 p.m.: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket; 5 p.m.: Secrets of the Sun. General admission is $3. For more information call 956-326-DOME (3663).
AROUND THE NATION Tornadoes and floods sweep through Colorado BERTHOUD, Colo. — Violent storms across Colorado have swirled into tornadoes that destroyed homes, popped open a sinkhole that swallowed a police cruiser and dropped so much hail on a Denver neighborhood that residents had to dig out of waist-deep ice with shovels. Forecasters warned Friday that more severe weather and flooding was on the way. The National Weather Service placed the eastern half of the state under a tornado watch and posted flood advisories.
Reagan shooter John Hinckley wants to ‘fit in’ WASHINGTON — The man who shot President Ronald Reagan wants more than anything to “fit in” and be “a good citizen.” He tried to get a fast-food job, and loves to drive. His musi-
Today ASSOCIATED is Saturday PRESS, June 6, the 157th day of 2015. There are 208 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 6, 1944, during World War II, the liberation of German-occupied western Europe began as Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on “D-Day.” On this date: In 1799, American politician and orator Patrick Henry died at Red Hill Plantation in Virginia. In 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association was founded in London. In 1925, Walter Percy Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corp. In 1939, the first Little League game was played as Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy 23-8 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1955, the U.S. Post Office introduced regular certified mail service. In 1965, the Rolling Stones single “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was released in the United States by London Records, the same day Herman’s Hermits performed their latest hit, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am” on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on CBS-TV. In 1968, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy died at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, a day after he was shot by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan. In 1978, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 13, a primary ballot initiative calling for major cuts in property taxes. In 1984, government forces in India stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar in an effort to crush Sikh extremists; at least 1,000 Sikhs and 200 soldiers were killed. In 1985, authorities in Brazil exhumed a body later identified as the remains of Dr. Josef Mengele, the notorious “Angel of Death” of the Nazi Holocaust. In 1994, President Bill Clinton joined leaders from America’s World War II allies to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Today’s Birthdays: Financier Kirk Kerkorian is 98. Civil rights activist Roy Innis is 81. Singer-songwriter Gary “U.S.” Bonds is 76. Country singer Joe Stampley is 72. Jazz musician Monty Alexander is 71. Actor Robert Englund is 68. Folk singer Holly Near is 66. Singer Dwight Twilley is 64. Playwright-actor Harvey Fierstein is 63. Comedian Sandra Bernhard is 60. International Tennis Hall of Famer Bjorn Borg is 59. Actress Amanda Pays is 56. Comedian Colin Quinn is 56. Record producer Jimmy Jam is 56. Rock musician Steve Vai is 55. Rock singer-musician Tom Araya (Slayer) is 54. Actor Jason Isaacs is 52. Rock musician Sean Yseult (White Zombie) is 49. Actor Max Casella is 48. Actor Paul Giamatti is 48. Rhythm-and-blues singer Damion Hall (Guy) is 47. Rock musician Bardi Martin is 46. Rock musician James “Munky” Shaffer (Korn) is 45. TV correspondent Natalie Morales is 43. Country singer Lisa Brokop is 42. Rapper-rocker Uncle Kracker is 41. Actress Sonya Walger is 41. Actress Staci Keanan is 40. Actress Amber Borycki is 32. Actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons is eight. Thought for Today: “As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” — Carl Jung (1875-1961).
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Vietnam War veterans and family members listen during opening ceremonies at the Wyoming Vietnam Veterans’ “Welcome Home” Reunion on Friday, at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyo. cal tastes run from Elvis and Paul McCartney to Nirvana. John Hinckley Jr. has been barred for years from talking to the media, but court documents made available this week contain rare snippets of his voice. A federal judge is deciding
whether to allow Hinckley to live full-time outside St. Elizabeths, the mental hospital that has been his home since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 1981 shooting that wounded Reagan and three others. — 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
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Transplant repairs cancer victim’s skull By MARILYNN MARCHIONE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Opening a new frontier in transplant surgery, Texas doctors have done the world’s first partial skull and scalp transplant to help a man who suffered a large head wound from cancer treatment. Doctors from Houston Methodist Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center did the operation two weeks ago. The recipient — Jim Boysen, a 55-year-old software developer from Austin — expects to leave the hospital Thursday with a new kidney and pancreas along with the scalp and skull grafts. He said he was stunned at how well doctors matched him to a donor with similar skin and hair coloring. “It’s kind of shocking, really, how good they got it. I will have way more hair than when I was 21,” Boysen joked in an interview with The Associated Press. Last year, doctors in the Netherlands said they replaced most of a woman’s skull with a 3-D printed plastic one. The Texas operation is thought to be the first skull-scalp transplant from a human donor, as opposed to an artificial implant or a simple bone graft. Boysen had a kidney-pancreas transplant in 1992 to treat diabetes he has had since age 5 and has been on drugs to prevent organ rejection. The immune suppression drugs raise the risk of cancer, and he developed a rare type — leiomyosarcoma (lee-oh-my-oh-sar-KOHMah). It can affect many types of smooth muscles but in his case, it was the ones under the scalp that make your hair stand on end when something gives you the creeps. Radiation therapy for the cancer destroyed part of his head, immune suppression drugs kept his body from repairing the damage, and his transplanted organs were starting to fail — “a perfect storm that made the wound not heal,” Boysen said. Yet doctors could not perform a new kidney-pancreas transplant as long as he had an open wound. That’s when Dr. Jesse
Photo by Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle | AP
Transplant patient Jim Boysen speaks during a news conference at Houston Methodist Hospital on Thursday, in Houston. Texas doctors say they have done the world’s first partial skull and scalp transplant to help Boysen with a large head wound from cancer treatment. Selber, a reconstructive plastic surgeon at MD Anderson, thought of giving him a new partial skull and scalp at the same time as new organs as a solution to all of his problems. Houston Methodist, which has transplant expertise, partnered on the venture. It took 18 months for the organ-procurement organization, LifeGift, to find the right donor, who provided all organs for Boysen and was not identified. Boysen’s wound extended through his skull to his brain, Selber said. In a 15-hour operation by about a dozen doctors and 40 other health workers, Boysen was given a cap-shaped, 10by-10-inch skull graft, and a 15inch-wide scalp graft starting above his forehead, extending across the top of his head and over its crown. It ends an inch above one ear and 2 inches
above the other. Any surgery around the brain is difficult, and this one required delicate work to remove and replace a large part of the skull and re-establish a blood supply to keep the transplant viable. “We had to connect small blood vessels about one-sixteenth of an inch thick. It’s done under an operating microscope with little stitches about half the thickness of a human hair, using tools like a jeweler would use to make a fine Swiss watch,” said Dr. Michael Klebuc, who led the Houston Methodist plastic surgery team. The pancreas and kidney were transplanted after the head surgery was done. “It’s a very ingenious solution” to the patient’s problems, said one independent expert, Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, a reconstructive surgeon at Harvard-af-
filiated Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. His hospital has done seven face transplants and three double-hand transplants and has plans to do arm and leg ones in the future. Boysen said he already has sensation in the new scalp. “That kind of shocked the doctor. He was doing a test yesterday and I said, ‘Ouch I feel that.’ He kind of jumped back,” Boysen said. The new scalp also was sweating in the hot room — another surprise so soon after the operation, he said. “I’m still kind of in awe of it,” Boysen said Thursday at a news conference at Houston Methodist. He will remain in Houston for two to three weeks for follow-up. He will need to keep his head covered because sunlight increases the chance of rejection, his doctors said. “I’m glad the donor family
had the generosity and insight to approve us doing this ... to get through their grief and approve the donation of this tissue besides the organs,” said Dr. A. Osama Gaber, transplant chief at Houston Methodist. Over the last decade, transplants once considered impossible have become a reality. More than two dozen face transplants have been done since the first one in France in 2005; the first one in the U.S. was done in Cleveland in 2008. More than 70 hand transplants have been done around the world. Last October, a Swedish woman became the first in the world to give birth after a womb transplant. A host of patients have received transplants or implants of 3-D printed body parts, ranging from blood vessels to windpipes.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
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COMMENTARY
OTHER VIEWS
Doctors don’t support medical marijuana By ED GOGEK THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
State legislatures across the country are legalizing medical marijuana, but the nation’s physicians aren’t requesting these laws. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society of Addiction Medicine are both against medical marijuana laws. The American Medical Association doesn’t support them either. Groups representing patients aren’t behind these laws. The American Cancer Society hasn’t demanded them, and the Glaucoma Foundation even warns patients against using the drug. Instead, the demand comes from groups like the Drug Policy Alliance and Marijuana Policy Project. These are not medical organizations. They are part of a pro-legalization lobby supported by pro-marijuana billionaires. And they’ve apparently convinced state legislators to ignore some very serious problems. The biggest problem is that medical marijuana laws are responsible for most of the growth in adolescent use. According to the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey, teen use in the United States surged between 2005 and 2011. But it didn’t surge equally in all states. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that the number of teens who smoked pot over the past month increased by 33 percent in medical marijuana states, but only by 6 percent in the rest of the country. In 2005, only about 20 percent of the U.S. population lived in medical marijuana states, yet those states accounted for more than two-thirds of the increase in adolescent use between 2005 and 2011. If it weren’t for states with medical marijuana laws, teen use would have barely increased at all. There’s also evidence that even among adults, nearly all the “medical” marijuana goes to drug abuse. The largest survey of medical marijuana patients, published in 2014 in the Journal of Global Drug Policy and Practice, found that only 6 percent reported using marijuana for cancer, AIDS, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s, Hepatitis C, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The vast majority — 91 percent — got their marijuana for pain. Research shows that most chronic pain patients are women. In 2001, the journal Pain published a study by researchers who interviewed more than 17,000 people and found that 54 percent of those with chronic pain were female. On the other hand, five years of data from the NSDUH showed that adult marijuana abusers were 69 percent male. So if the pain patients using medical marijuana are genuine, they should be mostly female. If they’re substance abusers faking or exaggerating pain just to get high, they should be about 69 percent male. Between 2011 and 2013, I contacted all the state medical marijuana programs and got data from seven. In all but one of the states, 64 to 74 percent of the pain patients were male. These numbers are nowhere near what we would expect from a cross section of legitimate pain patients. Instead, they’re clustered around the result we would see if the patients were all substance abusers. So while not every medical marijuana patient is misusing the law just to get high, the great majority probably are. A 2011 study from the Journal of Drug Policy Analysis found similar results. The researchers surveyed 1,655 consecutive patients from nine medical marijuana clinics in California and found that the average patient was a 32-year-old man who started smoking pot as a teenager. Not only are these laws harmful, but they’re completely unnecessary. While some seriously ill patients are helped by marijuana, there are four prescription cannabinoid medications that are just as helpful. So there’s no reason to use marijuana itself as medicine. Two of these medicines, Marinol and Cesamet, are available by prescription in the United States. A third, Epidiolex, or pure cannabidiol, is available for children with seizures through a special Food and Drug Administration program. The fourth, Sativex, is in the last stages of approval. Some of these medicines have fewer side effects than marijuana and are longer-acting, which means they are better for genuine patients who don’t want to be stoned all the time. However, the biggest advantage of prescription cannabinoids is that they’re much less likely to be abused or diverted to teenage use than medical marijuana is. State legislators who want what’s best for the country should ignore the pro-marijuana lobbyists and instead listen to the AMA, the Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society of Addiction Medicine. If we want to rein in teenage marijuana use and prevent widespread abuse of the drug, instead of passing new state medical marijuana laws, we should get rid of the ones we already have.
WORST WEEK IN WASHINGTON
McConnell had a bad week By CHRIS CILLIZZA THE WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON — Mitch McConnell is the master of Senate rules and regulations. He proved that time and again during Republicans’ long, dark spell in the minority, using the arcana that is the Senate rule book to stall or stop legislation that he and his side didn’t like. That’s why McConnell’s mishandling — by anyone’s assessment — of the Senate floor debate this past week over the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of telephone data was so baf-
fling. The majority leader knew he had a fight on his hands to renew some of the controversial provisions of the Patriot Act that authorized the NSA program: The guy leading the opposition happened to be Sen. Rand Paul, his colleague from Kentucky and the person McConnell has endorsed for president in 2016. When McConnell lost Round 1 of that showdown — the Senate adjourned for a week-long Memorial Day recess without voting on either the House-passed bill on surveillance or its own version — everyone assumed that he
was absorbing a tactical defeat to win the bigger war. Nope. The Senate reconvened Sunday night, a few hours before the provisions were set to sunset, and again Paul, not McConnell, had the upper hand. "Most puzzling to some were the veteran lawmaker’s actions that allowed a firstterm senator . . . to use the Senate’s elaborate rules to delay things long enough to cause the entire USA Patriot Act to lapse for a couple of days, starting at midnight Sunday," the Associated Press’s Chuck Babington and Laurie Kellman wrote about McConnell’s flub.
Paul lost on policy but won on politics: He scored lots and lots of attention for the suspension of the provisions for 48 hours or so. McConnell wound up taking the deal he could have taken long before — passing the House version of the legislation, which will end the government’s bulk collection of Americans’ phone records. Mitch McConnell, for legislating yourself into a corner, you had the worst week in Washington. Congrats, or something. (Cillizza covers the White House for The Washington Post and writes The Fix, its politics blog.)
COLUMN
Perry is having rough time DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Whether by luck or design, Rick Perry held Texas’ golden scepter of politics longer than anyone else. Governor for 14 years, statewide office holder and state rep before that, he was Mr. Undefeated, master of all he surveyed. Until he wasn’t. Charging confidently, perhaps arrogantly, into a 2012 Republican presidential race that may have seemed for all the world his to win, Perry didn’t. With a single “oops” magnifying other campaign gaffes, Perry for president withered and disappeared long before the spring thaw. When he decided against one more run for governor, it was apparent that he refused to end his political career so feebly. He threw on new glasses, shelved his cow-
boy boots and, unlike his 2011-12 effort, studied the issues a president might encounter. He confirmed what everyone expected Thursday, announcing his second campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. This is undoubtedly a different Rick Perry, wiser from the humbling. The question: Will it matter? The 2012 GOP field was thin, with the prospect of facing an incumbent president in Democrat Barack Obama chasing the up-andcomers to the sideline. That is not the case now. The line of Republicans applying for the White House is out the door and around the block. The number could reach a daunting 15 or more, depending on which as-yet-undeclareds put their donated money where
their high hopes are. Worse than just being one of many, Perry has been eclipsed everywhere. Polls show GOP sentiment might lean toward a current or former governor, but Perry is one of a half-dozen or more in that category. Even in Texas, he’s falling further behind Sen. Ted Cruz for the ardor of Republican voters and has been passed by Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Ben Carson in recent polling. To Perry’s credit, he and his team aren’t blind to this. He has been pounding the soil in pivotal Iowa, from farmhouse to diner to meeting hall. This retail campaigning was a strength in his Texas campaigns but absent in his first presidential run. He still can tout the “Texas Miracle” of job growth outpacing the nation’s, although that carries
less punch than it once did. Again, will it matter? As hard as he has worked in a state like Iowa that should fit his rural and socially conservative roots, he’s still polling in the low single-digits. Barring an unexpected bump from his Thursday reveal, Perry’s immediate goal is pushing his poll numbers high enough that he qualifies for the first round of televised debates. This newspaper and Rick Perry grew apart philosophically during his many years in office, and we recommended against him in his last gubernatorial primary and general elections. Still, we also recognize the irony in a candidate once known for impeccable political timing showing up much better prepared for the national stage, long after his moment has passed him by.
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CLASSIC DOONESBURY (1982) | GARRY TRUDEAU
Nation
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Safety agency admits flaws, starts reforms By TOM KRISHER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DETROIT — The U.S. government’s auto safety agency acknowledged Friday that a deadly defect in General Motors ignition switches went unresolved for a decade because agency staffers didn’t understand air bag technology and failed to challenge the information it received from the automaker. The mea culpa came Friday as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration outlined actions designed to make itself more aggressive in finding and solving safety problems among the 240 million cars on U.S. roadways. It’s the first time the agency has admitted fault in failing to link the switches it to a series of fatal accidents, although regulators still lay most of the blame on GM for hiding the defect. The GM switches, used in
older-model small cars such as the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion, can slip out of the run position and abruptly cut off the engine and disable the air bags. They’re responsible for at least 109 deaths and more than 200 injuries. The company recalled 2.6 million cars with the switches last year. Staffers lacked the technical know-how to connect the changing position of the switches to the non-deployment of the air bags, NHTSA said in two reports issued Friday. They also failed to press GM when the automaker provided insufficient information about some of the fatal crashes. NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said the case changed the agency’s culture. Previously, it was too trusting of data and safety theories offered by automakers, but now investigators are asking the tough questions, Rosekind said.
“We need to challenge the assumptions of what we are pursuing,” he said. While a culture change is needed, the agency concedes it will be difficult to keep up with emerging technologies without more people and money. Staying abreast of technology is important as more and more car functions become computerized. Experts say the average car now has about 100 computers on board, and that will double in a few years. The reports make a number of recommendations: holding automakers accountable if they don’t produce requested information; gaining better understanding of new technology; and having the whole agency examine safety problems. The changes are in place or are under way, Rosekind said. The agency also appointed a three-person outside team to monitor safety processes. The review found no
agency employees at fault for failing to find the GM problem. No one at NHTSA intentionally acted to hide it, Rosekind said. “That’s different than finding somebody with all good intentions made a human error,” he said. Rosekind said the agency could do even more, such as going to more crash sites and with better data examination — improvements that also depend on more funding in upcoming federal budgets. In the GM case, the agency missed repeated clues linking the ignition switches to the lack of air bag deployment. In a 2006 Wisconsin crash that killed two young women, a state trooper blamed the switches in his report. Yet no one at NHTSA noticed. This was because investigators inaccurately believed that newer air bag systems found in
cars such as the Cobalt operated like older systems — continuing to run on reserve power, regardless of whether the engine was running, the report said. “NHTSA unfortunately did not fully consider this alternate theory,” the report states. NHTSA’s staffing is so low that it can only react to safety issues after problems surface, unlike the Federal Aviation Administration, which has more investigators, the reports stated. The FAA, for example, has 6,408 people working on safety enforcement, while NHTSA has only 90. In 2012, 447 people died in aviation crashes compared with 32,719 automobile deaths, the report said. The agency says it currently follows up on only 10 percent of the 6,000 auto-related death and injury reports it gets each year. And
consumer complaints to the agency, among the best warnings of safety problems, used to run about 45,000 per year. But they nearly doubled last year after the GM case surfaced. At a hearing Tuesday, Rosekind said there are only 8 staffers looking into all those complaints. In its 2016 budget request now before Congress, NHTSA has asked for 92 more investigators and data analysts at a cost of $23.6 million. To shift to a “new paradigm” where NHTSA would uncover safety problems faster, it would need 380 more people at a cost of $89 million per year. The extra staff would respond to crash sites, inspect auto factories and force automakers to give the agency lists of all pending safety problems. “If we get more resources we will deliver more safety,” Rosekind said.
Nation
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
SS overpaid by $17 billion Woman eyes By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Social Security overpaid disability beneficiaries by nearly $17 billion over the past decade, a government watchdog said Friday, raising alarms about the massive program just as it approaches the brink of insolvency. Many payments went to people who earned too much money to qualify for benefits, or to those no longer disabled. Payments also went to people who had died or were in prison. In all, nearly half of the 9 million people receiving disability payments were overpaid, according to the results of a 10-year study by the Social Security Administration’s inspector general. Social Security was able to recoup about $8.1 billion, but it often took years to get the money back, the study said. “Every dollar misallocated is a dollar lost for those who truly need it most,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch, RUtah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “Today’s report shows the inability of the Social Security Administration to properly safeguard payments, which has no doubt contributed to speeding the fund toward exhaustion.” The trust fund that supports Social Security’s disability program is projected to run out of money late next year, triggering automatic benefit cuts, unless Congress acts. The looming deadline has lawmakers feuding over a solution that may have to come in the heat of a presidential election. The program’s financial problems go beyond the issue of overpayments — Social Security disability has paid out more in benefits than it has collected in payroll taxes every year for the past decade. But concerns about waste, fraud and abuse are complicating the debate in Congress over how to address the program’s larger financial
Photo by Patrick Semansky/file | AP
The Social Security Administration overpaid disability beneficiaries by nearly $17 billion over the past decade, a government watchdog said Friday, raising alarms about the massive program just as it approaches the brink of insolvency. problems. A spokesman for the Social Security Administration said the agency has a high accuracy rate for its payments and a comprehensive debt collection program for overpayments. “Social Security provides services to over 48 million retirement and survivors beneficiaries and about 15 million disability beneficiaries,” Social Security spokesman Mark Hinkle said in an email. “The agency will issue nearly $1 trillion in payments this year. For fiscal year 2013 — the last year for which we have complete data — approximately 99.8 percent of all Social Security payments were free of overpayment, and nearly 99.9 percent were free of underpayment.” “That same year, we also achieved high levels of payment accuracy in the (Supplemental Security Income) program despite the inherent complexities in calculating monthly payments due to beneficiaries’ income and resource fluctuations and changes in living arrangements,” Hinkle said. The inspector general’s office examined a randomly selected sample of 1,532 people who were receiving either Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income in October 2003. SSI is a separately-funded disability program for the
poor. Auditors followed the group for 10 years, until February 2014. They determined that 45 percent of the beneficiaries were overpaid at some point during that period. The overpayments totaled $2.9 million, the study said. They used the results to estimate that Social Security made a total of $16.8 billion in overpayments during the 10-year period. The study concluded that “the agency could do more to prevent the most common overpayments.” One man was convicted of fraud in 2005 while he was getting benefits under his father’s Social Security number. Minors can do this if they have legitimate disabilities, though this man was found to be working and hiding his income, the study said. A judge ordered him to repay nearly $18,000. He repaid $550, the study said. In 2013, Social Security approved a new disability claim for the man, under his Social Security number. The agency is supposed to withhold part of his payments while he repays the old debt. But the agency never did because he was receiving the new benefits under a different Social Security number, the report said. Congress has been looking into Social Security’s disability programs for
years. Democrats note that the programs help keep millions of disabled workers and their families out of poverty. Republicans have mostly focused on waste, fraud and abuse. In January, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticized the federal government for not doing an adequate job policing a system he says needs reform. Paul, who is running for the Republican nomination for president, joked that “half the people on disability are either anxious or their back hurts.” “Join the club,” Paul said. “Everybody over 40 has a back pain.” Advocacy groups called the remarks offensive. Social Security paid out $142 billion in disability benefits last year. Unless Congress acts, the trust fund that supports the disability program will run dry sometime during the final three months of 2016, according to projections by the trustees who oversee Social Security. At that point, the program will collect only enough payroll taxes to pay 81 percent of benefits. That would trigger an automatic 19 percent cut in benefit payments. The average monthly payment for a disabled worker is $1,165, or about $14,000 a year. An easy fix is available. Congress could redirect payroll tax revenue from Social Security’s much larger retirement program, as lawmakers have done before. But Republicans in Congress are balking, saying they want to address the program’s long-term finances. About 11 million disabled workers, children and spouses currently receive Social Security disability benefits. About 8.3 million people receive Supplemental Security Income, which is funded separately, through the government’s general revenues. SSI paid out about $54 billion in benefits last year.
demand of $2.7M after losing suit ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO — The woman behind a high-profile gender discrimination lawsuit against a Silicon Valley venture capital firm demanded $2.7 million not to appeal the jury verdict against her, the firm said Friday. Attorneys for Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers included the figure in court documents filed in San Francisco Superior Court against Ellen Pao, and a spokeswoman for the company said Pao sought the money in exchange for not appealing. “We have no intention of accepting this unreasonable demand,” the spokeswoman, Christina Lee, said. Heather Wilson, a spokeswoman for Pao, declined comment on Friday’s court filing or statement by Kleiner Perkins. Pao filed a notice this week that she was appealing the March verdict, in which a jury found Kleiner Perkins did not discriminate or retaliate against Pao. The case became a flashpoint in an ongoing discussion about gender inequity at elite technology and venture capital firms, where women are grossly underrepresented. During the trial, Kleiner Perkins attorney Lynne Hermle tried to portray Pao as someone just interested in
PAO money. She said Pao failed as an investor at the company and sued to get a big payout as she was being shown the door. Pao is now interim CEO of the Internet discussion forum Reddit. Pao’s attorneys said she was an accomplished junior partner who was passed over for a promotion because the firm used different standards to judge men and women, and that she was fired when she complained about discrimination. Pao told jurors that her lawsuit was intended in part to create equal opportunities for women in the venture capital sector. Kleiner Perkins is seeking more than $970,000 in legal costs from Pao. It had said it would waive all costs if Pao did not pursue an appeal. Kleiner Perkins defended the costs in Friday’s filing against Pao’s claims that they were improper and excessive.
Nation
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
Employers showing more confidence By JOSH BOAK AND CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Employers last month delivered a vote of confidence in the U.S. economy. They added 280,000 jobs — a surprisingly robust total at a time when consumers are hesitant to spend and the economy appears less than fully healthy. Some key industries, from energy to manufacturing, have been struggling. And economic troubles overseas have put investors on edge. Yet Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed that employers seem confident that the economy is regaining its footing after shrinking at the start of the year and that their customer demand will accelerate. “It’s kind of a strange situation because consumers are getting jobs, and their incomes are improving,” said John Silvia, chief economist at the bank Wells Fargo. Six years after the worst downturn in more than seven decades officially ended, Silvia said, “We’ve moved beyond the Great Recession.” Across the economy, employers are betting that steady hiring has begun to drive economic momentum. Home and auto sales are up. Restaurants, sports stadiums, theaters and hotels added 57,000 workers last month in anticipation of summer vacations. Friday’s report led many economists to predict that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as early as September because the economy might no longer need the stimulus of nearzero rates. Even the slight rise in unemployment in May, to 5.5 percent from 5.4 percent in April, reflected a positive trend: The rate rose because hundreds of thousands more Americans felt it was a good time to start looking for work. Because not all found jobs right away, they were counted as unemployed, and their
Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/file | AP
A window washer cleans the windows of an office building April 23 in downtown Washington. Employers added 280,000 jobs — a surprisingly robust total at a time when consumers are hesitant to spend and the economy appears less than fully healthy. numbers raised the jobless rate. Here are five reasons U.S. employers are stepping up hiring despite tepid economic growth: ECONOMIC NUMBERS BETTER THAN THEY APPEAR: The economy shrank in the January-March quarter at an annual rate of 0.7 percent, its worst showing in a year. Growth is recovering in the current quarter, though it’s expected to reach no more than a modest 2 percent to 2.5 percent annual pace. Economists say much of the winter slowdown reflected temporary factors that are fading: Harsh winter weather kept many shoppers indoors. A steep drop in oil prices hammered the energy industry, which sharply reduced spending on drilling rigs,
steel pipe and other goods. A labor dispute at West Coast ports disrupted exports. “There’s a lot of reasons to believe that the first quarter was transitory,” said Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan Chase. “Presumably, employers saw the same thing — that if you had a bad winter, you wouldn’t change expansion plans.” Plus, economists say the government may be having trouble measuring first quarter economic data accurately. The government is reviewing the issue and may adjust its figures in July. HOT TIME FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES: The jobs recovery has been defined in part by a disproportionate number of lowwage positions: Burger flippers, store cashiers and
home health aides. It’s hard for an economy to boom when a growing share of workers are stuck in jobs that pay far less than the average hourly wage of $24.96. But employers are showing a renewed appetite for new college graduates. In May, 780,000 began looking for work, and 760,000 found jobs. College graduates tend to have higher lifetime earnings and fewer bouts of unemployment, reflecting the prosperity that generally comes from higher education. Deonta Brooks graduated from Auburn University in May and received two job offers. He chose to become a government food inspector in Alabama, figuring his salary would go further there than in Chicago, where the other posi-
tion is based. “There are a ton of jobs,” he said. “I applied for 20something jobs, so I knew eventually that I was going to get something.” MANY COMPANIES AREN’T FEELING THE PAIN: Major U.S. corporations are burdened by the strong dollar, which has made their goods more expensive overseas and cut into export sales and foreign profits. But smaller businesses, which employ a majority of the U.S. workforce, are largely immune to currency swings. And they appear to have stepped up hiring in May more than larger companies did. Payroll processor ADP says companies with fewer than 50 employees added 122,000 jobs in May — 10 times the number added by
companies with more than 500 workers. The Baltimore-based tutoring company Sylvan Learning plans to open up to 20 centers this year, creating 30 to 40 full-time and potentially 400 part-time jobs. Greater demand for their programs in science, math and robotics indicates that more parents are investing in their children’s futures, said Sylvan Learning chief financial officer John McAuliffe. FULL-TIME JOBS ARE PICKING UP: One ongoing concern throughout the recovery has been the prevalence of part-time jobs. But full-time employment has been picking up in recent months, while part-time jobs have leveled off. The number of Americans with full-time jobs surged 630,000 in May and has jumped 2.6 million in the past year. But more progress is needed. The ranks of fulltime workers are only now nearing their pre-recession level. There are still nearly 2.8 million more part-time workers than when the Great Recession officially began in December 2007. PAY RAISES PICKING UP: Pay increases have been a missing piece in this recovery. Workers have been getting by on raises barely above inflation. But pay rose at a faster clip in May — 2.3 percent over the past year. This suggests that the 5.5 percent unemployment rate may be leading to the kind of tight job market that generally compels employers to raise wages to attract workers. “It’s still not great, still not a 3 percent growth rate, but it’s better than the past two months,” said Gregory Daco, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, who sees wage growth returning. A separate government measure that includes wages and benefits has risen 2.6 percent over the past year, according to the Labor Department. The additional income will enable consumers to spend more.
Entertainment
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
Duo to star in new period drama By ALICIA RANCILIO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Bill O’Leary/Washington Post | AP
John Dickerson poses on the set of CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the Sunday morning political talk show that he takes over as host beginning Sunday. For his first week as moderator, Dickerson said he has no intention of playing around with a format consistent for more than half a century.
New host ready for show By DAVID BAUDER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — For his first week as moderator of CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, John Dickerson has no intention of playing around with a format consistent for more than half a century. The CBS News political director replaces Bob Schieffer, who retired last week after 24 years at the Washington-based public affairs program. Unlike some people who enter a job in a whirlwind of new ideas, Dickerson is being cautious and has no qualms admitting it. “I want to put my own stamp and touch on the show,” he said. “But I don’t know what that is yet.” Dickerson, a former Time magazine correspondent and a Slate writer who joined CBS six years ago, saw in the archives that Sen. Joseph McCarthy was interviewed on the first “Face the Nation” in 1954. That illustrates a signature he wants to maintain, of booking the most important newsmakers he can each week and diving right in to questions. His first week’s guests include three men with national aspirations for themselves or their ideas: just-
announced GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. He’ll also speak with the head of the House Homeland Security Committee about efforts to fight terrorism. “That was Bob’s mantra and advice — stick to whatever the news is, figure out who you can have on who can illuminate that and ask the kind of questions that people want asked,” Dickerson said. At least initially, he won’t do a weekly commentary. A reporter’s roundtable this week will feature Susan Page of USA Today, Jamelle Bouie of Slate, Ron Fournier of National Journal and Nancy Cordes of CBS. Dickerson plans to rotate different panelists each week. Dickerson, 46, has a CBS heritage. His mother Nancy Dickerson was CBS News’ first female correspondent. Her son’s book about her, “On Her Trail,” is coming out in paperback this summer. Schieffer left “Face the Nation” in strong shape: it often wins a tight ratings competition among the Sunday morning public affairs shows and the nearly 4 million people who saw his finale last week was the
show’s biggest audience in four months. Dickerson is the second rookie in the space heading into a presidential election, with Chuck Todd of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Dickerson appreciates the timing of the torch-passing, giving him the summer to get settled in before the campaign begins in earnest. He’ll keep his job as political director, believing it necessary to report stories during the week to ask sharp questions on Sunday, and hopes to be in touch with viewers through social media and conversations on the road. Schieffer was a true Washington insider, but his Texas twang reminded viewers he was from elsewhere. Dickerson grew up in Washington. “I’m not exactly from the more interesting part of the country,” he said. “So I spend a lot of time talking to people and trying to figure out what I’m missing, and understand what they think is happening in Washington. I want people to see that reflected in the show. I want them to see things that are interesting and important to their lives going on in the show, and answer the questions that people care about.”
NEW YORK — Look closely when watching the new WWI drama “Testament of Youth,” starring Alicia Vikander and Kit Harington, and you might see an iPhone. “There’s an iPhone dropped in the mud. Watch out for that,” Harington said in a recent interview. “It was (director) James Kent’s (phone)!” Vikander added. The film, now playing in limited release, is based on the 1933 memoir by Vera Brittain. It follows Vikander as Vera, when the young men in her life, including her lover (played by Harington), go off to war. Vera puts aside her dreams of higher education to nurse wounded soldiers. Harington, who also stars in HBO’s “Game of Thrones” (airing Sundays at 8 p.m. Zapata time), and Vikander say they were profoundly affected by the story. Vikander recalls filming the nursing scenes where the extras were 25 amputees who had returned from serving in Afghanistan. “It was something I think I’m going to carry with me forever,” she said. Harington remembers lying in a trench under a rain tower for a battle scene where people were “running up and giving me towels and hot beverages and I was moaning and being a wimpy actor. And then I thought, ‘These poor men did this under gunfire for years and years,’ and that struck home. How closeted our generation is.” Vikander and Harington talked about their work in recent interviews. Associated Press:
Photo by Amy Sussman/Invision | AP
“Testament of Youth” actors Kit Harington and Alicia Vikander star in the World War I-based drama. Had you met prior to making this film? Harington: We met on a movie called ‘Seventh Son,’ which we filmed like three or four years ago, but didn’t share a single scene in that. I popped my clogs before she even shows up, so we went out to dinner and became friends. Vikander: When you know somebody at least a little it’s such a big step forward because you already have kind of, well, trust between each other which is really what’s needed for both (of you) to feel fine to make mistakes or try new things out and you know you kind of have a certain language of trying to communicate while working. AP: Are you comfortable watching yourself on the screen? Vikander: I have a harder time listening to myself than looking at myself. I think it’s because you’re kind of used to seeing so many images of yourself today with photos and things. The first time (watching), you’re always hard on yourself. I think most actors are. But also you
have so many memories. I think of everything else, about the take or what happened that day. It’s sometimes hard to engage and see the film as you hope an audience will see it. Harington: I think you get better the more you (see), but I think if you care about your work then you’ll be picking it apart. AP: Kit, the ninth episode of this season of “Game of Thrones” airs Sunday. That episode is typically a big one, where people are talking about it the next day. Will that happen this time? Harington: (Laughs.) I can’t tell you anything about it. Last week’s (fight scene) was pretty intense, but next week and the week after it just goes nuts. AP: What’s it like having this global audience with “Game of Thrones”? Harington: It’s amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever be a part of something that has quite this reach. I think it’s seen in most countries, so there’s no escape. (Laughs.)
International
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Greece dislikes proposal By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS AND ELENA BECATOROS ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATHENS, Greece — Greece cannot accept the “irrational” proposal made this week by its bailout creditors, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told an emergency Parliament session Friday, adding that any deal must also include some lightening of the country’s crushing debt load. “There is no question of our accepting an agreement that does not contain the prospect of debt restructuring” that would help Greece regain the market access lost five years ago, Tsipras said. Despite a significant writedown in 2012, Greece’s debt remains huge, at nearly 180 percent of annual output. Bailout creditors had initially promised further respite, but details on their latest proposal leaked by Athens made no mention of debt lightening. Tsipras’ speech came the morning after a surprise announcement that Greece would defer an IMF payment due Friday, and would instead bundle all four installments due in June — a total of 1.6 billion euros — into one payment at the end of the month. It is the first time a developed economy has taken the option of bundling payments — an emergency maneuver allowed by the IMF but last used by Zambia in the 1980s. The move highlighted the brinkmanship of Greece’s protracted negotiations to
Photo by Petros Giannakouris | AP
Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at an emergency Parliament session in Athens, on Friday. Tsipras said that his government cannot accept “irrational” proposals about Greece’s bailout. release the remaining funds in its international bailout, and the dire state of the country’s liquidity. It sent the Athens Stock Exchange tumbling to close down nearly 5 percent, while the country’s borrowing costs shot up, with the interest rate on the country’s two-year bonds standing at 24.5 percent. Without the 7.2 billion euros left in the 240 billion euro bailout it has been relying on since 2010, Greece will be unable to meet its steep debt repayments to the IMF and the European Central Bank over the next few months. Bankruptcy looms, and with it a potential exit from the euro. “Although Greece’s liquidity situation is extremely delicate, the decision to delay the payments seems to have at least a partial political motivation,” said Diego Iscaro, senior economist at HIS Global Insight. “Essentially, the payment delay serves as a way to ex-
press the government’s frustration over the ‘last best offer’ made by creditors to Greece.” Tsipras faces growing anger from within his own radical left Syriza party, where hardliners, including some Cabinet members, have been calling for a break with creditors. At least two ministers said Friday that if the lenders don’t back down, one option would be to call for elections and ask Greeks whether they want to remain in the euro at any cost. Tsipras made no mention of such a possibility, however, in his first speech to lawmakers on the course of his government’s troubled fourmonth negotiations. Tsipras said he was “unpleasantly surprised” by the proposal put forward by the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission — the three institutions overseeing
Greece’s bailout — during his visit to Brussels this week for talks with commission head Jean-Claude Juncker. “I would like to believe that this proposal was an unfortunate moment for Europe, or at least a bad negotiating trick, and will very soon be withdrawn by the same people who thought it up,” he said. Still, he said, he believed a deal was now “closer than ever.” What Greece needs, Tsipras insisted, is a solution to what he described as a vicious circle of austerity and debt leading to economic contraction and poverty. “We don’t just need an agreement; we need a definitive solution, both for Greece and for Europe, that will finally end the talk of a Greek exit from the eurozone.” Opposition parties have been incensed by the government’s negotiating tactics, accusing it of squandering both time and any goodwill the country had left, and endangering the nation’s future. “You must stop the lies and the ideological fixations. A third bailout is coming in September,” said main opposition New Democracy head Antonis Samaras, referring to the possibility of Greece needing additional rescue loans after the current deal expires. “You have lost the plot — totally lost your targets — and driven Greece back to recession,” he added. “Your mistakes are very expensive for the country.”
Secret FIFA cash deal made By SHAWN POGATCHNIK ASSOCIATED PRESS
DUBLIN — Irish soccer chiefs disclosed documentary evidence Friday of how FIFA paid millions to buy Ireland’s silence on the handball that cost the Irish a chance to reach the 2010 World Cup. The documents — published after the Football Association of Ireland suffered a daylong barrage of international criticism over its decision to take the confidential payment — detail a series of meetings in Switzerland involving FAI and FIFA chiefs, including President Sepp Blatter. These followed Ireland’s 2-1 loss on aggregate to France in November 2009, a result partly achieved by an infamous Thierry Henry handball that went unpunished and which produced France’s playoff-clinching goal. The self-described “moral compensation” contract, signed Jan. 15, 2010, by senior FAI and FIFA officials in Zurich, guaranteed the FAI immediate delivery of 5 million euros (then $7.13 million) on strict condition that Irish officials never revealed existence of the deal. The payment was initially labeled a loan, but the contact included no terms for repayment, and the FAI never did pay it back. The FAI also published letters showing the full 5 million euros entering the association’s Dublin bank
Photo by / Laurent Rebours/file | AP
Seen is a World Cup qualifying match in France, on Nov. 18, 2009. FIFA has admitted to giving Ireland $5 million in compensation for missing out on a place at the 2010 World Cup. accounts five days later and being quickly deployed to reduce the association’s debts connected to a new national stadium completed in 2010. The signed contract committed the FAI “to waive any and all claims against FIFA” in exchange for cash, which included a separate $400,000 payment for an unrelated Irish soccer project, a new disclosure in Friday’s documents. The contract specified that the FAI would “irrevocably and unconditionally accept the referee’s decision” and could no longer appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. In an extensive section designed to ensure secrecy, the contract specified that FAI officials could not pub-
licize its existence “without any limits in scope or time.” However, it published the full contract after FIFA acknowledge the deal this week. The FAI also published a June 13, 2014, letter from FIFA’s deputy secretary general, Markus Kattner, informing the Irish federation that it no longer needed to repay any of the purported loan. The FAI in a statement said FIFA President Sepp Blatter also offered a face-toface apology to their negotiators at a Swiss meeting three days before the contract was struck. He had infuriated Irish soccer officials weeks earlier by declaring, to the laughter of FIFA delegates, that Ireland was trying to be entered as the 33rd qualifying team in
South Africa. The disclosures came hours after Ireland’s national team trained in preparation for a friendly home match Sunday against England. Roy Keane, one of Ireland’s greatest players and now an assistant national coach, said his team had “hardly spoken about” the deal. “I’m not going into the FIFA stuff,” Keane said outside the training facility. Liam Brady, who stepped down as former coach Giovanni Trappatoni’s assistant after the 2010 World Cup campaign, called news of the secret FIFA payout “mind-boggling” and said he knew nothing about it. “Certainly none of the staff knew about it and none of the players knew about it at the time,” Brady said. The payment was first made public last year in an Irish newspaper, but attracted little international attention at the time. FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed the existence of the deal last week but declined to specify the amount of cash paid. With Blatter having resigned this week amid a widespread corruption probe, the deal became front-page news once FIFA, responding to Delaney’s comments, confirmed its existence Thursday. Some criticized the deal as setting a dangerous precedent for world soccer.
Photo by Alejandrino Gonzalez | AP
Protesting teachers burn election materials in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico, on Friday. Violence threatened Mexico’s mid-term weekend elections as teachers attacked political party offices, marched in protest and vowed to block the voting.
Mexico polls: Ruling party in the lead By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party appears poised to retain its leading position in Congress, but may lose some governor seats in Sunday’s elections. The last polls to be released before Sunday’s midterm elections show surprisingly resilient support for the ruling party known as the PRI, despite Mexicans’ general dissatisfaction with politics and a lackluster economy. A poll by the GEA-ISA companies suggests the PRI would get about 27 percent of votes for the lower house of Congress, well ahead of its closest competitor, the conservative National Action Party, at 21 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Findings in the same poll nevertheless showed that 67 percent of the 1,100 people interviewed were dissatisfied with the way Mexico’s democracy is working, and a general lack of trust in political parties. The PRI may be benefiting from a slight uptick in perceptions of the economy’s performance. GDP grew by 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2015, above the 2014 annual growth rate of 2.1 percent, but still well below the government’s original predictions of at least 3.2 percent for 2015. A survey by the polling firm BGC also showed the PRI in first place in the congressional races, about 6 percentage points ahead of National Action, while a poll by the Buendia & Laredo company placed the PRI’s lead at about 4 percent. The margins of error were plus or minus 2.9 percentage points and plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, respectively. “In the federal elections, the PRI is going to win,” said Luis Carlos Ugalde, the country’s former top electoral watchdog official. “It means that the economic situation has many people in a good mood, it means that a portion of the population is doing more or less okay.” But, paradoxically, most of the races for governor-
ships in nine of Mexico’s 31 states are extremely close, in many cases too close to call. The PRI had long dominated most statehouses, and some states have always had PRI governors. “There is an enormous level of competition, and that is very good news,” said Ugalde. In the most closelywatched governorship race, in the northern border state of Nuevo Leon, some polls showed a surprising surge for Jaime Rodriguez, an independent who is running under his nickname, “El Bronco,” to challenge the PRI. A poll by the newspaper El Universal showed Rodriguez neck-and- neck with PRI candidate Ivonne Alvarez, at 30.1 and 29.1 percent, respectively. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Other surveys showed one or the other of the Nuevo Leon candidates with a wider lead. But the surprising thing was that Rodriguez, with no support from any political party, was in the running at all. “Almost nobody thought an independent candidate could win a governorship,” said Jose Antonio Crespo, a professor at Mexico’s Center for Economic Research and Teaching. “So this is a surprise, it does set a precedent, and it will be a warning sign for the political parties.” He was referring to widespread distrust of political parties. Only about 9 percent of people in the GEA-ISA poll expressed confidence in them. All parties have been affected by that distrust. In the northern state of Sonora, National Action currently holds the governorship. But repeated scandals have put the party’s candidate Javier Gandara in a statistical tie with Claudia Pavlovich, according to an El Universal poll that had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. What also remains in doubt is whether the PRI will get enough congressional seats through a formula of proportional representation to be able to cobble together a majority with smaller parties.
Guam is first US territory with gay marriage By GRACE GARCES BORDALLO ASSOCIATED PRESS
HAGATNA, Guam — Samesex couples can begin applying for marriage licenses next week in Guam, which became the first U.S. territory to legalize gay marriage. A federal judge on Friday struck down the territory’s ban as unconstitutional. HOW IT HAPPENED: A lesbian couple sued April 13 after a registrar denied them a marriage license because Guam law defines marriage as between two people of the opposite sex. Loretta M. Pangelinan, 28, and Kathleen M. Aguero, 29, based their lawsuit on a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision in favor of same-sex marriage. The U.S. District Court of Guam falls under the 9th Circuit. The next day, Attorney Gener-
al Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson directed officials to immediately begin processing same-sex marriage applications, but the territory — backed by Gov. Eddie Calvo — balked. Barrett-Anderson hired outside attorneys to represent Calvo in the lawsuit since she believed Guam should recognize gay marriage. NOW WHAT? U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood gave the territory a couple of days to prepare to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Couples can begin applying at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Pangelinan and Aguero plan to marry June 20, their lawyer said. Calvo called on all Guam residents to move forward now that the court has ruled. “I ask that we all come togeth-
er despite our differences of opinion, united in our common love of Guam and of each other,” the territorial governor said. He also directed members of his cabinet to look at other regulations that might need to change because of the ruling. WHAT ABOUT THE HIGH COURT? The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on gay marriage later this month. However, Tydingco-Gatewood previously decided against postponing Guam’s lawsuit until after the high court’s ruling. “It’s probably the only case in history where you have a decision one way or another and then a final decision coming within weeks — literally within weeks,” said Michael Phillips, the outside attorney hired to represent Calvo. Currently gay couples can
marry in 36 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. OPPOSITION, SUPPORT: About 80 percent of Guam residents are Catholic, and a church official there blasted TydingcoGatewood’s decision. Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron said in a statement the ruling “is not only a defeat for Christian principles, but a defeat for our island and the whole of humanity.” Meanwhile, one openly gay member of the Guam Legislature hailed the ruling and said he only wished it happened sooner. “I always felt this is the civil rights issue of the 21st century, and that this is a fundament right,” said Benjamin Cruz, vice speaker of the Legislature and a retired justice. RECORDING HISTORY: In a rare occurrence for federal court
proceedings, the arguments in Guam’s gay marriage case were videotaped. Both sides agreed to the recording, which was done as part of a pilot program that involves 14 courts across the nation. The public will be able to view the hearing online for free in a few business days at: http:// www.uscourts.gov/about-federalcourts/cameras-courts FACTS ABOUT GUAM: About 160,000 people live on Guam, an island about 3,800 miles west of Hawaii. Its residents are U.S. citizens, but they don’t have the right to cast ballots for the country’s president. The territory elects a delegate to the U.S. House, but the delegate is not allowed to vote on legislation. Guam has no representation in the U.S. Senate.
PÁGINA 10A
Zfrontera
Ribereña en Breve RECAUDACIÓN DE FONDOS El Boys and Girls Club del Condado de Zapata se encuentra recaudando fondos para sus programas juveniles y eventos programados para el 2015. Interesados en apoyar la causa, la compañía Tupperware se encuentra ofreciendo que por cada producto Tupperware que se compre, un 40 por ciento de las ventas se destinará directamente al club de Zapata. Le meta es recaudar 3.000 dólares. Pida informes llamando al (956) 765-3892.
SÁBADO 6 DE JUNIO DE 2015
QUERELLA
Tráfico humano POR CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Dos personas, entre ellas una residente de Zapata, fueron arrestadas en Laredo, acusadas de transportar inmigrantes de San Ygnacio a la Ciudad Fronteriza, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte obtenidos esta semana. Identificados como los sospechosos, Clarissa Villarreal, de Zapata, y José Arrecis-Andrade, de Laredo, fueron acusados de transportar inmigrantes indocumentados, de acuerdo con una querella criminal presentada el 27 de mayo. Ambos se encuentran en custo-
Dos sospechosos se encuentran bajo custodia federal. dia federal. Villarreal tiene una fianza por 75.000 dólares. ArrecisAndrade no tiene fianza, señalan registros. Autoridades federales dijeron que el intento de contrabando de personas ocurrió el 25 de mayo. A las 9:45 a.m. de ese día, el Departamento de Policía de Laredo (LPD, por sus siglas en inglés) solicitó la asistencia de Patrulla Fronteriza (BP, por sus siglas en inglés)
en la cuadra 4500 de avenida San Bernardo. La policía dijo a los agentes que respondieron a una llamada reportando un vehículo sedan color gris, sospechoso, estacionado en Burlington Coat Factory. Registros señalan que había siete personas dentro del vehículo. Villarreal fue identificada como conductora y Arrecis-Andrade como copiloto.
Arrecis-Andrade y otros cinco ocupantes fueron detenidos por estar en el país de manera ilegal, de acuerdo con documentos de la corte. Registros de la corte señalan que Villarreal acordó hablar con los agentes especiales de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional, quienes tomaron la investigación. Villarreal sostuvo que ArrecisAndrade le dio instrucciones para recoger a los inmigrantes cerca de un área de hierba en San Ygnacio, señala la querella. (Localice a César G. Rodriguez en 728-2568 o en cesar@lmtonline.com)
MERCADO AGRÍCOLA Y DE ARTESANOS El Mercado Agrícola y de Artesanos de Zapata se realizará el sábado 6 de junio, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. en el estacionamiento del Centro Comunitario, 605 N US Highway 83. Pida informes en el (956) 536-7171.
REUNIÓN DE COMISIONADOS La corte de comisionados se reunirá en el Palacio de Justicia de Zapata, el lunes 8 de junio, de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. Más información llamando a Roxy Elizondo al (956) 7659920.
CAMPAMENTO DE VERANO Del 9 de junio al 2 de julio, tendrá lugar un Campamento de Verano, para los estudiantes de ZCISD desde preescolar a quinto año. Las sesiones serán de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. y de 12 p.m. a 4 p.m. El desayuno y el almuerzo serán proporcionados. No habrá transporte. El campamento es gratuito, sin embargo, los estudiantes deberán cumplir con las normativas de fin de año para ser elegibles. Las solicitudes de ingreso deberán ser entregadas antes del 14 de mayo. Para más información puede llamar a Gerardo García al (956) 765-6917; a Dalia García, al (956) 7654332; a Ana Martínez, al (956) 765-5611; o a Marlen Guerra al (956) 765-4321.
CAMPAÑA MÉDICO-ASISTENCIAL MIGUEL ALEMAN — Se implementará la primer campaña médico asistencial propuesta por miembros de los ministerios nacionales “Betel” el 11 de junio, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. El grupo de 15 personas, entre médicos y enfermeros, estarán representados por la misionera Deana Gatlin. Además traerán consigo ropa, medicamentos y despensas. El Presidente Municipal, Ramiro Cortez, informó que los misioneros evangélicos viajarán a las comunidades rurales del sur de Miguel Alemán el 13 de junio.
TORNEO DE GOLF Zapata Lions Club invita al Segundo Torneo de Golf Leobardo Martinez Jr. Scholarship, el sábado 20 de junio en Los Ebanos Golf Course. El estilo es 3 Men Florida Scramble. Donación es de 65 dólares y 10 dólares por Mulligans. Registro a las 8 a.m., inicio a las 9 a.m. Informes llamando al campo de golf al (956) 765-8336 o con Lioan Eduardo Martinez en el (956) 765-8449 y/o Lion Aaron Cruz al (956) 2403408.
TORNEO DE PESCA A partir del jueves 11 de junio, a las 8 a.m., y hasta el sábado 13 de junio, a las 8 p.m. se realizará el Torneo de Pesca API, en Beacon Lodge.
OBITUARIO
DEPORTES
Fallece César O. Treviño
MEDALLA DE PLATA Laredense figura entre mejores
POR JUDITH RAYO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
U
na laredense se encuentra ubicada en la segunda posición de la Federación Mexicana de Tae Kwon Do, después de su participación en la Olimpiada Nacional y Paralimpiada 2015 celebrada en Nuevo León, México. Salma Castellanos, de 17 años, obtuvo la medalla de plata en Tae Kwon Do el 30 de mayo, representando al Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME), en la categoría juvenil mayor 53 kg. “Esta experiencia me permitió conocer de cerca el sistema mexicano dentro de esta disciplina”, dijo Castellanos. “El haber quedado en segundo lugar me motiva para entrenar aún más para el próximo año y buscar la medalla de oro”. El evento nacional permite acercar a sus raíces a jóvenes nacidos en otros país o a quienes desde pequeños fueron alejados de México, sostiene un comunicado de la CONADE. Así, el IME participa en la Olimpiada Nacional con un contingente de aproximadamente 105 deportistas en las disciplinas de Futbol Asociación, Boxeo, Judo y Tae Kwon Do, obteniendo hasta el momento un total de 13 medallas (cinco de oro, tres de plata y cinco de bronce). La Olimpiada Nacional y Paralimpiada 2015 se llevó a cabo del 24 de abril al 5 de junio de 2015. Participaron más de 22.000 atletas provenientes de diferentes estados de la República, y el exterior, en 40 disciplinas.
Foto de cortesía
Una laredense obtuvo la medalla de plata durante su participación en la categoría de Tae Kwon Do, durante la Olimpiada Nacional y Paralímpica Mexicana 2015. Salma Castellanos, a la derecha, sonríe junto a un integrante de la delegación del IME. La participación de deportistas de nacionalidad mexicana que radican en el exterior ocurrió por octavo año consecutivo. “Permite la detección de ta-
lentos que puedan ser incluidos en los distintos procesos para integrar las selecciones nacionales en competencias internacionales”, concluye el comunicado.
César O. Treviño, un administrativo de UISD durante varios años, quien supervisaba los programas de energía y medio ambiente del distrito, murió tras perder la batalla contra el cáncer la noche del miércoles, en Zapata. Tenía 56 años. David García, superintendente asistente para recursos humanos en United Independent School District, con voz entrecortada habló acerca de su colega y amigo. CÉSAR O. TREVIÑO “Se puede remplazar la posición, pero nunca a la persona”, dijo García. “Lo extrañaremos mucho”. Treviño comenzó en UISD en agosto de 1995. Trabajó en el departamento de construcción y después fue nombrado director de energía, donde sus tareas consistían en dar mantenimiento a los sistemas eléctricos y aires acondicionados del distrito. “Era un hombre muy trabajador”, dijo García. “Su mayor preocupación eran las escuelas”. Treviño se graduó del Instituto América de Estudios Superiores en Nuevo Laredo, México, en 1977. Después ingresó a la Universidad de Nuevo León en Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. En 1983, asistió a Laredo Community College. Antes de ocupar la posición en UISD, Treviño trabajó como contratista general en construcciones residenciales en Zapata. A él le sobreviven su esposa, Nanette Treviño; dos hijos César E. y Christina A. Treviño; y muchos familiares y amigos. La procesión funeraria partirá de Rose Garden Funeral Home, el día de hoy a las 8:30 a.m. para una misa en la iglesia católica Our Lady of Lourdes. (Localice a Judith Rayo en 728-2567 o en jrayo@lmtonline.com)
COLUMNA
Texto describe sociedad de Matamoros Nota del Editor: En el artículo, el historiador habla de los textos escritos por Manuel Payno en relación a la vida en Matamoros, México, hacia principios y mediados del siglo XIX.
POR RAÚL SINENCIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Manuel Payno dedica dos retratos de época a Matamoros, México. El primero permanece en el olvido, sin embargo al segundo se le realizan varias reimpresiones. Sin embargo, al hablar del primer retrato proporciona noticias interesantes.
Origen El primer texto de Payno recoge la versión de que con los restos de un naufragio frente a la costa, hacia 1806, por el río Bravo “algunos habitantes de Reinosa” forman El Refugio, después denominado Matamoros. “El artículo 1° del arancel de 1822 lo habilita para el co-
mercio marítimo. Esto produjo la concurrencia de connacionales, así como de irlandeses, franceses, españoles, norteamericanos e italianos. En consecuencia, la población […] puede llegar a 10.000 personas, el vecindario más populoso de la entidad”, señala el escrito. Predominan al principio viviendas “de tronco de palma […] con fuertes empalizadas para resguardarse de […] los [indios] salvajes. Tras conseguir un joven francés llamado Lafón […] hacer ladrillos […] donde se carecía de piedra […] las casas comenzaron a construirse con […] solidez, aunque son por lo común estrechas e incómodas”. “(Existen asimismo) chozas miserables, de las cuales todavía hay una multitud”. Tras la perdida de Texas en 1836, allá se repliega tropas mexicanas a Matamoros. Así se diversifica la demanda en materia de alimentos. Los vecinos, por ende, “comenzaron a sembrar […] maíz” y “hortalizas con legumbres, que eran pocos años an-
tes enteramente desconocidas”.
Población “Es público y notorio que esta población debe su existencia al contrabando, y por esto lo asiento”, señala Payno. Considera empero que Matamoros debe su vida. En el escrito también habla de “la inconveniencia de nuestras leyes aduanales, dictadas […] sin conocimiento práctico del terreno”. Y añade: “El carácter de la población […] es indolente y perezoso, debido quizás a lo extremoso del temperamento. (En las mujeres) su trato parece áspero e incivil en los principios, pero después se descubre una rústica amabilidad […] Todas visten túnico y calzan zapatos, […] por lo regular […] azules, no obstante, cuando se presentan a un baile, se las ve adornadas con trajes y calzados de seda”.
Legado
Tras la visita de Payno en 1839 a Matamoros, compone extenso artículo, que aparece en 1842. Se llama “Matamoros”. Entretanto, el régimen centralista había convertido en departamentos a los estados. Apenas en 1844, Payno retoma el tema con “El puerto de Matamoros, departamento de Tamaulipas”, reproducido también por la prensa capitalina. “Hace […] tiempo […] publiqué […] algunos artículos sobre Matamoros, los cuales han disgustado […] particularmente a las señoras de ahí […] que creen que las he calumniado cuando dije que se vestían de indiana azul y calzado de mahón de lo mismo. Yo suplico que se lea con cuidado […] y se verá que […] hablé de la gente del campo […] mas no de las señoras de Matamoros […] Sírvales esta pequeña nota de una plena satisfacción”, consigna Payno en 1844. (Publicado con permiso del autor conforme aparece en La Razón, Tampico, México)
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
CESAR O. TREVIÑO
HACKERS
Aug. 5, 1958 — June 4, 2015 Cesar O. Treviño, 56, was called by the Lord and lost his battle to cancer on Thursday, June 4, 2015, in Zapata. Mr. Treviño is preceded in death by his parents, Rafael and Lydia Treviño; brother, Mario Alberto Treviño and father-in-law, Adulfo M. Muñoz Jr. Mr. Treviño is survived by his wife, Nanette Treviño; son, Dr. Cesar E. (Gladys) Treviño; daughter, Christina A. Treviño; grandson, Cesar Leonardo Treviño; brothers and sisters, Rafael G. (Josie) Treviño, niece and nephew, Sarah and Alexandro; Maria Esther (Roel) Flores, nephews, Roel, Orlando and Tony; Marco Antonio (Yolanda) Treviño, nephew and nieces, Marco, Gina, and Sophie; †Mario Alberto (Yolanda) Treviño, nephews, Mario, Gilberto, Luis; Ana Lydia (Jaime) Santillana, nieces, Melissa, Joanna; Roberto Alonso (Belinda) Treviño, nieces, Tina and Daniela; aunt, Lilia Treviño; mother-in-law, Arabela R. Muñoz; sisterin-law, Suzette (Alonzo) Barrera, nephews and niece, Alonso, Amador and Areli and by numerous other family members and friends.
Visitation hours and a rosary were Friday, June 5, 2015, at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Falcon Cemetery in Falcon. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Highway 83, Zapata.
FRANCISCA V. BURUATO Oct. 10, 1921 — June 4, 2015 Francisca V. Buruato, 93, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2015, at her residence in Zapata. Ms. Buruato is preceded in death by her husband, Arturo Buruato and a great-granddaughter, Beyda Buruato. Ms. Buruato is survived by her sons, Derly (Elena) Buruato, Eloy Buruato; daughters, Elda (Adan) Garcia, Dora (Samuel) Montoya, Edith (Gary) Hogan; grandchildren, Derly Buruato, Jr., Saul Buruato (Mirna), Abiud Buruato, Arturo (Imelda) Buruato, Abiel (Ana) Buruato, Viola Garcia, Rocio (Ricky) Muñoz, Oziel (Miosotiz) Montoya, Wilda (Johnny) Garcia, Gary Hogan, Jr., Stephanie Hogan; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; brother, Amancio Valadez; sister, Romana Riojas; sister-inlaw, Adela Rodriguez; and by numerous nephews, nieces, other family members and friends. Visitation hours will be held Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a wake at 7 p.m. at
threat that is emanating from China.” One U.S. official said the breach was being investigated as a national security matter, suggesting authorities believe a nation was behind it rather than a more loosely organized gang of cybercriminals. The official was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke only on condition of anonymity. The break-in is an embarrassing showing for the U.S. government’s vaunted computer-defense system for civilian agencies — dubbed “Einstein” — which is costing $376 million this year alone. It’s supposed to detect unusual Internet traffic that might reflect hacking attempts or stolen data being transmitted outside the government. This latest breach occurred in December but wasn’t discovered until April, officials say. It was made public Thursday. ‘’The scale of it is just staggering,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. There’s no telling how many more attacks could be spawned by the information stolen in this case, he said. Although most Americans think of identity thieves stealing from credit card or bank accounts, the information about civilian federal workers has other value for foreign spies. “They’re able to identify people who are in posi-
tions with access to significant national security information and can use personal data to target those individuals,” said Payne, the counterintelligence official. He said details from personnel files could be used to craft personalized phony messages to trick workers. Federal employees who think they’re opening an email from co-workers or family members might infect their computers with a program that would steal more information or install spy software. Spies also could use details about an employee’s interests or background to befriend them and try to manipulate them into revealing secrets. Kevin Mitnick, a former hacker who now runs Mitnick Security Consulting of Las Vegas, called confidential details about federal employees “a gold mine.” “What’s the weakest link in security?” Mitnick said. “The human. Now you know all about your target.” The hackers may have made off with even more information about workers who undergo security clearance background checks. That information includes the names of family, neighbors, even old bosses and teachers, as well as reports on vices, arrests and foreign contacts. However, OPM spokesman Samuel Schumach said there was no evidence to suggest that security clearance information collected by OPM was com-
Continued from Page 1A promised. It’s stored separately from routine personnel files, he said. “The kind of data that may have been compromised in this incident could include name, Social Security Number, date and place of birth, job assignments, training files, performance ratings and current and former addresses,” Schumach said in an email. The breach occurred at a network maintained by the Department of Interior, which also houses the personnel agency’s files. Schumach said agencies share computer systems partly to save money — and it’s also supposed to strengthen security. Security experts said the hackers may have gone after the personnel agency because it’s an easier target than the Pentagon or National Security Agency. It’s probably “about gaining deeper access to other systems and agencies,” said Mark Bower, the global director of HP Inc.’s Security Voltage unit, so the hackers can go after military, economic or foreign policy plans. Private cybersecurity researchers said they believe the personnel agency was targeted by the same hackers who got into the Anthem and Primera health insurance groups last year. John Hultquist, head of cyberespionage intelligence at iSight, said the Dallas-based security firm had found evidence linking the two attacks, but declined to say whom they
suspect. “We think they are creating a database they can leverage for follow-on espionage,” Hultquist said. A spokesman for the Director of National Intelligence declined to discuss whether there was evidence against China or whether intelligence agency employees were among those whose information was compromised. The National Security Agency and the FBI have improved their ability to attribute cyberattacks in recent years, officials have said. Often, Chinese cyberattacks have identifiable signatures, including the types of malware used. The NSA also uses its more traditional intelligence gathering methods to trace the origins of cyberattacks including intercepting the phone calls and emails of the hackers. The Homeland Security Department said it used Einstein to confirm the breach. But that’s the equivalent of a smoke alarm sounding after the house burned down. After the fact, Einstein helped investigators understand how the break-in happened and its extraordinary scale, and to protect against a repeat of a similar attempt. “It didn’t fare so well,” said James Lewis, a leading cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think-tank. “It’s only a victory if you defeat the opponent, and we didn’t.”
TRADE DEAL Continued from Page 1A
Rose Garden Funeral Home. A chapel service will be held Sunday, June 7, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy. 83, Zapata.
Late next week, the U.S. House will vote on giving Obama power to negotiate the 12-nation agreement. If Obama wins that authority and strikes a deal, he will return to Congress in the fall for an up-or-down approval of the agreement. Many Republicans back the deal, but he will need around 25 Democratic votes to give him the authority, called “fast track,” to negotiate. Texans either firmly or likely against giving the president that power include U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Gene Green of Houston and Filemon Vela of Brownsville. U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas back the president. “This fight has become more about politics than policy, and it’s really a shame because the policy is good,” Cuellar said in an email to The Texas Tribune. “TPP will open new markets for businesses, create jobs, and bring more money into the U.S. economy — particularly in states like Texas that are leaders
in exports.” The rest of the Texas delegation is officially undecided, though many may have made decisions they aren’t announcing. Across the board on Capitol Hill, staffers and members say the president, his Cabinet and senior staff are fully engaged in pressing his case. Staffers say that some Democrats are receiving their first-ever calls from the president. U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, DFort Worth, recently received an invitation to the White House to discuss trade, but was unable to accept due to the House voting schedule. And Obama did a series of television station affiliate interviews on Wednesday with local reporters from regions represented by members who either support him or are undecided. Despite the presidential offensive, Veasey telegraphed on Tuesday that he is no fan of the deal. “I have not weighed [in] publicly yet. It’s going to be really tough for a lot of members,” he said, adding criticism about price, wage
and environmental issues involved in trading with countries like Vietnam. That Obama is working the Hill astonishes some Democratic staffers and members accustomed to minimal interaction with the president. Possibly the most painful spot right now for a House Democrat is in the undecided column, and two Texas Democrats are particularly feeling the squeeze: U.S. Reps. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso and Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, who finds himself in an especially ticklish position. Obama has a unique negotiating weapon in his arsenal: Castro’s twin brother, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro. There is no discernible evidence that the Castros have discussed trade, but it’s widely known on Capitol Hill that the two speak multiple times a day. But labor is pushing Joaquin Castro hard from the other side. The implicit threat is that crossing labor on an issue this important could complicate his accel-
erating rise in House leadership or any national ambitions (although his brother’s name comes up more often on that front). Congressional Republicans from Texas are just as scrambled, but it’s a far less divisive debate, turning mainly on a reluctance to give president any more power, even on an issue they support. A House GOP leadershipaligned group that backs a trade deal called the American Action Network is pushing $1 million worth of television, digital and radio advertising campaign across the country. The group is spending $200,000 on digital ads in 65 districts, including those of seven Texas Republicans: Reps. Ted Poe of Humble, Joe Barton of Ennis, John Culberson of Houston, Kay Granger of Fort Worth, Bill Flores of Bryan, Pete Olson of Sugar Land and Michael Burgess of Lewisville. Burgess told the Tribune in April that he was against the deal because he did not want to give the president any more authority.
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
2 of bomber’s friends sentenced to prison By DENISE LAVOIE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News | AP
A personal watercraft is seen near a boat dock surrounded by water on Medina Lake on May 31, in this aerial photo. Recent rains, though devastating for other parts of Central Texas, have been a blessing for the long-on-the-verge-of-empty lake. The Texas Water Development Board website reported the lake 48.4 percent full last Sunday, up from a paltry 4.2 percent full one month ago. That translates to a 60 foot rise in the lake.
MEDINA LAKE Continued from Page 1A adding, “A lot of our old employees moved on since we haven’t been open in three years.” The water remains murky, raising health concerns for some. Boaters and water-skiers need to watch for flood debris, including logs and other half-submerged obstacles. “If it doesn’t rain and we don’t get any more runoff, I think the water quality ought to be fine by this weekend,” Bandera County Commissioner Bobby Harris said. “A lot of the flood debris has sank to the bottom.” Hoping to reopen the county park by the weekend, Harris has been tackling maintenance and repair issues at the mothballed facility on Park Road 37. He said constituents can’t wait to launch boats and get wet, now that the lake had swelled to 53 percent of capacity, reaching a level just 23 feet below the dam spillway. “Everybody is excited,” Harris said. “I’ve had a lot of people driving through just to look at the lake.” Recreational returnees need to use common sense, said Ernie Lerma, a former state game warden.
TREVIÑO Continued from Page 1A riores in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas. He later attended the Universidad de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. In 1983, he attended Laredo Community College. Prior to his position at UISD, Treviño worked as a general contractor in residential construction in Zapata. He is survived by his wife, Nanette Treviño; two children, Cesar E. and Christina A. Treviño; and by numerous friends and other family members. Visitation and a rosary were at Rose Garden Funeral Home on Friday night. The funeral procession will depart today at 8:30 a.m. for a 9 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will be in Falcon Cemetery in Falcon. (Judith Rayo may be reached at 728-2567 or jrayo@lmtonline.com)
“Anytime you have flooding, there’s safety hazards; debris, snakes and possible dirty water,” he said. “I’d try to use some discretion. You’re not going to jump into murky water.” Also urging caution was David Mauk, the general manager of the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, which routinely tested the lake’s water quality until the waterline dropped so far that it was hard to reach. Testing will resume next week after the sediment has settled, he said. “I’ve been in it every day, and I’m still here. My personal opinion is it’s fine,” said Mike Crandall of Wallys Watersports in Mico. He said the lake level is “like night and day from a month ago. It’s great. Fantastic.” The Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Counties Water Control & Improvement District No. 1, which manages the reservoir and supplies water from it to downstream irrigation farmers through its canal system, cut off those deliveries in August 2012 and stopped its sales to the San Antonio Water System in April 2013 as the
water level plummeted. “It looks great,” BMA General Manager Ed Berger said of the revitalized lake. “Maybe these irrigators who have been hit so hard economically can get some of their water this year, hopefully.” He said the district’s board of directors would discuss that issue Monday. County Commissioner Harris, who also is president of the Lake Medina Conservation Society, hopes that ongoing talks with BMA and others yield a lake management plan that forestalls another severe depletion. “I’m trying to figure this out so everybody gets water and the lake never gets dry again,” Harris said. Jim Gallagher, having survived in business for 28 years through big floods and drought, was ready to welcome returning anglers to Jim’s Rebait and Tackle Shop. “You don’t see a lot of activity out here when there’s no water. Nobody’s on the road. The county park has been closed for years. A lot of businesses here closed, mostly restaurants,” he said. “Tourism keeps this town afloat.”
BOSTON — Two college friends of marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev were sentenced Friday to prison after one tearfully apologized to the residents of Boston for impeding the investigation and the other had a show of support from former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis. Azamat Tazhayakov, 21, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years for impeding the investigation into the attack while authorities frantically searched for the bombers. He was convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice for agreeing with another friend to remove Tsarnaev’s backpack from his dorm room at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. The backpack contained fireworks that had been emptied of their explosive powder. Later Friday, Robel Phillipos was given a three-year sentence for lying to the FBI about being in Tsarnaev’s dorm room days after the bombings. The judge said Phillipos was to blame for a “substantial diversion” of law enforcement resources. “There’s a price to be paid for the failure of responsibility,” Judge Douglas Woodlock said. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of a little more than five years in prison. Phillipos’ lawyers had asked for two years of home confinement. The sentence ultimately given to Phillipos was the most lenient penalty imposed on the three friends who were charged. Dukakis, a friend of Phillipos’ family and the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee, wrote a letter of support for him and even testified during his trial. In his letter to the judge, Dukakis wrote that he “can’t understand why justice would be served by incarcerating him.” Phillipos was accused of
Photo by Bill Sikes | AP
Robel Phillipos leaves federal court after being sentenced Friday, in Boston. He was handed a 3-year sentence for lying to the FBI about being in the dorm room of convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in April 2103 when items were removed. telling nine lies to the FBI but was acquitted of four of them. The jury rejected the government’s claim that he lied when he said he did not see anyone take Tsarnaev’s backpack and did not see any fireworks. Lawyers for Phillipos said they had hoped the judge would spare him jail time since he was the least culpable of the three friends. “This was a case that screamed out for probation,” said attorney Susan Church. Phillipos did not speak before sentencing on the advice of his lawyers because he is appealing his conviction. He was ordered to report to begin serving his sentence by June 24. But his lawyers said they may file a motion to stay his sentence while he appeals. If granted, that would mean he would not have to go to prison while his appeal is pending. The bombings on April 15, 2013, killed three people and injured more than 260. Tsarnaev is awaiting formal sentencing after a jury condemned him to die for committing the attack with his now-dead older brother, Tamerlan. Tazhayakov and the two other friends went to Tsar-
naev’s dorm room three days after the bombings, hours after the FBI released photos of the Tsarnaev brothers as suspects in the bombings. One of them, Dias Kadyrbayev, was sentenced this week to six years in prison for removing Tsarnaev’s backpack from the room and tossing it in a trash bin. He was also convicted of taking Tsarnaev’s laptop. Tazhayakov was found guilty of agreeing with Kadyrbayev to take the backpack and throw it away. “I apologize to the people of Boston for what I did,” Tazhayakov said Friday before he was sentenced. He also denounced Tsarnaev’s actions. “I want to say that I don’t support an extremist. I don’t support any Muslim radicalization,” he said. “It just makes me sick what Dzhokhar did on April 15.” None of Tsarnaev’s friends was accused of knowing about the bombings ahead of time. The judge said their crimes were still severe because they impeded an investigation into a terrorist attack at a time when investigators were trying to determine the identities of the bombers.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors INTERNATIONAL SOCCER: UNITED STATES 4, NETHERLANDS 3
US makes late rally Photo by Ben Margot | AP
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the postseason after suffering a fractured kneecap during a 108-100 overtime loss to Golden State in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Kyrie Irving out for Finals By BRIAN MAHONEY ASSOCIATED PRESS Photo by Patrick Post | AP
Michael Bradley and the United States rallied with three unanswered goals to beat Netherlands 4-3 in a friendly Friday in Amsterdam.
Wood scores winner in 90th minute after trailing 3-1 By MIKE CORDER ASSOCIATED PRESS
AMSTERDAM — Bobby Wood scored a 90th-minute winner Friday as the United States rallied from two goals down to beat the Netherlands 4-3 in a friendly at the Amsterdam Arena. Jurgen Klinsmann’s team trailed 3-1 with 20 minutes left but John Brooks started the comeback in the 71st and the Americans netted twice more in the last three minutes of regulation time for their first ever win over the Dutch. Wood slotted in his first international goal after a cross by Jordan Morris, just two minutes after Danny Williams had made it 3-3 with a shot that flew in after deflecting off Dutch striker Luuk de Jong. “They had a big chance and it just was a counter attack and Jordan gave me a tap in pretty much,” Wood said. “I was lucky to be there.” Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had earlier scored two headers and assisted on Memphis Depay’s goal. Gyasi Zardes equalized for the
U.S. after Hunterlaar’s first goal. Williams and Zardes also netted their first international goal against a Dutch team that finished third at last year’s World Cup. “I was lucky that my shot deflected at the end,” Williams said. “It’s an absolutely fantastic feeling to win against Holland in Amsterdam.” Huntelaar tied and then moved past Patrick Kluivert into second place on the list of all-time top scorers for the Netherlands, taking his international tally to 41 goals in 72 matches. Dutch captain Robin van Persie tops the list, but couldn’t add to his 49 goals before he was substituted in the second half. The Americans secured the win without three key players. Captain Clint Dempsey stayed in Seattle to await the birth of his fourth child, fellow attacker Jozy Altidore is recovering from a hamstring injury and midfielder Alejandro Bedoya was out with a knee injury. The Netherlands was without Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, whose sea-
NCAA BASEBALL: SUPER REGIONAL
son was ended by a calf injury. Klinsmann next takes his team to his home country to play world champion Germany on June 10. The Netherlands has a crucual European Championship qualifier in Latvia next Friday. Guus Hiddink’s team is third in Group A after five matches and badly needs a win. The Americans had early chances but captain Michael Bradley hit the inside of the post and Fabian Johnson slotted the rebound into the side netting. Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen then saved a shot by Brek Shea in the 22nd after the Orlando City forward had surged into the box from the left flank. The Dutch were more clinical as Huntelaar rose between John Brooks and Ventura Alvarado to head home his 40th international goal from Depay’s cross in the 27th. That lead didn’t last long. Zardes got behind defender Daryl Janmaat in the 33rd to tuck away a cross by
OAKLAND, Calif. — The Cleveland Cavaliers finished off Chicago and swept past Atlanta, even when Kyrie Irving wasn’t available. Now they have to find their way past the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals without him. Irving has a fractured left kneecap and will have surgery that could sideline him for three to four months, the Cavaliers said Friday. Already without Kevin Love, the Cavaliers are now without their All-Star point guard, who had been playing in pain for most of the postseason and was injured again in the final minutes of Game 1 on Thursday night. “As far as how we prepare, we’ve been through this. We’ve played games without Kevin, without Kyrie,” coach David Blatt said Friday, before the team announced Irving’s diagnosis. “We know how we want to play when they’re not in there. From that standpoint, we can prepare. Our main concern right now though
See SOCCER PAGE 2B See IRVING PAGE 2B
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: STANLEY CUP FINALS
Stanley Cup goalies having ups and downs By FRED GOODALL ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Juan DeLeon | AP
Logan Nottebrok and Texas A&M face TCU in a best-of-three super regional starting Saturday.
Rivals Texas A&M and TCU face off By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT WORTH, Texas — There have been those special first-time moments for TCU under coach Jim Schlossnagle. The Horned Frogs played an NCAA regional at home for the first time in 2009 and won it. They went to the College World Series for the first time in 2010
and got back to Omaha last season after their first time as a super regional host. Now the Big 12 regular-season champion Frogs (47-12), the No. 7 national seed, are hosting a best-of-three super regional for the second year in a row. Game 1 against Texas A&M (4912) is Saturday.
See RIVALS PAGE 2B
TAMPA, Fla. — No team wins Stanley Cup without reliable goaltending, so Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop finds it laughable when he reads or hears criticism about Chicago’s Corey Crawford. Although the starting goalies in the finals series that resumes Saturday night have had their ups and downs this postseason, there’s no question Bishop’s Lightning and Crawford’s Blackhawks wouldn’t be here if they couldn’t depend on them. Bishop is 7-1 with a .937 save percentage in games following a playoff loss. He also closed out the Eastern Conference finals with a pair
of shutout wins over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Crawford is better known and more accomplished, helping Chicago win the Stanley Cup two years ago. Now he has a shot at another after briefly losing his job during a tough firstround series for the 30year-old, whose success Bishop has followed from a distance. “He’s a great goalie,” Bishop said, looking ahead to Game 2 at Amalie Arena, where the Lightning will try to rebound from letting the opener of the best-of-seven series slip away in the closing minutes. Bishop stopped 19 of 21 shots in Game 1, yielding both Blackhawks goals in a 2-1 loss
See NHL PAGE 2B
Photo by Phelan M. Ebenhack | AP
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford made 22 saves in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals leading the Blackhawks to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015
Williams ill day before final By HOWARD FENDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — There are two key questions going into the French Open women’s final Saturday between Serena Williams and Lucie Safarova. One is: How healthy will Williams be as she tries to win a third title at Roland Garros and 20th Grand Slam singles trophy in all? The other: Who is Safarova and how did she wind up in her first major singles final at age 28? Dealing with what she called “some kind of flu,” the top-seeded Williams did not show up on site Friday, saying in a statement that she skipped practice and a pre-final news conference so she could rest in her Paris apartment and get checked by a doctor. “It’s just a matter of resting and keeping hydrated — there’s not much else I can do,” Williams said. “I need time, and obviously don’t have a lot of it. ... I just have to hope that tomorrow I will be feeling a lot better and able to give my best on court.” She was lethargic and out of sorts during her 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 semifinal victory over No. 23 Timea Bacsinszky on Thursday, and afterward, Williams said, “I just kind of collapsed.” The final will begin no earlier than 3 p.m. local time Saturday, and it could be delayed because it will follow the resumption of
Photo by Francois Mori | AP
Serena Williams faces Lucie Safarova in the finals on Saturday attempting to win her third French Open title. the men’s semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. That match was suspended at 3-all in the fourth set, with Djokovic ahead two sets to one, just before it began raining Friday night. If Williams is at her best Saturday, she would be an overwhelming favorite, in part because she is 8-0 against Safarova. Plus, the 13th-seeded Safarova has never been this far at a major tournament in singles. That’s why she dropped to the court, caking her hands, arms, shoulders and back with red clay, after getting past 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 7-5 in the semifinals. “She’s finally able to understand what it feels like to actually do what she’s always been able to do. It’s something special,” said Safarova’s coach, Rob Steckley. “She has the belief that she can do it and can be there in a final —
and is there.” This is Safarova’s 40th appearance at a Grand Slam tournament. Only two women in the Open era of professional tennis, which began in 1968, have played in more majors before winning a title: Marion Bartoli, who won Wimbledon two years ago in her 47th, and Jana Novotna, who won Wimbledon in 1998 in her 45th. Only six women were older than Safarova when they made their debut in a major final. Of them, just one won, Francesca Schiavone, who was a few weeks shy of her 30th birthday at the 2010 French Open. “It’s been (a) long way and a lot of hours on court,” said Safarova, who is from the Czech Republic. “I have been on tour — it’s my 12th year — and to reach this, finally, it’s just, you appreciate it much more, I think.” Her biggest success so
far has come in doubles. She teamed with Bethanie Mattek-Sands to win the Australian Open in January, and they reached the French Open final by eliminating Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 on Friday. The last woman to win singles and doubles titles at the same French Open was Mary Pierce in 2000. Safarova has been coached by Steckley for nearly three years, but they’ve known each other for six. He remembers a far different person back then. “Very closed. Didn’t know when to laugh. Over the years, she’s gradually kind of been opening up. ... That was a key component to having her loosen up and stop putting all that pressure on those moments that come in a match,” Steckley said. “The key was to get her mind off of these moments hours before they start. And now she’s a player who’s in the moment.” He saw evidence of the “new” Safarova in the way she recovered against Ivanovic after getting broken at 5-4 in the second set, hitting three double-faults, including one on match point. Safarova did not let the stress get to her, though, taking the next two games. “You could see it in her face,” Steckley said. “She knew what happened, kind of looked back and said to herself, ’This is not going to happen again.”’
IRVING Continued from Page 1B is just Kyrie’s health. That’s all.” The Cavaliers said an MRI exam Friday at Stanford Sports Medicine Clinic revealed the injury and that surgery will be performed at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland by Cavaliers head team physician Dr. Richard Parker. “Saddened by the way I had to go out but it doesn’t take away from being (a part) of a special playoff
run with my brothers,” Irving wrote in a Twitter posting. “Truly means a lot for all the support and love. I Gave it everything I had and have no regrets. I love this game no matter what and I’ll be back soon.” Irving limped off the court during overtime of Cleveland’s 108-100 loss on Thursday night and left the arena on crutches. He has been bothered by foot and then knee pain for most of
his first postseason, sitting out the second half of the series-clinching victory over Chicago in the second round. He then missed two games during the Eastern Conference finals, but played well Thursday, finishing with 23 points before leaving with 2 minutes left in the extra period. Matthew Dellavedova stepped in during Irving’s absence in the last round
but played only 9 scoreless minutes Thursday. LeBron James said Friday the Cavs would be prepared no matter who was available. “Well, there are a few things that you would love to have going late in the season,” he said. “That’s being healthy, having a great rhythm, and then you need a little luck as well. We’ve had a great rhythm.
NHL Continued from Page 1B in a 1:58 span of the third period. Crawford gave up a goal less than five minutes into the game, but finished with 22 saves to post his 42nd career playoff win — three shy of the Blackhawks’ record held by Hall of Famer Tony Esposito. “Personally, I kind of looked up to him. He spent some time in the minors, just like I did,” Bishop said. “Some people doubt him, but the guy just goes out there and wins. He’s won a Stanley Cup. It’s funny how some people still have questions on a guy who’s won a Stanley
Cup. And, now he’s back at his second one.” Crawford is trying to become the first goalie to win two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. Overall, Chicago is aiming for a third title in six seasons. “To be honest, I never doubted myself, and I don’t think guys in our room doubted me. That’s what really matters,” Crawford said. “No matter what you do, there’s going to be somebody who doubts you. Really, I never listen to that.” Neither do his teammates. Even after Crawford’s
struggles in the first round against Nashville, when he was removed from the lineup for three games and part of a fourth. He regained his job by coming off the bench during Game 6 to replace Scott Darling and help the Blackhawks close out the Predators. “I don’t know what’s said or not outside. In the locker room, we know what kind of player he is,” Chicago defenseman Johnny Oduya said. “He’s always been tremendous here. He’s a hard competitor. He loves the game,” Oduya added. “Every time it’s on the line we
know we can trust him. He has the ability to come up in games like he did (Wednesday night). He saved us probably three, four, five times to keep us in it.” The Lightning express the same type of support for Bishop, who began his career with stints as a backup for his hometown St. Louis Blues and the Ottawa Senators. Tampa Bay acquired him in a trade from Ottawa in April 2013, giving the 6-foot-7 Bishop — the tallest goalie in the NHL — his first opportunity to be a full-time starter.
SOCCER Continued from Page 1B Johnson at the far post for his first international goal. Depay, who is moving from Dutch league champion PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United in the off season, caused the U.S. defense problems through-
out the match with his pace and control. Huntelaar netted his second header to make it 2-1 four minutes after the break, after an inch-perfect cross from the right by half-time substitute Grego-
ry van der Wiel. Depay made it 3-1 by deflecting a powerful shot by Huntelaar past Brad Guzan in the 53rd. Brooks cut the lead when he dispossessed Huntelaar inside his own half and
then surged forward to meet a cross from the right by substitute DeAndre Yedlin. That strike paved the way for substitutes Morris and Wood to steal the win in the final minutes.
Photo by Michel Euler | AP
The French Open semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray was suspended Friday because of inclement weather.
Djokovic-Murray match suspended By HOWARD FENDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — Novak Djokovic has waited and waited to win his first French Open title and complete a career Grand Slam, worrying about when — or perhaps even whether — he would get another chance after coming close in recent years. Now Djokovic must ponder all of that a little longer: His semifinal against Andy Murray was suspended in the fourth set Friday night, initially halted because of an impending storm and then put off altogether when the rain did arrive minutes later. The No. 1-seeded Djokovic won the first two sets 6-3, 6-3 and appeared to be in control, before No. 3 Murray took the third 7-5. At 3-all in the fourth, with dark clouds moving in and light fading, they were ushered off the court. Djokovic and Murray will resume Saturday at 1 p.m. local time, a little more than 16 hours after they stopped. The eventual winner will face a much-more-rested Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in Sunday’s final. The eighth-seeded Wawrinka, who eliminated Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, followed that up by defeating France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-4 in Friday’s opening semifinal. Wawrinka succeeded largely on the strength of one statistic: He saved 16 of 17 break points. There were a few whistles and jeers directed at Wawrinka after he ended Tsonga’s bid to give France a men’s champion at its own tournament, something that last happened when Yannick Noah won in 1983. “Jo is always a tough player to play,” Wawrinka said, “especially when he’s playing at home.” The first chants of “Songah! Son-gah!” accompanied by rhythmic clapping arrived before the first point was played, and they returned over and over at key junctures, as did yells of “Allez, Jo!” and other support for Tsonga that prompted the chair umpire to ask for quiet. The temperature topped 90 degrees (32 Celsius) at Court Philippe Chatrier, and the players wrapped towels filled with ice around their necks at changeovers to try to cool off. “Heat didn’t bother me,” Tsonga said. “My opponent made my life difficult.” A year ago, after winning the Australian Open championship, Wawrinka lost in
the first round in Paris. Now he’s into his first French Open final and second at a major. For Djokovic, so much is at stake this weekend. Finish off Murray, and he would face Wawrinka with a chance to become only the eighth man in tennis history to own at least one trophy from each of the sport’s four most prestigious tournaments, adding to his five from the Australian Open, two from Wimbledon and one from the U.S. Open. It would be Djokovic’s third appearance in the final in Paris. He lost in 2012 and 2014 to Rafael Nadal, the ninetime champion whose 39match Roland Garros winning streak was ended by Djokovic in this year’s quarterfinals. Entering Friday, Djokovic was 40-2 this season, with 27 victories in a row. He looked like that same, dominant player for the first two sets against Murray, a two-time major champion trying to become the first British man to reach the final in Paris since 1937. But the Serb’s form began to dip in the third set, while Murray started to play better and better and tried to rile the crowd by motioning for more support. Murray broke Djokovic for the first time to go ahead 6-5 in the third, then served that set out at love — the first set Djokovic dropped over these two weeks. After that, Djokovic went off the court to visit with a trainer, perhaps for treatment on the groin muscle problem he dealt with earlier in the tournament. Starting in the second set, and continuing into the third, Djokovic did deep knee bends and flexed his hips and upper legs. The match was becoming more competitive, and the second game of the fourth set was tremendous. Djokovic held three break points, but failed to convert any. On one, a 34-stroke exchange that was the day’s longest, he put a forehand into the net. A too-long forehand ended a 28-stroke exchange on the game’s last point. That was part of a run of nine consecutive points for Murray, who broke Djokovic at love to lead 2-1. But Djokovic is nothing if not a fighter, and when Murray dumped a forehand into the net, another break made it 2-all. Djokovic pumped his right fist and looked up at his guest box, where his wife stood, clapping and yelling. They’ll all be back Saturday for more.
RIVALS Continued from Page 1B “It’s definitely not the same, because nothing is as special as the first time,” Schlossnagle said. “This one is going to be unique because instead of us like in ’09 and ’10, where we had to go to Texas, it’s going to be unique to have one of those big state universities on our campus for a super regional.” TCU and Texas A&M passed on the way in and out of the Big 12 Conference. The Aggies left for the SEC three years ago, the same time the Horned Frogs moved to the Big 12. Texas A&M felt it had a resume worthy of a national seed, but is on the road for its sixth super regional appearance. The last one was in 2011, when they won
in three games at Florida State to make their fifth College World Series. In their game notes for this weekend’s series, the Aggies point out “they post superior numbers to TCU” in RPI (A&M is 5th, TCU 10th), strength of schedule (39 to 72) and record for top 50 RPI teams (A&M 17-8, TCU 9-6). The Aggies had to get through a pair of extra-inning games at California before eliminating Cal in the winner-take-all regional final game. “I’m excited for this team. It’s a very talented team. It’s a close a team and as fun a team as I’ve ever been a part of,” 10th-year Aggies coach Rob Childress said. “They’re earned it, and I’m cer-
tain their attitude is they’re not done yet. There’s work to be taken care of.” Some things to watch when the former Southwest Conference rivals play this weekend. Texas A&M has a 160-88-4 series advantage, but TCU won 10-2 at the 2012 College Station regional: BEFORE THE DRAFT TCU junior closer Riley Ferrell, expected to be a high pick in next week’s draft, has struggled of late. Ferrell’s only blown saves came in the Big 12 tournament last month and the winner’s bracket game last week against North Carolina State. Ferrell also allowed four runs facing only five batters Monday in the regional final.
“He’s the best pitcher that’s ever stepped on this campus in that role,” Schlossnagle said. “But nobody’s perfect, and everybody goes through slumps. ... Whenever we play again, if the game’s on the line, you can be Riley Ferrell’s going to be pitching.” GOING DEEP Texas A&M has 68 home runs, already 43 more than last season. The Aggies have 20 homers in their last 13 games, but most of their long balls have come at home — 52 homers in 41 home games. Logan Taylor, tied with Nick Banks for the team lead with 10 homers, has hit all of his at home. EXTRA, EXTRA Texas A&M played two extra-
inning games against Cal in its regional, losing 2-1 in 14 innings to drop into the loser’s bracket and winning 4-3 in 12 innings to force the deciding game the Aggies won 3-1. TCU won its regional clincher 9-8 in 10 innings after trailing 8-1 in the eighth. The Frogs won a 22-inning game in the Fort Worth regional last year, the night after playing 11 innings. PLENTY OF PURPLE The series is sold out, with a record crowd of about 6,800 expected for Game 1. TCU officials said most of those tickets got in the hands of their fans, despite social media claims that Aggie maroon would be more prominent than Horned Frog purple.
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Dear Heloise: My daughter is going off to college, and we have been SHOPPING. I’m teaching her that it’s better to buy the best-quality item we (she) can afford, depending on the amount of use you want to get out of it. An investment in good shoes, a purse or a winter coat pays off, because it will last longer and be used a lot. T-shirts, flipflops and costume jewelry won’t last more than a few years! –– Kathy, Alpine, Texas Very good advice that I learned from my mother! –– Heloise HERMIT CRABS Dear Heloise: My kids want some live hermit crabs! There’s a kiosk at the mall that sells them. I’ve heard they are good pets, but I’m a little worried. Any hints? –– Mom of Three in Fort Worth, Texas Hermit crabs can be fun and interesting pets for children! The folks at the kiosk should have an information sheet with de-
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tails to read. Or go online and do some research. Know what you are getting into FIRST, rather than finding out later that your children have no interest in these little creatures. Here are some basics: Hermit crabs eat fruits, vegetables, eggshells and special hermit-crab food, and need lots of fresh water daily. Bottled water is best –– your tap water might NOT be the right water to use. It could have chemicals that make it safe for us to drink, but not safe for aquatic life. Use a large aquarium and sand for a home. As the hermit crabs grow, they need to “move up” to larger shells, like going from a bassinet to a grown-up bed! They are social creatures, so don’t get only one “lonely” one. Good luck! –– Heloise
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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015