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MEXICO VIOLENCE
ROBERTO CARLOS BENAVIDES STABBING
Army finds weapons in battle’s wake
Murder arrest
THE ZAPATA TIMES
NUEVO LAREDO — Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense, or Sedena, confirmed the deaths of 13 presumed cartel hitmen in Nuevo Laredo, on Thursday, in a press release. Three soldiers were wounded in the incident, according to the report. In addition, a federal official who asked to remain anonymous told The Zapata Times that among the dead were Francisco Medina Mejia, nicknamed “El Quemado,” who was said to be in charge of organized crime in the Nuevo Laredo area. The press release said soldiers were following up on intelligence of an organized crime cell on the Mexico II highway, at kilometer 15, when they were reportedly attacked by gunmen. The gunmen approached in several vehicles, firing at the soldiers, the press release said. Sedena said the
soldiers were aided by armed helicopters. Officials said lookouts, known as “halcones,” reportedly blocked intersections to interfere with the military’s operation and to help the gunmen escape. In addition to the deaths of the 13 alleged cartel hitmen, Sedena said soldiers confiscated 12 large-caliber firearms; a loaded rocketpropelled grenade launcher; and a grenade for a 40mm weapon. Soldiers also found an unspecified number of magazines for several bullet calibers and loose bullets in several calibers, and a package containing a white dust with the characteristics of cocaine. They also confiscated three vehicles, one of which was armored. Other gunbattles reportedly took place throughout Thursday night and Friday morning to the southwest of the city, but the military has not released details on those incidents.
Court documents: Victim wanted ‘intimacy’ By JJ VELASQUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
A relative of the Laredo man arrested this week in connection with the February murder at a home on Cuatro Vientos Drive revealed to local investigators a possible motive in the stabbing death, according to court documents. A criminal complaint filed Feb. 15 with the 49th District Court states Luis Jimenez, whom federal authorities in San Diego ar-
rested Wednesday in connection with the murder, allegedly confessed to his female cousin that he stabbed Roberto Carlos Benavides because Benavides “wanted to be intimate with him.” On Feb. 9, Benavides was found dead, his face down against his bed, with wounds on his face and neck area, according to the court documents. Police were unable to clarify the vague wording Friday as the case is ongo-
ing, said Investigator Joe Baeza, a spokesman for the Laredo Police Department. Benavides’ mother, Maria Herlinda Benavides, also declined to comment on the claims made in the court documents because the case is awaiting trial, and her comments could be used against her in court. Maria Herlinda said in a statement that was emailed to Laredo Morning Times: “Keep in mind that my Robert is the victim. Al-
ways remember him the way he lived and not the way he died.”
Background On the morning of Feb. 9, police responded to a call at 3510 Cuatro Vientos Drive after Maria Herlinda found her son dead in his bedroom. Maria Herlinda arrived at her son’s home that
See ARREST PAGE 7A
ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR
ROYALTY SPREADS WORD ABOUT THE FAIR
49TH DISTRICT COURT
Cattle at center of pharmacist’s indictment THE ZAPATA TIMES
A grand jury sitting in Zapata has indicted Francisco Rodriguez III in connection with an alleged incident of cattle rustling. Rodriguez is the former owner of Rodriguez Pharmacy. Information in the indictment alleges that Rodriguez “acquired property, namely cattle, valued less than
$100,000” on June 13. The single transaction occurred without the consent of the livestock’s owner, Jose Luis Gonzalez, documents state. According to the indictment filed in November, Rodriguez faces one count of theft of livestock. An arraignment is scheduled for Rodriguez in the 49th District Court in Zapata County on Wednesday.
Photo by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
Zapata County Fair’s first runner-up, Alyssa Jo Gutierrez, 2012 Queen Sofia Regalado and second runner-up Rebecca R. Quintanilla visited The Zapata Times/Laredo Morning Times offices on Wednesday afternoon. See the Zapata County Fair tabloid in today’s paper.
US FOREIGN POLICY
Interview: Obama says he’s not bluffing on attack By MARK S. SMITH AND ANNE GEARAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama warned that he is not bluffing about attacking Iran if it builds a nuclear weapon, but in an interview published Friday, Obama also cautioned U.S. ally Israel that a premature
attack on Iran would do more harm than good. In his most expansive remarks on the issue thus far, Obama told The Atlantic magazine that Iran and Israel both understand that “a military component” is among a mix of many options for dealing with Iran, along with sanctions and
diplomacy. That is the most direct threat he has issued during months of escalating tension with Iran over its disputed nuclear development program. His comments appeared aimed more at Israel and its supporters in the United States than at Iran. Obama addresses the influential American Israel
Public Affairs Committee on Sunday and meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday at the White House. Netanyahu will also address AIPAC. “I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don’t bluff,” he said in the inter-
view. “I also don’t, as a matter of sound policy, go around advertising exactly what our intentions are. But (both) governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.”
See IRAN PAGE 7A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, MARCH 3
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zapata County Fair Trail Ride at 7 a.m. Give Blood, Play Hockey is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. All presenting donors will receive a pair of tickets to a Laredo Bucks game (on a date to be announced), coupons from Great American Cookies and Chick-fil-A, and a chance to win an autographed Laredo Bucks jersey or a Southern Motion rocker recliner, courtesy of Lacks Furniture. Visit southtexasblood.org for the complete details or search Connect for Life on Facebook or Twitter. The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra will present a Broadway Spectacular at the Martinez Fine Arts Center, at Laredo Community College, at 7:30 p.m. today. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and are available at the door. For more information, contact Brendan Townsend at 326-3039 or lpobren@gmail.com. Kaplan College, 6410 McPherson Road, will hold a health fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Services will include blood pressure testing. The school’s criminal justice department will stage a crime scene scenario.
Today is Saturday, March 3, the 63rd day of 2012. There are 303 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional resolution making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem of the United States. On this date: In 1845, Florida became the 27th state. In 1849, the U.S. Department of the Interior was established. In 1887, Anne Sullivan arrived at the Tuscumbia, Ala., home of Captain and Mrs. Arthur H. Keller to become the teacher for their blind and deaf 6-year-old daughter, Helen. In 1894, British Prime Minister William Gladstone submitted his resignation to Queen Victoria, ending his fourth and final premiership. In 1923, Time magazine, founded by Briton Hadden and Henry R. Luce, made its debut. In 1940, Artie Shaw and his orchestra recorded “Frenesi” for RCA Victor. In 1945, the Allies fully secured the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese forces during World War II. In 1961, King Hassan II acceded to the throne of Morocco, following the death of his father, King Mohammed V. In 1969, Apollo 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on a mission to test the lunar module. In 1974, a Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris, killing all 346 people on board. In 1987, comedian Danny Kaye died in Los Angeles at age 74. In 1991, motorist Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers in a scene captured on amateur video. Twenty-five people were killed when a United Airlines Boeing 737-200 crashed while approaching the Colorado Springs airport. Ten years ago: Voters in Switzerland approved joining the United Nations, abandoning almost 200 years of formal neutrality. Country songwriter Harlan Howard, whose hits included “I Fall to Pieces” and “Busted,” died in Nashville at age 74. Today’s Birthdays: Bluegrass singer-musician Doc Watson is 89. Socialite Lee Radziwill is 79. Singer Jennifer Warnes is 65. Actor-director Tim Kazurinsky is 62. Singermusician Robyn Hitchcock is 59. Actor Robert Gossett is 58. Rock musician John Lilley is 58. Actress Miranda Richardson is 54. Radio personality Ira Glass is 53. Actress Mary Page Keller is 51. Olympic track and field gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee is 50. College Football Hall of Famer Herschel Walker is 50. Rapperactor Tone Loc (lohk) is 46. Rock musician John Bigham is 43. Actress Julie Bowen is 42. Country singer Brett Warren (The Warren Brothers) is 41. Actor David Faustino is 38. Singer Ronan Keating (Boyzone) is 35. Rapper Lil’ Flip is 31. Actress Jessica Biel is 30. Rock musician Blower (aka Joe Garvey) (Hinder) is 28. Thought for Today: “Nothing is really real unless it happens on television.” — Daniel J. Boorstin, educator and onetime Librarian of Congress (1914-2004).
MONDAY, MARCH 5 Individual and class pictures will be taken at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School. The TAKS exit level retest will be given at Zapata High School.
TUESDAY, MARCH 6 The American Cancer Society, in collaboration with Lazo Rosa de Nuevo Laredo, A.C., presents “Aprendiendo Sobre El Cancer De La Mujer.” The program, which will be presented in Spanish, offers Hispanic women information on risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments options regarding cancer of the cervix, uterus and breast. The event is from 6-8 p.m. today in the Texas A&M International University Student Center, Room 120. The program is free. For more information, call the local ACS office at 956-723-9682. A record hop will be held betweeen 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 The Laredo Health Department will give presentations on bullying during physical education classes at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School. TAKS testing for grades 10 and 11 and exit level.
THURSDAY, MARCH 8 Spring Break begins for Zapata ISD students. The Zapata County Fair begins today. For more information, call 956765-4871.
THURSDAY, MARCH 10 Today is the last day of the Zapata County Fair.
FRIDAY, MARCH 16 This is the last day of Spring Break for Zapata ISD students.
MONDAY, MARCH 26 STAAR testing at Zapata High School.
TUESDAY, MARCH 27 Today will be a STAAR test day for fourth-grade writing and fifth-grade math at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School. STAAR testing at Zapata High School.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 Today will be a STAAR test day for fifth-grade reading and fourth-grade writing at Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary School. STAAR testing at Zapata High School.
THURSDAY, MARCH 29 STAAR testing at Zapata High School.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6 Easter holiday for Zapata ISD students.
MONDAY, APRIL 9 Last day of Easter holiday for Zapata ISD students. To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com.
Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP
Ron Gertson stands beside one of his tractors on Feb. 8 at his rice farm in Lissie. Water officials announced Friday that they won’t release irrigation water for thousands of farmers in the state’s rice-growing region.
No water for rice farms By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — Thousands of Texas rice farmers won’t get water for irrigation this year because lakes and rivers remain low after more than a year of drought. The Lower Colorado River Authority said Friday it won’t release water from two Austin-area lakes into the rivers and canals the farmers use for irrigation. The announcement was expected, but notable as the first time in the authority’s history that it won’t provide the water. Farmers in the Colorado River basin make up almost three-quarters of the state’s total rice acreage. But without irrigation, many farmers will be able to plant only a fraction of the rice they usually grow, and some won’t plant any. "Farmers were prepared for the almost in-
Border Patrol exchanges fire across Rio Grande ROMA — Border Patrol agents making a drug seizure near the border west of Roma have exchanged gunfire with smugglers in Mexico. The Border Patrol said in a statement late Thursday that one day earlier agents were nearly run over by vehicles loaded with marijuana near the banks of the Rio Grande. Agents fired at the drivers and then gunmen across the river began shooting at them. The agents returned fire across the border. No agents were injured. Agents found nearly 4,000 pounds of marijuana, but the drivers of the vehicles escaped.
Stanford waits to learn fate in fraud trial HOUSTON — A federal jury has ended its deliberations for the day in the fraud trial of jailed Texas tycoon R. Allen Stanford on charges he bilked $7 billion
evitability of this ... but things came so close at the end, there were some who thought we might get it," said Ronald Gertson, who grows rice in Lissie, about 60 miles southwest of Houston. Conditions have eased in recent weeks with some significant rains, but two-fifths of the state remains in a severe drought. As of Friday morning, lakes Travis and Buchanan were about 3,200 acre-feet, or more than 1 billion gallons, short of the level they’d need to reach for the farmers to receive water. A small percentage of farmers, those with senior water rights along the river, will get about 20,000 acre-feet of water. The rest will not get any. LCRA spokeswoman Clara Tuma had said Thursday that the authority did not expect to reach the 850,000 acre-feet needed to provide water to all farmers
from investors in a massive Ponzi scheme. The panel will resume deliberating on Monday. Defense attorneys told jurors that Stanford made money for investors who bought certificates of deposit from his Caribbean bank. Prosecutors countered that Stanford took investors’ money and flushed it away on failed businesses and his lifestyle.
9 guilty in scheme to get ransom for immigrants McALLEN — Nine people have pleaded guilty in connection with a scheme to hold 18 illegal immigrants for ransom in a South Texas apartment. The U.S. attorney’s office says brothers Juan De Dios CedilloNarvaez and Luis Fernando Cedillo-Narvaez, both Mexican citizens in the U.S. illegally, pleaded guilty Friday in McAllen to conspiracy to commit hostage taking. Seven others pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor illegal immigrants.
The Cedillo-Narvaez brothers face up to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 16.
2 pilots home after detainment in Panama HOUSTON — Two Houston pilots have been allowed to return home after being detained for months in Panama in a money laundering investigation. Kenneth Chonoski and Carl Moody were conditionally released Thursday. Both were arrested last May on suspicion of money laundering after landing a private jet. Customs inspectors found $2.3 million in the bags of a passenger from Honduras. Three passengers, a customs officer and a chauffeur face charges. Moody says he and Chonoski proved their innocence to prosecutors. The pilots spent several months in prison, then were freed but required to stay in Panama pending the outcome of the cases. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION US stocks slip, even after reaching milestones
CONTACT US
NEW YORK — The stock market reached a couple of milestones this week — Dow 13,000 for the first time since 2008 and Nasdaq 3,000 for the first time since 2000 — but it didn’t achieve much else. Stocks crept lower Friday, and the Dow Jones industrial average turned in its third losing week of the year.
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18-term Rep. Norm Dicks of Wash. retiring SEATTLE — As a young man, he worked for the late Warren Magnuson, a towering figure in the U.S. Senate. Almost four decades later, Rep. Norm Dicks rose to nearly equal stature in the House, famous as a fierce advocate for his state and labor interests but still able to count opponents as friends. Dicks announced he’ll retire
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 Photo by Eric Schultz/The Huntsville Times | AP
A semitrailer lies flipped near Sparkman High School after a reported tornado came through Harvest, Ala., on Friday. Tornadoes did particular damage in some parts of the South and the Midwest this week. at the end of the year after 18 terms in Congress.
Dahmer hunting grounds tour stirs backlash in Wis. MILWAUKEE — A planned
tour providing a peek into serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s life and the haunts where he met and stalked his victims is drawing protests, prompting online dealmaker Groupon to cancel what some called a creepy promotion. — Compiled from AP reports
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
Crime & More
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT A 33-year-old woman reported at 7:12 p.m. Feb. 23 that her son was assaulted near the Hawk Stadium. Joel Arnulfo Vargas, 41, was arrested and charged with assault family violence at about 10:15 a.m. Feb. 25 in the 1800 block of Hidalgo Boulevard. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail and later released for future court appearance. An assault was reported at 12:58 p.m. Wednesday in the 2500 block of Fresno Street. Deputies went out to the Zapata County Health Center, 800 U.S. 83, at 11:30 p.m. for an assault report. The victim knows the suspects.
BURGLARY A burglary of a building was reported at 3:35 a.m. Monday in the 1400 block of Hidalgo Street. A 77-year-old man reported a burglary of a building at 8:57 a.m. Monday in the 200 block of Lake Shore Drive. A 34-year-old man reported a burglary of a building at 8:23 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of Gonzalez Street. A burglary of a building was reported Tuesday in the 900 block of Laredo Avenue. Deputies say someone stole jewelry, among other items worth approximately $2,090.
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF A 60-year-old woman reported at 10:40 a.m. Feb. 24 in the 200 block of Juarez Avenue that a juvenile shattered her vehicle’s windshield with a BB gun.
LICENSE INVALID Sergio Gonzalez-Landa Jr.,
43, was arrested and charged with driving while license invalid at about 3 a.m. Feb. 25 at Seventh Street and Villa Avenue. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was later released for future court appearance.
POSSESSION A woman reported at 11:05 a.m. Monday in the 400 block of Seagull Street that she found marijuana in her son’s room.
PUBLIC INTOXICATION Luis Javier Hernandez, 21, was arrested and charged with public intoxication at about 4:30 a.m. Feb. 23 in the 1200 block of Mier Avenue. The man was taken to the Webb County Jail.
STRIKING A FENCE
An 89-year-old woman reported at 9:07 a.m. Feb. 23 in the 1400 block of Roma Avenue that someone had crashed into her chainlink fence.
THEFT Deputies went out to a theft call at 8:56 a.m. Feb. 23 at Zapata Middle School. Reports state a trumpet was reported stolen, but it was later located at a local pawn shop. An investigation is underway. A theft was reported at 8:02 p.m. Feb. 25 in the 2500 block of Brazos Street. A 22-year-old woman reported at 4:54 p.m. Feb. 26 in the 1100 block of Zapata Avenue that her purse was stolen from her vehicle. A 40-year-old man reported at 3:31 p.m. Monday at the Lake View Motel that someone stole two GPS devices.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
Deputies look into break-in at facility THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County deputies on Monday investigated a break-in at Rex Storage Rentals in which 10 storage lockers were broken into. Damage was reported to
the doors of six other storage lockers at the facility, which is on FM 496. Damages amounted to approximately $9,600, according to a press release issued by the sheriff ’s office. Owner Jamie Gonzalez told deputies someone had
entered the premises after breaking a padlock on a fence gate. The 10 storage lockers also had been forced open, he said. Sheriff ’s investigators are following leads in the case, the press release stated.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Some say drill. Others say it’s gone By LLEWELLYN KING HEARST NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON — Lemuel Gulliver is back! You remember him — he’s the hero of “Gulliver’s Travels,” a satire written by Jonathan Swift, first published in 1726. Many adventures befall Gulliver, but the one most remembered is that he’s captured and pinned down with innumerable strings by the tiny Lilliputians. By their standards, he was a giant, but they tied him down so well that he was helpless. That, according to those seeking the Republican presidential nomination, is the state of the U.S. energy industry. By energy, they mean oil and gas.
Too many regs According to Newt Gingrich, who’s echoed by frontrunner Mitt Romney and his two rivals, the oil and gas industries have been cruelly tied down by government, which imposes onerous environmental regulations and restricts drilling in the most hopeful parts of our ocean shelves and on federal lands. If these lands and ocean sites were just opened to drilling, the Republican hopefuls argue, the United States would become the world’s greatest energy producer, as it was in the 1940s and 1950s. Drill, baby, drill and a gigantic cornucopia of energy awaits, energy for the United States and the world.
More drilling Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the take-no-prisoners trade association that represents nearly 500 oil and gas companies, is a vocal advocate of more drilling in more places. He’s a Gulliver theorist. From Republicans and the oil industry, this is a new optimism born of an old idea. The old idea is that if you drill enough holes in enough places, oil will be abundant.
Less scientific That optimism has existed more in the fringe world of wildcatting than it did in the big oil companies, which knew that there were limited reserves of recoverable oil and gas in the United States. They also knew that once a reserve is in production, you can calculate the point at which it will decline, as has happened with the North Slope of Alaska, where less than half the 2 million barrels a day produced at its peak is flowing today. Then came the new technologies, largely developed by the despised government. Now in full deployment, these technologies have incontrovertibly changed expectations for natural gas but their impact on oil is debatable.
A look underneath
The first of these is 3-D seismic mapping. Advanced physics enables the companies to determine very accurately how much hydrocarbon a particular formation underground might contain. Gone are the days when the hard-drinking wildcatter followed his gut and mysterious patterns in the tumbleweed. Next, is the hole itself. At one time, a well was a well — drilled straight down, looking for a pool of oil, a cavern of gas or both.
Better fracking Fracturing — the process in which water, chemicals and other substances are injected down the hole to break up rock in proximity to the hole — has been used to release more of the good stuff. With time, fracturing — also called “fracking” — has become more sophisticated. What has made the euphoria of the politicians and oil lobbyists possible is the miracle of horizontal drilling, which allows as many as eight holes to be spread out for miles from a single shaft. This and better fracking have changed the prospects for gas out of all hope, and has somewhat improved oil expectations. Much of the enthusiasm for new drilling has come from the success of the new technologies in North Dakota, which has overnight become the fourth-largest oil-producing state in the Union. But beware. This isn’t Texas circa 1945.
Costly oil Oil from North Dakota’s Bakken Field isn’t cheap. Its “lifting cost” is among the most expensive there is: It costs about $50 a barrel to bring North Dakota oil to the surface, compared with about $15 in Russia and Saudi Arabia. Is it oil or incense? API’s Gerard told reporters in a telephone conversation, designed to preempt President Obama’s “all of the above” energy recommendations, that technology in its inevitable advance would keep the oil flowing for many generations. Only the government, in Gerard’s view, stands between the American people and abundant oil.
COLUMN
Intolerance of the extremists By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
In Afghanistan, violent mobs go on a rampage because of what U.S. officials describe as the inadvertent incineration of copies of the Quran. In Iran, a trial court issues a final order of execution for a Christian pastor accused of apostasy. Remind me again: Who is it that needs lessons in tolerance?
Comparisons Merely juxtaposing these two recent news stories guarantees an accusation of Islamophobia. But phobias are irrational. There’s nothing irrational about noting the violence of Islamic extremists or their violation of civilized norms of discourse. And when it comes to theological provocations, there’s nothing charitable about believing that Muslims — the vast majority of whom are not extremists — are less capable of responding in a civilized manner than members of other religions.
Lives lost In Afghanistan, the immediate assumption was that the U.S. military had deliberately desecrated Is-
Pastor’s death And what could justify the execution of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, whose capital crime — according to Iranian prosecutors — is that he was born a Muslim and became a Christian? After refusing to recant his faith, Nadarkhani now appears to be at imminent risk of being put to death. Then there is the case of Talag Elbayomy. Elbayomy was charged with physically harassing an atheist he accused of blasphemy. The judge in the case, beyond finding no evidence of a crime, berated the alleged victim for being insufficiently deferential to members of the Muslim faith.
US case Elbayomy’s trial didn’t take place in Kabul or Tehran. It took place in Mechanicsburg, Pa. The complainant in the case was Ernie Perce, state director of the American Atheists organiza-
tion, who marched as a “zombie” Prophet Mohammed along with a fellow “zombie” pope in a Mechanicsburg Halloween parade. A good deal of fallacious reporting surrounds the Elbayomy trial, including the falsehood that the presiding judge — Cumberland County Magistrate Mark Martin — himself is Muslim.
Judge’s behavior Legal scholars such as Jonathan Turley have raised serious questions about Martin’s decisions to exclude some videophone and eyewitness evidence. But the real shocker, which is a matter of public record, is Martin’s scolding of Perce. Martin, who served two tours in Iraq in the Army Reserve, made it threateningly clear that Perce’s antics would be punishable by death in many Muslim countries.
Comparisons He made the similarly irrelevant assertion that there is a big difference between how Americans practice Christianity and how Muslims practice Islam. And Martin, an American judge, warned Perce that he was “way outside your bounds on
First Amendment rights.” Over the course of 10 years of cultural and religious sensitivity training, Americans have come to accept the violent spasms of religious intolerance that frequently convulse parts of the Islamic world. But is it too much to ask that judges in the United States uphold rights enumerated in the U.S. Constitution?
Muslim intolerance Americans tolerate all sorts of offenses as the very acceptable price of free speech. Christians accept a popular culture that regularly mocks their beliefs. Jews accept Nazis marching through their neighborhoods. Americans of all religions and no religion tolerate the disgusting protests of the Westboro Baptist Church zealots. When they don’t, when they resort to violence or intimidation in an effort to abridge free speech, they are held accountable before the law. Supporters of peace, tolerance and basic human rights do a disservice to Muslim moderates when they hold extremists to a lower standard than themselves or gloss over their abuses — here in the United States or abroad. (Email: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Less production However, fields that have peaked — like the North Slope and much of Texas, Louisiana and the North Sea —have seen declining production and no technology has been enough to revive them. All the oil has been removed. Gone, baby, gone. More drilling has already improved domestic oil production. But will unfettered drilling really make a new Saudi Arabia of the United States? Can the resource base stand the exploitation? Can Gulliver actually stand up? The next generation of technology won’t put more oil in the ground. (Email: lking@kingpublishing.com.)
lam’s holy book. Even if that were true, would it justify the violence in which more than 30 Afghans lost their lives and six American servicemembers have been killed in cold blood?
The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
State
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
Independence Day marks state’s 176th By SHIRLEY JINKINS FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM
FORT WORTH — When Andrew Marsh’s students at Danny Jones Middle School in Mansfield walk around mouthing lyrics about the Runaway Scrape, Spanish presidios, Anson Jones and the Know-Nothing Party, they’re not killing time. They’re studying Texas history. The songs, which borrow tunes from the likes of Dr. Dre, Eminem and Maroon 5, are the most popular of Marsh’s classroom innovations. Friday was Texas Independence Day, marking the Republic of Texas’ birth on March 2, 1836, and it is up to teachers like Marsh to make the rich story relevant for today’s students. He is not alone in trying new ways to school students on state history. Texas history curricula have been a changing landscape since the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. Teachers and researchers have refocused, trying to augment the swashbuckling tales of the Texas Revolution with broader studies of its background, consequences and multicultural nature. “They’ve added some historical people and some more recent political people, and they’ve diversified,” said Angela Whitaker, social studies director of the Fort Worth school district. “It’s the same timeline within the past and includes a higher-level vocabulary.” Students today learn about Juan Seguin, Rep. Barbara Jordan, the League of United Latin American Citizens and Gov. Ann Richards right along with Stephen F. Austin, Susanna Dickinson, the Treaty of Velasco and James Fannin.
“The narrative of the Texas Revolution itself has evolved since 1986,” said Bruce Winders, curator and historian of the Alamo. “I’m not sure how much of the new interpretation has actually reached the public, let alone school and even university classrooms.” History teachers in those classrooms point out that standards keep evolving because of changes in accountability testing and the state curriculum. “Our standards have changed,” Whitaker said. “We examine Texas history from the early beginning to the present, within the context of influencing the United States’ history.” Texas history is taught in fourth grade and with more context in seventh grade. Seventh-graders get a more in-depth study of Texas after the republic period, Whitaker said, including the ages of oil, cotton and cattle, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and Texas’ connections to World War II and the civil-rights and women’s rights movements. “When I first found out that I had to take Texas history, I wasn’t really happy, because it’s history,” said Sydney Veatch, 13, one of Marsh’s students. “But this is a more in-depth curriculum and it’s more handson.” Educators say students originally from other states are at first perplexed that Texas schools cover the
Photo by Rodger Mallison/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram | AP
Andrew Marsh uses songs and political cartoons to teach Texas history at Danny Jones Middle School, in Mansfield. Texas history curricula have been a changing landscape since the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. Teachers and researchers have refocused, trying to augment the swashbuckling tales of the Texas Revolution with broader studies of its background, consequences and multicultural nature. state’s history so thoroughly. But native Texans understand the state’s influence in the country and the world, they say. “I think students are very passionate about Texas history because it’s the state they live in,” said Whitaker, a former U.S. history teacher in Keller. “They
make those life connections to their own lives.” The new State of Texas Assessments of Academic
Readiness and a scheduled rewrite of social studies curriculum standards have brought about the latest up-
date. “There has been an effort
See TEXAS PAGE 7A
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SÁBADO 3 DE MARZO DE 2012
Alerta ante reportes
Agenda en Breve NUEVO LAREDO, MÉXICO 03/03 — Estación Palabra invita a: “Bazar de Arte” a las 12 p.m.; Festival Infantil “La Primavera” a las 3 p.m.; Taller de Creación Literaria con Jacobo Mina a las 3 p.m. Eventos gratuitos. 03/03 — Museo para Niños presenta Taller de la Exposición de Beatriz Exban a las 4 p.m. en la Sala de Servicios Educativos del Centro Cultural. Entrada gratuita. 03/04 — Domingo de Teatro Universitario presenta: “El Dilema del Prisionero” con el Grupo de Teatro Expresión a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura. Entrada libre.
LAREDO 03/03 — Los feligreses de la Iglesia Our Lady of Guadalupe y el grupo ecologista Greens of Guadalupe invitan a su venta de artículos de segunda mano de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m. en la la Iglesia Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1700 San Francisco Avenue. Informes en el (956) 7236954 o (956)286-7866. Continúa el domingo de 8 a.m. a 2 p.m. 03/03 — First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClleland Avenue, llevará a cabo una venta de libros usados de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. 03/03 — El evento de donación de sangre ‘Give Blood, Play Hockey’ es de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m. 03/03 — Kaplan College, 6410 McPherson Road, tendrá una feria de salud de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. 03/03 — La Orquesta Filarmónica de Laredo presenta Espectáculo de Broadway en Martinez Fine Arts Center de Laredo Community College a las 7:30 p.m. Costo: 15 dólares, adultos y 12 dólares, seniors. 03/05 — Exhibición de arte “Back to the Future” en la Galería del Center for Fine and Performing Arts, de 12 p.m. a 5 p.m. 03/06 — El Embajador Ronald K. McMullen, Diplomático en Residencia en la University of Texas en Austin, dará una conferencia sobre oportunidades en el Departamento de Estado de EU, a la 1:30 p.m. en el Student Center Ballroom; 4:30 p.m. en el Bob Bullock Hall 118; y, 6 p.m. en el Western Hemispheric Trade Center 103. Evento gratuito. 03/06 — La American Cancer Society, en colaboración con Lazo Rosa de Nuevo Laredo, A.C., presenta “Aprendiendo Sobre El Cancer De La Mujer”. El evento es de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. en el Centro Estudiantil de TAMIU, Aula 120. Evento gratuito. 03/06 — Edwin Barnhart presentará la conferencia “2012: An End of Days?” durante la Serie de Conferencistas Distinguidos de LCC en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center en el Campus Fort McIntosh a las 6:30 p.m. Evento gratuito. 03/06 — “Cirque du Soleil” presenta “Dralion” en Laredo Energy Arena a las 7:30 p.m. Costos: 35-80 dólares. Otra presentación el 7 de marzo a las 3:30 p.m. y 7:30 p.m. 03/08 — Celebración por el Día Internacional de la Mujer en Laredo Community College, a partir de las 12 p.m. en la Community Suite del Billy Hall Student Center, en LCC, Campus del Sur. Evento gratuito. 03/08 — “Holi – Festival de Colores” en Texas A&M International University a partir de las 3 p.m. en el University Green. Evento gratuito. Participantes deben vestir ropas antiguas. — Tiempo de Zapata
POR CÉSAR G. RODRÍGUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Sedena
Un militar revisa una camioneta tipo Durango, a la cual persiguieran y balearan desde tierra y cielo, en eventos ocurridos contra presuntos miembros del crimen organizado, el jueves en Nuevo Laredo, México.
Violencia fronteriza TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
A través de un comunicado de prensa, la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) confirmó la muerte de 13 presuntos sicarios en Nuevo Laredo, México, en acontecimientos ocurridos el jueves. Durante los enfrentamientos resultaron heridos tres soldados, agrega el reporte. Además, una fuente federal, quien habló bajo condición de anonimato, confirmó a Laredo Morning Times, que entre los hombres que murieron se encuentra Francisco Medina Mejía, conocido como ‘El quemado’, quien al parecer era el Jefe de la Plaza para una organización criminal. En el comunicado, la IV Región Militar de la Sedena
informó que el jueves seguían información de inteligencia para ubicar células criminales sobre la carretera “México II”, a la altura del kilómetro 15, cuando soldados fueron objeto de una agresión con disparos de armas de fuego. Un grupo indeterminado de individuos viajaban a bordo de diversos vehículos, por lo que los militares tuvieron que repeler la agresión, aclara. Además de la defensa por tierra, fueron auxiliados por helicópteros artillados. Los enfrentamientos ocasionaron persecuciones en diferentes puntos de Nuevo Laredo, mientras que jóvenes de los llamados “Halcones” se dedicaron a bloquear cruceros para ayudar a los sospechosos en su huida, agrega el comunicado.
Además de los 13 civiles armados muertos, la Sedena logró confiscar 12 armas largas; un lanza cohetes con un proyectil en su interior; un aditamento lanza granadas; y, una granada para aditamento calibre 40 mm. También estaban pendientes por contabilizar cargadores para cartuchos de diferentes calibres, cartuchos de diferentes calibres, un paquete conteniendo un polvo blanco con las características de la cocaína. Igualmente fueron confiscados tres vehículos, uno de los cuales estaba blindado. Durante el jueves por la noche y madrugada del viernes se generaron otros enfrentamientos al sur oeste de la ciudad, pero no se dieron a conocer mayores detalles.
Oficiales del Consulado de EU en Nuevo Laredo, México están advirtiendo a ciudadanos estadounidenses radicando allá estar en alerta debido una reciente ola de asaltos reportados en la Colonia Madero, al este de la ciudad. De acuerdo a un mensaje de seguridad emitido la semana pasada, oficiales del consulado señalaron haber recibido reportes sobre asaltos involucrando un grupo de cuatro jóvenes masculinos. Oficiales dicen que los reportes indican que los presuntos asaltantes viajan en un auto Ford tipo Taurus de color dorado. El mensaje de seguridad menciona que en por lo menos un par de ocasiones, los presuntos ofensores confrontaban a sus víctimas mientras estas se encontraban saliendo o ingresando a las cocheras de sus residencias. Oficiales del consulado señalan que los jóvenes han mostrado armas y se han logrado robar dinero en efectivo y otras cosas de valor antes de huir de las escenas. El reporte no especifica el tipo de armas usadas durante los atracos. Un tercer incidente ocurrió cuando un grupo de hombres jóvenes ingresaron a una fiesta que se celebraba en una resi-
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
TORNEO ATRAE VISITANTES Camargo celebra Copa de Pesca TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Inició la reactivación de la pesca en Tamaulipas. El fin de semana pasado se celebró en el Municipio de Camargo la Primera Copa de Pesca Deportiva de Lobina “Frontera Tamaulipas 2012”. Según comunicado de prensa del Gobierno de Tamaulipas, el evento atrajo a 119 participantes y se emplearon 57 lanchas en la presa Marte R. Gómez. Los ganadores de la competencia fueron Manuel Gauna y Arturo Lizcano, con un peso acumulado de 31.070 kilogramos,
y un premio en efectivo de 22.000 pesos de una bolsa total de 100.000 pesos a repartir entre las mejores capturas. “Debido a la abundancia de la especie y a las buenas condiciones de la presa, el torneo arrojó una captura total de 526 lobinas, con un peso de 1,218.7 kilogramos, entre los cuales se obtuvo un golón de 5.750 kilos”, informa el comunicado. El torneo se celebró bajo las reglas de la Federación Mexicana de Pesca, dentro de la modalidad de capturar y liberar en el mismo sitio, y convocó a un numeroso grupo de niños y padres de familia en
la devolución de los peces vivos al agua. Se reportó que a las actividades asistieron pescadores de Acuña y Piedras Negras, Coahuila. La Segunda Copa de Pesca Deportiva de Lobina “Frontera Tamaulipas 2012” se llevará a cabo en la presa Las Blancas, el 17 y 18 de marzo, bajo los mismos requisitos y modalidades. “(Así se) apoya la reactivación económica de la zona fronteriza, impulsa la pesca deportiva y las actividades recreativas, y promueve la convivencia familiar de visitantes y residentes de la entidad”, concluye el comunicado.
Vigilancia Durante una visita reciente a Laredo, el Jefe de Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo, Benjamín Galván Gómez fungió como orador invitado en una reunión mensual de la Asociación de Logística y Manufactura, Puerto de Laredo. Durante dicha reunión, Galván mencionó que los elementos militares que actualmente patrullan las calles son la policía municipal de Nuevo Laredo, conocidos como Seguridad Tamaulipas. Nuevo Laredo se encuentra sin una fuerza policíaca desde el pasado verano tras la suspensión de elementos para ser evaluados por el gobierno. Actualmente, la ciudad es vigilada por elementos militares al igual que la policía estatal y federal. (Localice a César G. Rodriguez en el (956)728-2568 o en cesar@lmtonline.com)
Buscan resolver crisis del agua ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
El Municipio de Camargo fue la sede de la Primera Copa de Pesca Deportiva de Lobina “Frontera Tamaulipas 2012”, el 25 y 26 de febrero. El evento, reportan las autoridades, fue todo un éxito. En la imagen, al centro, los ganadores Manuel Gauna y Arturo Lizcano.
dencia a través de un portón que no se encontraba cerrado. Todas las personas en la reunión fueron asaltadas, indica el reporte. “El Consulado General advierte tomar las necesarias medidas de precaución al ingresar y salir de residencias en esta área residencial”, declara el mensaje de seguridad.
AUSTIN — La Contralora Susan Combs publicó el mes pasado el informe “The Impact of the 2011 Drought and Beyond” el cual analiza los efectos de la severa sequía de 2011 en Texas, los actuales y los futuros recursos e innovadoras soluciones utilizadas por el estado y el Suroeste a fines de resolver la crisis del agua. “Planificar y manejar el uso del agua será importantísimo para el crecimiento y la prosperidad del estado” dijo Combs. “Mientras que las recientes lluvias han ayudado un poco en la severidad de la sequía en distintas partes del estado, aún enfrentamos peligro”. Combs expuso como Texas tiende a sufrir distintos ciclos de sequía y esto obliga a los residentes, los negocios y a los gobiernos estatal y locales a manejar el uso del agua. “Cada tejano enfrenta los mismos problemas con el agua que el estado”, sostuvo. El plan para el agua de la Junta de desarrollo del agua en Texas 2011 predice que la demanda por agua en Texas aumentará 22 por ciento comenzando desde ahora hasta el 2060. También calcula que de sufrir otra severa sequía de récord para el estado igual a la de 1950 podría costar a las empresas y a sus empleados cerca de 116 mil millones de dólares en ingresos durante un periodo de casi 50 años hasta el 2060. La publicación “The Impact of the 2011 Drought and Beyond” examina las soluciones para el manejo del agua tales como el almacenamiento y adquisición de acuíferos utilizados en
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Mientras que las recientes lluvias han ayudado un poco en la severidad de la sequía en distintas partes del estado, aún enfrentamos peligro”. SUSAN COMBS, CONTRALORA DE TEXAS
ciudades como San Antonio; el uso de aguas residuales tratadas para la irrigación y la conversión de aguas subterráneas salobres a aguas potables, conocida como desalinización. “También contactamos planificadores de agua en Nuevo México y Arizona, los cuales han enfrentado problemas con agua desde los 1980 y 90”, explicó Combs. “Las estrategias utilizadas en estos dos estados cubren desde variados métodos para obtener agua de distintos recursos a reembolsos por utilizar plantas nativas que toleran la sequía en los jardines”. El informe sobre el agua rinde valuables conocimientos mientras Texas estudia la gran variedad de soluciones disponibles para tratar los asuntos relacionados con el agua, agregó Combs. Encuentre The Impact of the 2011 Drought and Beyond por Internet en http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/ drought/.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 7A
ANGEL GARZA Angel Garza, 61, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at his residence in Zapata, Texas. Mr. Garza is preceded in death by his parents: Amado and Rosenda Garza. Mr. Garza is survived by his wife, Lilia Arredondo; son, Angel Jr. (Sandra) Garza; daughters: Maria Isabel (Samuel) Villarreal, Zonia Garza and Beatriz I. (Roel) Garcilazo; grandchildren: Angel III, Victoria Rae Garza, Katherine Villarreal, Klarissa Belle Villarreal, Samuel Villarreal Jr., Jozlynn I. Garza, Joseph Obregon, Karina Garcilazo and Kibely Garcilazo; brother, Amado Garza Jr.; sisters: Manuela (Anibal) Villarreal, Eulalia (Mario) Ramirez and Esmeralda Garza; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends. Visitation hours were held Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession
departed Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, TX.
ARREST Continued from Page 1A morning after he had not returned calls made to his cell phone Feb. 8 and failed to report to work. Police and emergency responders arrived to a crime scene in which beer cans, bottles, cigarette butts and clothing had been strewn about on the floor and where a party had taken place the night of Feb. 7, friends of Benavides’ told investigators. Friends said they left Benavides’ home at 11 p.m. that night after they “consumed drugs and drank beer,” the court documents state. Brian Sullivan, Benavides’ roommate who was out of town for work during the incident, said he spoke and texted with Benavides that night up until 1:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to the documents. On Feb. 10, detectives received a lead that led to the eventual arrest of Jimenez, who left town for San Diego, Calif. Authorities there were investigating Jimenez’s relatives at a home where he was spotted and identified as the suspect sought here in connection with the stabbing death.
Cousins Jimenez’s cousins describe in the documents a man who was “depressed” and “acting different” before Benavides’ death. At 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 8, Jimenez went to a female cousin’s home and allegedly confessed to stabbing someone, according to the documents. The documents state Jimenez told his cousin that the stabbing on Cuatro Vientos Drive being reported by media outlets on Feb. 9 was the same stabbing he
had confessed to. He told her not to say anything, according to the documents. A male cousin told a Laredo Police Department investigator that Jimenez abused drugs, according to the court documents. The male cousin told investigators that Jimenez had also confessed to him about the stabbing, the documents state. Jimenez, the cousin told investigators, said Benavides “picked him up in a Ford Mustang and asked him if he wanted to party.” He said that he went to Benavides’ home, where Benavides “wanted to be intimate with him.” He then grabbed a knife, according to the cousin’s retelling of the events in the documents, and stabbed Benavides several times. Jimenez is being held in a San Diego corrections facility. He had previously been arrested in 2009 on charges of assault, family violence. He is pending extradition to Webb County. Benavides, a Zapata native, moved to Laredo five years ago for work. He worked at Doctors Hospital as a medical assistant before taking a sales representative job at a local company. Funeral services were held in Zapata on Feb. 13. In a statement, his mother describes Benavides as a “curious, full of life and extremely intelligent” child. She held him lifeless in her arms when his body was found, she wrote. “To find my baby the way I did,” she said in the statement, “I felt that I had died with him. I fell on my knees and cried so loud. … But I always felt in my heart that God was in control.”
IRAN Continued from Page 1A Netanyahu, speaking Friday ahead of a meeting in Canada with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, called Iran’s nuclear ambitions a “grave threat to the peace and security of the world, and I think it’s important that the international community not allow this threat to materialize.” “As for Israel, like any sovereign country, we reserve the right to defend ourselves against a country, against a country that calls and works for our destruction,” Netanyahu said. Obama will try to convince Netanyahu to postpone any plans his government may have to unilaterally attack Iran’s nuclear facilities in coming months. An attack that soon would not carry U.S. backing, and the U.S. would probably not be involved in planning or executing it. Nonetheless, it could force the United States into a new conflict and an arms race in the Middle East, as Obama made clear in the lengthy interview. It also could allow Iran to paint itself as the victim and draw new support that would undermine rather than enhance Israel’s security, Obama warned. “At a time when there is not a lot of sympathy for Iran and its only real ally (Syria) is on the ropes, do we want a distraction in which suddenly Iran can portray itself as a victim?” Obama said. At the same time, Obama has consistently refused to renounce a military option for the United States down the road. The dispute with Israel is over the timing and efficiency of such a strike, not whether one is ever appropriate. The difference of opinion has quickly come to dominate the U.S.Israeli relationship and the U.S. strategy for dealing with a nuclear Iran is a major issue for American Jewish voters in this election year.
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But (both) governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.” PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
Israeli leaders have strongly hinted that they want to hear clearer terms from Obama for what the United States would do if Iran crosses the threshold from nuclear energy to nuclear weapons. Until now, Obama has said a nuclear Iran is unacceptable but has not spelled out just what the U.S. would do or when. In the interview, Obama did go further than he has before. He explicitly referred to the possible use of military force, and he firmly rejected the notion that the United States might settle for a strategy of deterring Iran from using a nuclear weapon. “You’re talking about the most volatile region in the world,” he said. “It will not be tolerable to a number of states in that region for Iran to have a nuclear weapon and them not to have a nuclear weapon. Iran is known to sponsor terrorist organizations, so the threat of proliferation becomes that much more severe.” He also pointed to economic turmoil in Iran and reiterated that sanctions against the Iranian regime are starting to bite. In a series of recent meetings with Israeli leaders, administration officials are believed to have sought to persuade the Jewish state to give sanctions more time to work and to hold off on any military strike. Speaking Thursday to
reporters, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Obama believes there is still “time and space” for those measures to persuade the Iranian regime to take a different course. Israeli officials acknowledge the pain in Iran but have publicly expressed doubt those measures will ever cause Iran’s clerical leaders to change course. Obama wasn’t so sure. “They’re sensitive to the opinions of the people and they are troubled by the isolation that they’re experiencing,” he told the Atlantic. “They know, for example, that when these kinds of sanctions are applied, it puts a world of hurt on them.” Though Obama emphatically portrays himself as one of Israel’s best friends, touting military and other ties, his relationship with Netanyahu has at times been frosty. The two have sparred publicly over Jewish settlements on the West Bank, with Netanyahu pushing back on Washington’s efforts to move forward on peace talks with the Palestinians. The Iran issue has risen to the forefront of his foreign policy. At a fundraiser in New York on Thursday night, an audience member shouted out, urging the president to avoid a war with Iran. “Nobody has announced a war,” Obama cautioned. “You’re jumping the gun a little bit.”
TEXAS Continued from Page 5A to make the narrative that’s being taught more diverse and inclusive,” said Stephen Cure, educational services director for the Texas State Historical Association. “I don’t think that was new. It was part of the oncoming trend to reflect the true diversity as part of the story. In order for them to connect with Texas history, students need to see themselves reflected in it.” Cure, a former seventh-grade teacher in Round Rock, was on the committee that made initial recommendations to the State Board of Education before the curriculum was rewritten. Both groups received a deluge of public feedback about the new curriculum and the number of names added to the text. “I don’t think it changed that much,” teacher Chad Hannon said. “We’ve always talked about Mexican history and how that intertwines with Texas history.” Hannon, who teaches Texas history at Grapevine Middle School, appreciates what he says is more clarity in the new standards. Alamo historian Winders said scholarly study of the Texas Revolution has “greatly matured” and is now more in line with earlier historians’ broader views that the conflict was more complex than Texans versus Mexicans. “Their interpretations remove the
‘us versus them’ mentality that has made the Texas Revolution appear to be largely an ethnic conflict,” Winders said. While nodding to tradition, teachers are pioneering 21st-century methods for a 19th-century subject. Besides the original songs about state history, Marsh’s Mansfield students draw topical cartoons and use a website to simulate their own nation. “The first part of the year they come in and think, ‘OK, we did this in fourth grade,”’ Marsh said. “I have to make some global connections and American connections, and by the end of the year, they have a deeper appreciation of Texas history.” Travis Moore, Marsh’s principal, says the methods are backed by sound research. “There’s a lot of research about music and memory, and how one helps the other,” Moore said. “The political cartoons require them to do analysis and critical thinking.” Marsh’s students adapt well to critical thinking. After studying the evidence, Jonathan Ramirez, 13, has concluded that Sam Houston was a better Texas Republic president than Mirabeau B. Lamar. His classmate Christopher Morales, 13, says his favorite constitutional amendment is the Second Amendment and is drawing a politi-
cal cartoon to show why. “The way I’m going to do it is to draw people with their hands up, like they’re a militia,” he said. The songs, cartoons, and opinion questions all liven up the subject for Ramirez. “It refreshes me about Texas history and it gives me more information,” he said. “You know how people would be bored reading from a textbook.” In Grapevine, Hannon uses music as well as visuals as teaching tools. He had his students do video projects on the Alamo and is marking each day of the siege with a classroom narrative to set the scene. Seventh-grade standards cover Texas’ past so thoroughly that even without the pressures of accountability testing, teachers can struggle to get it all in. “It runs from the beginning of time to modern day,” Hannon said. “That is, in my opinion, an impossible task to teach, but we really try.” Right now, classes are studying Texas’ revolutionary period. Hannon said they must move on to the Civil War after spring break, then study oil and cattle and end on modern Texas politics and the shift from Democratic to Republican dominance. “A lot of things have happened from Cabeza de Vaca to Spindletop,” Hannon said.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
14 die, towns levelled as storms rip Midwest By KEN KUSMER AND BRUCE SCHREINER ASSOCIATED PRESS
HENRYVILLE, Ind. — Powerful storms stretching from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes wrecked several Indiana towns and killed at least 14 people Friday as the system tore roofs off schools and homes, flattened a fire station, flipped over tractortrailer trucks and damaged a maximum security prison. It was the second deadly tornado outbreak this week. Authorities reported eight deaths in southern Indiana, where Marysville was leveled and nearby Henryville also suffered extreme damage. There were five deaths in Kentucky and one in Ohio. Aerial footage from a TV news helicopter flying over Henryville showed numerous wrecked houses, some with their roofs torn off and many surrounded by debris. The video shot by WLKY in Louisville, Ky., also shows a mangled school bus protruding from the side of a one-story building and dozens of overturned semis strewn around the smashed remains of a truck stop. Andy Bell was guarding a demolished garage until his friend could get to the business to retrieve some valuable tools Friday night. He looked around at the devastation, pointing to what were now empty lots between a Catholic church and a Marathon station about a block away. “There were houses from the Catholic church on the corner all the way to the Marathon station. And now it’s just a pile of rubble, all the way up,” he said. “It’s just a great ... ” His voice trailed off, before he finished: “Wood sticks all the way up.”
Photo by Jeronimo Nisa/The Decatur Daily | AP
Jerry Vonderhaar, left, comforts Charles Kellogg after severe weather hit the Eagle Point subdivision in Limestone County, Ala. on Friday. A reported tornado destroyed several houses in northern Alabama as storms threatened more twisters across the region. An Associated Press reporter in Henryville said the high school was destroyed and the second floor had been ripped off the middle school next door. Authorities said school was in session when the tornado hit, but there were only minor injuries there. Classroom chairs were scattered on the ground outside, trees were uprooted and cars had huge dents from baseball-sized hail. Throughout town, there were bent utility poles and piles of debris. Volunteers pushed shopping carts full of water and food up the street and handed it out to people. Ruth Simpson of Salem came to the demolished town right after the storm hit, looking for relatives that she hadn’t been able to find. “I can’t find them,” she said, starting to cry, and then walked away. The town was without power, and there was no cell phone reception or service for land lines. Authorities planned to search the rubble through the night for survivors. By nightfall, the only visible lights in town were vehicles inching through town. The rural town
about 20 miles north of Louisville is the home of Indiana’s oldest state forest and the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Col. Harland Sanders. Ernie Hall, 68, weathered the tornado inside his tiny home near the high school. Hall says he saw the twister coming down the road toward his house, whipping up debris in its path. “I knew there was some bad weather out in the Midwest that was coming this way, but you don’t count on a tornado hitting here that bad,” he said. He and his wife ran into an interior room and used a mattress to block the door as the tornado struck. It destroyed his car and blew out the picture window overlooking his porch. “There was no mistaking what it was,” he said. The threat of tornadoes was expected to last until late Friday for parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio. Forecasters at the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma said the massive band of storms was putting 10 million people in several states at high risk of dangerous weather.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
Zapata serves up rallies
POWERLIFTING
Up to the challenge
By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
Last Friday a cold and blustery day greeted the Zapata tennis teams as they arrived in Hebbronville to participate in the Longhorn Invitational Tennis Tournament. A total of nine schools congregated at Hebbronville, but with the unpredictable weather that surrounded the tournament the directors decided to limit the players to a five-minute warm-up. In boys’ singles, Trey Alvarez was seeded No.2 and received a bye into the quarterfinal, which he won 6-0, 6-0. Alvarez won his semifinal match 6-0, 6-1 to set up the finals match against No. 1 seed Chris Peña of Bruni. “Everyone had been anticipating this match all day,” Zapata coach Robert Alvarez said. “Pena is a USTA Champion player in the 18s and Trey is one in the 16s. Also Trey had never beaten Chris, losing to him twice in tournament finals last year.” This time around Alvarez won easily, 6-1, 6-3 to make a statement at the tournament. “Trey served really well and took control with his forehand,” Alvarez said. “He really hit the ball hard and controlled it well
See TENNIS PAGE 2B
Lifting the load for Zapata
S
pring sports are in full swing and the people of Zapata have 10 sports to choose, including baseball, softball, girls’ track, boys’ track, girls’ golf, boys’ golf, soccer, boys’ tennis, girls’ tennis and powerlifting. The majority of the team sports are navigating through district in hopes of bringing home a district title, but the sport that I have become a fan of is powerlifting. As I mentioned earlier in one of my columns, I was finally able to see a powerlifting meet this early, and the Lady Hawks dominated both times going toe-totoe with the big 5A schools in Laredo. I was impressed how the Lady Hawks carried themselves in and out of competition, the concentration that they posses prior to their lift and the person turned into when lifting. The Lady Hawks were unrecognizable as they grunted and yelled as if to ask the gods for an extra boost in their efforts when lifting some weights that most males would have a hard time with. Today the powerlifting team is competing at the 3A regional meet in Calallen, and this is the largest group that coach Veronica Arce has taken to a regional meet during her tenure at the helm. Arce should be lauded for all
See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B
Courtesy photos
Zapata Lady Hawk Michelle Arce is doing her powerlifting program proud, advancing to today’s 3A Regional Powerlifting Meet at CalAllen High School.
Lady Hawks take to lifting at 3A regional meet today By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES
The powerlifting season has seen many great performances from the Lady Hawks and the time has come to see the fruits of their labor unfold at the 3A Regional Powerlifting Meet today at CalAllen High School. Zapata is sending their largest contingency to the regional meet as 15 Lady Hawks punched their ticket earlier in the season for the right to compete at the regional meet. “This is the largest group that we have ever sent to the regional meet,” Zapata coach Veronica Arce said. “I am very proud of the girls and what they have done for the program.” All season long the Lady Hawks have hit the weight room every day and followed the instructions of Arce in order to accomplish their first goal of the season--a trip to the regional meet. Now 15 Lady Hawks will get an opportunity to put their best lift forwards so they can compete at the state meet in a few weeks. Sophomore dynamo Angela Darnell, who is considered one of the best in the
Zapata Lady Hawk Delaney Cooper muscles through her powerlifting set for the regional-bound Lady Hawks. 97-weight class, had a total lift of 595 to qualify for the regional meet while teammate Gina Rodriguez lifted 525 for her opportunity at the regional title. In the 105-weight class, sophomore Jackie Garcia (580 total lift) and junior Ashley Guzman (455 TL) will represent
Zapata, and both are considered among the top lifters in that category. The 114-weight class is led by a pair of freshman, Alexandra Garcia (565 TL) and Brianna Gonzalez (540 TL), two com-
See POWERLIFTING PAGE 2B
MLB
Baseball playoffs expand to 10 teams By BEN WALKER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — With less than a month to go before opening day, baseball at last decided who’s in and who’s out come October. Now, even a third-place team can win the World Series. Major League Baseball made it official Friday, expanding the playoff format to 10 teams by adding a wild-card club to each league. “I hope we get that extra spot,” said new Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, whose team is coming off a 56106 finish that was the worst in the majors. “I think it’s great any time you have more markets involved.” Who knows, maybe a rookie such as Bryce Harper will get that shot this year. “Cool,” the 19-year-old Washington sensation said after a game against college kids. “It’s great. Hopefully, we’re that playoff team.” Boston and Atlanta sure could’ve used this setup last
Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP
Major League Baseball has elected to use a 10-team playoff system, adopting two additional wildcard teams to play in one-game playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season. Now even a third-place team can win the World Series. year. They went through awful collapses in September that eventually cost them playoff spots on the final day of the season. “I think the more, the merrier,” new Red Sox manager
Bobby Valentine said. “I think for the fans, the players, the energy at the end of the season, I don’t mind. What would it be, a third of the teams? I think it’ll be good.” This is the first switch in
MLB’s postseason format since the 1995 season, when wild cards were first added. The move creates a new one-game, wild-card round in the AL and
See MLB PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
Knaus NFL: Saints used bounties surprised by suspension By BARRY WILNER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
By JOHN MARSHALL ASSOCIATED PRESS
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Jimmie Johnson’s car failed inspection before the Daytona 500 and he didn’t last long in the race, collected in a wreck on the second lap. His crew chief was suspended six races and fined $100,000, and his car chief will have to watch for six races, too. Johnson also was docked 25 points and heads into this weekend’s race at Phoenix International Raceway last in the Sprint Cup standings. He’s hoping to have a good race just so he can get out of the red in points. Coming off his worst year in NASCAR, this isn’t how the five-time champion wanted to get his season started. “It’s certainly not a position we want to be in,” Johnson said Friday. “But there’s a lot of racing between now and September.” Johnson wasn’t much of a factor last season in his bid to win six straight Sprint Cup championships. He made the Chase after winning just one race and finished sixth in the final standings, 99 points behind champion Tony Stewart. Johnson vowed to turn it around in 2012, but it didn’t get off to a very good start. First, his car failed inspection the opening day of Speedweeks on Feb. 17 after NASCAR ruled the No. 48 Chevrolet had illegally modified sheet metal between the roof and the side windows, an area known as the C-posts. Johnson qualified eighth for the Daytona 500. But after nearly two days of rain delays, he was knocked out of the race on the second lap when Elliott Sadler nudged him from behind and triggered a multi-car wreck.
Johnson didn’t return to the track — missing the jet blower fire and the laundry detergent cleanup — and finished 42nd, earning just two points in Monday night’s season-opening race. Two days later, NASCAR announced its steep penalties for Johnson’s team. Crew chief Chad Knaus was fined $100,000 and suspended six races, and car chief Ron Malec was told he’d have to sit out six races. Hendrick Motorsports appealed, so both chiefs will be allowed to attend races during the process. Johnson also was penalized, dropping him to minus 23 points, 70 behind Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth in the season standings. “It’s going to make things exciting and that’s something we like to do with the 48 team,” Knaus said. “It seems somehow or another we seem to get through adversity pretty well. So, I’m not saying we like a challenge like this but I’m pretty sure we’ll rise to the occasion.” The wreck at Daytona was hard to take, but unavoidable, one of those tough-luck breaks that come with racing. Knaus said the car had passed inspection on “multiple occasions” with the same configuration and that they didn’t anticipate any problems heading into Speedweeks. He also said the failed inspection was based on an eyeball test, not anything technical. “It was all visual,” he said. “The templates never were actually put on the car. We never got the opportunity to present it on the templates. That definitely will come up during the appeal and we’ll talk about it. NASCAR has a good set of standards that are black and white and others that are not.”
NEW YORK — New Orleans Saints players and at least one assistant coach maintained a bounty program the last three seasons for inflicting game-ending injuries on opposing players, including Brett Favre and Kurt Warner — a pool that reached as much as $50,000 and paid specific amounts for “cart-offs” and “knockouts,” the NFL said Friday. The report said the pool amounts reached their height in 2009, the year the Saints won the Super Bowl. The league said between 22 and 27 defensive players were involved in the program and that it was administered by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, with the knowledge of coach Sean Payton. No punishments have been handed out, but they could include suspension, fines and loss of draft picks. The league said the findings were corroborated by multiple, independent
sources, in an investigation by the league’s security department. Williams, who was hired in January as defensive coordinator by new Rams coach Jeff Fisher, was not immediately available to comment. “The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for ‘performance,’ but also for injuring opposing players,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “The bounty rule promotes two key elements of NFL football: player safety and competitive integrity.” Payoffs included $1,500 for a “knockout” and $1,000 for a “cart-off,” with payouts doubling or tripling during the playoffs. “It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of our game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated,” Goodell said. “We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety and we are not going to
relent. We have more work to do and we will do it.” The league absolved Saints owner Tom Benson of any blame, but said the investigation showed Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis knew about the bounty program. “Although head coach Sean Payton was not a direct participant in the funding or administration of the program, he was aware of the allegations, did not make any detailed inquiry or otherwise seek to learn the facts, and failed to stop the bounty program. He never instructed his assistant coaches or players that a bounty program was improper and could not continue,” the NFL said. When informed about it earlier this year, the NFL said Benson directed Loomis, to “ensure that any bounty program be discontinued immediately.” However, the NFL’s report said the evidence showed Loomis did not carry out Benson’s directions, and that in 2010 Loomis denied any
knowledge of a bounty program. Benson responded to the NFL’s report saying: “I have been made aware of the NFL’s findings relative to the ‘Bounty Rule’ and how it relates to our club. I have offered and the NFL has received our full cooperation in their investigation. While the findings may be troubling, we look forward to putting this behind us and winning more championships in the future for our fans.” The NFL began its investigation in early 2010 after receiving allegations that quarterbacks Warner of Arizona and Favre of Minnesota had been targeted. After interviewing several Saints who denied the bounty program existed — and having the player who originally made the allegations recant — the league couldn’t prove anything. However, Goodell said the NFL “recently received significant and credible new information and the investigation was re-opened during the latter part of the 2011 season.”
SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B her efforts with the girls’ powerlifting team and the accolades they have brought to Zapata in recent years. While covering the Cigarroa powerlifting meet a few weeks ago, a Cigarroa competitor mentioned she did her best at the meet and was one of the favorites in the 97-pound weight class, until she found out Zapata would be at the meet. That is how much respect Laredo teams have for Lady Hawks powerlifting. Opposing teams know when they walk into a meet, Zapata is force to deal with, and that is attributed to the dedication these young ladies have to a sport usually associ-
ated with males. Angela Darnell, Gina Rodríguez, Jackie García, Ashley Guzman, Alexandra García, Brianna González, Lily Cantú, Joana Rivera, Michelle Arce, Alexis Garza, Secilia Mata, Klarissa Salinas, Elise Muñoz, Amanda Esquivel, and Yhajaira Lara have put Zapata on the map as they compete today at the regional meet in a variety of weight classes. Each one of these young ladies should be patted on the back and told they are doing a great job when they walk the halls of Zapata High or are seen anywhere else in Zapata. They all have brought a positive
image to Zapata, and people around South Texas know when you have ‘Zapata Powerlifting’ across your chest, you are going to have a fight on your hands at the powerlifting meet. I just can’t wait until I find out how many of these young ladies will be moving on to the next level--the state meet. After today I hope to get some good news from Arce. With the way the Lady Hawks powerlifting team has been performing all season long I have no doubt in my mind that quite a few will be lifting at the next level.
POWERLIFTING Continued from Page 1B petitors who have made an impact in their first year. The lone Lady Hawk representative in the 123-weight class is sophomore Lily Cantu with a 535 total lift, while junior Joana Rivera (670 TL) owns the 148-weight class. The largest representation from Zapata is in the 165weight class as the Lady Hawks are led by the three Musketeers, senior Michelle Arce (910 TL), junior Alexis Garza (745 TL) and sophomore Secilia Mata (645 TL).
The Lady Hawks are also sending three representatives in the 181-weight class, led by senior Klarisa Salinas (890 TL). Sophomore Elise Munoz (745 TL) and freshman Amanda Esquivel (730 TL), the future of the 181 weight class and will represent Zapata today at the regional meet. In the 198-weight class, junior Yajaira Lara lifted a total of 720 pounds.
TENNIS Continued from Page 1B from corner to corner. I don’t think Chris played as well as he would have liked, but Trey really played good”. For all his efforts on the court Alvarez received a plaque for outstanding tournament player. Also putting their best swing forward for the Hawks was Chris Davila. Davila had lost to Peña in the semifinals but gave him a good match, losing 6-3, 6-3. He easily won his match for third over Hebbronville 6-0, 6-2. In boys’ doubles, Alex Reyes and Manuel Benavides were seeded No. 1 and they didn’t disappoint with their performance at the tournament. Reyes and Benavides easily won their quarterfinal and semifinal matchs to head to the championship match. In the finals they played No. 2 seed Kevin Alaniz and Robert Salinas of Falfurrias. Reyes and Benavides controlled the match and won easily 6-3, 6-3 to earn the title championship. Tony Mendoza and Jaime Tejada had to play the Falfurrias pair in the first round and almost pulled the tourna-
ment upset, but lost 10-8 in the third set super tiebreaker. “Manuel and Alex played good enough to win but I think they were a little disappointed in their play,” Alvarez said. “They are really focused on getting better.” In mixed doubles Gabby Alvarez and Carlos Poblano struggled in their first match before pulling it out in a third set super tiebreaker 10-5. Alvarez and Pobano finally started to find their groove in the tournament and began to play better to easily win their semifinal and finals match over Riviera 6-3, 6-2. “I had wanted to pair up Gabby and Carlos but Carlos had been out with a shoulder injury,” Alvarez said. “They started really bad but then got on a roll and came together for the title.” Playing girls’ singles was Dominic Wayda, who lost to top seed Leah Hubert of Rivera in the quarters. The girls’ doubles team consisted of Erica Gonzalez and Christina Medina. “We had some girls out that were involved in the Queens contest for our County Fair, but these girls played well,” Al-
varez said. In the junior varsity competition the Hawks swept three divisions, taking home the first place trophy. Collin Moffet placed first in boys singles and beat teammate Carlos Romero, who grabbed the runner-up trophy. The duo of Hector Leduc and Danny Hinojosa took home the boys doubles trophy,and the mixed doubles team of Jose Molina and Alicia Gutierrez captured first place. Molina and Gutierrez had to beat teammates Javi Fernandez and Samantha Garcia. The girls doubles of Christina Martinez and Araceli Velasquez captured third place to round out the JV division. “The kids played great,” Alvarez said. “We won the varsity boys and JV boys team titles and placed second in the Girls JV Division. Also Trey received a plaque. All of the kids that received trophies in the Varsity events are sophomores. I am pleased with the development of our players. We will continue to work hard and get better every day.” The Zapata tennis teams will be in action today at the U.I.S.D. Spring Open Tennis Tournament.
MLB Continued from Page 1B NL between the teams with the best records who are not division winners. “It’s a good thing for baseball. That seems to be what the people want,” Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. “There are a lot of mixed emotions but as long as the playoffs don’t get watered down, it’s fine, but that won’t happen in baseball,” he said. The additions mean 10 of the 30 MLB teams will get into the playoffs. That’s still fewer than in the other pro leagues — 12 of 32 make it in the NFL, and 16 of 30 advance in the NBA and NHL. The long-expected decision was announced less than an hour before Seattle and Oakland started the exhibition season. On March 28, the Mariners
and Athletics will play the big league opener in Tokyo. “This change increases the rewards of a division championship and allows two additional markets to experience playoff baseball each year,” Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. Also, a tweak: For the 2012 postseason, the fivegame division series will begin with two home games for lower seeds, followed by home games for the higher seed. After that, it will return to the 2-2-1 format previously used. MLB said that with schedules already drawn for this season, the postseason had to be compressed to fit in the extra games. Hence, fewer offdays for travel.
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I don’t think if two teams are good enough to make the playoffs that it should be decided by one game like that.” BRAVES SECOND BASEMAN DAN UGGLA
“I don’t think it really changes the way you look at this season. You really have to fight to win your division,” New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “It is kind of strange to start on the road. That doesn’t quite seem right, but it’s a one-year thing. I understand why they’re doing it.” If the World Series goes to Game 7 this year — as
it did last season, when the wild-card St. Louis Cardinals won the championship — it would be played Nov. 1. “I like the extra playoff spot. I like the one-game playoff because it really gives the advantages to the division winner,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said this week. As in, it’ll be real dicey
for the wild-card contenders to immediately jump into a winner-take-all game, then quickly turn around to start the division series. Starting this year, too, there’s no restriction on teams from the same division meeting in that bestof-five division series. Baseball players’ union head Michael Weiner said there had been internal discussions way back about possibly having six playoff teams from each league. He said that once bargaining began with owners on a new labor deal, it was clear MLB only wanted five. “The players were in favor of expanding the playoffs,” Weiner said. In particular, he said, the players wanted to put more emphasis on win-
ning a division, especially when MLB goes to a pair of 15-team leagues next year with three divisions each. The Astros are switching from the NL to the AL to make that possible. A portion of the money generated by the onegame playoffs will go in the players’ pool that is split among the postseason participants. In 1999, Valentine and the New York Mets won a one-game tiebreaker for the NL wild-card spot. “I didn’t think that entering the playoffs in ’99 when I had to play a onegame playoff against Cincinnati that the next round was cheapened,” he said. “It seems to be similar to that. I don’t know if it’s the same thing, but it seems.”
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS | BY HELOISE Dear Readers: Are LINGERING ODORS around the house a problem? Commercial products are expensive, and they sometimes just mask the odor. What can you use that is cheap and effective? Grab that jug of plain ol’ white or apple-cider vinegar. It’s a bargain cleaner: Remove leftover cooking odors in the kitchen. Boil several cups of water and 5 to 6 tablespoons of vinegar in a pan on the stove. Add a little cinnamon for a wonderful, homey scent. Rid your hands of fish or onion smells by rinsing them with vinegar and rubbing together. Remove smoke or paint odors by placing bowls of vinegar around the room. Vinegar has been a favorite of mine forever, and I’ve compiled a pamphlet that’s loaded with more cleaning, freshening and cooking hints. You can have one by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. For example: To remove hair spray and other styling products from PLASTIC hairbrushes, soak them overnight in a 50/50 solution of white or apple-cider vinegar and water. Rinse thoroughly, and allow to air-dry. A great vinegarbased cleaner is a mix of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 pint rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid. Label the bottle clearly. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Judith W. in Flemington, N.J., sent a picture of her two rescued cuddling cats, Mazel and P.C. (Pussy Cat). They are snuggling in their cat bed together. I think they
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HELOISE
would agree: Two heads are better than one! To see Mazel and P.C., visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise KEEPING TRACK Dear Heloise: I buy a notebook calendar every year that displays a week at a time. I list all birthdays for the year, doctor appointments, anything that goes on that day of importance and requires information in the future. If I am given a confirmation number by a customer-service representative, I write in the name of the rep, the number and all pertinent information. That has saved me many times! I keep it by my telephone with a pen at all times. I have referred back to dates many times and was glad I had made a notation about something. Thought this might help someone else. — Lori H., Colorado Springs, Colo. Lori, are you a fly on the wall in my home office? I use a large monthly calendar as a kind of journal. It’s fun to look back on past events! — Heloise VIDEO CALLING Dear Readers: Keeping up with friends, family and co-workers can create a dilemma: Do you call and run up a phone bill, or lose the personal touch with email? Luckily, computers are making it easier with free video-calling services. All you need is an Internet connection, a webcam and someone to talk to! Video calling makes catching up with a child studying away from home a little more personal. — Heloise
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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012
Wilt’s 100 turns 50 By DAN GELSTON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Charles Sykes | AP
Musician Ryan Leslie, left, meets with NFL player Ashton Youboty of the Jacksonville Jaguars at the first-ever NFL Business of Music Boot Camp in New York on Tuesday.
NFL strikes right notes By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Even before Darren Howard entered the NFL, the defensive end had dreams of being in the music business. He was a DJ in high school and by the time he was in college, he’d created a “rag-tag” recording studio in the basement of his residence. “It’s always been something I loved,” Howard said. “I knew one day that I would transform to that.” So after Howard retired in 2009, the former New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles player jumped into making records. He started his own label, Empyre, and signed a pop and R&B singer that he’s confident about. But Howard admits he hasn’t yet had what he’d call success, calling the music industry “fickle.” “The music business is funny,” Howard said. “Some artists go 10, 15 years of making records before they ever recoup and make any money. The label can be the same, because they’re depending on the artist. Hopefully it won’t take that long.”
This week, the NFL offered an assist to current and former players like Howard who are trying to find their footing in a business that can be just as unforgiving as football. Its player engagement division paired with New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, part of the Tisch School of the Arts, for the “Business of Music Boot Camp.” The camp had key music figures — from mogul Davis to record company executives and managers — offering their insights in intimate sessions with the players. Each player was then paired with a mentor, who will continue to coach him in the months to come. “The music game, it’s not just finding the talent,” said Jeffrey Rabhan, the institute’s department chair and a mentor in the program. “It’s what you do with that talent that ultimately determines your level of success,” Given that sports can be considered entertainment itself, it’s not surprising that some athletes migrate into the field. Magic Johnson may be among the big-
gest success stories, with his theaters and other ventures. Shaquille O’Neal was a recording artist and actually had a platinum album. Chris Webber, Metta World Peace and others have also tried their hand in the music business, and Roy Jones Jr. had a record label Body Head (whose financial troubles, according to a recent Sports Illustrated article, may be part of the reason the forty-something boxer is still in the ring). While Rabhan noted there have been a smattering of athletes who have made it in the music industry, “unfortunately, the stories of those who have not had successes are a longer list, so we’re trying to change that.” About 70 players applied to be a part of the four-day program, and 20 were accepted. Among those who took part in the camp were former Oakland Raider Justin Fargis, New York Giants defensive lineman Marvin Austin, St. Louis Rams receiver Brandon Lloyd, and Torry Holt, a receiver who played for the Rams and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
PHILADELPHIA — Wilt Chamberlain didn’t just tower over his peers, he left records that endured for decades. And for 50 years, one mighty number has stood as the Mount Everest of sport’s magic numbers. 100 points. At 25, Chamberlain had already crafted a career built on steady, sustained and spectacular excellence. Playing at 7-foot-1 and 260 pounds for the Philadelphia Warriors, Chamberlain held the single-game record of 78 points (in three overtimes) and the regulation mark of 73 in January 1962. One hundred points was no flash of momentary greatness. It was a fireball of scoring that will likely never be topped — and put Chamberlain everywhere from the record book, to “The Ed Sullivan Show,” to an unmatched spot in the short list of sport’s alltime unbelievable performances. But on March 2, 1962 at the Hershey Sports Arena, hardly anyone noticed. There were no TV cameras. Sports writers were scarce — and so were the fans. Only 4,124 (at $2.50 a ticket) attended the game, in fact, between the Warriors and the New York Knicks as the final stretch of the 1961-62 season dwindled down. The number of people who claimed they were there to witness history, however, could have stretched the East Coast. And why not? The milestone, after all, changed the game forever. “The 100-point game was a hyperbolic announcement of the rise of the black athlete in basketball,” said author Gary Pomerantz, who wrote the complete narrative of that
Photo by Paul Vathis | AP
In this March 2, 1962, file photo, Wilt Chamberlain holds a sign reading “100” in the dressing after he scored 100 points. For 50 years, Chamberlain’s 100-point night has stood as one of sports magic numbers. game in the 2005 book, “WILT, 1962: The Night of 100 Points and the Dawn of a New Era. No NBA star has really come close to scoring 100 points. Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant had the luxury of the 3-point shot (he hit seven) when he scored 81 on Jan. 22, 2006. Michael Jordan never topped 69. Allen Iverson hit 60. David Robinson scored 10 less field goals than Chamberlain made in the 100-point game when he scored 71 in 1994. “I’d hate to try and break it myself,” Chamberlain said, according to Pomerantz’s book. Chamberlain played all 48 minutes in Philadelphia’s 169-147 win over the Knicks. He shot 36 of 63 from the floor and an unWilt like 28 of 32 from the free-throw line. Chamberlain, a woeful 51.1 percent career shooter from the line, attempted his free throws underhand against
the Knicks. “I personally don’t think it will ever happen again,” said Chamberlain’s Warriors’ teammate, Al Attles. “I don’t know if a team will allow it to happen now.” Oh, the game came during a season when Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points a game. “I played one game where he got 78 points and we lost,” Attles said. “The guy got 50 regularly. It wasn’t that big a deal.” At least not through the first three quarters, when Chamberlain scored 69. While 100 is tough to imagine, think about this: Warriors public address announcer Dave Zinkoff would state the point total to the crowd as the number swelled in the fourth. When Chamberlain broke his own mark, Zinkoff told the fans, “Ladies and gentleman, a new scoring record has been created by Wilt Chamberlain!”