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WAR ON DRUGS
MIDDLE EAST
More violence Mexico battles cartels just across border By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Border violence continued spreading across the northern Tamaulipas cities this week, affecting the cities of Ciudad Mier, Miguel Alemán and Reynosa —
these last two on the border with Roma and McAllen. Actions taken by Mexico’s defense ministry, SEDENA, and the federal police freed several captives, yielded numerous arrests and resulted in the seizure of several firearms.
Mexican soldiers working in Operation Northeast, targeting narcotrafficking and organized crime, freed six people from a house in a Miguel Alemán neighborhood, SEDENA announced
See MEXICO PAGE 10A Photo by Arshad Butt | AP
Supporters of religious party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam hold al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden’s picture during a rally in Kuchlak, Pakistan, on Friday. One of three wives living with Osama bin Laden has told Pakistani interrogators she stayed in his hideout for six years without leaving its upper floors.
Al-Qaida vows revenge for bin Laden’s death By MAGGIE MICHAEL ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAIRO — Al-Qaida vowed to keep fighting the United States and avenge the death of Osama bin Laden, which it acknowledged for the first time Friday in an Internet statement apparently designed to convince followers that it will remain vigorous and intact even after its founder’s demise. Al-Qaida’s plots are usually large-scale and involve planning over months or even years. But Western intelligence officials
say they are seeing increased chatter about cheap, small-scale attacks — perhaps by individuals or small extremist groups inspired to take revenge for the killing. “USA, you will pay!” chanted more than 100 participants in a pro-bin Laden protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London on Friday. A Western intelligence official said no concrete threat has emerged so far that authorities considered credible. “There
See BIN LADEN PAGE 10A
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
Selisa Gutierrez and Nina Gutierrez look through some of the dresses donated to Time of My Life, which provides gentlyused formal dresses for young women in high school.
THANKING THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
DRESS LIKE A QUEEN Girls get help with clothes for the prom By ERICA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES
Only a little over a week has passed since Nina Gutierrez founded the charity, Time of My Life, which provides gentlyused formal dresses for young women in high school. Initially hoping for 10-15 dresses, she now has her hands — and closet — full, with a total of 30 dresses. “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from it,” said a grateful Gutierrez. As of Thursday, about six girls had stopped by Gutierrez’s home to pick up a dress for prom on May 14 or the cadet ball held yesrterday. Some were even able to get a dress for both occasions; Gutierrez doesn’t turn anyone with a need away.
“
I want them to know, ‘You’re beautiful whether you have a brand-new dress or a gently-used dress.’” NINA GUTIERREZ
What amazed Gutierrez more than the rapid response to her efforts, however, was the generosity it generated in Zapata and even Laredo. “Most of my donors have given me two, three, four dresses,” she said. Sometimes, she explains, she’ll pick up dresses as late as 10:45 p.m. One gesture that most deeply resonated with her came from
Courtesy photo
two girls — who Gutierrez refers to as “my girls” — who were dress recipients themselves. In the true spirit of paying it forward, the clients, after picking out their dresses, returned with dresses from their own closets to donate to the cause. “They got a little group of
See DRESSES PAGE 9A
Twenty-seven Laredoans killed in action during the Vietnam conflict from 1955-1975 were honored during a memorial service on Friday, April 29, at Laredo Community College’s Fort McIntosh Cemetery. Families, friends and members from the community remembered the fallen soldiers as an honor roll was called out. A 21-gun salute was presented by American Legion posts 59 and 486 from Laredo and Zapata, respectively. Pictured from foreground to background are Abraham Rodriguez, Mike Carrillo, Rodolfo Aguilar and Ruben Contreras from Post 59 and Beto Arambula and Manuel Aribe from Post 486. The firing squad was directed by Commandant Manuel Garcia from 1st Sgt. Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez Memorial Detachment 601 Marine Corps League in Zapata. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Laredo Sector Horse Patrol Unit retired the colors. The memorial service was part of Laredo’s Vietnam War Veterans Unsung Heroes Week, April 24-30.
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Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, MAY 7 A book sale will be held in the Widener Room of the First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited, and admission is free. Donated books and magazines are accepted. Call 722-1674 for more information. Texas author Joe Lopez, author of “The Last Knight,” will be in Laredo from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library, H-E-B Multi-Purpose Room, 1120 East Calton Road. He will discuss his book about Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, a Texas hero who fought for the rights and freedoms of the people of Texas long before the War for Texas Independence was waged in 1836. Copies of “The Last Knight” will be available for purchase, and Lopez will be pleased to autograph copies for buyers. Refreshments available. For more information, contact Robert Brown at the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400, 2234. Veterans Helping Veterans will meet in the Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Road, from noon to 2:30 p.m. today and May 21 and June 4 and 18. Meetings are confidential and for military veterans only. For more information, contact George Mendez at 794-3057 or georgem@borderregion.org or Jessica Morales at 794-3091 or jessicam@borderregion.org. As part of Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge, the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Services Department will hold Zumba classes at North Central Park, 10202 International Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays through May 21. Registration is $25. Payments will also be taken on site. Cowboy up for Veterans, a South Texas Afghanistan Iraq Veterans Association concert fundraiser, is at 7 p.m. today at LIFE Downs, off U.S. 59. Presale tickets are $15 and are available at Danny’s Restaurant, La Roca and Kelly’s Western Wear. For more information, call 283-5737 or visit twitter.com/BJ_AMLIMELIGHT. Participants in Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge should report to Tower B of the Laredo Medical Center between 9 a.m. and noon today for their second weigh-in. The contest is about taking control of health, not about fad diets and unhealthy weight loss. Participants must attend all weigh-ins to qualify for prizes. All members of teams must participate in all weigh-ins for the team to qualify.
MONDAY, MAY 9 The County Commissioners Court will hold a meeting at 9 a.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse.
TUESDAY, MAY 10 The South Texas Food Bank will have a fundraiser at Hal’s Landing, 6540 Arena Road, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. today. Music will be by Ross & Friends. Admission is $10. Raffle tickets are $5 and available by calling 568-3673 or 324-2432. The Zapata County ISD Board of Trustees will be meeting at the Professional Development Center at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, MAY 12 The City of Laredo, the Laredo Public Library Wall of Tolerance Center & Museum and Congregation Agudas Achim will host the Holocaust Remembrance Day Ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Laredo Public Library. This year’s Days of Remembrance theme is “Justice and Accountability in the Face of Genocide: What Have We Learned?” People of every faith are invited to attend the ceremony. For more information, contact Pam Burrell 795-2400, extension 2268.
SATURDAY, MAY 14 As part of Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge, the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Services Department will hold Zumba classes at North Central Park, 10202 International Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays through May 21. Registration is $25. Payments will also be taken on site. For more information, visit Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge on Facebook.
THURSDAY, MAY 19 The Laredo Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Melton Logistics at 8618 Las Cruces at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Gina Palma at 7229895. 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.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Eric Gay | AP
A joint color guard takes part in a ceremony for the opening of seven new inspection booths for commercial traffic heading north into the U.S. from Mexico at the World Trade Bridge on Friday in Laredo. The addition nearly doubles the capacity of one of the busiest commercial bridges on America’s southern border.
Inspections bolstered By WILL WEISSERT ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAREDO — Federal authorities on Friday opened seven new inspection booths for commercial traffic heading north to the U.S. from Mexico, nearly doubling capacity at the bridge that’s the busiest commercial port on America’s southwestern border — and a prime smuggling corridor for drug gangs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the new posts will ease wait times on Laredo’s World Trade International Bridge, where more than 4,800 18-wheelers rumble into American territory daily, or one about every 18 seconds. The $5.4 million project also bolsters inspection of big-rigs that smugglers can cram with loads of cocaine, marijuana or amphetamines hidden among regular cargo. It includes two additional new lanes for “second-
ary inspection,” an area with sniffer dogs where customs agents can provide extra screening. “Laredo is about tractor-trailers, it’s about commercial vehicles, so that’s the environment the smuggler’s going to try to work within,” said Jerry Robinette, special agent in charge of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement’s San Antonio office, which oversees all of South Texas. Laredo Mayor Raul Salinas joined his cross-border counterpart from Nuevo Laredo, Benjamin Galvan Gomez, and a gaggle of federal, state and local officials, who stood in front of the new blue-and-white inspection booths and cut a dark ribbon stretched symbolically across lanes marked “Fast 2” and “Fast 3.” All around, thunderous and pungent lines of trucks waited to pass through the border.
Senators to Obama: Tour wildfire-ravaged Texas
Schools lockdown during chase for border crossers
Dallas police: Tow truck rage leaves 2 dead
DALLAS — Both U.S. senators from Texas are inviting President Barack Obama to tour wildfire-ravaged parts of the state during a visit next week and asking him to reconsider a decision denying a federal disaster declaration. Obama is set to deliver a speech in El Paso and attend a fundraiser in Austin on Tuesday.
BROWNSVILLE — The U.S. Border Patrol says a chase for illegal immigrants triggered lockdowns at a Brownsville elementary school and high school. Border Patrol spokesman Daniel Milian said Friday that agents were near the schools looking for a group of suspected border crossers. Milian said three who were caught had no weapons on them.
DALLAS — Police say a gunman upset that his vehicle had been hauled away fatally shot a tow truck worker before the truck’s driver returned fire and killed the assailant. Dallas police say the tow truck driver and his helper were looking for cars that weren’t authorized to park in an apartment lot early Friday. Police spokesman Kevin Janse says the gunman emerged and began shooting, striking the truck’s passenger. The truck’s driver then got out and fatally shot the gunman.
Governor declares tort reform emergency item AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry has declared a tort reform bill to be emergency legislation. The declaration allows the House and Senate to push the bill to the top of the agenda. House Bill 274 calls on the Texas Supreme Court to institute rules that make it tougher to bring a civil lawsuit. On Friday, the House placed the bill on the emergency calendar.
Police: Texas man shot, killed 3 women in car CORPUS CHRISTI — A man riding with three women on a Texas road began shooting inside the car, fled on foot after the vehicle smashed into a pole and was caught when a bystander chased and tackled him, authorities said Friday. All three women in the car had gunshot wounds and died. Jacob Gonzalez, 21, is charged with capital murder.
House amends child prostitution law AUSTIN — Children under the age of 14 who are forced into prostitution by an adult will not be subject to prosecution under a bill passed by the Texas House. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Obama push immigration reform plan in Texas WASHINGTON — President Obama will use the Texas-Mexico border as a backdrop next week to tout his administration’s push for sweeping immigration reform legislation, officials said Friday. During his visit to El Paso, the president is expected to call on Congress to reform the nation’s broken immigration system and address the fact that there are an estimated 11 million immigrants in this country illegally — including 1.6 million in Texas.
Obama to assault team: ‘Job well done’ FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Brimming with pride, President Barack Obama embraced the U.S. commandos he sent after terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, saluting them Friday on
Today is Saturday, May 7, the 127th day of 2011. There are 238 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On May 7, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims (rams), France, ending its role in World War II. On this date: In 1711 (New Style calendar), Scottish philosopher David Hume was born in Edinburgh. In 1789, the first inaugural ball was held in New York in honor of President George Washington and his wife, Martha. In 1861, Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta. In 1915, nearly 1,200 people died when a German torpedo sank the British liner RMS Lusitania off the Irish coast. In 1941, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra recorded “Chattanooga Choo Choo” for RCA Victor. In 1954, the 55-day Battle of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam ended with Vietnamese insurgents overrunning French forces. In 1963, the United States launched the Telstar 2 communications satellite. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era.” In Ho Chi Minh City — formerly Saigon — the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover. In 1977, Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby, the first of his Triple Crown victories. (On this date in 2002, Seattle Slew died.) In 1984, a $180 million outof-court settlement was announced in the Agent Orange class-action suit brought by Vietnam veterans who charged they’d suffered injury from exposure to the defoliant. Ten years ago: “Great Train Robber” Ronnie Biggs, who had eluded capture for decades following his prison escape in 1965, returned to Britain, where he was jailed to complete the 28 remaining years of his sentence. (Biggs was released from prison in August 2009 on compassionate grounds.) California grid operators ordered statewide rolling blackouts. Five years ago: Iran’s hard-line parliament threatened to pass legislation that would force the Tehran government to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Today’s Birthdays: Former Sen. Pete Domenici, RN.M., is 79. Singer Jimmy Ruffin is 72. Singer Bill Danoff is 65. Rhythm-and-blues singer Thelma Houston is 65. Rock musician Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead) is 65. Rock musician Prairie Prince is 61. Actor Robert Hegyes is 60. Movie writer-director Amy Heckerling is 59. Actor Michael E. Knight is 52. Rock musician Phil Campbell (Motorhead) is 50. Country musician Rick Schell is 48. Rock singer-musician Chris O’Connor (Primitive Radio Gods) is 46. Actress Traci Lords is 43. Singer Eagle-Eye Cherry is 40. Actor Breckin Meyer is 37. Rock musician Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) is 25. Actor Taylor Abrahamse is 20. Thought for Today: “Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man.” — David Hume (1711-1776).
CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Raul Cruz................... 728-2511 Classified Manager, Jesse Vicharreli ........... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez .................. 728-2543 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Entertainment Editor, Emilio Rábago III ....... 728-2564 Spanish Editor, Melva Lavín-Castillo............ 728-2569 Online Editor, Julie Silva........................... 728-2565 Photo by Charles Dharapak | AP
President Barack Obama greets military personnel prior to addressing troops on Friday at Fort Campbell, Ky. behalf of America and people all over the world. “Job well done,” he declared. Speaking to a hangar full of cheering soldiers, Obama said: “Thanks to the incredible skill and courage of countless individuals — intelligence, military over many years — the terror-
ist leader that struck our nation on 9/11 will never threaten America again.” The president addressed the larger group after meeting privately with the full assault team — Army helicopter pilots and Navy SEAL commandos. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
Local
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
VOLUNTEERS AT DIA DEL NIﾃ前
Courtesy photo
Dozens of volunteers gather for a photo at a Dia Del Niﾃｱo event, held last Saturday at the Precinct 4 park in Zapata. Under the leadership of Judge Fernando Muﾃｱoz and Commissioner Norberto Garza, the event was attended by more than 1,300 people. Participants ate, played games, visited booths, played on moon jumps and hit piﾃｱatas.
Doctors Hospital to offer weight loss seminars SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Many people have struggled with their weight for years only to lose the weight, gain it back and start the cycle all over again. For these individuals, bariatric surgery may provide the tool to help with long-term weight loss. Doctors Hospital Weight Loss and Wellness Center offers several weight-loss procedures. The center has a comprehensive bariatric surgery program team of professionals who strive to provide quality care. Carefully researching the options is an important first step in searching for a weight management program. The weight loss procedures performed at Doctors Hospital of Laredo use minimally invasive, laparoscopic techniques. This means less anesthesia, smaller incisions with less scarring and shorter hospital stays.
To learn more about these surgical options, make plans to attend one of the free bariatric surgery seminars being hosted by Doctors Hospital. The weight loss forums will be held Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Holiday Inn Express, at 167 South U.S. 83 in Zapata. Free body mass screenings, free cholesterol screening vouchers and door prizes will be presented to participants. Light refreshments will be served. Dr. Charles
Schwartz III, medical director of Doctors Hospital Weight Loss and Wellness Center, will facilitate the forums. These seminars provide essential information on how bariatric surgery helps you lose weight and improve health. The medical director, bariatric coordinator and a registered dietician will be available to answer your questions. To register for the free seminar, call 1-877-992-1711 or speak to bariatric coordinator Carolyn Graham at 956-721-0207.
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Perspective on a terrorist movement By TRUDY RUBIN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
“A
l-Qaida. Bin Laden. Old news. This is the time to move forward.” So said President Obama’s counterterrorism adviser John Brennan on Monday, and his words couldn’t be more true. For Americans, for President Obama, for the landscape of security threats we face, for the war in Afghanistan, bin Laden’s death is a game changer. Yes, there is still a terrorist threat, but the death of this killer changes so much in such fundamental ways.
Finally gone For Americans, this news is like the lancing of a huge boil that finally allows a wound to heal. Bin Laden has been an American obsession for a decade, a reminder that — for all the blood and treasure expended in the Iraq and Afghan wars — the mastermind of 9/11 remained free, and we couldn’t catch him. He had come to symbolize a nagging sense that America no longer had the competence to manage its security. We let him elude us in Tora Bora. We made a mess in Iraq, and failed to stabilize Afghanistan after a decade of fighting. And all the while, bin Laden was supposedly laughing at us from his cave. The success of this complex mission restores belief in American competency — among our own citizens, and abroad, where that belief was also eroding. The cool nerves of the Navy SEALs, who switched to a backup helicopter after the first one suffered mechanical failure, are inspirational. They also help erase the memory of the U.S. helicopter failure that doomed the Iran hostage rescue three decades ago. Besides giving Americans a much-needed morale boost, the death of bin Laden finally allows us to see him for what he was — a leader far less invincible than myth would have it. The image of the indomitable ascetic has been smashed as we learn he was living comfortably in an urban mansion. Moreover, the timing of the takedown reminds us that he was in hiding even as the revolutions sweeping the Arab world were carrying on without him. These revolts were not inspired by al-Qaida. Nor have the grassroots groups fighting Mideast autocrats looked to the group for inspiration. Bin Laden had become almost irrelevant to the upheavals shaking the Middle East.
A different look That is not to say he was an insignificant figure. He was the world’s most important terrorist leader, and provided the inspiration and ideology for al-Qaeda central and its many global franchises. But his death finally frees us to put this terrorist movement in perspective. Al-Qaida is not (and was not) invincible. Bin Laden’s likely successor, Ayman Zawahiri, is not a
fighter, but an intellectual who is unpopular with many jihadis, and is unlikely to inspire recruitment the way his predecessor did. With bin Laden gone, “we have a lot better opportunity to destroy the organization and to create fractures within it,” says Brennan. Yes, terrorism will remain a threat in many parts of the world and reprisals for his death are likely. And al-Qaida groups in Yemen and North Africa will still try to mount operations in Western countries. But with their corporate chief gone, and virtually irreplaceable, it is easier to combat these smaller terrorist franchises in their local or regional context. The problem becomes more manageable. The GOT (global war on terror) is over, as we knew it. The problem has been cut down to size. Of course, this leads us to questions about the war in Afghanistan. This war was billed by Obama as aimed at destroying al-Qaida, and creating enough stability in Afghanistan to prevent the return of the Taliban — who might offer shelter to al-Qaida again. We all knew the real problem lay in Pakistan, where al-Qaida leaders were hiding, even though Pakistan’s intelligence agency denied it. Now they can’t deny it anymore. Thus, the death of bin Laden opens up whole new possibilities for ending the Afghan war. For one thing, it puts enormous pressure on Pakistan’s military and intelligence officials to stop protecting militant leaders. Bin Laden was living in Abbottabad, a large city near Pakistan’s capital and home to many retired military officers, along with its top military academy. It beggars belief that Pakistani intelligence was unaware of his presence. As Brennan noted, “It is inconceivable that bin Laden did not have a support system in a country that allowed him to stay there for a long time.” The killing of bin Laden makes clear to Pakistani officials that if they won’t go after top Islamist leaders themselves — whether al-Qaida or Afghan Taliban — we will. It also opens up new opportunities for a political solution to the Afghan war. How so? Now that the United States has proven it can and will find extremists who kill Americans — Afghan Taliban leaders may feel more vulnerable, and more willing to negotiate for a peace settlement under terms that Afghans find acceptable. And the operation may jolt the Pakistanis into finally realizing that they can’t maneuver their Taliban protégés back into power in Kabul. Perhaps this is too much to hope for. Yet bin Laden’s death clears the air for more realistic thinking, about terrorism, Afghanistan — and our ability to cope with our security problems. Bin Laden is dead and America is finally free of his shadow. Time to move on. (email: trubin@phillynews.com)
COLUMN
Abe Lincoln would be proud By JONATHAN GURWITZ ASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden had become to me — as he had to many Americans — an afterthought. Not his deeds, which are seared in memory. Not the vile movement for whom he served as an evil inspiration. And not the consequences of both, which intrude on our lives in many obvious and less obvious ways.
rarer. Arabic has its impersonators, too. So when I found myself walking past the White House last Sunday evening, Osama bin Laden was the last person on my mind. Yes, Pennsylvania Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic, with bollards and blast barriers everywhere. But those are the results of security precautions begun after the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, then enhanced after Sept. 11, 2001.
No cave for him
Late excitement
But I imagined this prince of al-Qaida living in some squalid hole, as Saddam Hussein did during his brief fugitive existence, cut off from his admirers, ingesting tidbits of news about the demise of his lieutenants at the hands of the United States, and wondering when a Predator drone might dispatch him for his liaison with 72 virgins. I even imagined that he might have quietly succumbed years ago to the diabetes he was rumored to suffer from, or that a well-placed bomb might have unknowingly entombed him in a cave. Those occasional audio tapes had gotten rarer and
I was in Washington for a briefing at the State Department. Returning with some colleagues to our hotel after dinner, we passed the White House around 10 p.m. With the exception of a few cars entering the gates, all was quiet. We snapped some photos of the presidential residence glowing serenely in the darkness. About two hours later, I was back outside the White House. After President Obama announced to the nation that U.S. forces had indeed dispatched bin Laden, it seemed the right place to be. This time, festivity had replaced serenity. The crowd that quickly grew into the thousands
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
W
was overwhelmingly young — mostly college students who were barely in grade school when the Twin Towers fell and the Pentagon burned and a Pennsylvania field smoldered. One way of understanding their exuberance at the death of bin Laden is that they have come of age under the cloud of dust and ashes and smoke that he created. There were occasional patriotic outbursts of “God Bless America” and “The National Anthem.” Still. The beach balls, the music from iPod speaker docks and the cheering were more reminiscent of a rock concert or a sporting event, not a hard-won victory in a conflict that has claimed the lives of 6,000 American military personnel and wounded tens of thousands more. Some people drew comparisons with V-J Day. I wondered whether the White House partiers were as connected to this struggle, in which the burden of war has fallen on less than 1 percent of the population, as their grandparents’ generation was to that struggle. I’m not against appropriately celebrating this victory, one that distinguished itself in the care given by U.S. leaders and special operations forces
to minimize the collateral damage of a mission to kill the mastermind of a plot that murdered 3,000 civilians. But what was taking place in front of the White House had the feeling of a “flash” party to which serious reflection was uninvited, more “Animal House” than White House.
Late partying As I left that party in Monday’s early hours, crowds of revelers were still streaming in. I walked down to the National Mall, then over to the Lincoln Memorial. On the steps, a small group was watching the latest news on a laptop. A young couple, speaking to each other in Arabic, were holding hands. I walked in to where the Great Emancipator sits. Normally his stone visage is pained with the immense sorrow of a nation at war, the sadness of life cut short. On that night, though, when a president of mixed race somberly announced from the White House that a great victory had been won on a distant battlefield, you could almost detect a smile. (Email: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
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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-
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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.
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
ZEntertainment
6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
Free Comic Book Day designed to improve literacy By PETER MARES
Book Day 2008. Last year, there was a line of 50 people waiting for the doors to open. In addition to the comics, there will be a costume contest where prizes will be given away. Also, there will be door prizes given away ran-
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
In an effort to improve literacy among children and adults alike — and introduce people to the world of comic books — local shop Legacy Comics is participating in the worldwide Free Comic Book Day. Legacy Comics is one of thousands of comic book stores around the world celebrating the comic book art form on Saturday. The event, now in its 10th year, was designed to occur the first Saturday in May each year. More than 2.7 million comic books will be given away Saturday, introducing many people to the wonders of comic books and reading. “The wide array of comic books being published today ensures that readers of all ages — children, teens and adults – can find something appropriate that will stir
Photos by Danny Zaragoza | The Zapata Times
A “Thor” comic book is placed next to the “Free Comic Book Day” sign to entice enthusiasts to expand their libraries by purchasing it along with the free comic books that will be handed out on Saturday at Legacy Comics. their imaginations,” said Chris Niles, co-owner of Legacy Comics. When asked about the most popular characters at the shop, Niles said, “Currently the most popular characters are Green Lantern, Thor, Spider-Man, Captain America, Batman and Iron Man. Hmm… How
many of them have been turned into movies?” Tiny Titans, Hulk-Sized Mini-Hulks, Scooby-Doo and Archie are some of the titles available at the shop, as well as comics based on many Disney characters. Legacy Comics opened March 18, 2008. The grand opening was on Free Comic
domly. Locally, Free Comic Book Day kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until 7 p.m. at Legacy Comics, 5901 McPherson Suite 2B. Everyone is allowed a single free comic from the selected titles, while suppli-
es last. For more information, call 723.4420. Regular updates, information about comic books and a list of participating publishers and their free comics are all online at www.FreeComicBookDay.com.
SÁBADO 7 DE MAYO DE 2011
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 7 DE MAYO Hoy es la carrera/caminata anual de 5K para recordar a agentes policiacos fallecidos en el cumplimiento de su deber, en el Lago Casa Blanca. Inscripciones de 6 a.m. a 7 p.m. en la rampa para botes; carrera inicia a las 7:30 a.m. Costo de 15 dólares en preinscripción y 20 dólares el día del evento. Hay diferentes categorías. Más información en el (956) 795-3158; 285-4045; 4010828. Hoy es la 29na entrega Anual de los Premios Golden Apple en el Laredo Civic Center Ballroom. A las 7 p.m. está programada la cena; a las 8 p.m. la presentación de los maestros nominados y a las 8:30 p.m. el anuncio de los ganadores de la Golden Apple. Una venta de libros se llevará a cabo en el Salón Widener de la Iglesia First United Methodist, 1220 McClleland Ave., de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. La entrada es gratuita y abierta al público. Se aceptan donaciones de libros y revistas. Llame al 7221674 para más información. El Torneo de Golf “Swing for Autism 2011” es hoy a partir de las 8 a.m. en el Campo de Golf Casa Blanca. Sistema mezcla de dos a 100 dólares por persona. Ganancias beneficiarán al Centro de Intervención del Autismo de TAMIU. Como parte del reto Laredo’s Biggest Loser Challenge habrá clases de Zumba en North Central Park, 10202 International Blvd., de 9 a.m. a 10:30 a.m., cada sábado hasta el 21 de mayo, a excepción del 23 de abril. Inscripción: 25 dólares a pagar en los centros recreativos. Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 5 p.m., 6 p.m. y 7 p.m. Costo: 5 dólares. Hoy es el evento para recolectar materiales peligrosos de las viviendas, a partir de las 9 a.m. en El Metro Park & Ride, por Hillside Road. Joe Lopez, autor de “The Last Knight” estará hoy de 2 p.m. a 4 p.m. en la Sala de Usos Múltiples H-E-B de la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E Calton Road, para discutir su libro acerca de Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe, un tejano quien luchó por los derechos y libertad de las personas de Texas antes de la Independencia de 1836. NUEVO LAREDO — La cantante Esther Tovar se presenta hoy en la Noche Romántica en Recepciones Flamingos a las 8 p.m. Cooperación: 250 pesos. Organizado por Asociación de Damas Hospitalarias de Nuevo Laredo, A.C. y los Hospitales Shriners de Houston, Galveston y Ciudad de México. NUEVO LAREDO — A las 5 p.m. de hoy es el sábado de Estación Palabra.
DOMINGO 8 DE MAYO Hoy es el 21er Concierto Anual por el Día de las Madres a las 3 p.m. en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center en el Campus Fort McIntosh del Laredo Community Center. Se presentará el Grupo Tradicional Español de LCC. Costo: gratuito.
MARTES 10 DE MAYO A partir de las 6 p.m. de hoy se abren las puertas de Hal’s Landing para cumplir la misión de alimentar a los necesitados que apoya el STFB, con la música de Ross & Friends. Donación: 10 dólares, que se convertirán en 70 comidas. Rifa de 5 dólares para certificados de regalos.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
BUSCAN ATRAER MÁS VISITANTES A LA FRONTERA
Recuperar turismo POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
NUEVO LAREDO — La Secretaría de turismo en Tamaulipas, Mónica González García, en su visita a la ciudad, dijo que estaban enfrentando el reto de retornar el turismo que se fue de la frontera mexicana. Pero se requiere de participación de cámaras empresariales y negocios del ramo turístico para alcanzar metas que se están cabildeando en la entidad. La Secretaria González, evadió respuestas sobre los índices reales de turismo en la entidad, pero dirigidamente en la frontera, desde Nuevo Laredo, Ciudad Mier, Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Miguel Alemán, y Matamoros han sido abandonados por la ola de inseguridad. “Acabamos de salir de un periodo importante, mas de 900 mil personas visitaron las playas” dijo hábilmente. “Necesitamos ofrecer mas productos turísticos y mas eventos”. ¿Pero a lo largo de la
Foto por Miguel Timoshenkov | Laredo Morning Times
Mónica González García, en su visita a la ciudad, dijo que estaban enfrentando el reto de retornar el turismo que se fue de la frontera mexicana. Le acompaña el alcalde de Nuevo Laredo, Benjamín Galván. frontera la violencia a permeado en cada ciudad colindante con Texas? se le preguntó. “Lo que estamos trabajando es el turismo regional, es el mercado de Nuevo León, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, en primer orden”, dijo la Secretaría de turismo González. “.Sobre los visitantes del Valle de Texas,
estamos buscando las estrategias de promoción para llegar a los paisanos en esta región de Estados Unidos”. Están enfocados al turismo de salud. Extranjeros buscan médicos y harán paquetes promocionales. La funcionaria estatal se reunió en Nuevo Laredo con empresarios organismos, asociaciones de de-
porte extremo, como otros prestadores de servicios para escuchar sus inquietudes. Cuestionaron las causas de haber perdido la atracción a la frontera a visitantes, destacando la inseguridad que México ha retratado al exterior, donde el gobierno no puede someter a la delincuencia. Negociantes de servicios turísticos lamentaron el colapso económico que los ha arrastrado por la inseguridad predominante, actos criminales, robos y supuestas corruptas conductas de policías de vialidad y patrulleros al turismo nacional y extranjero. El Dr. Jorge Almanza Aboytes, promotor de negocios y turismos, fue directo en su exposición, indicando que esta reunión no sea una replica de aquellas que se quedan en planes y proyectos sin llegar aterrizar algo firme. El jefe de gobierno Benjamín Galván y la Secretaria de Turismo y Desarrollo Económico de Tamaulipas,
ALTRUISMO
Mónica González García, comprometieron atender inquietudes exhibidas y sumarse a proyectos reales con aportaciones para crear confianza. “Estamos dispuestos a trabajar en las metas que se haya fijado la ciudadanía”, dijo después de escuchar a empresarios la Secretaría de Turismo González. “Venimos a escuchar sus iniciativas, aportar y ser creativos con el sector privados y gobierno municipal”. Dijo que en esta frontera existe el turismo cinegético, uno de los atractivos, pero admitió que debido a la presencia del crimen organizado y criminalidad esta industria se ha desplomado. Consideró que la imagen de la ciudad, limpieza y otros elementos deben ir aparejados con promoción para atraer a los visitantes. “El gobierno de Tamaulipas estará abierto a participar con ustedes los negociantes con proyectos de promoción en el 100 por ciento”, dijo la Secretaria González.
MEDIOAMBIENTE
Frontera firma acuerdo ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto por Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times
Nina Gutiérrez y Selisa Gutiérrez ven algunos de los vestidos que fueron donados al programa especial “Tiempo de Mi Vida”, el cual ayuda a jovencitas adquirir vestidos para eventos especiales.
BENÉVOLA GRADUACIÓN Vestidos para jóvenes de bajos recursos POR ERICA MATOS TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Ha pasado más de una semana desde que Nina Gutiérrez fundó la caridad, “El Tiempo De Mi Vida”, que ofrece vestidos formales suavemente usados para mujeres jóvenes en la Preparatoria. Inicialmente esperando por 10-15 atuendos, ella ahora tiene un completo armario, con un total de 30 vestidos. “He tenido muchos comentarios positivos de ella”, dijo Gutiérrez. Agradecida Hasta el jueves, cerca de seis niñas habían visitado la casa de Gutiérrez para recoger un vestido para la fiesta de graduación el 14 de mayo o con el pelotón de cadetes celebrado el viernes, 6 de mayo. Algunas fueron incluso capaces de conseguir un vestido para las dos ocasiones, el fundador de caridad no se enciende cualquier persona con una necesidad de distancia. Lo que sorprende a Gutiérrez fue la rápida respuesta a sus esfuerzos, sin embargo, fue la generosidad que generó en Zapata y hasta Laredo. “La mayoría de mis donantes me han dado dos,
tres, cuatro vestidos”, dijo. A veces, explica, que estará recogiendo vestidos tan tarde como 22:45 horas. Un gesto más profundo que resonó vino de dos niñas-a quien Gutiérrez llama “mis niñas”-que fueron beneficiarias de vestirse. En el verdadero espíritu de continuar hacia delante, después de recoger sus vestidos, volvió de su propio armario para donar a la causa. “Tienen un pequeño grupo de amigos y trajeron cuatro vestidos... Ese fue el último gesto.” Este no es el único caso de personas que movidas por la pasión de Gutiérrez se sumaron para ayudar a los que actualmente enfrentan una situación de necesidad. Después se corrió la voz acerca de mi vida, recibió respuestas de los locales que ofrecen ajustar a las medidas de las beneficiadas, como voluntariado de peinados para una determinada número de niñas que lo necesitaran, y la donación no sólo los vestidos también de zapatos. Su hija y co-fundador, Selisa Gutiérrez, es aún más voluntarios para hacer el maquillaje para las mujeres jóvenes
Con todos los gastos que hacen a la memoria principal del año, tales como imágenes superiores invitaciones de graduación, es importante, dice Gutiérrez a aliviar la carga financiera de las familias. Ella recuerda lo que era tener “dos padres trabajando y ... tratar de ganarse la vida.” Permitir que las jóvenes entren en su casa para probarse los vestidos le permite explicar el impacto que provoca, la bondad de Gina Rathmell cuando prestó a Gutiérrez un vestido para su propio baile de graduación. “Tengo que hablar con ellos y decirles acerca de mi experiencia”, dijo. “Creo que se sentían como en casa... Mientras se continúe promoviendo esta proceso, mi casa estará abierta.” Aquellos que deciden aprovechar el tiempo de servicio que ofrece mi vida son para que se sientan propietarios de los vestidos, no es un servicio de préstamo. Gutiérrez considera que es importante que “sus chicas” se sienten como si el vestido y los recuerdos que lo acompañan son de ellas. Por encima de todo, ella quiere que
se sientan bellas. “Quiero que sepan, ’ son hermosas si tienes un vestido nuevo o un vestido con suavidad-utilizado” “, afirmó enfáticamente. Gutiérrez se muestra optimista sobre el futuro de la organización. Con una respuesta tan positiva y entusiasta de la comunidad, que espera un crecimiento aún más por el baile, pero pasara el tiempo alrededor del año siguiente. Se espera incluir accesorios e incluso “tratan de asociarse con tal vez una tienda, alguien que tiene vestidos del año pasado y les ofrece a un precio muy reducido o está dispuesto a donar”. Ella incluso ha tenido interés laredense muestran en donar a la causa, que se aceptarían fácilmente “Tenemos que ayudarnos unos a otros. (Esta causa) no conoce fronteras, ni límites del condado,” Si usted está interesado en donar un vestido, los accesorios o un servicio de tiempo de mi vida, en contacto con Nina Gutiérrez al 750-0710. (Erica Matos se puede ser localizada en 728-2567 o ematos@lmtonline.com)
Con la representación del Gobernador Egidio Torre Cantú, el Secretario de Desarrollo Urbano y Medio Ambiente, Homero de la Garza Tamez, firmó con su similar de Texas un acuerdo de cooperación y colaboración entre esa entidad norteamericana y Tamaulipas que permitirá incrementar el intercambio de conocimientos, experiencias y tecnología relacionada con el medio ambiente, agua, energía y transporte. El acuerdo se dio en el marco de la Feria Anual del Medio Ambiente (Annual Environmental Trade Fair) y fue firmado, por parte de Texas, por el Comisionado de la Comisión de Calidad Ambiental, Buddy García. El documento contempla una serie de acciones en conjunto para desarrollar el Plan Estratégico Ambiental de Energía, Agua y Transporte TexasTamaulipas 2011-2016, que tiene como propósito fundamental continuar con la activa relación técnica e intercambio de información, programas y acciones para mejorar el medio ambiente de la región compartida y de eficiencia energética, uso del agua y transporte que incidan en la mejora de las ciudades. “Entre los objetivos centrales del Plan Estratégico Ambiental está establecer una cooperación efectiva entre las dependencias ambientales y hacer un uso eficiente de los recursos naturales existentes para atender las prioridades de protección ambiental del aire, agua y suelo. Otra meta es establecer un programa de acciones anuales derivado del plan y realizar al menos un proyecto conjunto a largo plazo”, indicó Homero de la Garza. En el encuentro también estuvieron presentes Bryan W. Shaw, Chairman del Estado de Texas; Carlos Rubinstein, Comisionado de Texas para la Conservación de Recursos Naturales y Heberto Cavazos Lliteras, Subsecretario de Medio Ambiente del Gobierno de Tamaulipas.
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
EXERCISE TEACHER IS 99
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT An assault causing family violence report was filed at 1:04 a.m. April 29 in the 1500 block of First Street.
BURGLARY
A burglary of a habitation was reported at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday in the 1800 block of Brazos Street.
Store parking lot, 903 N. U.S. 83.
HIT AND RUN
A terroristic threat report was filed at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday at the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office.
A hit and run was reported at 8:16 p.m. May 1 in the Family Dollar
TERRORISTIC THREAT
Photo by Lisa Krantz/San Antonio Express-News | AP
Wayne Christiansen, 99, leads an exercise class for fellow residents at The Waterford at Thousand Oaks in San Antonio. Exercise is what gets Christiansen up in the morning, five days a week. The oldest resident at the senior living facility, the 99-year-old retired dentist conducts 30-minute stretch classes. Christiansen uses a walker to get around, but he pushes the contraption to the side when he starts class. He said he plans to keep leading the morning workouts as long he’s able.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SELLING YOUR CAR OR TRUCK
AG sues over alleged sale of fake antibiotic By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — The Texas attorney general’s office has sued companies from Texas and Georgia accused of misleading mostly Hispanic consumers by selling a dietary supplement under a name similar to the Spanish brand name of a widely used antibiotic. The lawsuit filed Thursday in state district court claims the companies further their marketing by making the packaging similar to that of amoxicillin. The suit says the antibiotic was available in Mexico without a prescription. Mexico passed a law in 2010 banning the over-thecounter sale of antibiotics and now drugstores are required to withhold the prescription so consumers can’t make repeated purchases of antibiotics. The state said Friday it obtained a temporary re-
straining order against San Martin Distributing Inc. of Houston and Lawrenceville Ga.-based Multimex Distributions Inc. that prohibits both companies from selling the dietary supplement or claiming that it is the same or similar to amoxicillin. The suit says the dietary supplement’s packaging had a text in Spanish that stated it has natural antibiotic properties. The suit also states that the packaging failed to translate into Spanish disclaimers that alerted consumers that Amoxilina had not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and that it is not intended to treat any illness. The Texas Department of State Health Services started an investigation after learning that children that were treated in April at an Austin hospital, has been previously given these products by their parents who mistakenly believed
they were antibiotics. Cynthia Rubio, a translator at Dell Hospital in Austin said in an affidavit that a Spanish speaking mother brought a child with symptoms of an ear infection and when a doctor prescribed amoxicillin, the woman said she already had given her child that drug and showed him a box of Amoxilina. “I was astounded by the similarity,” Rubio said. “The doctor initially also believed it to be amoxicillin.” Patrcik James Crocker, the Medical Emergency director at that hospital, stated in an affidavit that “the packaging was almost identical to the packaging of amoxcicillin, which is sold under the name Amoxil, in Mexico.” An investigation by the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division found the product for sale in at least four neighborhood stores in Austin.
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SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
Beloved prof gives final lesson Northern area
gets more troops
By VIMA PATEL BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION EAGLE
COLLEGE STATION — Dressed in a rented tuxedo for the first time since a daughter was married 17 years ago, Doug Slack stared out his Nagle Hall office window and wiped a tear from his eye. The Texas A&M wildlife and fisheries sciences professor arrived an hour early, jotting notes and rearranging slides for a lecture. He wanted everything just right for this one. “This is going to be very hard,” he said, choking up. It was time — 9:30 a.m. His shiny black and burgundy shoes clacked against the floor down two flights of stairs. “They’re all in there,” said Charlotte, his wife of 45 years, as he rounded a corner. Slack has solid research credentials, receiving a $2.4 million grant in 2003 to study the impact of freshwater inflows on endangered whooping cranes. But his passion, he said, has been teaching. “He always made us feel like we’re important,” said junior Laura Duffie, who has had a class with Slack each semester since she was a freshman. Slack turned the handle. Many in a room of 50 undergraduates clapped as they saw their teacher, who usually wears a sports
By E. EDUARDO CASTILLO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Dave McDermand | Bryan Eagle | AP
Texas A&M Professor Doug Slack finished his last lecture, on April 28, by treating his class to a sendoff cake incribed with his passion in his classroom at Nagle Hall, on campus.
shirt and dockers. Slack lectured about biodiversity and sustainability in what was part departing inspiration, part finals review. He paced the room and explained fragmentation’s impact on wildlife. “My generation has screwed this up pretty bad, so it’s left to you to make these changes,” said Slack. He dedicated the lecture to his four grandsons and their unborn children before presenting his students with a cake that said
“Biodiversity Rocks!! Gig ‘em Aggies!” He passed out plates, and upon request, did the Dougie. Students began drifting away, and after 38 years and more than 4,700 lectures, Slack’s teaching career was over. Many longtime A&M professors have or will soon deliver their final lecture. Slack was one of 105 who took a buyout, expected to save $16 million a year amid major state budget reductions.
In retirement, he and Charlotte, a College Station school board member, will move to Austin to be closer to their grandchildren. Little League games will be a priority, Slack said. Slack hopes the April 28 lecture will remain frozen in time. “I just wanted to make the day special for my students and have them remember the lecture,” he said, “and for them to know it was a special event in my life.”
Task force recommends fewer mandates ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — A bipartisan task force recommended Friday that state and federal government impose fewer mandates on cities, counties and schools. The group, which includes Houston Mayor Annise Parker, reported its suggestions for streamlined government to Gov. Rick Perry. Among the recommendations: allow school dis-
tricts to determine the best student-to-teacher ratio, rather than face the state mandate of 22 to one; let local governments determine when to replace firefighting equipment instead of requiring them to do so at regular intervals; give local governments the revenue from red light cameras instead of providing some of the money to the state. The task force also is calling on the state to
shorten the amount of time state prisoners spend in county jails and lengthen the amount of time local governments have to report known incidences of sexually transmitted diseases. "State and local governments should be allowed to operate free of red tape and costly mandates passed down from Austin and Washington, D.C.," the task force said in letter to Perry. "We share
your philosophy that decisions should always reflect a fundamental truth: we work for the people, not the other way around." Perry said in a news release that he looked forward to reviewing the recommendations. "Texas must remain vigilant in the effort to streamline government operations and ensure the most prudent use of taxpayer dollars," Perry said.
MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s government is sending hundreds of soldiers and federal police to a northern region where drug cartel violence has been on the rise and a prominent businessman was recently killed, authorities announced Friday. The forces are going to the Comarca Lagunera region area that straddles Coahuila and Durango states, the Interior Department said. The announcement came three days after Interior Secretary Francisco Blake met with the governors of the two states. He discussed the possibility of sending federal forces to the region but also urged the governors to step up efforts to root out corruption in state and municipal police forces. The troops and federal police are being deployed because of “weak local governments and a rise in crime including kidnapping, extortion and homicide,” the statement said. Amid relentless cartel violence, President Felipe Calderón’s government has increasingly criticized state governments for failing to clean up their own police forces. State government officials routinely insist organized crime is a federal offense and say state and municipal police forces are illequipped to confront the cartels’ heavily armed gunmen. The statement did not say how many soldiers and police are being deployed, but an Interior Department official said it will be hundreds. The official insisted on speaking anonymously because he revealed the information before the official announcement was made. Local businessmen demanded stepped-up security in the region after a
prominent rancher with ties to the Lala dairy company was killed. The region is a stronghold of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, which is fighting the Zetas cartel there. Farther south in Durango state’s capital, also called Durango, authorities have discovered at least 146 bodies in mass graves in a monthlong search. The latest 25 bodies — 23 men and two women — were unearthed Thursday. Calderón has deployed more than 45,000 federal troops and police to drug trafficking hotspots across Mexico since taking office in December 2006. Although an unprecedented number of cartel bosses have been captured or killed, violence has soared, claiming more than 34,600 lives the last four years. The deployment of thousands of federal personnel — first troops, then police — failed to curb violence in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, where more than 3,000 people were slain last year. The government said it stepped up security in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas after 72 Central American and South American migrants were slaughtered there last August, apparently by Zetas gunmen who tried to recruit them. Despite the claim of increased security, the same cartel was accused of an even larger slaughter this year: 183 bodies were pulled from clandestine graves last month in the same area where the migrants were massacred. Friday, the federal Attorney General’s Office announced the arrest of four municipal police for allegedly participating in the kidnapping of 68 migrants who were rescued by federal police last month in Reynosa, across from McAllen.
DRESSES Continued from Page 1A friends together and brought four dresses in … That was the ultimate gesture.” This isn’t the only instance of people being moved by Gutierrez’s passion for helping those currently in a situation she once was in. After word got out about Time of My Life, she received responses from locals offering free alterations, volunteering hairstyling for a certain number of girls in need, and donating not on-
ly dresses, but shoes as well. Her daughter and cofounder, Selisa Gutierrez, is even volunteering to do makeup for the young women With all the expenses that make up senior year memories — such as senior pictures, homecoming, and graduation invitations — it was important to Gutierrez to alleviate some of these families’ financial burdens. She recalls what it was like to have “two par-
ents work and … try to make ends meet.” Having the young women come into her home for the dresses allows her to explain the impact of her high school friend, Gina Rathmell, when she lent Gutierrez a dress for her own prom. “I get to talk to them and tell them about my experience,” she said. “I think they felt really at home … As long as I have dresses, my house will be open.”
Those who decide to take advantage of the service Time of My Life offers become owners of the dresses; it is not a borrowing service. Gutierrez feels it is important that “her girls” feel as if the dresses and the memories accompanying them are theirs. Above all, she wants the girls to feel beautiful. “I want them to know, ‘You’re beautiful whether you have a brand-new dress or a gently-used
dress,’” she stated emphatically. Gutierrez is optimistic about the charity’s future. With such a positive, enthusiastic response from the community, she hopes for even more growth by the time prom rolls around next year. She hopes to include accessories and even “try to partner up with maybe a store, someone who has last year’s dresses and offers them at a really reduced price or is willing
to donate.” She has even had Laredoans show interest in donating to the cause, which she would readily accept. “We’ve got to help each other out. (This cause) knows no boundaries, no county lines,” If you are interested in donating a dress, accessories or a service for Time of My Life, contact Nina Gutierrez at 750-0710. (Erica Matos can be reached at 728-2567 or ematos@lmtonline.com)
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
MEXICO Continued from Page 1A
Photo by AP
Masked Indonesian Muslims take part in a protest condemning the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia, on Friday.
BIN LADEN Continued from Page 1A have been mentions of shootings, bombings and random violence, though it is not surprising, given bin Laden’s death,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Authorities in the U.S. and Europe chose not to elevate threat levels. Interpol has asked law enforcement agencies in 188 countries to be on alert for retaliatory attacks. Communities have been warned to report anything suspicious. Embassies and some American businesses have added new security measures. Despite the Internet chatter, reaction in the Islamic world to bin Laden’s death has been relatively muted compared with the rage that he long inspired, raising questions about his relevance in the Middle East — a region that has been changed by a wave of prodemocracy uprisings. The al-Qaida statement, entitled “You lived as a good man, you died as a martyr,” did not name a successor to bin Laden. His deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, is now the most prominent figure in the group and a likely contender to take his place.
“The blood of the holy warrior sheik, Osama bin Laden, God bless him, is too precious to us and to all Muslims to go in vain,” the statement said. “We will remain, God willing, a curse chasing the Americans and their agents, following them outside and inside their countries.” “Soon, God willing, their happiness will turn to sadness,” it said, “their blood will be mingled with their tears.” Although the statement’s authenticity could not be independently confirmed, it was considered to be authentic. It was posted on militant websites Friday by the al-Fajr Center, al-Qaida’s online media distribution network, and the writing style was typical for alQaida. The statement was issued in the name of the organization’s General Command and dated Tuesday, the day after bin Laden’s death. White House press secretary Jay Carney said U.S. officials are aware of the statement and the threat. “What it does obviously is acknowledge the obvious, which is that Osama bin Laden was killed,” said Carney. “We’re quite aware
of the potential for (terrorist) activity and are highly vigilant on that matter for that reason.” Despite the new threats against the United States, the overall theme of the alQaida statement was that of continuity for the organization. Much of the 11-paragraph statement was dedicated to underlining that al-Qaida would live on. “Sheik Osama didn’t build an organization to die when he dies,” the statement read. “The university of faith, Quran and jihad from which bin Laden graduated will not close its doors,” it added. “The soldiers of Islam will continue in groups and united, plotting and planning without getting bored, tired, with determination, without giving up until striking a blow,” the statement said. It said bin Laden was killed “along an established path followed by the best of those who came before him and those who will come after him.” The acknowledgment by al-Qaida should remove doubt among all but the most die-hard conspiracy theorists that bin Laden is in fact dead.
Wednesday. The rescue came after several shots were fired, killing one man and resulting in five arrests. Soldiers also confiscated 18 assault rifles and more than 2,900 rounds of ammo, among other militarystyle equipment. A SEDENA news release states the incident developed just after noon Tuesday as soldiers were patrolling El Nogalito, a municipality of Miguel Alemán. Several members of organized crime fired on them. But soldiers fought back, killing one man. Five other people were arrested. Their names were not released. After the dust settled, soldiers rescued six people who were allegedly held against their wills. A further investigation yielded 18 assault rifles, 76 ammo clips, 2,933 rounds of various calibers and
military-style tactical equipment. On Monday, officers with the the federal police rescued 16 people in Reynosa, across the border from McAllen. In a federal news release, officials credited the rescue to investigative and intelligence work done by the agency near a neighborhood called Rivera de Rancho Grande in Reynosa. When authorities arrived at the home, they found 11 El Salvadorans — including two juveniles — and three Mexicans, one Guatemalan and one Honduran. All claim they had been kidnapped. Authorities say this operation resulted from a follow-up from the April 19 and April 25 cases, in which federal police officers rescued 119 people alleged to have been unlawfully restrained. Since April, federal po-
lice have rescued 135 people in Reynosa alone, a federal police press release states. Federal authorities continue to investigate. SEDENA officials announced last Saturday that their BELL-212 patrol chopper was shot at by members of organized crime while patrolling in the vicinity of Ciudad Mier at about 1:30 p.m. April 29. Ground forces went out to the scene and fought back. After the firefight, authorities seized 25 pounds of marijuana, eight assault riffles, 133 ammo clips, 6,804 rounds of ammo and a grenade. Authorities also seized five vehicles —four armored — nine bullet-proof vests and military style tactical equipment. No arrest was made during this incident. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors Less than Blissful Allen Academy basketball coach Dave Bliss, right, watches during a high school basketball game in Bryan on Feb. 27. Bliss’ first season as a high school basketball coach has given him a state championship and raised new questions about his methods.
Former Baylor coach Dave Bliss in trouble again By DANNY ROBBINS ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRYAN — Dave Bliss’ first season as a high school basketball coach has given him a state championship — and raised new questions about his methods. Eight years after being caught on tape trying to cover up NCAA rules violations at Baylor by portraying a murdered player as a drug dealer, Bliss again finds
himself a subject of controversy even as he works to revive his career as a coach and administrator at a private school with less than 300 students. This time it’s a governing body for private high school sports that says Bliss is a rulebreaker, and the issues, stemming from an attempt to recruit high-profile transfers, have Photo by Dave McDermand/College Station Eagle | AP
See BLISS PAGE 2B
BOXING
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
PACQUIAO VS. MOSLEY
Senate votes for UIL expansion
Massive fight looms tonight By TIM DAHLBERG ASSOCIATED PRESS
Private schools may enter competetive fold
LAS VEGAS — Ask Shane Mosley how he can beat Manny Pacquiao, and the answer is match his speed and don’t be afraid to trade punches with a fighter who loves to trade punches. Ask trainer Naazim Richardson how his fighter can beat the best boxer in the world, and the answer is slightly different. “If he can be the best Sugar Shane Mosley there is, then Pacquiao has problems,” Richardson said. Unfortunately, Mosley hasn’t been his best for quite some time. And that could make for a rough night Saturday when he tries to bounce back from a bad loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. against a fighter who lately has been beating up everyone put in front of him. The 39-year-old Mosley will try to resurrect his career with a signature win over Pacquiao, who once again is so confident of his chances that he has scheduled a post-fight concert on the Las Vegas Strip for all his loyal followers. Mosley must not only battle Pacquiao, who has won 13 straight fights, but the perception that he is a shot fighter after one last big payday. “It’s an opportunity to show people I’m not washed up,” Mosley said. “You don’t lose your power. They say you lose your speed, but I haven’t lost my speed either.” Pacquiao certainly hasn’t lost his, and is coming off an 8-week training camp that trainer Freddie Roach said was his best ever. The Filipino sensation who travels with an entourage bigger than any Muhammad Ali had in his day, remains focused on boxing even while working a side job as a congressman back home and singing with his band. His real work, though, comes in
See BOXING PAGE 2B
By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photos by Julie Jacobson | AP
HORSE RACING
Uncle Mo a no-show at Kentucky Derby By BETH HARRIS ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The pockmarked road to the Kentucky Derby claimed another victim Friday when Uncle Mo was scratched due to a mysterious stomach ailment, further dimming a race already short on star power and speed. Uncle Mo’s defection also threw the Derby wide open. “You’re never safe until you put that saddle on because anything can happen,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said. Owner Mike Repole announced the decision to scratch second favorite Uncle Mo about 40 minutes before wagering
opened for the 137th Derby, set for Saturday at 6:24 p.m. EDT. The colt has been bothered by a stomach problem, but vets couldn’t find a reason for his decreased appetite, energy and poor-looking coat. “I’m actually relieved and now I’m really concerned and worried about Uncle Mo,” Repole said. “My hope is Uncle Mo gets healthy. He is a superstar.” Uncle Mo’s absence reduced the already less-than-dazzling field to 19 horses, with Dialed In as the 4-1 favorite for two timewinning trainer Nick Zito. Already lost in one of the flukiest Triple Crown seasons in
See DERBY PAGE 2B
Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP
A horse makes it’s way to the track for a morning workout at Churchill Downs Friday in Louisville, Ky.
AUSTIN — The Texas Senate voted to allow private schools onto the University Interscholastic League playing fields with two major exceptions — football and basketball. The Senate voted 22-7 Friday to allow private schools to join the public school league for sports such as baseball, soccer, volleyball and track, and academic competition such as debate, one-act play and other activities. But Texas’ fabled "Friday Night Lights" on the football field and public school basketball gyms would remain mostly off limits. Two large Catholic schools in Houston and Dallas already play football and basketball in the UIL and the bill would allow them to keep playing. Exempting football and basketball were necessary to pass the bill, said Sen. Dan Patrick, RHouston, who has tried to force the UIL to open up to private schools since 2007. "That’s where all the opponents have come from, all those football coaches out there," Patrick said, adding he hopes to eventually add football and basketball in a couple of years if he can get this bill passed by the House and signed into law by Gov. Rick Perry. "Students who are in private and parochial schools, their parents are paying school taxes. In my view, it’s discrimination to not let those students participate. This is not the end of the world. It’s just new competition," Patrick said. Texas is one of a handful of states with separate athletic championships for public and private schools. The UIL has about 1,300 members. The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS, has about 250 members. UIL member schools have fought to keep public and private schools separate over concerns private schools will able to recruit athletes. The UIL has battled lawsuits and legislative pressure to bring them together for years. The Texas High School Coaches Association has been a fierce opponent. Coaches association Executive Director D.W. Rutledge, who testified against the bill in committee, did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment. UIL athletic director Mark Cousins, declined comment on the bill. The groups pushing for the change include San Antonio’s
See UIL PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
NASCAR tempers still raging By JENNA FRYER ASSOCIATED PRESS
DARLINGTON, S.C. — Tempers were still raging Friday between Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Newman, who had a heated discussion at Darlington Raceway about an extended ontrack feud. Both drivers tried to downplay their latest flareup in their morning media sessions, but a later meeting moderated by NASCAR did not go well. The two were called in to discuss their actions last Saturday night at Richmond, where Newman wrecked Montoya early in the race, and Montoya later retaliated by intentionally crashing Newman. “We did have a meeting with both Ryan and Juan relative to their incident, and we made it clear to them that this is their final warning. We also made it
Photo by Brett Flashnick | AP
Driver Clint Bowyer, center, talks with his crew before practice for the NASCAR Showtime Southern 500 auto race at Darlington Raceway was canceled due to rain on Friday in Darlington, S.C. clear to them that we will be watching them very closely,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. NASCAR told the two drivers the discussion is not finished. Next up is Saturday night’s event at Darlington Raceway, where the short fuses that highlighted the
Richmond race could again come into play. Although Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin had an uneventful 1-2 sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing last weekend, much of the excitement came further back in the field. Martin Truex Jr. and Kurt Busch directed exple-
tive-laden rants at their crews over their in-car radios, and both got the results they desired. Truex has four new pit crew members after his team botched the final stop at Richmond, and Busch said there’s been behind-thescenes personnel shuffling at Penske Racing that has him hopeful his complaints have been heard. Busch acknowledged Friday it may not have been the best way to deliver his message, but he was confident his meltdown had finally achieved results. “Yeah, it wasn’t the best forum to go out there on Saturday night and talk about things,” Busch said. “In my mind, to see things deteriorate — and I’ve held it in, held it in — and it wasn’t the right spot to do so. But now with people listening, I think we’re going to make some good strides and try to advance it.”
THE WRONG KIND OF KICK Mexico’s Jaguares de Chiapas’ Luis Esqueda kicks a Colombia’s Junior’s fan who jumped into the field during a Copa Libertadores soccer in Barranquilla, Colombia, Thursday. Jaguares de Chiapas classified due to away goals after the match ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Photo by Fernando Vergara | AP
DERBY Continued from Page 1B memory were Premier Pegasus, The Factor, Jaycito, To Honor and Serve and Toby’s Corner, among others. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of Zito’s first Derby victory, when Strike the Gold came from off the pace in 1991. Dialed In, who won his debut at Churchill Downs in November, shares a similar running style. “He’s a closer and that’s the way he needs to run,” Zito said. “There are four or five horses that look good, but you have to beat all of them.” Dialed In won the Florida Derby in a woefully slow time — and that was no exception. The speed figures used to rate a horse’s past performance indicate this year’s crop of Derby contenders is lacking in zip. “Slow, fast or in-between, as long as he gets the distance what do we care?” Zito said. “If he does what we
ask him to do, what’s the difference really?” Arkansas Derby winner Archarcharch posted the highest speed figure in the major Derby preps, but will have a difficult time duplicating that coming out of the troublesome No. 1 post on the inside rail. The uncertainty hovering over the race dovetails with a messy run-up that saw a slew of contenders sidelined by injuries and poor performances. “There’s so much parity,” said Baffert, a three-time winner who will saddle Midnight Interlude, who will try to buck history to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win without having raced as 2-yearold. “When you have a lot of equal horses and there’s no standout, everybody thinks, ‘Well, maybe it’s not that tough of a field,’ but I think it’s a tough field,” he said.
Without Uncle Mo, Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher still have a shot at winning with Stay Thirsty, who will try to rebound after fading to seventh in the Florida Derby. Comma to the Top, Shackleford and Soldat figure to be among the early pacesetters. Soldat could benefit most if the race-day forecast of a 60 percent chance of rain holds since he trained well over the sloppy dirt track earlier in the week. “Soldat is going to be tough on the outside,” Baffert said. “He’s got me a little worried, along with the 18 others.” Nehro, who’s won once in five starts, will try to end trainer Steve Asmussen’s 0for-9 skid. Animal Kingdom, Brilliant Speed, Comma to the Top, Derby Kitten, Irish import Master of Hounds, and Twinspired are inexperi-
enced on dirt, having mostly raced on synthetic surfaces or turf. Calvin Borel, who has won the Derby three times in the last four years, will try to become the first jockey to win three in a row aboard Twice the Appeal. Three women have a chance to make Derby history. Kathleen O’Connell, who oversees Watch Me Go, and heart transplant recipient Kathy Ritvo, who saddles Mucho Macho Man, will try to become the first female trainer to win. Rosie Napravnik, aboard Pants On Fire, will try to be the first female jockey to land in the winner’s circle. With 19 horses set to start, the purse is $2,171,800, with the winner earning $1,411,800. Without Uncle Mo, who drew the No. 18 post, Nehro and Watch Me Go move one spot in the starting gate, leaving the No. 20 hole empty.
BOXING Continued from Page 1B the ring in big pay-perview fights. And ever since he sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement by giving him a brutal beating, Pacquiao has been the most exciting fighter of his time. “This is an important fight for me and millions of my fans,” Pacquiao said. “You cannot underestimate him. He’s strong, throws a lot of punches and moves fast.” The Mosley of old certainly did that. But after losing a lopsided decision to Mayweather and struggling in a draw against Sergio Mora last September, many in boxing simply consider Mosley to be old. Oddsmakers agree, making Pacquiao a 6-1 favorite in a fight that has been sold out for weeks at the MGM Grand hotel arena. The scheduled 12round fight is for the WBO version of the welterweight title that Pacquiao won against Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao, returning to the same ring where he made his U.S. debut 10 years ago, is coming off two fights at Cowboys Stadium in Texas. In his last fight there in November he gave a bigger Antonio Margarito such a beating that Margarito was hospitalized and had to have surgery on his eye socket. But Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) was also on the receiving end of a lot of punches by Margarito, largely because he’s the kind of fighter unafraid of mixing it up. “When you like to exchange and you like to throw punches, you put yourself in harm’s way,” Roach said. “That’s why Manny is the most exciting fighter in the world. I can’t take that away from him. He’s always liked to throw combinations, and when you let your hands go you leave yourself open.” Mosley, who gave up his ownership share in
De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Productions to get the fight, is eager to find out just how hittable Pacquiao might be. “I think it’s going to be an action fight from the beginning,” Mosley (466-1, 39 KOs) said. “It’s going to get very interesting, very quick.” Almost lost in the buildup has been talk about Pacquiao fighting Mayweather in what would likely be the richest fight in boxing history. Mayweather, who hasn’t fought in a year and is facing legal charges in three criminal cases, has given no indication he is serious about a fight with the man most in boxing say is the best pound-forpound fighter in the world. “I don’t want to talk about Floyd Mayweather’s issues or anything like that,” Pacquiao said. “I’m the kind of person who doesn’t want to talk about someone behind his back. He did his best in boxing. He contributed to the history of boxing.” Part of that history, Mayweather supporters might argue, is that he softens up fighters for Pacquiao. Mayweather beat De La Hoya before Pacquiao fought him and knocked out Ricky Hatton before Pacquiao also stopped Hatton. Now Pacquiao takes on Mosley, hoping to improve on the lopsided decision win that Mayweather scored against a fighter who has never been stopped. “If the knockouts come, they come,” Pacquiao said. “What matters is the fight that we can give to the people and the fans. I want them to be happy and excited about our performance.” Pacquiao is expected to make at least $20 million, while Mosley is guaranteed $5 million plus a percentage of pay-perview sales.
UIL Continued from Page 1B Cornerstone Christian School, which is connected with the politically powerful Cornerstone megachurch founded by televangelist John Hagee. The UIL succumbed to pressure in 2003 when it allowed Houston Strake Jesuit and Dallas Jesuit to compete. Those schools had become too large for TAPPS and had nowhere else to play. In 2008, Strake Jesuit had the top-ranked boys’ basketball team before losing in the state tournament semifinals. Dallas Jesuit became the first private school to win a state team championship in the 100-year history of the UIL when it won the
Class 5A boys’ state soccer title in 2010. Patrick’s bill would phase in private schools to the UIL over five years, with the smallest schools entering first. Many of those schools don’t even play football, Patrick said. Those that do could continue playing football in TAPPS or as independents and join UIL for other sports and competition, he said. Those small schools often have to drive long distances to play each other, offing passing by public schools on the way. "These students and their parents deserve to participate in UIL activities," Patrick said.
BLISS Continued from Page 1B prompted fresh criticism of the 67-year-old coach. "The thing most people have taken issue with is the fact that Coach Bliss had such baggage, a school gives him a second opportunity and then, instead of laying low for a few years, he went out and tried to bring in these ringers," said Jason Jump, who operates a website devoted to private high school sports in Texas. Bliss was hired last May as coach, athletic director and dean of students at Allen Academy, which serves 250 students in kindergarten through grade 12. The hire put Bliss back in an educational setting for the first time since the scandal at Baylor, and it was widely publicized as his chance for redemption. Yet, less than six months after taking the job, he was in hot water with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, the state’s largest governing
body for private high school sports. The association ruled last November that two of the players Bliss recruited, both of whom were entering their senior years at Houston-area public high schools, received improper inducements because they were allowed to pay only a fraction of Allen Academy’s $10,000 yearly tuition. It also determined that Bliss forged the signature of the school’s headmaster on a transfer form for another player who later decided not to enroll. The findings led the association, commonly known as TAPPS, to place Allen Academy on two years’ probation and suspend Bliss for a year. The school vigorously disputed that it violated the rules, and, rather than comply with the sanctions, moved to another association, the smaller and lesser-known Texas Christian Athletic League.
"TAPPS misunderstood why I came here," Bliss said during a recent interview. "Their perception was based on what I’d done before. That’s not me now." But the association’s top administrator says the matter is one of the messiest his group has ever dealt with. "You’ve heard the cliche ’a can of worms?’ This was a can of snakes," said Edd Burleson, the organization’s longtime director. Bliss was seeking a position that would allow him to coach high school basketball in Texas when he responded to an Internet job posting by Allen Academy last spring. Officials at the school, which has operated in this city 100 miles northwest of Houston for more than 100 years, acknowledge that they have been trying to give their athletic program a higher profile. They say Bliss was thoroughly vetted and found to have traits
that meshed well with their priorities. "I felt like he had the right combination of personality and human relations experience to go with his athletic background," said headmaster John Rouse. Rouse said that opinion hasn’t changed. "Things a Division I basketball coach typically wouldn’t do he does in a blink of an eye, because he wants Allen to be a good place for kids," Rouse said. Bliss has been admonished by the school for signing Rouse’s name without authorization on the transfer form, but school officials downplay the matter. "It’s not like he forged his name and cashed a check for $100,000," said Jerry Bullin, who chairs the school’s board of trustees. Bliss said he signed the headmaster’s name on the form because he was facing
a deadline. There was no intent to deceive, he said. "I have my scarlet letter, and I understand that," he said. "The only thing about it is, from this point forward, I am trying to do the right thing." But some familiar with Bliss’ efforts at Allen Academy don’t see him as a changed man. "He’s giving speeches at the Final Four about how he’s seen the light, but he’s still not doing what you’re supposed to do as a Christian," said Kevin Cross, the coach at Dobie High School in the Houston suburb of Pasadena, where one of the transfers who received discounted tuition previously played. Within months of Bliss’ arrival, Allen Academy had re-established itself as a boarding school by leasing a block of apartments near the Texas A&M University campus and was attracting players from the Houston area, including
several who were well known as college prospects. The two players whose tuition arrangements were questioned ultimately helped the school complete a 20-12 season by winning the Texas Christian Athletic League’s Class 2A title. Allen Academy officials say discounted tuition is available to any student who seeks it, and the ability to pay is determined by a third-party company. Rouse said he believes the TAPPS executive board, which made the ruling, showed itself to be biased against Bliss as well as certain ethnic groups. Both of the players whose tuition was questioned are black. "My belief is they are a bunch of self-pious individuals out to pass judgment on people," Rouse said. Burleson said the board treated Bliss no differently than anyone else. "They are biased against people who break the rules," he said.
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE BAKING BIRDSEED Dear Heloise: Years ago, a friend said to put BIRDSEED in the oven for 30 minutes at a low temperature. This kills germs but leaves the seed nutritious for birds. Even the squirrels like it, and best of all — no weeds! — Jean in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Jean, the hint I’ve printed for a long time is to put the seed on a flat cookie sheet for only eight to 10 minutes in a 140-degree oven. A national bird association said it does not recommend baking the birdseed because it COULD change the nutritional content. It suggested the following for keeping birds fed without sprouting birdseed on the lawn: Clean the area under the bird feeder once a week or more often to pick up the fallen seeds. Buy a feeder with a tray at the bottom to collect the seeds, or add a tray to the bottom of an existing feeder. Black oil sunflower “chips” are a good choice for birds because they are no-waste. Check with your local pet/bird stores to see if they carry no-mess, nonsprouting seed blends that do not germinate. The main ingredient should be sunflower “hearts” or “chips.” — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Grace Denecker of Chino Valley, Ariz., sent us a picture of her beautiful black-andwhite long-haired cat, Loveable Baby, comfy in a pretty floral blanket. To see Loveable Baby and our other Pet Pals, visit www .Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” We invite you to send in pictures of your fun and frisky pets for future columns. Mail pictures to: Heloise/Pets, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. — Heloise HAMSTER HELPER
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HELOISE
Dear Heloise: Your reader’s advice about hamsters brought back memories. My children had a hamster, Princess, when they were young. That squeaking wheel at night drove us crazy. I discovered I could rub some bacon grease around the shaft of the wheel to stop the squeaking. The grease wouldn’t harm Princess if she licked it, and it solved the problem for quite a while. — Judy in Texas A fond memory, but bacon grease probably is not the best thing for a hamster to ingest. Better to use a little vegetable oil instead. — Heloise EYE DISCHARGE IN DOGS Dear Readers: Eye discharge is a common problem for dogs. One part plain baby shampoo to 10 parts water is a good formula to use. Mix the solution and, using a cotton ball, gently wipe the area. Repeat until the staining is gone. Then wipe with warm tap water. If the dog has an excessive amount of eye discharge, you may want the vet to check out the animal, just to make sure there is not a more serious issue going on. — Heloise. LETTER OF LAUGHTER Dear Heloise: When our rat terriers had pups, we gave them all away except the runt, whom we named Nacho. When someone chose him, I would say, “Sorry, he’s Nacho dog — he’s mine.” — Ronni in Texas Photo caption: Grace Denecker of Chino Valley, Ariz., sent in this photo of her beautiful black-andwhite long-haired cat, Loveable Baby, comfy in a pretty floral blanket.
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MLB’s alcohol issue League looks to address problem
SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011
Fall of Lakers not NBA’s only problem
By DAVE SKRETTA
By BRIAN MAHONEY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball and its players’ association are considering a formal plan for dealing with alcohol-related incidents in the next collective bargaining agreement. Two baseball officials confirmed the negotiations to The Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks are considered confidential. Alcohol use has become a hot-button issue in baseball, following a spate of six drunken-driving incidents involving high-profile players already this season. The current CBA, which expires Dec. 11, has provisions for dealing with “drugs of abuse” such as cocaine and marijuana, but does not provide Commissioner Bud Selig with the authority to discipline players for alcohol-related offenses. Instead, players arrested for DUI and other incidents are typically offered confidential counseling and treatment on a caseby-case basis. According to one baseball official, the league and the players’ union simply want to “codify” the current process. Their plan could mirror the one already in place for players who test positive for drugs like marijuana — they face mandatory counseling and possible suspension if they refuse to cooperate. The officials said the union is not opposed to including alcohol in the next CBA. “This is something we have planned to discuss, alcohol in general,” league spokesman Pat Courtney said Friday. “It’s been
Contrary to popular belief, the potential fall of the Lakers won’t topple NBA headquarters. Whether or not Los Angeles comes back from dropping the first two games at home to beat Dallas in the Western Conference semifinals, the league is already losing. Business is bad, Commissioner David Stern keeps reminding us, and that won’t change even if the NBA’s most popular team gets back to the championship round and faces a marquee opponent for a chance at a third straight title. — Los Angeles against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Miami? That’s the sexiest matchup. — LA and Boston again? That story always sells. — Chicago, with the Lakers getting a chance to beat Phil Jackson’s old team in his last run? An easy hook. But what if none of those happen? What if Dallas finishes off the champs, then loses in the next round, leaving reporters everywhere scrambling to figure out the best flight schedules into Oklahoma City or Memphis? What if none of the East powers survives and instead it’s the Atlanta Hawks, who struggle for attention in their own city? For the league, the answer is not much. Yes, a Hawks-Grizzlies final might be a ratings disaster, but that is ABC’s problem. The NBA already has a long-term contract with its national TV partners, so it’s getting paid whether
Photo by Mark Duncan | AP
In this April 30 file photo, Cleveland Indians’ Shin-Soo Choo, of South Korea, hits against the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game in Cleveland. The team said Choo was arrested early Monday in Sheffield Lake, Ohio and charged with drunken driving. brought up and will continue to be brought up.” USA Today and the Daily News have reported on the talks previously. On Monday, Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo became the latest player arrested when he failed field sobriety tests in Sheffield Lake, Ohio. Choo was released without bond and was driven home. He made the Indians’ trip to Oakland, and after apologizing to teammates and the fans, he was in the starting lineup Tuesday night. Other players involved in alcohol-related incidents this season include Choo’s teammate, Austin Kearns; Adam Kennedy of the Seattle Mariners; Coco Crisp of the Oakland Athletics; Derek Lowe of the Atlanta
Braves; and Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers. None of the players has been suspended by their respective teams. Kearns’ case shows how far removed teams presently are from the alcohol issue. The outfielder was arrested on Feb. 12 in Kentucky and chose not to tell the Indians about it on the advice of his attorneys. That left the team in the awkward position of addressing the situation weeks later without knowing many of the facts. “The Indians organization takes these issues very seriously and we are disappointed in the matter,” general manager Chris Antonetti said in a statement following Choo’s arrest.
Photo by Chris Pizzello | AP
The Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Kobe Bryant looks on from the bench in the closing seconds of Game 2 of their second-round NBA playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday in Los Angeles. anyone is watching or not. Lakers tickets do cost more than in Memphis or Oklahoma City, so there would be an obvious loss of gate revenue if the lights are turned off early at Staples Center. But the NBA is projecting leaguewide losses of $300 million this season, and those numbers were even higher the last two seasons, both of which ended with Stern handing the Larry O’Brien trophy to the Lakers. So even if everything goes perfectly from a ratings perspective, and Kobe Bryant is battling James and Wade in a seven-game championship series, Stern and deputy commissioner Adam Silver will quickly remind everyone that the players were guaranteed 57 percent of revenues, leaving the league too small a share to do business. In fact, another championship for the Lakers, or some other big spender, could show why owners might shut the NBA down this summer until they
can implement a new system that lets the little guys compete, too — precisely because the Lakers and Heat can’t save the NBA on their own. Stern refused three years ago to give reporters the answer they craved when he was repeatedly asked what it meant for the Lakers and Celtics, the league’s greatest rivals, to be meeting again in the finals, declining to put any added importance on the matchup. The reason was probably because he took so much heat a few years earlier, when he said his ideal finals matchup was “Lakers vs. the Lakers.” And while Lakers-Celtics attracts more casual fans, it won’t attract enough dollars this time around to turn a profit — and Stern insists it’s time that the NBA does that. “We’re not going to lose any money,” he said this week in Chicago. “I’m not going to be commissioner of a league that is comfortable (losing money).”