The Zapata Times 6/30/2012

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SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2012

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ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION

MEXICO’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Fair repayment

Congressman to be in Mexico

No charges since missing money repaid

By JJ VELASQUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

The former board president of the Zapata County Fair Association wrote unauthorized checks totaling more than $9,000 of association funds, said Paco Mendoza, the incoming president.

Carmen Paredes, who oversaw the 2012 fair, has since paid the money back. The board decided not to pursue charges

against her.

“In this town, when something like this is done by an individual, the people here don’t forget,” said Mendoza, who is also president of the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

“I believe that to be punishment in itself.”

Mendoza said Paredes did not elaborate on what she used the money for but admitted before the board in a June 18 meeting that she indeed cashed unau-

thorized checks using the fair association’s account.

The fair association is a nonprofit that uses the proceeds from the event, in beer sales and admission, to fund its operations.

It received $15,000 this year from the county hotel-motel tax fund to promote the fair.

“The Commissioners Court is upset,” County Judge Joe Rath-

See FAIR PAGE 9A

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sunday, Mexico will hold its second presidential election since the 2000 vote that unseated the Institutional Revolutionary Party after more than seven decades in power.

The candidate of the former ruling party, or PRI, is widely expected to win the presidency, opening a new chapter in the story of Mexico’s young democracy.

Former Mexico state governor Enrique Peña Nieto has said his party has abandoned

its legacy of corruption and repression of dissent, and will govern in an open and pluralistic manner. The argument appears to be working among Mexicans looking for a change after nearly six years of a bloody militarized offensive against drug cartels and generally lackluster economic performance. But many Mexicans fear a return of the PRI, a sentiment that has spawned a vocal student-led movement against Peña Nieto and his par-

See ELECTION PAGE 10A

Authorities say car bomb was parked in front of mayor’s office THE ZAPATA TIMES

N

UEVO LAREDO, Mexico — A car bomb exploded Friday morning in front of the mayor’s office at city hall.

Seven people were injured, authorities said.

The Tamaulipas Public Security agency and Attorney General’s Office said in a statement that a Ford Ranger pickup with Coahuila license plates was used in the bombing.

The vehicle was placed in the parking spot of Mayor Benjamin Galvan Gomez, about 33 feet from his second floor office, which faces Heroe de Nacataz Street. The pickup blew up at 11:15 a.m.

“The Tamaulipas state government condemns this lamentable deed, and will redouble its efforts to help provide safety to the city,” the statement read.

The blast damaged 11 vehicles and the City Hall building, authorities said. Debris from the bombing was scattered throughout several blocks of downtown.

Galvan Gomez was not in his office at the time of the explosion. He told reporters by phone that federal and state authorities are investigating the bombing.

A federal spokesman, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the debris from the blast was scattered through a 2,800-foot area, or about 15 blocks.

Authorities said some who were injured in the blast were covered with blood, and that one of the victims was partially burned. All were treated at the scene by the Red Cross and Civil Protection agency. Five were taken to General Hospital and two to Social Security Hospital for further treatment.

After firefighters put out fires caused by the blast, authorities evacuated the site surrounding the blast and cordoned off a two-block area around City Hall.

“We don’t have any leads yet on who is responsible, but we’re working to determine (who could be responsible),” the federal spokesman said.

Authorities in the United States took steps to keep violence from crossing over into the country.

Courtesy photo

A Ford Ranger pick-up burns in front of city hall in Nuevo Laredo, on Friday after a bomb placed inside blew up, just 33 feet from the mayor’s office.

See BOMBING PAGE 10A

US GOVERNMENT

Agents’ families want answers

By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

BROWNSVILLE — The families of two U.S. immigration agents shot more than a year ago on a Mexican highway renewed their demand Friday that the U.S. government explain the decisions that put them there and answer questions about how guns purchased in the U.S. fell into the hands of their attackers.

The parents of slain Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata joined with the sister of agent Victor Avila to press the government on whether an operation similar to one in Arizona that allowed illegally purchased guns to be smuggled

into Mexico in hopes of tracking them to higher-ranking criminal figures was responsible for the guns used in the attack. Two of the weapons have been traced to illegal purchases in Texas.

The families spoke in Zapata’s hometown of Brownsville, one day after the U.S. House voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt for not providing documents relevant to an investigation of so-called Operation Fast and Furious in Arizona. In that case, agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives lost track of hundreds of weapons they had hoped to trace higher in criminal organizations. Justice Department policy had long

forbid such “gun walking” and two guns from that operation were found at the scene of the slaying of U.S. border agent Brian Terry.

“I feel that I owe my son justice and I still haven’t gotten it,” said Mary Zapata, the slain agent’s mother, wearing a lapel pin with her son’s picture.

Earlier this month, Zapata’s family filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the U.S. government. Avila is seeking $12.5 million, claiming negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The claims are an initial step toward lawsuits. They note that at least two

See AGENTS PAGE 9A

Photo by Yvette Vela/The Brownsville Herald | AP

Mary and Amador Zapata, the parents of slain Immigration Customs and Enforcement agent Jaime Zapata, appear during a news conference Friday, in Brownsville. They demanded the U.S. government answer questions about how guns purchased in the U.S. fell into the hands of their son’s attackers.

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “The Little Star That Could” at 5 p.m., “Stars of the Pharaohs” at 6 p.m. and “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” at 7 p.m.

General admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. “Ancient Skies” is $1 more. For more information, call 956-326-3663.

Today is Saturday, June 30, the 182nd day of 2012. There are 184 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On June 30, 1912, Canada’s deadliest tornado on record occurred as a late-afternoon cyclone struck Regina, the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, killing 28 people and destroying or damaging 500 buildings.

On this date: In 1859, French acrobat Charles Blondin (blahn-DAN’) walked back and forth on a tightrope above the gorge of Niagara Falls as thousands of spectators watched.

In 1860, the famous Oxford University Museum debate on Darwin’s theory of evolution took place as Anglican Bishop Samuel Wilberforce led his side in denouncing the concept, while biologist T.H. Huxley defended it.

In 1908, the Tunguska Event took place in Russia as an asteroid exploded above Siberia, leaving 800 square miles of scorched or blown-down trees.

In 1921, President Warren G. Harding nominated former President William Howard Taft to be chief justice of the United States, succeeding the late Edward Douglass White.

In 1934, Adolf Hitler carried out his “blood purge” of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as “The Night of the Long Knives.”

In 1936, the epic Civil War novel “Gone with the Wind”

by Margaret Mitchell was first published by The Macmillan Co. in New York.

In 1952, “The Guiding Light,” a popular radio program, began a 57-year television run on CBS. In 1958, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill by a vote of 64-20.

In 1963, Pope Paul VI was crowned the 262nd head of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1972, for the first time, a leap-second was added to Coordinated Universal Time to account for the slowing rotation of the Earth.

In 1982, the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution expired, having failed to receive the required number of ratifications for its adoption, despite having its seven-year deadline extended by three years.

In 1985, 39 American hostages from a hijacked TWA jetliner were freed in Beirut after being held 17 days.

Ten years ago: Leonard Gregg, a part-time firefighter, was charged with starting one of the two wildfires that merged into a monstrous blaze in eastern Arizona. (Gregg later pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2004 to 10 years in federal prison; he was released in June 2011.) Brazil defeated Germany, 2-0, for the team’s record fifth World Cup title.

Today’s Birthdays: Jazz musician Stanley Clarke is 61.

Rock musician Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) is 59. Actor-comedian David Alan Grier is 56. Actor Vincent D’Onofrio is 53. Boxer Mike Tyson is 46.

Rock musician Tom Drummond (Better Than Ezra) is 43.

Actor Brian Bloom is 42. Actor Brian Vincent is 42. Actress Monica Potter is 41.

Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps is 27.

Thought for Today: “The man who has done his level best is a success, even though the world may write him down a failure.” — B.C. Forbes, Scottish journalist (1880-1954).

SUNDAY, JULY 1 Hello Kitty will appear at the Vans at Mall del Norte, 5300 San Dario Ave., at 2 p.m. today. The event will include personal photos, giveaways and prizes. Attendance is limited. For more information, call 728-7322.

TUESDAY, JULY 3 Distinguished Artist Veterans, the third annual group exhibition by Texas veterans with disabilities, will be in the Laredo Public Library, 1120 E. Calton Road, until July 30. For more information, call 795-2400 or visit www.vsatx.org.

The Alzheimer’s support group will meet today at 7 p.m. in Meeting Room 2, Building B of the Laredo Medical Center. The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s. For more information, call Melissa L. Guerra at 693-9991.

SATURDAY, JULY 7 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “Earth, Moon, and Sun” at 5 p.m., “Seven Wonders” at 6 p.m. and “2012: Ancient Skies Ancient Mysteries” at 7 p.m. General Admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Premium shows are $1 more.

For more information, call 956-3263663.

MONDAY, JULY 9 The Zapata Commissioners Court will have its regular meeting today at 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “Attack of the Space Pirates” at 4 p.m. and “Star Signs” at 5 p.m. General admission is $3. For more information, call 956-326-3663.

SATURDAY, JULY 14 The Laredo Specialty Hospital’s free CEU seminar for Parkinson’s disease is today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be a lecture and hands-on training. Seminar has approved CEUs for PTs and OTs. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Certificate of completion will be given at the end of the seminar. Space is limited. To reserve a space, contact Nick Nilest at 956-7648381 or nicknilest@ernesthealth.com.

The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System” at 5 p.m., “Violent Universe” at 6 p.m. and “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” at 7 p.m. General admission is $4 for children and $5 for adults. Premium shows are $1 more. For more information, call 956-326-3663.

SATURDAY, AUG. 11

Photo by Bell County Sheriff’s Department via The Temple Daily Telegram | AP

This undated photo provided by the Bell County Sheriff’s Office shows Nidal Hasan. A military judge decided Friday not to further delay the trial of Hasan, an Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly 2009 Fort Hood shootings.

No Ft. Hood trial delay

By ANGELA K. BROWN ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT HOOD — A military judge ruled Friday against delaying the trial of the Fort Hood shooting suspect, an Army psychiatrist who remains banned from the courtroom because his beard violates Army regulations.

Maj. Nidal Hasan’s trial will proceed as scheduled, beginning on Aug. 20. Defense attorneys wanted the trial moved to December, saying they needed more time to prepare.

But the judge, Col. Gregory Gross, said the defense already had plenty of time. Prosecutors had indicated they were ready for trial last fall, but the court-martial was set for March and postponed first to June and then August — all at the request of the defense.

Hasan faces the death penalty if convicted of 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in

the 2009 attack on the Texas Army post.

Gross said Friday that top Army officials had rejected Hasan’s request for a religious exemption — due to his Islamic faith — to the rule banning beards. An appeals court also denied a defense request to overturn the judge’s decision last week to bar Hasan from the courtroom unless he shaves.

Hasan watched Friday’s hearing from a closed-circuit television in a nearby room, as he did during last week’s hearing.

Gross also denied a defense request to step down as the trial judge, disputing allegations that he was biased against Hasan.

Lead defense attorney Lt. Col. Kris Poppe said the judge had asked defense attorneys to clean up a court restroom after Gross found a medical waste bag, adult diaper and what appeared to be feces on the floor after a hearing earlier this month.

Ex-EPA administrator joins Sierra Club campaign

Gang leader gets life in prison drug case

Workers discover body in Beaumont city pool

HOUSTON — A former administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who resigned amid claims that he was biased against the oil and gas industry is going to work for the Sierra Club.

Al Armendariz resigned in April as EPA’s administrator for Region 6, which oversees Texas and other states with oil and gas interests.

EL PASO — Prosecutors say a West Texas border gang leader has been sentenced to life in federal prison for helping distribute drugs to other inmates.

The Justice Department on Friday announced the sentence for 38-year-old Hector Galindo of El Paso. Galindo in 1992 began serving a 25-year state prison sentence for murder.

BEAUMONT — Workers in a Southeast Texas city have discovered a body in a municipal pool.

The Beaumont Fire Department says the body was located in the water Friday morning.

Police say the body of the young male has not been identified.

Police say it appears someone cut a lock on a gate to get into the pool area and also may have cut the fence.

Aransas Pass girl, 16, is found dead ARANSAS PASS — Police say a 16-year-old girl missing for several days has been found dead.

Officials say the death of Jenna Hernandez has been determined to be a homicide. Her body was discovered Thursday close to the water.

Authorities believe the girl, last seen Monday leaving a relative’s home, was targeted by someone she knew.

Clerk in Houston shoots, kills beer theft suspect HOUSTON — Houston police say a man who allegedly stole beer from a store has been fatally shot by the clerk.

Police say Friday’s death will be referred to a Harris County grand jury.

Police say the shooting happened outside the store as the worker confronted the suspect.

Names of the suspect and the store worker weren’t immediately released.

Man gets life in prison for deadly attack in Waco WACO — A Central Texas man has been sentenced to life for a 2008 attack that left his exgirlfriend’s mother dead.

A judge in Waco accepted the revised plea deal for Jeremy Lee Lowrey of Itasca.

His two life prison terms will be served concurrently. He’ll be eligible for parole in 30 years.

— Compiled from AP reports

The Back To School Kids Fishing Tournament takes place today.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 21 The Sun Country Fishing Tournament begins and runs through Friday, Sept. 28, at Falcon Lake.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 22 The Bud Light 2012 San Antonio Division tournament takes place at Falcon Lake.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 The Anglers Quests tournaments begin, to run through Sunday, Oct. 21.

SATURDAY, OCT. 27 The Bass Champs South Region Championship takes place today and Sunday, Oct. 28.

SATURDAY, NOV. 17 The Bud Light Tournament Fall 2012 San Antonio Division tournament returns to Falcon Lake.

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.

AROUND THE NATION Congress passes student loans, highway jobs bill WASHINGTON — Congress approved legislation Friday preserving jobs on transportation projects and avoiding interest rate increases on new loans to millions of college students, giving lawmakers bragging rights on what may be their biggest economic achievement before the November elections.

CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Copy Editor, Nick Georgiou ....................... 728-2565 Managing Editor, Mary Nell Sanchez........... 728-2543 Sports Editor, Adam Geigerman..................728-2578 Spanish Editor ........................................ 728-2569

5 more states granted NCLB waivers Five more states have been granted relief from key requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, bringing the total to 24 states given waivers, the Education Department said Friday.

Arkansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah and Virginia will be freed from the No Child requirement that all students test proficient in math and reading by 2014, a goal the nation remains

Photo by Mary Altaffer | AP

People stand in line to buy tickets for the Cyclone ride on New York’s Coney Island on Tuesday. The internationally-known Cyclone turned 85 today. far from achieving.

4 arrested after calling NC deputy for drugs SALISBURY, N.C. — Four people have been arrested in North

Carolina after they mistakenly called the wrong person about drug purchases.

The man they got was a Rowan County sheriff ’s deputy who met with them. All four were arrested.

— 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

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A

Cattle course set for A&M Four accused SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The 58th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is scheduled for Aug. 6-8 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

A variety of cattle production management topics will be presented at this year’s short course, including a weather outlook, said Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator.

‘Management’ “Our topics this year will fit right into what Texas beef producers are experiencing with forage management, beef cattle management and beef cattle marketing,” Cleere said.The general session will feature a virtual tour of a U.S. feed yard and U.S. beef packing plant, a presentation about

what consumers want to know about raising beef, as well as challenges and opportunities for ranchers in the next 20 years. Sessions will be held at various locations on the Texas A&M campus with the main general sessions at Rudder Auditorium.

Need based “Planning committee members from around the state have met with us and helped us put together another outstanding program,” he said. “The short course has become one of the largest and most comprehensive beef cattle educational programs in the U.S.” The cattleman’s college portion of the three-day short course provides participants with an opportunity to choose workshops based on the level of production experience and the needs of the ranch, Cleere said.

“These concurrent workshops will feature information on introductory cattle production, management practices in the areas of forage, nutrition and reproduction, record keeping, brushbusting, cattle handling, landowner issues and much more,” he said.

In addition to classroom instruction on Aug. 6-7, participants can attend one of the popular demonstrations on the morning of Aug. 8.

“There will be demonstrations on chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning, selection and brush-busting,” Cleere said.

“These provide an opportunity for ranchers to see beef cattle production practices put to use.”

The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information that is needed by beef cattle producers, and this year is no exception.”

Participants can receive a Texas Department of Agri-

culture private pesticide applicator’s license during the short course and can earn at least seven pesticide continuing education units if they are already licensed, Cleere added. An industry trade show will be held during the event, featuring more than 110 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.

Registration Registration is $160 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the prime rib dinner, lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments. Registration information can be found on the short course website at http://beef.tamu.edu. Producers can register online at http://beef.tamu.edu or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.

MUSLIM-INFLUENCED FASHION

of smuggling large group

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Federal authorities arrested three men and a woman suspected of trying to smuggle a large group of undocumented people June 21 about one mile south of the Jim Hogg-Starr County line, according to a criminal complaint made public Tuesday.

Manuel Anaya Saucedo, Noemi Carrillo, Victor Manuel Garcia-Bouchot and Raul Sosa III are being charged with alien smuggling.

U.S. Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Zapata and Hebbronville stations were observing traffic on FM 649 in Jim Hogg County when they noticed a white Dodge Dakota, a gray Ford Ranger and a Blue Ford F150 heading north on FM 649.

According to a criminal complaint, the blue vehicle, driven by Garcia-Bouchot, was the one loaded with undocumented people. A criminal complaint states the Dodge Dakota was escorting the blue Ford.

Complaint info

Photo by Allison Slomowitz | AP

Models wear Muslim-influenced clothing during the Compassion For Fashion Show in Dallas, on June 15. The 30 or so models wore vibrant eye shadow, bejeweled dresses and high heels. But the stilettos led no further than the hems of loose-fitting dresses that revealed almost no skin.

Authorities had received previous reports that a white Dodge Dakota and gray Ford Ranger had been connected to previous narcotic and human smuggling attempts through the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo Sector areas, a complaint states.

An agent stopped the Dodge Dakota truck and

identified the driver as Carrillo. An intelligence agent immediately identified Carrillo as a “well known scout and/or facilitator” for alien smuggling, a criminal complaint states.

Meanwhile, the blue F150 turned around and headed south on FM 649.

A complaint states the truck went off the highway and drove through a ranch fence. The driver, Garcia-Bouchot, exited the vehicle along with several other people and ran toward the brush.

Agents followed the tracks and apprehended three people. At 10 a.m.

June 22, agents in Zapata received information that 12 undocumented people wanted to turn themselves in to authorities. They were allegedly riding in the blue F150 and identified Garcia-Bouchot as the driver.

Carrillo said she was scouting out the area for any law enforcement.

She would have gotten paid $600 for being a facilitator. Sosa was going to drive the blue pickup back to Roma. Anaya Saucedo refused to give a statement. Garcia-Bouchot told agents he was trying to make his way to North Carolina.

According to the complaint, Garcia-Bouchot alleged use of excessive force during his arrest.

He met with a Mexican Consulate representative regarding the alleged abuse.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

YOUR OPINION

OTHER VIEWS

Writer states appreciation for medical care received at Laredo hospital To the editor: None of us want to go to the hospital; however, when we do have to go and the experience is very favorable, we like to share the information with others.

I was so pleased with the care and treatment I received while in LMC for 21 days. I was in so much pain in my legs before my hospital stay and had to use a wheelchair to get around. It was very depressing. After receiving a filter to prevent blood clots from causing damage to my heart and lungs, I have been able to start using my walker to get around my home.

I want to thank my doctors, Rafael Deliz and Francisco Morales, for giving me a new lease on life. The staff at the hospital were so kind and professional and had such beautiful attitudes.

I am so happy, thank you to the staff of Interventional Radiology: Allen Alvarez, RN; Adriana Espinoza, RN; Monica Rizas, RTR; Veronica Valadez, RTR; Mando Salinas, RTR; Elias Olivares, RTR; and Fred Juarez, ONT. “You are a wonderful team, working together to make life better for your patients.

I will never forget you.”

R.P. Lopez Zapata

COLUMN

Roberts says COLUMN it’s the power Celebrating freedom for prayer of taxation F

By RAMESH PONNURU BLOOMBERG NEWS

In the end, most of the arguments about President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul turned out to be beside the point.

The law’s defenders for the most part argued that Congress can require people to buy health insurance because the Constitution lets it regulate commerce "among the several states." Their fallback argument was that Congress can impose the requirement because the Constitution gives it the power to make "all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution" its regulations.

Opponents of the law concentrated on knocking those arguments down.

Most people on both sides assumed that the individual mandate would stand or fall on those grounds.

So the conventional wisdom wasn’t just wrong about the outcome of the case — a much more severe blow to the law was expected — it was wrong about what the case would, in the minds of the justices, be about.

A majority of the justices concluded that the mandate couldn’t be justified under the Commerce Clause, even with the necessary-and-proper backing. A different majority of the justices also declined to get rid of the mandate.

Chief Justice John Roberts, the only one in both majorities, bought the administration’s second fallback argument: The mandate is an exercise of the government’s power to tax.

The mandate, in this argument, is like the tax deduction for charitable giving. If you don’t give to charity, you pay more to the federal government.

The same goes for not buying insurance under Obama’s health-care law.

In this view, the difference is merely that the health-care statute calls the extra money you pay the government a "penalty" for breaking the law rather than a "tax."

Not many people doubt that the government can make different groups of people pay different amounts of money based on economic decisions.

Nobody thinks the charitable deduction is unconstitutional.

So, Roberts and four colleagues conclude, it

can also tax people differently based on whether they purchase health insurance.

In defense of those of us who didn’t expect this argument to be decisive, no lower court had considered it compelling. In our further defense, it isn’t compelling.

The text of the bill doesn’t help Roberts’ case.

The problem isn’t just that the bill repeatedly uses the word "penalty." It also refers to the mandate as a "requirement" and says that people "shall" buy insurance. That’s where the analogy to taxes breaks down. People aren’t required to donate to charity. The law doesn’t say that they "shall" be philanthropic.

The health-care act, on the other hand, does suggest that people who refuse to get insurance are breaking the law (unless they are exempt from the requirement for one of the reasons listed in the law).

Congress could have written a law that merely imposed an extra tax on non-purchasers of insurance, or that gave a tax break to purchasers. Maybe Congress would have done exactly that if it had known a majority of the court doesn’t believe it has the power to impose a mandate under the Commerce Clause. What Congress actually did was something different.

Roberts performs the same maneuver elsewhere in the opinion. Like the four justices who think the law should be struck down (and like two liberal justices), Roberts believes that the law unconstitutionally coerces the states by threatening to cut off all federal Medicaid funding if they don’t expand the program. Instead of striking down the law, however, he again rewrites it, so that only a portion of federal Medicaid funding is withheld from balky states.

The resulting law may be a better one than Congress wrote. It is not, however, the law that Congress wrote. Roberts may think he has threaded a needle. He has avoided affirming an expansive reading of the Commerce Clause, which conservatives loathe, while refusing to give liberals the ammunition to call him a partisan for dismantling their cherished law.

He acted cleverly. He also acted less like a judge than like a politician, and a slippery one.

riday, June 22, Catholics across the United States of America began a Fortnight for Freedom — two weeks of prayer, reflection, fasting and public action on faith and freedom.

These two weeks bring us to a better awareness and appreciation of our right as people of faith and citizens of this great country to promote and defend our religious liberty.

The First Amendment to our Constitution grants us the right to freely exercise our religion and it forbids the Congress from making any law that prohibits that exercise.

Because the protection of our religious freedom is enshrined in our laws, the Catholic Church in the U.S. has been able to grow and contribute so much to the common good of our nation.

According to the Catholic Information Project by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, we form 23 percent of the US population, and each year we treat one out of every six hospital patients, employ nearly 600,000 people in our hospital systems, care for over 50,000 orphans, educate over 3 million students, provide emergency help to 6.5 million people through our Catholic social services network, bring relief to 80 million people in foreign nations through our Catholic Relief Services, resettle a third of refugees entering the US, give over $6 billion in charitable donations and Catholic church organizations, such as the

“

JAMES TAMAYO

Knights of Columbus, as well as the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and provide over 64 million volunteer hours of community service.

When we Catholics are free to exercise our religion, it is indeed a good thing for our country, not something to fear or penalize.

However, today’s secular culture finds itself increasingly alarmed by religion and is making efforts to limit the exercise of religion in several ways.

Among the most recent threats to religious liberty is the Health and Human Services mandate that would force every individual, business owner and Church institution to provide health insurance coverage for contraception, sterilizations and abortioninducing drugs for all their employees even if it violates the employer’s and employee’s religious beliefs.

I recently saw the movie For Greater Glory and found it to be an example of incredible faith and courage in defense of religious freedom. The movie tells the story of los Cristeros in Mexico, who fought and died to restore the religious freedom eliminated by the 1917 Mexican Constitution.

There is a scene in the movie where the young martyr Saint Jose Sanchez

del Rio pleads with Padre Christopher to hide from the soldiers coming to arrest and kill him.

Refusing to hide, Padre Christopher tells the young boy, “Who are you if you don’t stand up for what you believe?”

Moments before his death, Padre Christopher utters, “For greater glory, one lays down his life for his friends.”

During this Fortnight for Freedom, the Catholic bishops of the United States call men and women of faith and goodwill to unite and stand up for what we believe, to be God’s faithful servants first and to defend our religious freedom when our constitutional right to the free exercise of our religion is challenged.

Religious liberty is not confined only to a freedom to pray in our churches and homes. The freedom to follow our religious beliefs is guaranteed at all times by the First Amendment to our nation’s Constitution.

If we are not free to follow our conscience and our practice of religion, then we are not truly a free people or a free country.

Sadly, some have tried to interpret “Freedom of Religion” to mean “Freedom from Religion,” as if religious beliefs had no role to play in promoting the common good of our country.

Our freedom of religion means that all citizens are free to practice their religious beliefs and to make their positive contributions to the common good.

Our faith teaches us that

all people have an immense and inviolable dignity because we are created in the image and likeness of God and because the precious blood of Jesus has redeemed us.

This belief in the sacred dignity of the human person must govern all of our actions, whether regarding how we treat the poor and the undocumented, or regarding how we respect marriage and family life. If we do not work to defend our belief in human dignity, then those who do not share that belief will determine the laws of our country.

June 22, the start of the Fortnight for Freedom, marked the feast days of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More.

Yesterday marked the feast day of our first pope, St. Peter, and of St. Paul, followed by today’s feast day of the First Martyrs of Rome.

These brave men gave their lives in defense of their faith, religious liberty and the right of their consciences to follow God’s law.

I am not asking you to give your life for the cause of religious liberty, but I am asking you to give of your time and energy for this great cause.

May the holy martyrs whom we celebrated during this Fortnight for Freedom inspire us to be generous in giving of ourselves in the challenge to defend and preserve the religious freedom given to us by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters.

To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The

phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication.

We want to assure our

readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms.

Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed.

Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

Health Care

6A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

Some states want no more Medicaid

By DAVID A. LIEB ASSOCIATED PRESS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Republicans in at least four states want to abandon an expansion of Medicaid in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, and more than a dozen other states are considering it in the wake of the Supreme Court decision removing the threat of federal penalties.

The high court upheld most of Obama’s law, but the justices said the federal government could not take away states’ existing federal Medicaid dollars if they refused to widen eligibility to include adults who are only slightly above the poverty line. Some Republican governors and lawmakers declared they would not carry out the expansion.

The states considering whether to withdraw from the expansion include presidential battlegrounds Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Colorado.

“One thing is clear, state legislatures will play a big role in the future of Obamacare,” said Republican state Rep. Todd Richardson of Missouri.

For elected officials, the high court decision presented a stark choice: agree to accept an ambitious expansion of Medicaid or leave behind a vast pile of federal money that could provide health care to millions of poor constituents.

The law signed by Obama in 2010 was projected to provide coverage to more than 30 million Americans, reducing by more than half the number of uninsured people. Of those, about 17 million were supposed to be added to Medicaid, the joint federal and state health care program for the poor. The rest were to be covered by a strengthened and subsidized private insurance market.

Photo by Evan Vucci | AP Photo by Cliff Owen | AP

Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., center, holds up a copy of the Supreme Court’s health care ruling Thursday. Republicans in at least three states want to abandon an expansion of Medicaid in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

The federal government agreed to pay the full tab for the Medicaid expansion when it begins in 2014. But after three years, states must pay a gradually increasing share that tops out at 10 percent of the cost. That may not sound like much, but it translates to a commitment of billions of dollars at a time when many local officials are still anxious about the slow economic recovery.

In Texas alone, where one quarter of the population is uninsured, the Medicaid expansion is projected to provide coverage to 2 million people in the first two years alone. Over a decade, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimates the expansion would cost the state an estimated $27 billion. Lawmakers will weigh their options when they return to work in 2013.

But other states aren’t waiting to announce their intentions.

Mississippi, which is one of the poorest states in the nation and has more than 640,000 people on Medicaid, could cover an additional 400,000 people if it chose to expand Medicaid. But doing so would cost about $1.7 billion over 10 years and force deep cuts to educa-

tion and transportation, state officials said.

“Mississippi taxpayers simply cannot afford that cost, so our state is not inclined to drastically expand Medicaid,” Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said.

Republican Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman promised to block any effort to expand Medicaid, which he said would require tax increases or education cuts.

And Indiana Senate President Pro Tem David Long, also a Republican, asserted that his state “will certainly” opt out of the Medicaid expansion.

The expansion was also quickly nixed by GOP legislative leaders in Missouri, where 255,000 of the state’s roughly 835,000 uninsured residents stood to be added to the program.

In 2005, Missouri slashed its Medicaid eligibility for parents to the lowest levels allowed by the federal government in order to help balance the budget. The expansion in Obama’s health care law would restore coverage to those people and add many more. The cost: $2 billion annually, of which Missouri would pay about $100 million beginning in 2017, with its share rising above $150 million by 2019.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 14. Turned away at the Supreme Court, congressional Republicans sketch a filibuster-proof strategy to repeal the nation’s health care law in 2013.

GOP candidate can’t escape health care

By KASIE HUNT AND STEVE PEOPLES ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — So much for Mitt Romney escaping health care.

Reminders of the Republican presidential candidate’s signature achievement as Massachusetts governor — a sweeping state health care overhaul — now are everywhere.

And Democrats and liberals — from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to President Barack Obama to party faithful in Congress — are making sure everyone knows that Romney’s requirement that all people have health insurance was the basis of the federal mandate that the Supreme Court just upheld as a tax.

“Congress followed Massachusetts’ lead,” Ginsburg wrote in the landmark decision. By design or not, she ended up giving Democrats ammunition against Romney.

Romney has spent much of the presidential campaign shying away from talking about the law

he signed as governor and that Obama used as a blueprint for his national health care plan. Both measures require individuals to have health insurance, mandate that businesses offer healthcare to their employees and provide subsidies or exemptions for people who can’t afford it. Both laws also impose penalties on people who can afford health insurance but decide not to buy coverage.

The Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday highlighted those similarities.

Mindful of them, Romney long has sought to justify his position: He defends the Massachusetts law but says he would repeal Obama’s national version. Romney also has tried to explain away comparisons between the two measures by telling audiences he would have been happy to help the president write a better law.

Obama “does me great favor by saying I was the inspiration,” Romney has said. “If that was the case, why didn’t you call me?

Why didn’t you ask me what was wrong?”

Since the court’s ruling, the Republican has taken care not to mention his state law. He left it out of his statement Thursday in response to the Supreme Court ruling and didn’t bring it up when he talked about health care at a private fundraiser Friday.

“What happened yesterday calls for greater urgency, I believe, in the election,” Romney told donors. “I think people recognize that if you want to replace Obamacare you’ve got to replace President Obama.”

In the day since the ruling, GOP officials have criticized Obama by pointing out the Supreme Court’s determination that the requirement that all individuals carry health insurance is a tax.

But in using that to cast Obama as a tax-raiser, Republicans risk turning the focus on their candidate.

The state law Romney signed includes a similar penalty for people who don’t buy insurance.

SÁBADO 30 DE JUNIO DE 2012

Agenda en Breve LAREDO 06/30 — Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU presenta “The Little Star That Could” a las 5 p.m.; “Stars of the Pharaohs” a las 6 p.m.; y “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” a las 7 p.m. Costo: 4 dólares para niños y 5 dólares para adultos. “Ancient Skies” cuesta 1 dólar más.

06/30 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Barnum Bash a las 2:30 p.m. y 6:30 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena.

06/30 — Proyecto de Teatro LCC Summer Stock presenta ‘Extremities’ de William Mastrosimone, a las 7:30 p.m. en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center de Laredo Community College. Costo general: 7 dólares; estudiantes, 5 dólares.

07/01 — Hello Kitty se presentará en Vans del Mall del Norte, 5300 avenida San Dario, a las 2 p.m. El evento incluirá fotografías personales, premios y regalos. Cupo limitado.

07/01 — Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Barnum Bash a las 2:30 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena.

07/01 — Proyecto de Teatro LCC Summer Stock presenta ‘Extremities’ de William Mastrosimone, a las 3 p.m. en el teatro del Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center de Laredo Community College. Costo general: 7 dólares; estudiantes, 5 dólares.

07/03 — Hoy inicia la tercera exhibición Artistas Veteranos Distinguidos, por veteranos de Texas con discapacidades, en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E. Calton Road. Horario de oficina.

07/04 — Laredo Heat Soccer Club recibe a New Orleans Jesters a las 8:15 p.m. en el Complejo Soccer de TAMIU. Costos: general, 5 dólares; niños de 12 años y menores, 1 dólares; VIP, 20 dólares.

07/06 — Hoy es la fecha límite para participar en el Concurso de Fotografía organizada por la Fundación para el Patrimonio de Laredo. Los ganadores serán parte del Calendario 2013 de la fundación. Vea las bases en www.webbheritage.org.

07/06 — Laredo Heat Soccer Club recibe a New Orleans Jesters a las 8:15 p.m. en el Complejo Soccer de TAMIU. Costos: general, 5 dólares; niños de 12 años y menores, 1 dólares; VIP, 20 dólares.

07/07 — Venta de libros usados de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. en First United Methodist Church, 1220 avenida McClelland. Libros de pasta dura a 1 dólar; libros pasta sencilla a .50 centavos; libros infantiles a .25 centavos y revistas a .25 centavos.

07/07 — Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU presneta “Earth, Moon, and Sun” a las 5 p.m., “Seven Wonders” a las 6 p.m. y “2012: Ancient Skies Ancient Mysteries” a las 7 p.m. Costo: 4 dólares para niños y 5 dólares para adultos.

Zfrontera

PÁGINA 7A

CONDADO DE ZAPATA BUSCA NUEVAS FUENTES DE INGRESOS

Déficit de 4 millones POR JJ VELASQUEZ TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

La disminución del valor de los minerales tiene al Condado de Zapata enfrentándose a un presupuesto con un déficit de 4 millones de dólares, y opciones están siendo exploradas para mitigarlo, dijo el Juez del Condado Joe Rathmell.

Con la reducción de la presencia de la industria del petróleo y de la gasolina al momento en que Eagle Ford Shale lleva a sus compañías al norte de Zapata, oficiales del condado han reconocido que están en proceso de despegarse del dinero del petróleo y buscando otras fuentes de ingresos.

La fuente de ingresos de Zapata de la escena de la pesca está fluyendo, pero no

lo suficientemente alto cómo para balancear las pérdidas de la producción de gas y petróleo.

“Ciertamente va a ser otro presupuesto desafiante”, dijo Rathmell. “Hemos perdido una cifra significante de valor este año.

Va a ser un proceso difícil.

Oficiales electos y empleados saben que va a ser difícil”.

El valor de los minerales, que son estimados basados en la producción de petróleo y gas en años pasados, compensa la mayoría del valor sujeto a impuestos del Condado de Zapata. En un reporte anual del 2011 del distrito de valoración del condado, los valores minerales representan el 73 por ciento del valor sujeto a impuestos del Condado de Zapata.

Pero la producción de gas y petróleo ha disminuido localmente en los años recientes, con la creciente fracturación de hidráulicos ha llevado a las compañías fuera de los pozos convencionales y hacia las formaciones ricas en hidrocarburos que están siendo descubiertas por todo el país.

Una pérdida de aproximadamente 400 millones de dólares, del 2011 al 2012, en valores minerales bajaron las ganancias de los ingresos fiscales por 4 millones de dólares, dijo Rathmell, citando información preeliminaría suministrada por la Auditor del Condado Amada González.

Las figuras preeliminarías indican que los valores minerales conforman el 64 por ciento del valor total su-

jeto a impuestos de este año.

En el 2008 el valor mineral representaba el 84 por ciento.

El condado fue valorado en tener 3.4 billones de valor sujeto a impuestos en el 2008, de acuerdo con los reportes de González. Información preliminar del reporte de González coloca al valor sujeto a impuestos de este año en 1.6 billones de dólares.

“Es la mitad de nuestro valor en un lapso de menos de 5 años, lo cual es considerable”, dijo Rathmell.

Con los ingresos disminuyendo, el condado se enfrenta a “decisiones difíciles” por delante para reducir gastos, dijo.

Rathmell está en el proceso de redactar el presupuesto, lo cual el dijo la semana

EU

VIOLENCIA

Corte ratifica reforma a salud POR LUIS ALONSO LUGO ASSOCIATED PRESS

Foto de cortesía

Una imagen de cortesía muestra a una camioneta Ford Ranger envuelta en llamas tras que una granada fuera detonada en su interior, según comunicado oficial del Gobierno de Tamaulipas, el viernes por la mañana en Nuevo Laredo, México.

DETONACIÓN Estallido deja siete heridos en Nuevo Laredo, México ASSOCIATED PRESS

CIUDAD VICTORIA, México — Por lo menos siete personas resultaron heridas por la explosión de un vehículo en Nuevo Laredo, en un hecho que las autoridades atribuyeron a la lucha entre grupos rivales del crimen organizado.

La Procuraduría de Tamaulipas informó el viernes en un comunicado que la detonación del vehículo ocurrió el viernes frente a las instalaciones de la presidencia municipal de Nuevo Laredo.

La autoridad estatal señaló que ninguno de los siete heridos tiene

heridas graves que ponga en riesgo su vida.

El secretario de Gobierno de Tamaulipas, Morelos Canseco, dijo en Milenio Televisión que no se trató propiamente de un coche bomba, sino de una granada que fue colocada dentro de una camioneta, la cual se hizo detonar.

“Quiero matizar, las palabras coche bomba suenan a medio oriente”, señaló Canseco a Milenio Televisión.

Canseco dijo que se trató de “una expresión propia de rivalidades entre bandas delincuenciales que realizan actividades ilícitas en Nuevo Laredo”. El fun-

cionario, sin embargo, no mencionó a ningún grupo en específico.

La explosión también dañó otros vehículos, además de algunas paredes y vidrios de la presidencia.

Canseco dijo que tras el estallido se reforzará la seguridad en Nuevo Laredo, para buscar garantizar que las elecciones presidenciales del domingo se realicen con tranquilidad.

“Hay una serie de medidas de carácter operativo que son propias de la jornada electoral y que se están adelantando”, añadió, aunque evitó dar detalles.

MÉXICO

NUEVO LAREDO 06/30 — Estación Palabra presenta “Bazar de Arte” a las 12 p.m.; Festival Infantil “Marcianos, Inventos y Naves Espaciales” a las 2 p.m. Entrada gratuita.

06/30 — Museo para Niños presenta “El Verano en el Arte” en la Sala de Servicios Educativos del Centro Cultural a las 4 p.m. Entrada gratuita.

07/07 — Grupo Los Siete invita a la exposición “México Mágico” a las 7 p.m. en la Sala Sergio Peña de la Antigua Aduana.

pasada es “un trabajo en proceso”.

El año pasado, dijo, el condado estaba en un predicamento similar, ya que se enfrentaba a un déficit de 4 millones de dólares. En respuesta, el condado recortó por completo las mejores de proyectos capitales y redujo los beneficios para los empleados, el dijo.

Rathmell está asistiendo a talleres para presupuestos periódicamente con jefes de departamentos en el condado. Una vez que el presupuesto sea terminado, el cual Rathmell indicó que sería en julio, se harán audiencias públicas para recibir aportaciones de los residentes.

(JJ Velásquez puede ser localizado en el 728-2579 ó jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)

Candidatos presidenciales pactan respetar resultado ASSOCIATED PRESS

MÉXICO — Los cuatro candidatos a la Presidencia de México firmaron el jueves un acuerdo para respetar el resultado de las elecciones del domingo.

Convocados por el Instituto Federal Electoral (IFE), los aspirantes Enrique Peña Nieto, del Partido Revolucionario Institucional, Josefina Vázquez Mota, del Partido de Acción Nacional, Andrés

Manuel López Obrador, del Partido de la Revolución Democrática, y Gabriel Quadri de la Torre, de Nueva Alianza, también se comprometieron a rechazar la compra y coacción del voto y cualquier acto de violencia que impida a los votantes llegar a las urnas este domingo.

En una breve ceremonia realizada en las oficinas del IFE, el consejero presidente del IFE, Leonardo Valdés Zurita, dio

lectura al documento que después fue firmado por los candidatos.

“El domingo primero de julio, los ciudadanos mexicanos votaremos con absoluta libertad, se han establecido las condiciones para garantizar un clima de confianza y de paz”, dijo Valdés Zurita después de leer el pacto.

Mucha de la atención en los días previos a la elección se ha centrado en el candidato de iz-

quierda, López Obrador, quien hace seis años cerró las calles del centro de la capital del país en protesta tras haber perdido por un estrecho margen la elección presidencial, lo cual aseguró fue producto de un fraude electoral.

López Obrador firmó el documento, saludó de mano a sus contendientes y, como el resto de los candidatos, dejó el lugar sin hacer comentario alguno a la prensa.

WASHINGTON — Organizaciones de activistas vinculadas a la comunidad hispana expresaron su beneplácito por la ratificación que la Corte Suprema dio el jueves a la ley de salud, pero advirtieron que un grupo importante de personas permanecerá sin atención médica.

La Corte Suprema ratificó la obligatoriedad del seguro de salud individual incluida en la reforma impulsada por el presidente Barack Obama, lo que beneficiará de manera especial a los inmigrantes latinos que residen legalmente en Estados Unidos porque les dará la opción de adquirir seguro médico a quienes no lo tienen, dijo a AP la experta en temas de salud para la Coalición de Inmigrantes de Nueva York Jackie Vimo.

“Lo que cambia ahora es que los inmigrantes con papeles tienen la obligación de tener seguro si lo pueden pagar. Si un inmigrante ahora no tiene seguro en el trabajo pero gana demasiado para calificar para Medicaid, ahora tendrá la obligación de comprar seguro médico a través de estos mercados” conocidos en inglés como “insurance exchanges”, explicó.

Medicaid es el programa gubernamental de asistencia médica para pobres.

Un 32% de latinos carecían de seguro médico en 2009 —más que cualquier otro grupo étnico— y la mitad de los latinos no veían a un médico de forma regular, según cifras oficiales.

Debido a eso, la ley de salud tendrá mayor impacto entre latinos que en cualquier otro grupo étnico, según datos del Urban Institute, un centro no partidista para estudios sociales.

Nora Sándigo, directora de la organización Fraternidad Americana con sede en Miami, calificó la decisión de la Corte como “un día de gloria para la gente que no tiene seguro médico, para los menos privilegiados y que muchas compañías no les proveían de seguro médico y ahora podrán tenerlo”.

La Casa Blanca sostiene que desde que comenzó a implementarse la ley en 2010, seis millones de latinos obtuvieron acceso a cuidados médicos preventivos y que nueve millones de hispanos lo tendrán en 2014.

Nation

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

No prosecution for Holder

By LARRY MARGASAK AND PETE YOST ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by David J. Phillip | AP

Gov. Rick Perry talks about the Texas Budget Compact during an event April 16 to announce key budget principles for future budgets, in Houston. Perry has spent much of the past three years fighting against what he views as meddling in state affairs.

Battle against feds means supervision

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — Gov. Rick Perry has spent much of the past three years loudly and defiantly fighting against what he views as Washington meddling in state affairs, often refusing to cooperate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and becoming a leader in the battle against President Barack Obama’s health care plan.

Other Republican governors pursuing a similar tactic may want to take note of what’s happened in Texas amid Perry’s hard-fought battle: An obstinate refusal to cooperate has resulted in more, not less, federal oversight.

“We’re very conservative and we’re very stubborn,” said Bill Miller, a lobbyist in Austin for HillCo who has represented both Republicans and Democrats. He described the Texas mindset this way: “We’re not going to be smart. We’re going to be pure. It’s a point of pride and if there’s something else we’re proud of, it’s our pride.”

One area where Texas has fought ferociously with the feds has been on environmental regulations. Yet as the state challenged EPA rules in court over the past three years, the federal agency sidestepped the state to work directly with industry.

A similar scenario is playing out with Obama’s health care overhaul in Texas, where nearly a quarter of the population, or 6.2 million people, are uninsured. Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has given the law the green light, it’s highly likely that Texas won’t have time to build a key program, forcing the federal government to design and manage it.

“When Texas maintains programs ... they’re able to allow Texas values to predominate,” said Cal Jillson, a political scientist with Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

And when the federal government steps in, it actually strengthens the anti-Washington sentiment in Texas.

“Typically, federal involvement in Texas drives the argument that it’s no damn good for Texas,” Miller said.

Richard Hyde, deputy executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, has been dealing with such issues for several years.

First, the EPA overturned a long-standing air-permitting program, forcing more than 120 plants to get new operating papers.

As Texas pursued court challenges, the EPA offered the companies options for getting new permits so the nation’s largest refineries could operate.

Then, when Texas refused to participate in a new requirement that companies that emit greenhouse gases get special permits, saying it does not have the authority to issue such paperwork, the EPA began directly administering the program, Hyde said.

“With greenhouse gas permitting and flexible permits, certainly they felt like we should fit in a box just like all the other 50 states. And if you want to ... think out of the box and it doesn’t fit in the mold, it doesn’t work for them,” Hyde said. “We want to show the Texas way works for Texas.”

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department declared Friday that Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision to withhold information about a bungled guntracking operation from Congress does not constitute a crime and he won’t be prosecuted for contempt of Congress.

The House voted Thursday afternoon to find Holder in criminal and civil contempt for refusing to turn over the documents.

President Barack Obama invoked his executive privilege authority and ordered Holder not to turn over materials about executive branch deliberations and internal recommendations.

In a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, the department said that it will not bring the congressional contempt citation against Holder to a federal grand jury and that it will take no other action to prosecute the attorney general. Dated Thursday, the letter was released Friday.

Deputy Attorney General James Cole said the decision is in line with longstanding Justice Department practice across administrations of both political parties.

“We will not prosecute an executive branch official under the contempt of Congress statute for withholding subpoenaed documents pursuant to a presidential assertion of executive privilege,” Cole wrote.

In its letter, the department relied in large part on a Justice Department legal opinion crafted during Republican Ronald Reagan’s presidency.

Frederick Hill, the spokesman for Rep. Darrell Issa, said it is regrettable that “the political leadership of the Justice Department” is taking that position. Issa, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman, is leading the effort to get the material related to Operation Fast and Furious.

Although the House voted Thursday to find Holder in criminal and civil contempt, Republicans probably are still a long way from obtaining documents they want for their inquiry into Operation Fast and Furious, a flawed guntracking investigation focused on Phoenix-area gun shops by Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The criminal path is now closed and the civil route through the courts would not be resolved anytime soon.

Photo by J. Scott Applewhite | AP

Left, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Md., Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., Rep, Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., right, and other Democrats walk out of the Capitol during the vote to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt Thursday.

“This is pure politics,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

“Remarkably the chairman of the committee involved here has asserted that he has no evidence that the attorney general knew of Operation Fast and Furious or did anything but take the right action when he learned of it.

“No evidence, so if you have no evidence as he has stated now about the White House and the attorney general, what else could this be but politics?”

More than 100 Democrats walked out of the House chamber to boycott the first of two contempt votes, saying Republicans were more interested in shameful election-year politics than documents.

Republicans demanded the documents for an ongoing investigation, but their arguments focused more on the need for closure for the family of slain Border Patrol agent Brian Terry. Two guns identified by the Fast and Furious operation

were found near his body after a shootout in Arizona.

Democrats promised closure as well, but said a lesspartisan Republican investigation was the only way to get it.

Adding to the emotion, the family of the slain agent issued a statement backing the Republicans.

“The Terry family takes no pleasure in the contempt vote against Attorney General Eric Holder.

Such a vote should not have been necessary. The Justice Department should have released the documents related to Fast and Furious months ago,” the statement said.

The contempt votes happened on the day that Obama’s health care law survived in the Supreme Court, prompting some Democrats to speculate that the votes were scheduled to be overwhelmed by news stories about the ruling.

About five hours after the court ruled, with news sites flooded with information about the health care

ruling, the House voted 25567 to declare Holder in criminal contempt.

A second vote of 258-95 held Holder in civil contempt and authorized the House to file a lawsuit.

In past cases, courts have been reluctant to settle disputes between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Issa’s committee will consult with the House counsel’s office about a court challenge to the administration’s decision not to cooperate, spokesman Frederick Hill said.

The documents were written after Fast and Furious was shut down. The subpoena covered a 10month period from February 2011, as the Justice Department expressed growing concern that the Fast and Furious operation had employed a risky investigative tactic known as “gunwalking.” In early December 2011, the department finally acknowledged that the initial denial of gunwalking was in error.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

Agents seize 43 pounds of coke ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAREDO — Officers at a Laredo border crossing seized about $1.3 million worth of cocaine hidden in a car.

Officials say the 42-year-old driver from Houston was turned over to Homeland Security investigators. Further details on the individual weren’t immediately released.

AGENTS Continued from Page 1A weapons used in the attacks originated in Texas and were passed to cartel gunmen in Mexico by known gun runners in the U.S. “I do believe that guns that were walked through the Dallas area especially were responsible,” said Mary Zapata.

Tom Crowley, a spokesman for the Dallas field division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the agency “has always said that this investigation has no connection whatsoever to Fast and Furious.”

Crowley denied the agency knew about the Dallas-area gun purchase beforehand.

“We had no knowledge of the Oct. 10, 2010, purchase of that weapon prior to the transaction; we had no idea the transaction was going down,” said Crowley.

Zapata and Avila were on their way back to Mexico City on Feb. 15, 2011, after meeting a colleague in San Luis Potosi to pick up equipment. They were driving an armored black Chevrolet Suburban when two SUVs carrying gunmen ran them off the road. Once they placed the Suburban in park, the door locks automatically opened. In the struggle to close the door, a window was opened and shots were fired into the vehi-

cle, killing Zapata and wounding Avila.

People involved in the illegal purchase of the guns used in the attack have been convicted in U.S. courts. One person allegedly involved in the attack, Julian Zapata Espinoza, has been extradited to the U.S. and awaits trial in Washington, D.C., on murder charges.

Attorneys for both families say the U.S. government has told them little since the days immediately following the attack.

Trey Martinez, one of the lawyers, said some of the outstanding questions include why the agents were on the road after sharing their safety concerns with superiors; whether superiors were aware of a flaw in the armored vehicle that automatically unlocked the doors; and why an alternative diplomatic service wasn’t used to transfer the equipment.

Magdalena Villalobos said her brother’s physical wounds have healed, but he is still recovering emotionally from the attack during which 90 shots were fired into the vehicle. She said her brother is receiving treatment to move past it.

“Being there when Jaime expired has been an incredibly difficult thing for him to try to wrap his mind around,” she said.

Antonia Morales Antonia Morales, 87, passed away Monday, June 25, 2012, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo, Texas.

Mrs. Morales is preceded in death by her sons Francisco Caballero and Fernando Morales.

Mrs. Morales is survived by her husband, Felipe Morales; children Olga M. (Humberto) Perez, Gloria M. (Corando) Thatcher, Adelaida M. Piña, Yolanda M. (Armando) De Los Santos, Ismael Morales, Felipe Jr. (Rosita) Morales, Braulio (Sylvia) Morales, Efrain (Leticia) Morales, Amada (Sherman) Thompson, Antonia M. (Amador Hugo) Guzman and Maria Isabel (Javier) Lerma; 43 grandchildren; 59 greatgrandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Amanda Caballero; and a sister, Angelica Cuellar; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Visitation hours were held Tuesday, June 26, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at

Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83 Zapata, TX.

Adelia Chapa Adelia Chapa, 57, passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at Doctor’s Hospital in Laredo, Texas.

Ms. Chapa is preceded in death by father, Daniel Chapa-Garza.

Ms. Chapa is survived by her mother, Leonila Chapa-Chapa; brothers: Jose (Paula) Chapa, Esteban (Laura) Chapa, Daniel Jr. (Lydia) Chapa and Francisco Javier (Sandra) Chapa; sisters: Enedelia (Primitivo) Garza, Amalia (Sergio) Chapa, Sylvia (Jesus) Gutierrez and Laura (Salvador) Benavides; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Visitation hours will be Wednesday, June 27, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Committal services will follow at Panteon Del Pueblo in Rancho

Nuevo, NL. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83 Zapata, TX.

FAIR Continued from Page 1A mell said. “We give lot of faith and trust to the people involved that they’re going to spend these monies as they are supposed to, and it’s upsetting when they don’t.”

County assistance The fair association, like the county chamber of commerce and convention and visitor’s bureau, receives county funds but is a separate entity.

The association’s governing body is its board of directors and would therefore be charged with resolving such situations.

The board discovered the unauthorized transactions in early June, Mendoza said.

In the June 18 meeting, the board gave Paredes until June 26 to pay back the funds. She returned the money on June 25, he said.

Mendoza said he turned over evidence in the case to the Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office. But since restitution has been met, the board decided not to pursue legal action against Paredes, and the case is closed, he said.

The decision to seek restitution was made unanimously by the association’s 16-member board, Mendoza said.

“The board of directors decided it would be in the best interest of the fair association to try and get the money back as soon as possible in a lump sum,” he said. “And if that would be achieved, then we really didn’t have to pursue legal action against the individual because, really and truly, we aren’t going to gain anything from going through the legal system and getting a maximum penalty of probation.”

Paredes could not be reached for comment Friday.

(JJ Velasquez may be reached at 728-2579 or jjvelasquez@lmtonline.com)

Armando Martinez Armando Martinez, 73, passed away Saturday, June 23, 2012, at Doctor’s Hospital in Laredo, Texas.

Mr. Martinez is preceded in death by his parents: Clemente and Rosenda Martinez; and brothers Aurelio Martinez, Refugio Martinez, Clemente Martinez and Baltazar Martinez.

Mr. Martinez is survived by his wife, Oralia S. Martinez; sons: Jose A. (Maria C.) Martinez, Homero (Christina) Martinez and Arnoldo Martinez (Cindy Rosel Leal); daughters: San Juana (Zachary) Garza, Irma (Jose Maria) Martinez, Maria Oralia (Juan C.) Martinez and Claudia (Javier) Paredes; numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; brothers Romeo Martinez, Antioco Martinez and Rogelio Martinez; sisters: Cenovia Garza, Lucia M. Mejia and Elida Gonzalez; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Visitation hours were held Monday, June 25, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose

Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 U.S. 83, Zapata, TX.

Carlos Z. ‘Chale’ Cavazos Jr. LAREDO — Carlos Z. “Chale” Cavazos Jr., 44, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mr. Cavazos is preceded in death by his father, Carlos Z. Cavazos; maternal grandparents: Ruben and Trinidad Salazar; paternal grandparents: Antonio and Bertha Cavazos; and an uncle, Hector V. Cavazos.

Mr. Cavazos is survived by his daughters: Geneva E. (Javier) Villarreal, Tara C. Cavazos and Carly Cavazos; mother, Norma (Ignacio) Arce; brother, Luis H. (Nora L.) Cavazos; nephews: Luis D. “Danny,” Esteban and Marco Cavazos; maternal aunts and uncles: Ruben E. (Irma) Salazar, Noelia (Roberto) Villarreal, Nilda (John) Albright, Heberto J. (Blanca) Salazar and Maria Del Carmen (Francisco) Davila; friend, Michael (Connie) Mungia and family; paternal aunt, Juanita I. Cavazos; and Cavazos aunts and uncles; and by numerous cousins and many friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Luis Daniel Cavazos, Mitchell Mungia, Marco L. Cavazos, Armando Yruegas, Edgar Vasquez, Jorge Vasquez, Ricardo Verduzco, Francisco S. Davila, Robert Villarreal, Jr., Roy Villarreal, Robert J. Albright and Joey Aguilar.

Pallbearers will be: Ruben E. Salazar, Heberto J.

Salazar Sr., Luis E. Cavazos, Heberto J. Salazar Jr., Juan H. Salazar, Micheal Mungia, Felipe Aleman and Luis H. Cavazos.

Visitation hours will be Sunday, July 1, 2012, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart Monday, July 2, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Refuge Mission in San Ygancio, Texas. Committal services will follow at Panteon Del Pueblo Cemetery in San Ygnacio, Texas. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83 Zapata, TX.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

Prison drugs net life ASSOCIATED PRESS

EL PASO — Prosecutors say a West Texas border gang leader has been sentenced to life in federal prison for helping distribute drugs to other inmates.

The Justice Department on Friday announced the sentence for 38-year-old Hector Galindo of El Paso.

Galindo in 1992 began serving a 25-year state pris-

on sentence for murder.

Conspiracy Galindo in January pleaded guilty to participating in a drug-related racketeering conspiracy. A federal judge in El Paso sentenced the Barrio Azteca gang member.

Two associates of Galindo who pleaded guilty to

conspiracy to commit racketeering were also sentenced.

Others sentenced Officials say Ricardo Gonzales, 44, of Anthony, N.M., was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Another El Paso resident, Adam Garcia, 35, received 20 years.

ELECTION Continued from Page 1A ty.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (DLaredo) will be in Mexico City for the election, according to a press release issued from his office. He will meet with Mexican officials, including candidate Enrique Peña Nieto, whom Cuellar has previously hosted in Washington D.C. He is a member of the House Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

A glance at the upcoming national election: 79,454,802 Mexicans are eligible to vote at more than 143,151 polling places for president, 500 members of the lower house of Congress and 128 senators. Voters will also select Mexico City’s mayor and governors in the states of Chiapas, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Tabasco and Yucatan. The president is elected for a single six-year term and cannot stand for re-election.

Polling stations open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

Zapata time. The first exit polls are expected by 8 p.m.

Zapata time. The country’s Federal Electoral Institute will release results from a quick count of selected polling places at 11:45 p.m.

A glance at the candidates: Enrique Peña Nieto, 45. The telegenic former governor married to a

soap-opera star has led polls throughout the race and the final pre-election polls showed him with a lead of 8 to 17 percentage points. Opponents say he has received behind-thescenes support from disliked former leaders of his party, and from Mexico’s two market-dominating television networks, allegations he denies. He has suggested allowing private investment in Mexico’s state-run petroleum company and deemphasizing arrests of drug-cartel bosses in favor of reducing violent crimes that most affect ordinary citizens.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, 58. The candidate of the Democratic Revolution Party is a former Mexico City mayor and leader of the country’s main leftist movement. He led massive street protests in 2006 and declared himself to be the legitimate president of the country after narrowly losing to current President Felipe Calderón. The protests cost him support among many Mexicans, and he softened his rhetoric in the three-month campaign that ended Wednesday, saying he wanted to build a “Republic of Love” marked by peace and reconciliation.

He hardened his attacks on the PRI in recent weeks, however, and has been run-

ning second, well behind Peña Nieto. Lopez Obrador says he wants to keep Pemex state property, make Mexico self-sufficient in energy and food production, and fund new social spending and jobs programs by cutting waste and corruption, not raising taxes.

Josefina Vazquez Mota, 51. The candidate of the National Action Party is a former secretary of education and social development in the conservative administrations of President Vicente Fox and his successor, Calderón. She has struggled to distinguish herself from Calderón while maintaining the support of the party’s power structure. The first days of her campaign were marred by organizational mishaps and speaking gaffes, and she has slid into third place in most polls.

She has pledged to continue Calderón’s war on drug cartels, increase penalties for public corruption and ease rules on hiring and firing employees in order to spur economic growth.

Gabriel Quadri de la Torre, 57. The candidate of the New Alliance Party, which has links to the powerful teacher’s union. His support remains in the single digits, although it saw some growth after strong debate performances.

BOMBING Continued from Page 1A Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez Jr. said deputies increased their patrols. Anytime armed confrontations occur on the Mexican said, survivors tend to swim across the border, he said.

“We understand people may flee into United States, maybe injured. We want to make sure the citizens are protected,” Gonzalez said.

“It’s unfortunate for the people of Mexico the violence is contained (there) right now. If it was here, it would be a different story.”

Meanwhile, Trooper Eliseo Ceja, Department of Public Safety spokesman, said DPS activated a 24hour surveillance at 6 p.m.

Friday. Additional units are out patrolling along U.S. 83 throughout Webb and Zapata counties. Ceja said the purpose is to maintain police presence and curtail any violent spurt from coming across the Rio Grande.

On Monday, DPS officials will meet and re-evaluate

Courtesy photo

Mexican Army soldiers look at vehicles damaged in Friday’s car bombing of Nuevo Laredo’s city hall. the situation to decide if the troopers are still needed along the highway, Ceja said.

According to the Associated Press, Secretary of State Morelos Canseco discussed the bombing with Milenio Television.

“The words ‘car bomb’ conjure up an image of the Middle East,” he told Milenio.

He added that the inci-

dent was conducted by an organized crime group, but did not identify it.

Tamaulipas Gov. Egidio Torre Cantu condemned the attack. He said the state government would do everything it could to help the victims, and would increase security with elections for the country’s new president, congressmen and senators scheduled Sunday.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors “

SOFTBALL JUNIORS

CLARA SANDOVAL VAL

District champs

Humphreys inches away from London

T

as a great defensive effort by the allstars ignited an offensive outburst at the plate.

Isela Gonzalez got things started for the Zapata all-stars by laying down a perfect bunt single. After another Zapata single, a Gateway throwing error allowed both runners to score to give Za-

he 2012 Olympic Games in London are just around the corner, and the United States is in the midst of holding its Olympic trials.

Or that is what I thought and most people assumed — that if you get one of the top three spots at the trials, it is an automatic bid to the Games. We are so wrong.

This past week I was fortunate to fly out to Eugene, Ore., to cover the trials, since for the first time, we had someone representing the Gateway City.

Sam Humphreys, who attended Alexander High School and now throws the javelin for Texas A&M University, had hit the trials mark early in the year and was invited to the meet.

Humphreys was No. 6 heading into the trials and was not considered a threat.

It was exciting to be in the middle of the action and be around former and future Olympians roaming the track.

Eugene prides itself on its track atmosphere and even calls itself “Track Town USA,” featuring Hayward Field, the place the late longdistance runner Steve Prefontaine built.

More than 21,000 people filled the stadium every day, and it is the most electrifying track atmosphere I had ever been in.

People like Justin Gatlin, Galen Rupp and Ashton Eaton, all Olympic hopefuls, were getting ready for their events and won them, meaning they will represent the USA at the Olympics.

I was absorbing everything around me — the sounds, the sights and the track town festival being held adjacent to the stadium.

I had one main assignment: to cover Humphreys’ bid to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, since he was the first athlete from Laredo to even compete at the trials.

See SOFTBALL PAGE 2B

See SANDOVAL PAGE 2B

Photos by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

ABOVE: Zapata Juniors All-Star pitcher Selissa Lopez delivers a pitch Tuesday against the Laredo Gateway All-Stars at Gateway Field. BELOW: Zapata players applaud after beating Gateway.

Zapata beats Laredo Gateway to advance

By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES

After four years of trying to get over the Laredo hump, the Zapata softball allstar juniors (13 to 14 years old) were finally able to beat Laredo Gateway, 8-5, on Tuesday night to claim the District 34 title.

Zapata’s Selissa Lopez went the distance on the mound and picked up the win.

The Zapata all-stars will play in sectionals in Corpus Christi, with the site, time and date to be determined.

Gateway struck first with a run in the

first inning, prompting Zapata coach Javier Ramirez to make a pitching change and bring Lopez to the mound.

After getting the jitters out, Zapata settled down in the second inning as Daniella Martinez hit a single. Cassandra Garcia’s base knock later in the inning brought Martinez home to knot up the game.

In the third inning, it was all Zapata,

BASKETBALL CAMP

TEXAS A&M ATHLETICS

Zapata to hold basketball camp for boys and girls

Hyman to replace Byrne as Texas A&M athletic director

By CLARA SANDOVAL THE ZAPATA TIMES

Calling all future basketball players who want a jump on the competition and would like to learn the fundamentals of basketball without traveling out of town — Zapata is offering a basketball camp.

All basketball players and aspiring basketball players are invited to attend the annual Zapata High School Boys and Girls basketball camp.

The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. July 9 to 12 at Zapata High School.

The camp is for boys and girls ages 6 to 14.

The camp fee is $50, and checks are to be made payable to Zapata High School.

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. July 9 and will last all morning, and each camper will receive a basketball upon registration. For more information, call 956-750-0785.

Campers should bring the correct attire for basketball camp, including, shorts, T-

Photo by Clara Sandoval | The Zapata Times

Zapata boys’ basketball coach Juan Villarreal will be among the coaches teaching at the camp. shirt and court shoes.

The camp will be conducted by the Zapata High School boys’ and girls’ coaching staffs, and the campers will receive one-on-one instruction.

“We want for young campers to get a taste of the basic basketball skills,” Zapata boys coach Juan Villarreal said.

“All campers will go through

See BBALL PAGE 2B

By PETE IACOBELLI ASSOCIATED PRESS

South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman has left after seven years to guide Texas A&M’s transition into the Southeastern Conference as the Aggies’ new AD. The 61-year-old Hyman said Friday he looked forward to leading his new school in its transition from the Big 12 Conference into the SEC. Hyman will take over for Texas A&M’s Bill Byrne, who retired in May. Texas A&M is officially joining the SEC on Sunday.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to help transition Texas A&M into the Southeastern Conference,” he said. “While this is a tremendous opportunity, the downside is leaving all the dedicated and loyal fans in Gamecock Nation and the best athletic department in the country.”

Hyman played a big role in the Gamecocks’ unprecedented athletic success during his tenure. The baseball team under coach Ray Tanner won two national titles and played for a third before falling to Arizona at the College World Series earlier this month.

Steve Spurrier’s football team

Photo by Perry Baker | AP

Eric Hyman has accepted an offer to become Texas A&M’s new athletic director, said a person familiar with the move. reached its first SEC championship game in 2010, then won a program-record 11 games last fall.

Dawn Staley’s women’s basketball team made the NCAA’s round of 16 in its first tournament appearance in nine years.

In one Hyman’s final personnel moves, he lured successful Kansas State coach Frank Martin last March to revitalize a last-place basketball team.

Even when Hyman’s athletic

program made mistakes, he led the department back on top. The NCAA uncovered three major violations including failure to monitor the department because of violations in the football and track programs. However, the NCAA in handing down its final decision complemented Gamecock administrators for the thorough and above-board approach they took during the inquiry.

“They wanted to ask all the hard questions of all the right people,” NCAA committee on infractions chairman Britton Banowsky said. “Even went beyond what the NCAA staff was doing.

We see that less likely than we see the other approach.”

University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides thanked Hyman for his efforts and wished him well after the resignation became official.

“We will miss him on our team, but his legacy has made us stronger,” Pastides said.

Hyman has overseen a revamping of Gamecock athletic facilities. He finished a $35.6 million Carolina Stadium baseball field that has helped that team’s national rise. Williams-Brice Stadium, where the football team

See COLLEGE PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

Davis, Rivers to lead Hornets A&M quarterback arrested

By BRETT MARTEL

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel was arrested and jailed early Friday after he was involved in a fight and police said he produced a fake ID. College Station police spokeswoman Rhonda Seaton says Manziel, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct, failure to identity and possessing a false identification card, all misdemeanors. He was jailed overnight and released Friday afternoon, Seaton said.

Manziel, a prep standout at Kerrville Tivy High School, redshirted last season. He was expected to compete for the starting job with sophomore Jameill Showers in the fall.

“I have been made aware of the situation with Johnny Manziel,” incoming coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We are gathering all the facts and will handle the situation once we have all of the infor-

mation. We are disappointed with his actions and this is out of character for Johnny.”

Police also arrested 20year-old Steven Brant and 47-year-old Marvin McKinney after the incident, which occurred just after 2 a.m. in a street in the Northgate entertainment district.

Seaton says an officer on bike patrol intervened to break up a fight between Manziel and McKinney. McKinney told the officer that Brant, Manziel’s friend, called him a racial slur and he approached Brant. Seaton says Manziel then shoved McKinney and the two exchanged punches.

When officers asked Manziel for an ID, he produced a phony Louisiana driver’s license that showed his birthday as Dec. 6, 1990.

Police checked Manziel’s wallet and found two more ID cards — a fake Texas driver’s license and Manziel’s real driver’s license that listed his date of birth as Dec. 6, 1992.

NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers began their first full day as pros together on Hornets owner Tom Benson’s private plane.

They flew from the New Jersey to New Orleans, where the two 19-year-olds will be expected to ignite the turnaround of an NBA franchise before they’re even old enough to participate fully in the Big Easy’s renowned night life.

They aren’t giving themselves much time to party anyway.

Their plan is to remain in New Orleans and work out together at the Hornets’ training center until Davis, the top pick in Thursday night’s draft, has to leave for Team USA tryouts on July 5. If there’s time, they might even find places to live.

Rivers will get ready for Las Vegas summer league later in the month.

Davis, who has dealt with the pre-draft hype that goes with being the consensus No. 1 pick, seemed relieved that chapter of his life was over, and that he could start focusing on getting ready to compete against best basketball players in the world.

“I just wanted to get everything out of the way, step on the court and not have to worry about anything else,” Davis said Friday after his formal introduction and photo op at the New Orleans Arena.

Davis, who stands nearly 6-foot-11 and, as Benson noted with a smile, might still be growing, has been working on adding bulk with a trainer in California. The former Kentucky star affectionately nicknamed “the unibrow” said he now weighs 230 pounds, and lists his training goals as getting bigger, improving his conditioning and refining the skills he’ll need to become a premier NBA big man.

“Guys do this for a living and now I’ve got the opportunity to do it as well, so I’ve got to make sure I’m ready,” Davis said.

Rivers, the son of former NBA player and current Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, also seemed eager to get to work.

“It’s almost like I’ve been teased my whole life, getting to see it firsthand, but I’ve actually never gotten to do it,” Rivers, who starred at Duke, said of growing up around the NBA. “A lot of people settle when they’re in the NBA. I’m even more motivated than I was in college now that

I’m here.”

Shortly after the pair arrived in New Orleans, they made their first community appearance at Hornets forward Jason Smith’s basketball camp. Davis’ parents, Anthony Sr. and Eranier made the trip, as did Rivers’ mother, Kris, and his sister, Callie.

Hornets coach Monty Williams and general manager Dell Demps said that when New Orleans wound up with the first and 10th overall picks in the draft lottery, they knew they would take Davis first and wanted Rivers at No. 10. They have stressed, however, that they do not want to put too much pressure on the teenage rookies to vault the Hornets up the standings right away.

“I think coach does a great job taking pressure off of guys,” said Davis, who joins a team that went 21-45 last season.

Oklahoma City, which has used youth to build a contender, needed several seasons to make the finals after drafting Kevin Durant and has yet to win a title.

“They’re still going through it. That’s where we have to get. We have to keep building and keep getting better,” Rivers said. “The time will come. We’ve just got to keep working at it.”

Davis said he hopes trying out and possibly playing for Team USA at the London Games accelerates his development.

“Playing with the superstars in this league — it’ll be a great opportunity for me,” Davis said. “They’ll show me the ropes, show me things I’ve never seen before. ... I just can’t wait to learn from them.”

When Davis returns to New Orleans, he’ll have a chance to continue playing with his former Kentucky teammate, small forward Darius Miller, who was picked

by New Orleans in the second round, 46th overall.

“I was ecstatic. He’s a great player,” Davis said of Miller, whom he was close with at Kentucky. “It’s fun playing with him and I think he can really help this organization.”

Rivers said he would be comfortable playing either point guard or shooting guard.

Williams likes the idea of restricted free agent Eric Gordon — whom the Hornets expect to re-sign — and Rivers playing in the back court together at times, giving New Orleans two players in the backcourt who can create their own shots from either the perimeter or on the drive.

Rivers is also eager to see how the presence of Davis helps him and fellow Hornets guards run the pick-androll offense.

COLLEGE Continued from Page 1B plays, has had massive upgrades, and a $6.5 million video board is currently being installed in time for this fall. A $30 million tailgate area in what was formerly the state Farmer’s Market across the street will also be finished by football season.

One of the first new buildings was a $13 million Academic Enrichment Center, known as “The Dodie,” which has done its job. South Carolina athletes posted their highest fall GPA (3.202) ever in 2011 and all 19 of the programs countable sports achieving multi-year scores or 950 or better in the NCAA’s latest Academic Progress Reports (APR).

Hyman, though, won’t get to enjoy the soon to be completed, $11.7 million coach’s support building. The athletic department is poised to move out of its crumbling, old

facility, nicknamed “The Roundhouse,” in July.

Hyman and wife Pauline have a daughter and son, both married and living in Fort Worth, Texas. Son Ryan and his wife are expecting Hyman’s first grandchild later this year.

Pastides appointed a panel of five, including Staley, to make recommendations on the search process and help appoint an interim AD until Hyman’s successor is hired.

Former Texas A&M AD Byrne retired a year before his contract would have expired. John Thornton has served as interim athletic director since Byrne’s retirement.

The 66-year-old Byrne was hired at Texas A&M in December 2002 and the Aggies also saw unprecedented success and improvements in facilities during his tenure.

The school won 45 Big 12 championships in 13 different sports under his watch. Although he was the athletic director when Texas A&M decided to move to the SEC, he has said he was not involved in the final decision.

Byrne was a vocal critic of the Longhorn TV network that Texas and ESPN created, which was one of the factors that pushed A&M to seek a new conference home.

One of his biggest hires came in 2003 in women’s basketball coach Gary Blair. Blair built the Aggies into a contender and led them to a national title in 2011.

The improvement in Texas A&M’s basketball programs was also helped by the construction of a $26 million basketball practice facility that opened in 2008. The 68,000 square foot facility, which is used by

SOFTBALL Continued from Page 1B

the men and women, has two practice courts, a weight room and a player lounge.

Byrne was also proud of a $26 million renovation to the baseball stadium that was completed earlier this year.

Texas A&M developed into a powerhouse in indoor track in Byrne’s time at the school and both the men’s and women’s teams picked up three straight national championships from 2009-11, and the Aggies also saw success in several other sports.

The football team wasn’t able to keep pace with the other teams and was 58-54 in Byrne’s time at the school. A 27-25 loss to archrival Texas on Thanksgiving capped a disappointing 6-6 regular season that came after the team entered the season with a top-10 ranking.

BBALL Continued from Page 1B basic skills and progress every day to drills that we do at the high school level.”

Campers will be going through drills that hit all major parts of basketball.

Each camper will do dribbling drills to improve ball handling with both hands while understanding court vision.

They will also learn

correct shooting techniques and why it is important to shoot correctly early in their basketball careers.

The camp will also touch on correct passing form and when to use different types of passes.

Defense also will be stressed, and games will be played at the end of the camp to put all of the aspects together.

SANDOVAL Continued from Page 1B Photos by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

The Zapata Juniors All-Star team beat Laredo Gateway, 8-5, on Tuesday to win the District 34 championship. Zapata will next play in sectionals in Corpus Christi pata a 3-1 edge.

The fourth inning brought no runs for either team, but Zapata got back on track in the fifth inning with consecutive hits by the all-stars.

Norma Ramirez and Lopez each reached with a hit to set up a RBI single for a 5-1 lead late in the game.

Zapata would add three more runs and hold off Gateway to win the district title.

History This victory was four years in the making as the Zapata all-stars got through the first few rounds of district play in previous years before usually running into powerful Laredo American.

This group of all-stars started as

Minors (9-10) composed of Zapata’s best players, led by coach Javier Ramirez.

Their first venture into all-star land was not very welcoming, as they were pounded by the Laredo teams, especially the Laredo American team, which beat them by 20 runs, run-ruling them.

At that point in their softball careers, the Zapata all-stars lacked all-star experience, but they would be prepared for the following year, as they understood what they needed to do to improve.

The second year, the Zapata allstars came back with a vengeance and made their way to the championship game, losing to a powerful American team that still had their number on the diamond.

The finish was a vast improvement from the years when they gave up 20 runs, and Zapata was ready to build on that success.

Last year, Zapata came into district play better prepared to take on the powerful Laredo teams as parents, coaches and the team put more effort into reaching their goals.

Zapata almost pulled off the upset, as it had Laredo American on the ropes with the latter’s three consecutive championships in jeopardy.

The Zapata all-stars headed into the final inning and were ahead by one run. All Zapata needed was three outs for the victory.

Zapata could not hold onto the lead, as Laredo American scored the winning run. Instead, Zapata got second place for the second consecutive year.

With no Laredo American team in the all-star tournament, it was only a matter of time before the all-stars broke through, beating Gateway for the championship.

In the preliminary round for javelin tossers, he tossed a 78.12 to head into Monday’s finals in second place.

I was excited, pulling for Humphreys to earn that spot.

In the finals, Humphreys would need to finish in the top three and hit the ‘A’ Olympic standard of 82 meters to represent the USA at the Olympic games in London.

On that cold and rainy Monday evening, Humphreys stepped on to the javelin track and into the Laredo record books, breaking his personal best four times.

When he threw 81.86, chills went up my spine, and I was really pulling for him to get that 82-meter mark.

Humphreys won the javelin event at the trials and put Laredo on the map, as many journalists started asking where Laredo is. I was more than happy to point it out to them on the map.

He is the pride of Laredo for all his efforts on that cold and wet Monday evening.

The crazy part is that he did not make the Olympic team, since he did not hit the 82-meter mark despite winning.

The third-, fourth- and fifth-place finishers will represent the USA in London because they had thrown 82 meters at other meets.

That is the ironic part — Humphreys does not get to go to the Olympics, and the other guys do — but that is the way the rule is written, and I guess we will have to wait four more years to get another chance to see an Olympian from Laredo.

Brazil 2016 had better be ready for Sam Humphreys!

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

HINTS | BY HELOISE Dear Readers: Here are a few “favorite hints” learned from OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS. Read on, and you might learn something new: Hi, Heloise: My grandfather-in-law lived to be 105 years of age. When he was 90, I asked him what he attributed his longevity to.

The answer was: “Never overindulge in any way.

Don’t overeat, don’t oversleep, don’t overdrink, don’t smoke more than one cigar a day!” Everything in moderation. — Dorothy in Alexandria, Va. Dear Heloise: During the early days of my marriage, I stopped by my aunt’s house for a casual visit. I left my house without bothering with my hair or makeup. While conversing with my aunt, my uncle softly said my name, adding, “A little powder and a little paint makes a woman look like what she ain’t.” I got the message, and have since made an effort to adhere to that little bit of advice!

— R.S., via email Dear Heloise: My grandmother was born in 1892.

She told me this when I was probably 15 years old.

She said, “When you apply cream or lotion to your

“

HELOISE

face, apply it to your neck, too.” I have always followed that advice. — Belva in San Antonio These are just a few of the many that came in! If you have a bit of wisdom that has helped you, please send it along, and I’ll print more. Send to: Heloise, P.O. Box 79500, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; email to: Heloise(at)Heloise.com; or fax to: 210-HELOISE. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Terry in Jacksonville, Fla., sent a picture of her gorgeous rescued white terrier mix, Beauty, peeking out from behind the couch with a great big smile on her face! To see Beauty and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise COVER ME Dear Heloise: I use latex swim caps to cover the headrests in my car. This makes it very easy to wipe clean, and they fit perfectly. — Susie, via email

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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2012

Federer comes back from two-set defecit

By HOWARD FENDRICH ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP

Houston Rockets first-round draft picks Royce White, left, Terrence Jones, center, and Jeremy Lamb pick up their jerseys at a news conference on Friday in Houston.

Welcome to Houston

By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets say the three players they acquired in the draft will be “a big part” of their future.

Whether that means they’ll be cornerstones of the roster or assets to package in a trade remains to be seen.

The Rockets used all three of their first-round draft picks without making a subsequent deal on Thursday, selecting Connecticut guard Jeremy Lamb (12th), Iowa State forward Royce White (16th) and Kentucky forward Terrence Jones (18th).

Speculation grew this week that Houston was collecting picks aimed toward a blockbuster deal, possibly a push to lure Dwight Howard away from Orlando. After trading Samuel Dalembert on Wednesday, the Rockets need a big man even more now, a need general manager Daryl Morey says will likely be filled in free agency.

On Friday, Lamb, White and Jones donned Rockets baseball caps and posed for photos with Morey and coach Kevin McHale on a dais, a sign that all three will be here for a while. But Moray also acknowledged that the Rockets will continue to hunt for deals and be active when free agency begins on Sunday.

“We have interest in top-level talent, but we’ve been very straightforward about what we need to do to get back to being a championship team,” Morey said. “We’ve got to look at adding top-level talent, through free agency or a trade, or we’ve got to add guys like to my right, who have the ability to be top-level players in the league.

“There’s no way to live up to whatever was chattered about, prior to this,” Morey said. “Obviously, whenever there is a top talent in the league, that we can add and get us closer to being a contender, we’re going to be involved and try and look at it.”

While they struck out

on making the much-anticipated major move Thursday night, the Rockets felt like they picked up a trio of players with star potential.

The 6-foot-5 Lamb averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals last season. The previous year, he helped the Huskies win the national championship, scoring 12 points in its 53-41 titlegame win over Butler at nearby Reliant Stadium.

Lamb also has valuable international experience, after representing the U.S. in the Under-19 FIBA World Championships last summer.

But Lamb says Connecticut’s disappointing 201112 season taught him the most valuable lessons he’ll need in the pros. The Huskies followed up their championship season by going 20-14 and bowing out to White’s Iowa State squad in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

“I had a really interesting college career,” Lamb said. “One year, won the national championship.

One year, didn’t do anything.”

WIMBLEDON, England — A day after Rafael Nadal’s stunning exit at Wimbledon, the only other men who have won the tournament since 2003 — six-time champion Roger Federer and defending champion Novak Djokovic — found themselves trailing far-lessaccomplished opponents, too.

Here we go again?

Not quite.

Federer sure came close to following Nadal out the door, though. The owner of a record 16 major trophies, and a quarterfinalist or better at 32 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments, the third-seeded Federer dropped the first two sets against 29th-seeded Julien Benneteau of France, then was two points away from losing six times, before coming all the way back Friday to pull out a 4-6, 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory in the third round.

“Oh, my God, it was brutal,” Federer said. “The thing, when you’re down two sets to love, is to stay calm, even though it’s hard, because people are freaking out, people are worried for you. ... You don’t have, obviously, many lives left out there. You just try to play tough and focus point for point. Sounds so boring, but it’s the right thing to do out there.”

He should know.

This was the eighth time in Federer’s illustrious career that he overcame a two-set hole, including against 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in the French Open quarterfinals 3 1/2 weeks ago.

“Mentally, he’s a rock.

He’s two sets down and he

Photo by Anja Niedringhaus | AP

Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot against Julien Benneteau of France during the third round of Wimbledon at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships on Friday. doesn’t show anything. And after that, if your level is a little bit lower — right here, right now, he takes the opportunity,” said Benneteau, whose cramping thighs were massaged by a trainer during two final-set changeovers. “At the beginning of the third set, I was not as good as I was in the first two sets, and in 5 minutes, it’s 4-0.”

Actually, that took about 10 minutes. Still, it hardly was the last key moment.

With Federer serving while down 6-5 in the fourth set, Benneteau hit a forehand winner to get to 15-30, putting him two points from the upset. Federer hit a forehand winner that made it

30-all, still two points away for Benneteau. The game had two deuces, too — each one placing Benneteau that close again. But Federer held there, the crowd roaring with each point he won.

“I appreciate their support for so many years out here,” Federer said. “Tonight was special.”

In the tiebreaker, Federer was two points from being gone at 5-all, then 6-all. But on the latter, a nine-stroke exchange ended with Benneteau netting a backhand.

That gave Federer his second set point — he already had wasted three others in the second set — and a powerful forehand forced a Benneteau forehand error.