The Zapata Times 11/10/2012

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MEXICO ATTACK

ELECTION 2012

Mexico charges 14

Two keep ZCISD slots

Prosecutors: Fed cops blamed for shooting CIA agents

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY — Mexican prosecutors charged 14 federal police officers Friday with trying to kill two CIA agents and a Mexican navy captain in an August ambush south of the capital.

The announcement by the Attorney General’s Office did not state a motive for the attack, but said the officers had been charged with attempted homicide and

damage to property.

Mexican authorities initially had said the attack was probably an accident by well-intentioned police officers who thought they were shooting at criminals.

Later, however, U.S. and Mexican officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said they were leaning toward the idea that it was a targeted attack masterminded by a drug cartel.

Since then, Attorney General Marisela Morales had acknowledged that her office

was investigating whether organized crime was behind the attack.

An official with the Attorney General’s Office said the police officers were on duty at the time of the shooting and required to be wearing uniforms and driving official vehicles. Instead they wore civilian clothes and drove private cars when they fired 152 bullets at the U.S. Embassy vehicle that was heading to a military training

See CHARGES PAGE 9A

Board also welcomes two new trustees

By RICARDO R. VILLARREAL THE ZAPATA TIMES

VETERANS DAY

REMEMBERING SACRIFICES

Unofficial results of Tuesday’s elections indicated two incumbents will retain their positions on the Zapata County Independent School District board while two seats will see newcomers.

The race for Trustee, Place 1 was between Jose “Joe” M. Flores and incumbent Norberto Lopez. Flores received a total of 634 votes and Lopez 422.

In the race for Trustee, Place 3, incumbent Veronica “Betty” P. Gonzalez received 460 votes to opponent Yvonne “Bonnie” Ochoa’s 338.

The slot for Trustee, Place 4 was between incumbent Diego Gonzalez Jr. and Lillian M. Medina. Gonzalez won with 360 to Medina’s 311.

In the Trustee, Place 7 race incumbent Jose “Pepe” M. Ramirez lost to Manuel “Memo” Gonzalez Jr. Ramirez received 1,542 votes while Gonzalez got 1,836.

(Contact Ricardo Villarreal at 728-22528, or by email at rvillarreal@lmtonline.com.)

FEDERAL COURT

Man faces pot charges Indictment: Caught with 14,300 pounds Photo by Christian Rodriguez/The Brownsville Herald | AP

This display honoring soldiers who died in combat was at the Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Texas in Brownsville in Brownsville, on Thursday.

Veteran’s Day falls on Sunday this year.

FEDERAL COURT

Man indicted in smuggling case

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

A man accused of transporting two illegal immigrants was indicted in federal court this week.

An indictment dated Tuesday but made public Wednesday charges Elieser Reyes-Suarez with conspiracy to transport undocumented people and transporting undocumented people within the United States.

Reyes-Suarez faces up to 10 years in prison. Arraignment has been set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in courtroom 2B before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana

Reyes-Suarez stated he picked up the people at (a) parking lot in Falcon..

Song Quiroga.

The charges stem from Oct. 14, when a red Nissan Maxima approached the primary inspection lane at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint two miles south of Zapata on U.S. 83 at about 8 a.m.

Agents identified the driver as Reyes-Suarez. Asked if he was a U.S. citizen, Reyes-Suarez provided an employment au-

thorization card but did not answer the question, a criminal complaint states.

Agents also asked a passenger if he was a U.S. citizen. The passenger looked at the agents but did not answer. After being referred to a secondary inspection, agents determined ReyesSuarez was a Cuban citizen and the two passengers riding with Reyes-Suarez admitted being il-

legal immigrants from Mexico, the complaint states.

Reyes-Suarez stated he picked up the people at the parking lot of a gas station in Falcon. Reyes-Suarez alleged the passengers were walking on the street when they offered him $100 for gas money to take them to Zapata, according to the complaint.

“During questioning, (ReyesSuarez) refused to cooperate even though the witnesses stated that he was their smuggler,” the complaint states.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

By CESAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

LAREDO — A 36-year-old man from Alice detained Oct. 11 with more than 14,300 pounds of marijuana has been indicted in federal court here.

An indictment filed Tuesday charges Enrique Morin Jr., 36, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana and possess with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana.

Morin was allegedly transporting 14,353 pounds of marijuana at the time of his arrest.

The contraband is worth $ 11,482,552, according to U.S. Border Patrol officials.

Morin will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga for an arraignment at 11 a.m. Nov. 15 in courtroom 2B. Border Patrol agents detained Morin at about 7 a.m. near Dolores Creek on U.S. 83.

His tractor hauled a flatbed trailer with a large, square metal container. Morin did not ob-

See INDICTMENT PAGE 9A

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, NOV. 10

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Zapata High School will compete at the state cross country meet in Round Rock.

Today is Saturday, Nov. 10, the 315th day of 2012. There are 51 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 10, 1972, three armed men hijacked Southern Airways Flight 49, a DC-9 with 24 other passengers on board during a stopover in Birmingham, Ala., and demanded $10 million in ransom. (The 30hour ordeal, which involved landings in nine U.S. cities and Toronto, finally ended with a second landing in Cuba, where the hijackers were taken into custody by Cuban authorities.)

On this date: In 1775, the U.S. Marines were organized under authority of the Continental Congress.

In 1871, jouHenry M. Stanley found David Livingstone, who had not been heard from for years, near Lake Tanganyika in central Africa.

In 1919, the American Legion opened its first national convention in Minneapolis.

In 1928, Japanese Emperor Hirohito (hee-roh-hee-toh) was formally enthroned, almost two years after his ascension.

In 1938, Kate Smith first sang Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” on her CBS radio program. Turkish statesman Mustafa Kemal Ataturk died in Istanbul at age 57.

In 1942, Winston Churchill delivered a speech in London in which he said, “I have not become the King’s First Minister to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire.”

In 1951, customer-dialed long-distance telephone service began as Mayor M. Leslie Denning of Englewood, N.J., called Alameda, Calif., Mayor Frank Osborne.

In 1954, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, depicting the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Arlington, Va. In 1961, the satirical war novel “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller was first published by Simon & Schuster.

In 1969, the children’s educational program “Sesame Street” made its debut on National Educational Television In 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew of 29 mysteriously sank during a storm in Lake Superior with the loss of all on board.

In 1982, the newly finished Vietnam Veterans Memorial was opened to its first visitors in Washington, D.C., three days before its dedication. Soviet leader Leonid I. Brezhnev died at age 75.

Ten years ago: Bush administration officials promised “zero tolerance” if Saddam Hussein refused to comply with international calls to disarm.

Today’s Birthdays: Lyricist Tim Rice is 68. Rock singer-musician Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) is 65.

Actor-comedian Sinbad is 56.

Actress Mackenzie Phillips is 53. Author Neil Gaiman (GAY’mihn) is 52. Actress Vanessa Angel is 49. Actor Hugh Bonneville (TV: “Downton Abbey”) is 49. Actor-comedian Tommy Davidson is 49. Actor Michael Jai (jy) White is 48.

Country singer Chris Cagle is 44.

Thought for Today: “Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?” — Fanny Brice, American actress and singer (1891-1951).

TUESDAY, NOV. 13 The Zapata County Commissioners Court will meet from 9 a.m. through noon at the Zapata County Courthouse.

Wednesday, Nov. 14 The Zapata Economic Development Corporation will host a business and community networking power breakfast featuring Rep. Tracy O. King at 7:30 a.m. at the Zapata Technical & Advanced Education Center meeting room

SATURDAY, NOV. 17 The Bud Light Tournament Fall 2012 San Antonio Division tournament returns to Falcon Lake, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 10 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and The Greens of Guadalupe invite everyone to their rummage sale from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church hall, 1700 San Francisco Ave. Proceeds will benefit the Our of Guadalupe Church parish hall building fund. For more information or to deliver donations, call Birdie at 956-2867866.

The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will have “Our Saturdays in Space: Make-your-Own Space Food” at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Prepare a snack similar to foods required for space travel and take home space food goodies! The fee is $20 per child, which includes a kit and Planetarium child ticket. “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” will show at 2 p.m.; “Plants Quest” at 3 p.m.; “Stars of Pharoahs” at 4 p.m.; and “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” at 5 p.m. Matinee show is $4, general admission is $4 for children and $5 adults, and premium shows are $1 more. For more information, call 956-326-3663.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14 Laredo Community College’s workshop, the “Indispensable Assistant” is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort McIntosh campus’ De la Garza Building, Room 101. Administrative assistants, secretaries and support staff in Laredo and surrounding communities will have an opportunity to sharpen their organizational skills and learn new career techniques. Admission to the workshop is $159. Group discounts are available for groups of five or more. For more information, call 7215110.

The Eighth Annual March Against Hunger and Homelessness starts at 11 a.m. at Bethany House, 819 Hidalgo St. The march is a symbolic eight-block walk from Bethany House to St. Augustine Cathedral, and back to Bethany House. A lunch of beans and rice will be served.

MONDAY, NOV. 19 Staff development day at Zapata County ISD. Student holiday.

TUESDAY, NOV. 20 Staff development day at Zapata County ISD. Student holiday.

Photo by Nellie Doneva/The Abilene Reporter-News | AP

Police detectives come out of the Child Protective Services Office in Abilene on Tuesday after executing a search warrant.

Police have launched a rare investigation of the Texas child protection agency after a 22-month-old girl died and her mother claimed her military husband’s deployment overseas left her too stressed to care for their three children.

Prosecutor probes CPS ASSOCIATED PRESS

ABILENE — Detectives will present evidence “in the weeks ahead” about whether a state child protection agency may have hindered a police probe into a Dyess Air Force Base toddler’s death, a West Texas police chief said Friday.

Abilene Police Chief Stan Standridge said the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office in Waco recently was appointed as the special prosecutor over the case of possible evidence tampering involving Child Protective Services.

A 22-month-old girl died in August after being found unresponsive at her Dyess Air Force Base home, and she had suffered from malnutrition, dehydration and a basic lack of , according to a preliminary autopsy report. The child weighed only 17.5 pounds

and her body had chemical burns, indicating she had been exposed to human waste, the report said. Her two sisters were hospitalized for severe neglect.

The children’s mother, Tiffany Nicole Klapheke, faces three child injury charges. After her arrest, Klapheke claimed that her military husband’s deployment left her too stressed to care for her kids, including her 6month-old and 3-year-old daughters. Her husband has since filed for divorce.

Klapheke, a 22-year-old civilian, remained jailed Friday on $500,000 bond. Her attorney did not immediately return a call Friday seeking comment. The Taylor County District Attorney’s Office said Christopher Perez was charged in military court child endangerment and failure to report child abuse in relation to Klapheke’s case. Perez allegedly was Klapheke’s boyfriend.

El Paso school official in cheating scheme resigns

State’s Alamo director to step down in December

Ex-National Guard recruiter guilty of bribery

EL PASO — An administrator at an El Paso high school who admitted he helped weed out students who could have kept the campus from meeting federal accountability standards has resigned.

Johnnie Vega, an assistant principal at Bowie High School, stepped down from the school district on Thursday. Vega and two other employees had been suspended with pay last week.

AUSTIN — The state director of the Alamo is resigning just a year after the Texas General Land Office took control of the iconic landmark.

Agency spokesman Jim Suydam said Friday he could not comment on why Steve Oswald was stepping down because it was a personnel matter. Oswald’s last day will be Dec. 3.

SAN ANTONIO — A former Army National Guard recruiter has pleaded guilty for his role in a fraud scheme to collect military recruiting bonuses that cost the National Guard Bureau nearly $100,000.

Staff Sgt. Jermaine Britt pleaded guilty in San Antonio federal court Friday to three counts, including bribery and obstruction of justice.

Co-defendant pleads guilty in DeLay case AUSTIN — Another co-defendant in former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s money laundering case has pleaded guilty.

John Colyandro was sentenced to one-year of probation in an Austin courtroom on Friday. He was also fined $8,000 after pleading guilty to charges of illegally accepting political contributions.

A&M bomb threat suspect charged in 2nd case COLLEGE STATION — A man charged with a bomb threat at Texas A&M University is now facing charges for a similar scare at Texas State University.

A complaint unsealed this week accuses 19-year-old Dereon Kelly of using the email account of his girlfriend, Brittany Henderson, to send an Oct. 18 message to a Texas State employee threatening to blow the San Marcos school “up to small pieces.”

Feds swoop down on Aryan Brotherhood HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors say four top leaders of the white supremacist Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang are among the nearly three dozen gang members charged in a 43-page indictment that accuses them of a multitude of offenses, including charges that could result in several of them getting the death penalty.

— Compiled from AP reports

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 ZCISD holiday: no school.

AROUND THE NATION

THURSDAY, NOV. 22 ZCISD holiday: no school.

THURSDAY, NOV. 29 Mariachi Vargas is scheduled at Zapata High School.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5 The board of the Zapata County Fair Association meets from 6:30-8 p.m. The location will be announced.

THURSDAY, DEC. 6 The Christmas Parade and Lighting of the County Plaza is set for 5:30-9 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21 The Falcon Slam Bassmaster Elite Tournament returns to Falcon Lake. The tournament will run through Sunday, March 24.

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.

Ray donates $500,000, food to Sandy pets LOS ANGELES — Rachael Ray is donating $500,000 to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help pets and families who are struggling to rebound from Superstorm Sandy.

The chef said Friday that her pet food brand is also shipping 4 tons of wet and dry dog food for Sandy animals, and her Yum-o! organization is donating $100,000 to City Harvest and the Food Bank for New York City.

“When you make your living in food, you have to give back in the same way,” the host of “Rachael Ray,” the syndicated CBS Television show, said.

The ASPCA had rescued more than 250 animals and treated or provided supplies to nearly 6,000 in New York City and Long Island. It will use the money to lease a building that can be used as a central shelter.

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 Photo by Ed Andrieski | AP

Marijuana plants flourish under the lights at a grow house in Denver on Thursday.

Marijuana legalization votes this week in Colorado and Washington open the door for marijuana tourism. See story, Page 6A

Work from Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ fetches over $43M NEW YORK — A work from Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series has been sold for more

than $43 million at a New York City auction.

The money will benefit the Hackley School in suburban Tarrytown, N.Y. The Monet’s sale price was $43,762,500.

— 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.

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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, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

THE BLOTTER Burglary A burglary of a habitation was reported at 7:22 p.m. Wednesday in the 5300 block of McAllen Lane.

Zlocal Business group to hold breakfast Wed.

DUI

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Alberto Jaime, 18, was arrested and charged with not having a driver’s license and driving under the influence at about 6:30 a.m. Monday at First Street and Bravo Avenue. He was fined $250 for each offense.

The Zapata Economic Development Corporation will host a power breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Zapata Technical and Advanced Education Center, 605 U.S. 83.

State Rep. Tracy O. King will be the featured speaker. The focus of his presentation will be economic development in the legislative session from the regional and state perspective and how this is important to local businesses.

The Zapata EDC is host to a power breakfast on the second Wednesday of every month, during which community leaders gather for informal updates of activities and networking.

“There is a great interest in getting people together, specifically business, government and civic leaders, to share information that is of interest to business and to facilitate networking oppor-

DWI Ricardo Davila Jr., 29, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1800 block of Delmar Street. He had a $1,200 bond at the Zapata Regional Jail.

Minor in possession Abelardo Javier Hernandez, 19, and Armando A. Gomez, 18, were arrested and charged with minor in possession of alcoholic beverages at about 9 p.m. Thursday at Stripes at First Avenue and U.S. 83. Both men were released to appear for future court appearance.

Possession A 16-year-old male juvenile was detained at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 900 block of Roma Avenue. He was taken to the Webb County Youth Village.

Theft A 55-year-old man from Beeville reported at 7:22 a.m. Sunday at Best Western Inn in the 1800 block of South U.S. 83 that someone stole a GPS system that was bolted on his boat. The stolen property was valued at $2,200.

Juan Domingo Gutierrez III, 43, was arrested and charged with theft at about 10:30 a.m. Monday for allegedly taking a wallet from Super S Foods, 909 N. U.S. 83. Deputies say the wallet contained $600. He is out on bail.

A theft was reported at 2:40 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of Paradise Point.

A stolen vehicle was reported at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of Ramireño Avenue.

tunities,” stated Peggy Umphres-Moffett, Zapata EDC CEO, in a press release.

According to Zapata EDC Board Chairman Edmundo O. Garcia, the event allows local and regional leaders an opportunity to present brief updates on their respective organizations’ recent activities.

Among those expected are representatives from the Zapata EDC, Zapata County, Zapata Technical and Advanced Education Center, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality-Water Master, Zapata County Independent School District, TAMIU Small Business Development Center and the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

The event is free and open to public and parking is available at the Zapata Community Center.

For more information, call 956 7651113 or visit zapataedc.com.

PAGE 3A

Program to hold training next Saturday SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Texas A&M University Colonias Program and Striving to Educate and Empower through Dedication Promotores Coalition will sponsor a LiveStrong Cancer Survivorship Training on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Zapata County Nutrition Center, 7th and Del Mar. The training is free and is open to all Zapata County residents, health workers and outreach workers.

LiveStrong is the trademark of the Lance Armstrong Foundation established in 1997 to provide support for people and their loved ones affected by cancer.

For more information, call 956 728-0210 or email lcasares@arch.tamu.edu.

Education 2 face conspiracy, intent has its week to distribute charges SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

One man claimed unknown gunmen in Mexico forced him to smuggle more than 270 pounds of marijuana last weekend near Allen Weeds Property in Jim Hogg County.

Nelson Alexander Izaguirre-Figueroa, 36, was detained and charged with knowingly and unlawfully conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

A second suspect identified as Fulgencio Guerra-Davila, 33, is facing the same charge, according to a criminal complaint.

U.S. Border Patrol agents were alerted to reports of people carrying bundles Nov. 3 at 2:08 p.m. near Allen Weeds Property.

Around 3:16 p.m., agents observed seven people carrying cellophane-wrapped bundles.

A criminal complaint alleges Guerra Davila was leading the group, followed by Izaguirre-Figueroa. When agents approached the men, they dropped the bun-

dles and attempted to run away from the agents.

Agents secured the bundles and detained Guerra-Davila and Izaguirre-Figueroa within 15 yards from the contraband, the complaint adds. The bundles contained 273 pounds of marijuana worth $218,400.

At a post-arrest interview, Guerra-Davila could not provide an explanation as to why he fled from agents with the rest of the group. Izaguirre-Figueroa stated he knew the bundles contained marijuana and that Guerra-Davila had led the entire group from Mexico.

Izaguirre-Figueroa stated he met Guerra-Davila in Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, which borders Roma in Starr County. The group obtained the marijuana bundles in Miguel Aleman, according the complaint.

“Izaguirre-Figueroa further stated that the reason he transported the marijuana into the United States was because he was forced by unknown gunmen in Mexico,” the complaint states.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

Join Texas A&M International University for International Education Week 2012 starting Monday at the TAMIU Student Center.

All events are free and open to the TAMIU community.

Two events During the flag walk, students carry a flag that represents their country.

For the Festival of Lights, participants can get a henna tattoo, have a name written in Hindi, listen to music, win prizes and sample Indian food.

The complete schedule for week: Monday: Flag Walk, Global Talk and Proclamation; SC rotunda; 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesday: Diwali: Festival of Lights — Henna tattoos and other activities, SC rotunda, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; music and food, SC patio, 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday: Photo exhibit, SC rotunda, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday: Cultural Festival, SC ballroom, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

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

COMMENTARY

OTHER VIEWS

Compromise may be next

By CARTER ESKEW SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST

A part of me I don’t fully understand already misses the campaign. Within hours of President Obama’s victory, the swords were sheathed and both sides pledged cooperation.

I kind of wished Sen. Harry Reid would demand again to see Mitt Romney’s tax returns.

Perhaps the G-forces of this rapid deceleration into political comity have left me disoriented. House Speaker John Boehner seemed to be reading from a manual Wednesday on how not to be Sen. Mitch McConnell, whose infamous comment about wanting Obama to fail has

received its fair share of attention in the Republican autopsy now taking place. Boehner said not only that he is open to new revenue but he also really wants the president to succeed. Reid said that he’d like to compromise.

The president and vice president have pledged renewed bipartisanship.

Yet to be heard from are the forces within the tea party that have eschewed any compromise in the past. Perhaps they are still in a bunker with Karl Rove, counting late-breaking votes in various precincts. I’ll be interested, when they step out of the darkness, to know whether they, too, see the light of compromise.

COLUMN

GOP needs to oust the COLUMN buffoons Columnist takes a final look

By JONATHAN GURWITZ

SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

If a Republican presidential candidate can’t win an election against an opponent saddled with the worst economic recovery since the Great Depression, a record stretch of unemployment at or above 8 percent, a record $6 trillion in deficit spending and a deeply unpopular health care plan, then what will it take for a GOP candidate to win the White House?

If Republicans couldn’t win a handful of seats to take over a Senate that hasn’t passed a budget in three years and whose majority leader wouldn’t even consider a budget resolution this year, then under what circumstances can they do so?

To begin to answer these questions, go back to 2008. After Democrats expanded their majorities in the House and Senate and Barack Obama soundly defeated John McCain, Republicans faced a reckoning. For the better part of eight years, the supposed party of fiscal responsibility ran up deficits just like Democrats.

The party of limited government presided over a gluttonous expansion of government growth.

Then the tea party performed an intervention.

No longer would it be permissible for Republicans to talk like conservatives on the campaign trail only to act like spendthrift liberals in Washington.

The grassroots movement demanded accountability on spending, taxes and the size and scope of government. Properly chastened, Republicans in 2010 made historic gains in Congress and in state houses across the nation.

This year’s desultory GOP results should prompt the same type of chastening. But if prodigal spending, the aggrandizement of K Street power and the abandonment of conservative principles were the transgressions in 2008, what are the offenses that explain this year’s Republican failures?

Much of the blame will be directed at Mitt Romney, who was — to be sure — an imperfect candidate who ran an imperfect campaign. It would be easy to make him the scapegoat of 2012. But con-

sider his even more imperfect opponents in the GOP primaries.

Donald Trump with his birther conspiracies. Michele Bachmann with her Muslim conspiracies. Rick Santorum and his nausea about the separation of church and state. Newt Gingrich’s irreverence for the separation of powers.

Herman Cain and the four women. Rick Perry and the three . . . no, make that two government agencies he’d abolish.

Their antics created a fog of buffoonery and extremism from which Romney could not escape. Others turned this fog into a toxic cloud.

Todd Akin mused about the ability of the female body to block unwanted pregnancies in cases of “legitimate” rape.

Richard Mourdock inferred God’s intention in such cases. Rush Limbaugh gave an assist by calling a liberal advocate a slut. And Romney himself contributed the noxious notion of “self-deportation.”

This election should have been a referendum on Obama’s record. Such blunders allowed Democrats to make it about an alleged Republican war on women, minorities and reason.

The strategy worked.

Obama won among women by 10 percentage points, among Hispanics by 40 points, among Asians by 50 points and among blacks by more than 80 points. If those margins persist, demography will reduce the Republican Party to regional influence and national irrelevance in the not too distant future.

If Republicans want to remain relevant, if they want to cut into those margins — it was only eight years ago that George W. Bush won 44 percent of the Hispanic vote — they’re going to have to banish the buffoons as effectively as they did the big spenders in 2010. That doesn’t mean that Republicans can’t talk about the sanctity of life or secure borders. But it does mean they’re going to have to find ways to do so that don’t offend common sense and human dignity. (jgurwitzexpressnews.net)

at country’s Election Day It’s time for an election post-mortem, including the shocking fact that Texans who were post-mortem on Election Day got to cast votes that counted.

Back to that in a minute.

But first, let’s look at Gov. Rick Perry’s morning-after review of his party’s bad day nationally.

“The American people have given President Obama a chance to start over,” Perry said, calling on Obama to “end his reckless disregard for our rule of law.”

He also called on Obama to repeal Obamacare.

I know Perry was busy Tuesday, his 30th wedding anniversary. (Here is where lesser columnists would snark something about term limits.) But is Perry aware Obama won? Yes, both sides in D.C. need to do some compromising.

But isn’t it a bit special when the losers make demands?

Nationally, the TV talking heads already are speculating that our Sen.-elect Ted Cruz could be a 2016 GOP veep candidate. Too soon? Sure, but Cruz is Hispanic and in a party that needs to do better

“

KEN HERMAN

with Hispanics.

It’s also interesting that tea party-backed Cruz won in Texas while others of his ilk lost elsewhere. The losing tea party Senate candidates lost in states with two viable parties, a reminder that among the virtues of two-partydom is it self-corrects when either party nominates somebody who strays too far from the middle or is a bozo.

I’m not saying Cruz is either of those (or that Bozo was a bozo), but we have no such check/balance here. It’s been a generation since a Texas Democrat won a statewide race, and, during that time, the GOP has nominated some folks far from the middle and some folks who were less than qualified. It would be helpful if the Democrats could give us viable alternatives with an actual chance of winning.

The national buzz now is about how the GOP

could slip from viability if it does not reach out to Hispanics. In Texas, how come there has been no buzz about how the Democrats actually have slipped from viability and might have to reach out to more folks, maybe including some white people?

We’d be a better state with two viable parties.

Democrats, can you help us out on this?

OK, back to the folks whose votes counted though they were dead on Election Day, which I’ve unfairly succeeded in making sound scandalous. Asher Price of the Austin American-Statesman wrote about one such instance.

Ken Knight, 60, of Buda, who, in the end stages of a cancer battle, courageously cast his early vote last Friday and died on Election Day. Anybody out there heartless enough to say Election Day is supposed to be a snapshot of people alive that day and you should have to be alive that day for your vote to count?

I thought I was heartless enough to advocate that, but I’m not.

(FYI, I believe as long as we have an estate tax, in which dead people pay taxes, they should be allowed to vote. Or we should get rid of the estate tax so we don’t have taxation without respiration.)

Next, the best moment of my election night at the Cruz victory party in Houston: A woman asked me to check the Florida presidential vote. At that moment, Obama was up by 2 points, attracting this query from the lady: “What’s the margin of error?”

I was stricken silent (at this point you say “a nation gives its thanks”). I later realized there is a margin of error in Florida elections. It’s called Palm Beach County.

We move on from Election Day 2012 as a divided nation in search of something, anything, that can serve as a starting point toward unity. I’ve found one, perhaps the one thing on which all Americans agree: Ringo, though not without talent, was the worst Beatle. (kherman@statesman.com)

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State

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

Could be another Bush on the ballot

By PAUL J. WEBER AND WILL WEISSERT ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — George P. Bush, a rising star among Hispanic conservatives and the grandson of one president and nephew of another, has taken the first step toward seeking elected office in Texas.

But it’s unclear what his next step will be.

The 36-year-old attorney from Fort Worth has filed a two-page candidate reporting declaration with the Texas Ethics Commission but didn’t list which office he plans to seek. Bush did not return messages at his consulting firm Friday, and his campaign treasurer was traveling in Oklahoma and unavailable for comment.

Still, word of yet another Bush coming to Texas ballots was cheered by Republicans across the state, where party leaders are well aware that they will need Hispanic voters if they want to continue dominating politics here over the next two decades the way did during the last two.

“It’s a positive thing to have something besides old white guys like me on the ballot,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

A Democrat has not won statewide office in Texas since 1994, but Hispanics accounted for two-thirds of Texas’ population growth over the last decade and now make up 35 percent of its population. Mitt Romney’s failure to connect

Photo by Brendan Farrington/file | AP

A state official this week said George P. Bush, nephew of former President George W. Bush, has made a campaign filing required for someone to run for office in his home state. with Latinos is being cited as a reason for his defeat

by President Barack Obama, who carried 71 percent of the Hispanic vote nationwide.

“I think George P. Bush

is the future of the party,” said George Antuna, who co-founded the Hispanic Republicans of Texas with Bush. “Whichever office he decides to seek, we will support him 110 percent.”

Bush is the son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, who was born in Mexico. His uncle is George W. Bush and his grandfather is George H.W. Bush.

George P. Bush speaks Spanish and has been active in politics for years. In August, he was promoted to deputy finance chairman of the Texas Republican Party.

The filing answers at least one question: Texas or Florida?

Bush grew up in the Sunshine State but met his wife Amanda while attending law school at the University of Texas. He later became a partner in a real estate investment company and has since started Fort Worth-based St. Augustine Partners, a business consulting firm.

As recently as September, Bush said he was being recruited to run for statewide office by Texas GOP brass. That same month, however, he launched a four-day bus tour of Florida to drum up support for the Republican Party among college students there.

“I know he has a passion for Texas. Texas is where his granddad lives, where his uncle lives and a lot of other family members,” Antuna said. “He’s always been a Texan. It just took him a little while to get here.”

Democratic state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer noted that the Texas Republican Party platform supports English-only laws and opposes extending legal status to immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

National

6A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Gas rationing forced upon New Yorkers

By JIM FITZGERALD AND TOM HAYS ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — A gasoline shortage caused by Superstorm Sandy forced 1970s-era rationing on New Yorkers Friday, adding a fuel-gauge obsession to their frayed nerves and dwindling patience.

“I take passenger, I look at gas.

I take another passenger, I look at gas,” said New York City taxi driver Shi Shir K. Roy. “Tension all the time.”

Though rationing that allowed private motorists to fill up only every other day seemed to help with gas lines, it didn’t answer motorists’ questions about why they had been waiting for days in hourslong lines to fuel up. The confusion led some, like Angel Ventura, to panic.

Ventura, who drives a graffiticovered delivery van for a camera rental company, said he has taken to hunting for gasoline every time his gauge drops below a quarter of a tank.

“It makes me crazy, thinking I might hit empty and not be able to find it,” he said as he waited

Photo by Bebeto Matthews | AP

Police direct cars to gas pumps outside a gas station Friday in Brooklyn, New York. Police were at gas stations to enforce a new gasoline rationing plan that lets motorists fill up every other day that started in New York on Friday morning. for gas in Manhattan.

As drivers waited on policemonitored lines, thousands more residents in the region got their power back for the first time since Sandy came ashore 12 days ago. More than 420,000 customers were still without power in New Jersey and the New York City ar-

ea.

President Barack Obama, who visited the battered Jersey coast two days after the storm, said he would survey the damage in New York next week. The American Red Cross said Friday that widespread destruction from the storm will likely make this the

largest U.S. relief effort since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, outpacing Hurricanes Ike and Gustav and California wildfires.

The gasoline rationing — first in the nation’s largest city since the 1970s Arab oil embargo — forced motorists to line up depending on whether their license

plate ends with odd or even numbers. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said one-third of the city’s gas stations were open Friday, compared to 25 percent the day before, and cautioned, “there’s no guarantee that odd-even is going to make a big difference.”

Industry officials first blamed the shortage on gas stations that lost power, but now say the problem has shifted to supply terminals, which are either shut or operating at reduced capacity in New York and New Jersey. Drivers are also quicker to top off tanks because they’re afraid gasoline won’t be available, AAA spokesman Michael Green said.

Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, said the densely populated New York-New Jersey area has fewer stations per capita than any other major metropolitan area, making the shortage an even bigger problem. He said rationing earlier might have helped in New York City.

“It does curb some of the manic or panic behavior,” Kloza said.

Friday was an “odd” day in the rationing plan.

Teen gets life over Criagslist plot

By THOMAS J. SHEERAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Brennan Linsley/file | AP

Amanda Jetter celebrates along with others attending an Amendment 64 watch party in a bar after a local television station announced the marijuana amendment’s passage, in Denver, on Tuesday.

States await fed response

By KRISTEN WYATT ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER — Should marijuana be treated like alcohol? Or should it remain in the same legal category as heroin and the most dangerous drugs? Votes this week by Colorado and Washington to allow adult marijuana possession have prompted what could be a turning point in the nation’s conflicted and confusing war on drugs.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was to talk Friday by phone with Colorado’s governor, who wants to know whether the federal government would sue to block the marijuana measures. Both states are holding off on plans to regulate and tax the drug while waiting to see whether the U.S. Justice Department would assert federal authority over drug law.

The Obama administration has largely turned a blind eye to the 17 states that currently flout federal drug law by allowing people with certain medical conditions to use pot, something banned under federal law.

“In a situation like this, where our law is at loggerheads with federal law, my

primary job is to listen first,” Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said Wednesday.

Hickenlooper opposed the ballot measure and has downplayed the likelihood of a commercial marijuana market materializing in Colorado.

“Based on federal law, if it’s still illegal under federal law, I can’t imagine that 7-Eleven is ever going to sell it,” he said.

Meanwhile, marijuana activists are waiting for a Washington, D.C., federal appeals court to decide whether marijuana should be reclassified from its current status as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use.

Last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration rejected a petition by medical marijuana advocates to change the classification, which kept marijuana in the same category as drugs such as heroin. Reclassification of marijuana could open the door for more research into its medical use, so marijuana activists consider reclassification a major step.

Marijuana advocates hope the federal government maintains its current posture of ignoring states

that flout federal law by allowing medical use under certain circumstances.

The U.S. government has cracked down the past two years on more than 500 marijuana dispensaries in several states, but no one has faced federal prosecution for personal use.

“It would certainly be a travesty if the Obama administration used its power to impose marijuana prohibition upon a state whose people have declared, through the democratic process, that they want it to end,” said Brian Vicente, co-author of Colorado’s marijuana measure.

Earlier this week, Justice Department spokeswoman Nanda Chitre said enforcement of the federal Controlled Substances Act remained unchanged.

“In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance,” Chitre said. “We are reviewing the ballot initiative and have no additional comment at this time.”

Eric Brown, a spokesman for Hickenlooper, would not say whether the governor planned to disclose the details of his call with Holder.

AKRON, Ohio — A teenager was sentenced Friday to life in prison with no chance for parole for his role in a deadly plot to lure men desperate for work with phony Craigslist job offers.

Judge Lynne Callahan sentenced 17-year-old Brogan Rafferty in Akron. He was convicted of aggravated murder and attempted murder in the deaths of three men and wounding of a fourth.

The sentencing was delayed from Monday amid talks on a deal for leniency in return for Rafferty’s testimony against the alleged triggerman. Rafferty was looking to avoid a life sentence without hope of parole.

The jury rejected the defense claim that Rafferty feared for himself and his

family if he didn’t cooperate with his co-defendant, Richard Beasley of Akron.

The 53-year-old Beasley, described as the teen’s spiritual mentor, has pleaded not guilty and faces a Jan. 7 trial.

Prosecutors say the victims, all down in their luck and with few family ties that might highlight their disappearance, were lured with phony offers of farmhand jobs on Craigslist last year.

One man was killed near Akron and the others were shot at a southeast Ohio farm during bogus job interviews.

Prosecutors say robbery was the motive.

Rafferty, a high school student from Stow near Akron, was tried as an adult but didn’t face a possible death penalty because he is a juvenile.

Beasley, an ex-convict and self-styled street min-

ister from Akron, could face the death penalty if convicted.

The surviving victim, 49-year-old Scott Davis of South Carolina, testified as the prosecution’s star witness. He identified Rafferty as Beasley’s accomplice and told the jury a harrowing story.

Davis, who was looking to move close to his family in the Canton area, said he was walking across what turned out to be a bogus job site when he heard a gun cock and turned and found himself face to face with a handgun. He said he pushed the weapon aside, was shot in the arm and fled through the woods.

During Rafferty’s trial, defense attorney John Alexander painted Beasley as the mastermind and said that the first killing came without warning for Rafferty.

SÁBADO 10 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2012

Zfrontera ECONOMÍA

Agenda en Breve

Más impuestos

SÁBADO 10 DE NOVIEMBRE LAREDO— Laredo Paranormal Research Society tendrá una Conferencia sobre OVNIs de 9 a.m. a 8 p.m. en el Salón del Centro Estudiantil de TAMIU. Costo: 10 dólares (boletos disponibles en la puerta). Después de la conferencia, se podrá observar a Jupiter y sus lunas con el telescopio “Hércules”. Más información en www.laredoufo.com.

LAREDO— The Bazaar (manualidades) se presenta de 2 p.m. a 6 p.m. en French Quarter, por Del Mar. Participarán artistas locales y vendedores. Entrada gratuita.

LAREDO— Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU invita a “Nuestros Sábados en el Espacio” donde niños podrán preparar su propia comida del espacio.

Costo: 20 dólares (niño de 5+ o menor y un adulto).

Además presentarán: “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” a las 2 p.m.; “Planets Quest” a las 3 p.m.; “Stars of the Pharaohs” a las 45 p.m.; “2012: Ancient Skies, Ancient Mysteries” a las 5 p.m. Costo: 4 y 5 dólares.

Más información en (956) 326-3663 LAREDO— El hipnotizador Peter Kingsley se presenta a las 6 p.m. en el Centro Cívico de Laredo.

LAREDO— “Tripita Fest 2012” será de 3 p.m. a 12 a.m. en El Metro Park & Ride. Habrá concurso de tripitas; de frijoles, entre del premio “People’s Choice”, venta de comida, y música en vivo con Herencia Tropical, U.N.O. y La Mision Colombiana, Grupo Super Jet and Zenzible; además de manualidades. Costo: 5 dólares.

LAREDO— Presentación de la obra “Path of Marigolds” de Raquel Valle-Sentíes, a las 8 p.m. en Laredo Center for the Arts, 500 avenida San Agustin. Costo: 15 dólares por persona o 200 dólares, mesa para 6.

Más información en (956) 725-1715. Última presentación el domingo a las 3 p.m.

NUEVO LAREDO, México — Vértices 1er Festival de Teatro presenta “Papá Está en la Atlántida” (Nuevo León) a las 7 p.m. en el Teatro del IMSS. Entrada libre.

NUEVO LAREDO, México — “Arte Contemporáneo Desplazamientos” de la Colección FEMSA se presenta en el Museo Reyes Meza, dentro del Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo. Entrada gratuita.

MONTERREY, México — Tercer Congreso Internacional de Historia presenta al Cronista de Santa Catarina, Antonio Guerrero Aguilar, con el tema “Inicio y Ocaso de la Industria Textil en Nuevo León y Coahuila” a la 1 p.m. en el Aula Clase del Segundo piso del Centro Cultural Universitario, del Colegio Civil de la Universidad Autonóma de Nuevo León.

MIÉRCOLES 14 DE NOVIEMBRE ZAPATA — La Corporación de Desarrollo Económico de Zapata (ZEDC) invita al “Power Breakfast” a las 7:30 a.m. en Zapata Technical and Advanced Education Center, 605 US Hwy 83. El orador invitado será el Representante Estatal Tracy O. King. Evento gratuito con estacionamiento disponible en el Centro Comunitario de Zapata. Más información en (956) 765-1113 o en zapataedc.com.

LAREDO— Series de Cine Clásico en CinemarkMall del Norte, presenta a las 2 p.m. y 7 p.m. “The Sting”, clasificada PG. Adquiera su boleto en www.cinemark.com.

PÁGINA 7A

POR ANDREW TAYLOR Y JULIE PACE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — El presidente Barack Obama delimitó el viernes su postura de cara a lo que se avizora como una serie de penosas negociaciones para corregir el “abismo fiscal” de la nación, y advirtió que no aceptará ningún plan para reducir el déficit fiscal que no incluya la obligación de que los acaudalados paguen más impuestos.

“Esta fue una cuestión central durante la elección”, dijo el mandatario en sus primeras declaraciones sobre la economía después de las elecciones. “La mayoría de los estadounidenses están de acuerdo con mi enfoque”.

Después, el vocero de Obama dijo que el presidente vetará cualquier legislación que extienda las

exenciones fiscales para las familias que ganen 250.000 dólares o más al año.

Ambas partes están de acuerdo en que si no resuelven el aumento automático de impuestos y recortes al gasto se podría paralizar la economía. Un reporte el jueves de la Oficina Presupuestal del Congreso proyectó que la economía podría volver a caer en recesión si sigue la parálisis en Washington.

Obama y los republicanos se han enmarañado con los recortes fiscales que aprobó el ex presidente republicano George W. Bush por años.

Los republicanos dijeron que subir los impuestos a los estadounidenses acaudalados no es un punto de partida. Boehner consideró que podría afectar a los pequeños negocios mientras todavía batallan para recuperarse de la recesión.

Foto por Pablo Martínez | Associated Press

El Presidente Barack Obama, acompañado del Vice Presidente Joe Biden, gesticula al hablar acerca de la eaconomía y el déficit, el viernes, en la Sala Este de la Casa Blanca en Washington.

CONGRESO

SALUD

AUDITORÍA

Retiran chocolate en polvo ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Foto de cortesía | Congreso de Tamaulipas

Se aprobó en Comisiones otorgar una prórroga a la Auditoría Superior del Estado, para que entregara el 30 de noviembre la totalidad de las cuentas públicas revisadas. La Comisión de Vigilancia de la Auditoría Superior del Estado se instalará en sesión permanente a partir del día 3 de diciembre, para llevar a cabo la revisión de las 250 cuentas públicas del 2011 de diversos entes.

Dan prórroga a revisión de cuentas públicas TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

S

erá antes del 30 de noviembre cuando la Auditoría Superior del Estado (ASE) lleve a cabo la revisión de cuentas públicas de los entes sujetos a fiscalización.

El Diputado Héctor Canales, Presidente de la Comisión de Vigilancia de la Auditoría Superior del Estado, dio a conocer que corresponderá al auditor Miguel Salmán Álvarez realizar la encomienda.

Canales reiteró que son un total de 250 las cuentas públicas sujetas a fiscalización y refirió que el auditor cuenta con el respaldo y confianza de los diputados para que realice ésta actividad.

A la fecha la Comisión de Vigilancia de la Auditoría Superior del Estado analiza los primeros 57 informes de resultados que ya fueron entregados por la Auditoría Superior del Estado, de un

total de 250, mismos que se dictaminarán en próximas semanas para presentarlos ante el Pleno legislativo, para su aprobación o rechazo, dijo Canales.

Durante una pasada reunión de la citada comisión, los diputados determinaron que ese Órgano Legislativo se instalará en sesión permanente a partir del día tres de diciembre, para iniciar el trabajo relativo a las cuentas públicas, declarando los recesos que se consideren necesarios.

Canales aseguró que se cuenta con el tiempo suficiente para analizar las cuentas públicas.

“En base a lo establecido en la ley no se podrá pedir ni autorizar una nueva prórroga para este efecto, a fin de que los integrantes de la Comisión de Vigilancia puedan debatir, analizar y dictaminar, en tiempo y forma, los resultados de la Auditoría Superior del Estado”, explicó Canales en un comunicado de prensa.

GLENDALE, Calif. — Nestlé USA anunció el retiro voluntario de cantidades limitadas del Chocolate en Polvo NESQUIK® de Nestlé en los botes de 10.9, 21.8 y 40.7 onzas.

El retiro voluntario se limita sólo al Chocolate en Polvo Nesquik, que se distribuyó a nivel nacional.

“No hay otras variedades de polvo NESQUIK, u otros tamaños o sabores de productos Nesquik listos para beber que sean afectados por este retiro”, indica un comunicado de prensa.

Nestlé esta eliminando estos botes de su distribución debido a que la empresa fue notificada por un proveedor de ingredientes, Omya Inc. que ha emitido un retiro de algunos lotes de su ingrediente carbonato de calcio, debido a la posible presencia de Salmonella. El carbonato de calcio se utiliza en NESQUIK como ingrediente.

El comunicado explica que no ha habido informes de cualquier enfermedad o efectos adversos para la salud asociados con el producto afectado.

El retiro del mercado se limita a los siguientes tamaños, códigos UPC y códigos de producción de Chocolate en Polvo NESQUIK: 40.7 oz. Chocolate (72 porciones) con los códigos: 0 28000 68230 9, 2282574810, 2282574820.

21.8 oz. Chocolate (38 porciones) con los códigos: 0 28000 68090 9, 2278574810, 2278574820, 2279574810, 2279574820, 2284574820, 2284574830, 2285574810, 2285574820, 2287574820, 2289574810, 2289574820.

10.9 oz. Chocolate (19 porciones) con los códigos: 0 28000 67990 3, 2278574810.

El Chocolate en Polvo NESQUIK afectado se produjo a principios de octubre de 2012.

Para localizar el código de producción, los consumidores deben buscar en la parte inferior del recipiente.

COLUMNA

Raíces arrasadas conformaban zonas de Tamaulipas POR RAÚL SINENCIO CHÁVEZ ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Frontera entre Mesoamérica y Aridoamérica, Tamaulipas fue cuna de numerosas etnias indómitas.

Cálculos optimistas hablan de 195; estimaciones conservadoras, de 72.

Tamaulipas languidece con el trópico de Cáncer la zona tórrida y cobra bríos el paisaje semidesértico. Al lado del litoral llanero corren paralelas las sierras de Tamaulipas Vieja, de Tamaulipas Nueva y la sierra Madre Oriental, dificultándose el paso hacia el altiplano. Prevalecen climas que de las heladas pasan a temperaturas por encima de los 40 grados centígrados.

Enorme superficie está cu-

Desde fechas inmemoriales hubo ahí pueblos afirmados contra la desventura, hechos a resistir, maestros de la adaptación humana, siempre tan sorprendente. bierta por matorrales.

Es tierra inhóspita, donde confluyen facetas contrastantes de la naturaleza —allá fértil, acá inclemente—, sin embargo, desde fechas inmemoriales hubo ahí pueblos afirmados contra la desventura, hechos a resistir, maestros de la adaptación humana.

Especialistas modernos los clasifican en tres o cuatro grandes vertientes.

Compuestas por compactos grupos, eran cazadores-recolectores nómadas, aun-

que en la parte sur vivieron algunos de incipiente sedentarismo. Rudimentarios fueron también sus ritos, idiomas y tradiciones. Reflejaron una cultura del todo primitiva, pero cultura al fin. En varias cosas diferentes, compartieron la defensa firme del hábitat.

Mucho ilustra lo que en las inmediaciones viera Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, cerca de 1534. “Ven y oyen más y tienen más agudo sentido que cuantos hombres yo creo hay en el mun-

do. Son grandes sufridores de hambre y de sed y de frío”, a los que “están más acostumbrados […] que otros”, anota.

En Altamira, Tamaulipas, 114 piratas ingleses desembarcarían 34 años después. Perdidos e indefensos, toparon con naturales de aspecto fiero y hábiles flecheros, “teniendo tal puntería que rara vez yerran el blanco”, relata Miles Philips, uno de los bucaneros.

Su rebeldía estaba de sobra justificada. Esclavizán-

dolos para venderlos, Nuño de Guzmán y Luis de Carvajal los capturaron por miles durante el virreinato temprano. Reforzarían abusos los misioneros del suroriente tamaulipeco, que provocaron en 1709 tremendo levantamiento por el rumbo de Jaumave y Palmillas.

José de Escandón colonizaría Tamaulipas al mediar el siglo XVIII. Los aborígenes que aceptaron “civilizarse” le proveyeron mano de obra gratuita. A los que llamó “perversos apóstatas” les hizo feroz guerra. Varios se refugiaron allende el río Bravo. Si había 25.000 cuando Escandón llegó, en los albores de la posterior centuria apenas quedaban mil 700

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

S. Court will decide on DNA collection

By JESSE J. HOLLAND ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court announced Friday that it will decide whether it’s legal for police to collect DNA samples from people under arrest, a case that could have nationwide implications on the question of privacy versus public safety.

The justices announced that they will review a Maryland court decision that

effectively barred the warrantless collection of genetic material from suspects who have not yet been convicted of a crime, a procedure used around the country in hopes of cracking old cases.

Courts have consistently upheld DNA collection from those convicted of a crime.

But the federal government and 27 states also have laws that allow the collection of DNA from people arrested but not yet convicted.

Maryland began collect-

ing samples from people arrested for violent crimes in 2009 and authorities took a cheek swab from Alonzo King Jr., who was arrested on assault charges. Police found out the sample matched the DNA of a rapist from a 2003 rape in Salisbury, Md. King was later found guilty in the 2003 attack and sentenced to life in prison.

But King challenged his conviction, saying the preconviction collection of his

DNA violated his Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search and seizures. Maryland’s highest court agreed, with judges saying “King’s expectation of privacy is greater than the state’s purported interest in using his DNA to identify him for purposes of his 10 April 2009 arrest on the assault charges.”

Chief Justice John Roberts previously blocked the ruling and allowed police to

keep collecting DNA samples pending the high court’s review.

The federal appeals courts have so far sided with the police on this issue, who say the samples contribute to a database that helps law enforcement.

In February, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled California law enforcement officials can keep collecting DNA samples from people arrested for felonies be-

cause law enforcement’s interest in solving cold cases, identifying suspects and even exonerating the wrongly accused outweighed privacy concerns. In July, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia overturned a lower court judge who called it an unconstitutional invasion of privacy to routinely collect DNA samples from defendants who had yet to be convicted.

The case will be argued in early 2013.

Suspect indicted in separate 1988 slaying

By PAUL J. WEBER ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/file | AP

Gen. David Petraeus, the retired four-star general who led the U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, resigned Friday as director of the CIA after admitting to an extramarital affair.

CIA’s Petraeus quits, cites extramarital affair

By KIMBERLY DOZIER AND CONNIE CASS ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — David Petraeus, the retired fourstar general renowned for taking charge of the military campaigns in Iraq and then Afghanistan, abruptly resigned Friday as director of the CIA, admitting to an extramarital affair.

The affair was discovered during an FBI investigation, according to officials briefed on the developments. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. It was unclear what the FBI was investigating or when it became aware of the affair.

Petraeus’ resignation shocked Washington’s intelligence and political communities. It was a sudden end to the public career of the best-known general of the post 9/11 wars, a man sometimes mentioned as a potential Republican presidential candidate. His service was effusively praised Friday in statements from lawmakers of both parties.

Petraeus, who turned 60 on Wednesday, told CIA employees in a statement that he had met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday and asked to be allowed to resign. On Friday, the president accepted.

Petraeus told his staffers he was guilty of “extremely poor judgment” in the affair. “Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours.”

He has been married for 38 years to Holly Petraeus, whom he met when he was a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. She was the daughter of the academy superintendent. They have two children, and their son led an infantry platoon in Afghanistan.

Obama said in a statement that the retired general had provided “extraordinary service to the United States for decades” and had given a lifetime of service that “made our country safer and stronger.”

Obama called him “one of the outstanding general officers of his generation.”

The president said that CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell would serve as acting director. Morell was the key CIA aide in the White House to President George W. Bush during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

“I am completely confident that the CIA will continue to thrive and carry out its essential mission,” Obama said.

The resignation comes at a sensitive time. The administration and the CIA have struggled to defend security and intelligence lapses before the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three others.

It was an issue during the presidential campaign that ended with Obama’s reelection Tuesday.

The CIA has come under intense scrutiny for providing the White House and other administration officials with talking points that led them to say the Benghazi attack was a result of a film protest, not a militant terror attack. It has become clear that the CIA was aware the attack was distinct from the film protests roiling across other parts of the Muslim world.

Morell rather than Petraeus now is expected to testify at closed congressional briefing next week on the Sept. 11 attacks on the consulate in Benghazi.

For the director of the CIA, being engaged in an extramarital affair is considered a serious breach of security and a counterintelligence threat. If a foreign government had learned of the affair, the reasoning

goes, Petraeus or the person with whom he was involved could have been blackmailed or otherwise compromised. Military justice considers conduct such as an extramarital affair to be possible grounds for court martial.

Failure to resign also could create the perception for the rank-and-file that such behavior is acceptable.

At FBI headquarters, spokesman Paul Bresson declined to comment on the information that the affair had been discovered in the course of an investigation by the bureau.

Holly Petraeus is known for her work helping military families. She joined the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to set up an office dedicated to helping service members with financial issues.

Though Obama made no direct mention of Petraeus’ reason for resigning, he offered his thoughts and prayers to the general and his wife, saying that Holly Petraeus had “done so much to help military families through her own work. I wish them the very best at this difficult time.”

Petraeus, who became CIA director in September 2011, was known as a shrewd thinker and competitor. His management style was recently lauded in a Newsweek article by Paula Broadwell, co-author of the biography, “All In: The Education of General David Petraeus.”

The article listed Petraeus’ “rules for living.”

No. 5 was: “We all make mistakes. The key is to recognize them, to learn from them, and to take off the rear view mirrors — drive on and avoid making them again.”

Petraeus told his CIA employees that he treasured his work with them “and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end.”

AUSTIN — A dishwasher charged with killing an Austin woman whose husband wrongly spent nearly 25 years in prison for the crime was indicted Friday in a separate 1988 slaying, which occurred blocks away from the first.

The capital murder charge against Mark Norwood, 58, handed up by a Travis County jury was not entirely unexpected.

For more than a year, authorities have said DNA evidence implicated him in the death of Debra Masters Baker and the 1986 killing of Christine Morton.

Norwood was indicted last year in Morton’s death and is scheduled to stand trial in January. He has pleaded not guilty.

Michael Morton was exonerated in his wife’s killing after serving nearly 24 years in prison — making his among the most highprofile of the dozens of wrongful convictions cases in Texas. He was freed in October 2011 based on DNA evidence that wasn’t available during his 1987 trial.

The fact that Baker was killed two years after the wrong person was arNORWOOD rested in Christine Morton’s death has led the Baker family and groups like the Innocence Project to consider the what-ifs.

Baker lived just blocks away from the Mortons.

“We all need to remember that when an innocent person is convicted of a murder, the real murderer goes free,” said John Raley, Michael Morton’s attorney. “The tragic consequences of a wrongful conviction can affect many families.”

Norwood’s attorney, Russell Hunt, said they were disappointed in Friday’s indictment and wanted to see the evidence prosecutors presented.

“We don’t have that, whatever it is,” Hunt said.

Caitlin Baker, Debra’s daughter, did not immediately return a phone message Friday. She has previously said she partially blames her mother’s death on prosecutors and investigators who focused

so intently on Michael Morton.

Morton was awarded nearly $2 million under the state’s compensation law for the wrongfully convicted. He and his attorney believe evidence in his 1987 trial was knowingly withheld by thenprosecutor Ken Anderson, now a state district judge who was sued last month by the State Bar of Texas for his conduct in the Morton case.

Anderson’s attorney has said he and his client “respectfully disagree” with the state bar’s claims.

Morton was freed after DNA revealed that his wife’s blood and DNA from another man was found on a bloody bandanna near the Mortons’ house around the time of the killing.

Authorities discovered a connection in Morton’s and Baker’s cases after Morton’s attorney teamed up with the Innocence Project and spent years battling for additional testing of the bandanna.

DNA from that bandanna allegedly matched that of a hair discovered at the scene of the Baker slaying.

Canseco concedes defeat to Gallego ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — Republican Congressman Quico Canseco conceded defeat to Democratic state Rep. Pete Gallego on Friday, despite his claims of voting irregularities in Texas’ sprawling Congressional District 23.

Gallego, a CANSECO nine-term lawmaker from tiny Alpine, bested Laredo businessman Canseco by winning 50 percent of GALLEGO the vote in a district that stretches from San Antonio 600 miles west almost to El Paso.

The unofficial margin of victory was about 9,200 ballots out of the nearly 191,700 cast, according to the Secretary of State.

Canseco’s campaign said it uncovered evidence of double- and triple-counting of ballots in South Texas’ Maverick County, and instances where witnesses said they saw photocopying

“

An investigation is just going to be too expensive.”

SCOTT YELDELL, CANSECO’S CAMPAIGN MANAGER

of ballots marked for Gallego in neighboring Zavala County, along the U.S.-Mexico border.

But Scott Yeldell, Canseco’s campaign manager, said the Texas attorney general’s office told them if there was going to be an investigation into alleged wrongdoing, the Canseco campaign would have to pay for it.

“Congressman Canseco just said, ‘You know what, while we have significant voting irregularities and potential voter fraud, an investigation is just going to be too time-consuming and expensive,’” Yeldell said.

The campaign never sought a formal recount.

Gallego’s campaign maintained that the margin of victory was large enough that the race results should never have been challenged.

On Friday, Canseco congratulated Gallego on his victory.

“It was a long and difficult campaign for both of us,” Gallego said in a statement.

District 23 spans 48,000 square miles, two time zones and all or parts of 29 counties.

The fierce contest between Gallego and Canseco was one of the closest in the nation — even in deeply conservative Texas. Both sides combined to spend more than $5 million, and Bill Clinton visited San Antonio on Gallego’s behalf.

Texas is getting four new representatives in Congress after adding 4.3 million residents between 2000 and 2010. Republicans won 24 seats on Tuesday, and Democrats captured 12.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

RAMIRO PANTOJA Ramiro Pantoja, 71, passed away Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, at his residence in Zapata.

Visitation hours were Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A chapel service was held at 3 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were un-

der the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 N. U.S. 83, Zapata.

By JESSICA GRESKO ASSOCIATED PRESS

FAUSTINO BUENTELLO Faustino Buentello passed away Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo.

Mr. Buentello is preceded in death by his sons, Mario Alberto Buentello and Faustino Buentello Jr.; parents, Manuel and Maria Guadalupe Buentello; brothers, Manuel, Antonio and Raul Buentello; and a sister, Maria Luisa Bustamante.

Mr. Buentello is survived by his wife, Maria Lamar Buentello; sons, Ramiro (Gloria) Buentello and Anselmo (Cynthia) Garza; daughters, Rosa (Armando) Solis, Viola B. (Jose Eloy) Salinas, Alicia (Rev. Gregory) Fowler and Hilda (Daniel) Reyes; 30 grandchildren; brothers, Martin and Modesto Buentello; and sisters, Enriquetta De Los Santos, Guadalupe Villarreal, Antonia Gonzalez and Beatriz Juarez; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Visitation hours were Tuesday, Nov. 6, 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, Nov. 7, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic

Church. Burial services followed at Zapata County Cemetery, including full military honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard.

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

BALTIMORE — A man who helped a presidential memorabilia collector steal rare and valuable documents from historical archives and libraries nationwide was sentenced Friday to a year and a day in prison.

Jason Savedoff acknowledged in a plea deal earlier this year that he helped his mentor, Barry Landau, research and steal documents. Savedoff, now 25, and Landau, 64, would visit the collections and secretly put documents in hidden pockets of their jackets and overcoats.

Their thefts were exposed last year after they were caught stealing from the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore.

Landau pleaded guilty and was sentenced in June to seven years in prison.

On Friday, Savedoff ’s lawyer Larry Nathans urged the judge to give his client probation, not prison time. Nathans said Savedoff was suffering from an untreated bipolar disorder when he met Landau and was young and impressionable — “the perfect pawn,” the attorney said, used by Landau, whom he called “a real con man.”

Other missing items

ANA MARIA CASSO BRAVO Ana Maria Casso Bravo, a former Laredoan and a lifelong resident of Zapata, was called by our Heavenly Father to her eternal reward on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012.

She was born on April 5, 1924, in Laredo, Texas, and graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1943.

Mrs. Bravo is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco Casso and Blasa Guerra; three brothers, Francisco Casso Jr., Mario Javier Casso and Carlos Fernando Casso; son-in-law, Hector M. Medina; and a great-granddaughter, Allysia Lynn Solano.

Ana Maria is survived by her husband of 66 years, James Edward “Eddie” Bravo, formerly of Zapata, but now living in Laredo; two daughters, Gloria Alicia Medina of Laredo and JoEmma (Gilbert) Quezada of San Antonio; one son, Edward (Martha) Bravo of Laredo; grandchildren, Hector Manuel (Patty) Medina, Debbie (Victor) Garcia, Ana Maria Medina, George (Laila) Medina of Laredo; Monica (Rick) Solano of Seguin; JoAnn (Jorge Abel) Garcia of San Antonio; David Medina of Austin; Lyanna (Dustin) Traylen of Montreal, Canada; Dinorah (Mark) Serna of Zapata; and James Edward Bravo of Laredo; and 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria Yolanda (Jesus) Herrera; and one brother, Hugo (Berta) Casso of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon; and by numerous nephews and nieces.

Her family is profoundly grateful and fortunate to have had such a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Ana Maria lived a full and enjoyable life. Her presence in our lives will be dearly missed by her

Rare document thief sentenced to year

After his arrest, Savedoff also helped investigators recover more stolen items that were missed during an initial search of Landau’s apartment in Manhattan, Nathans said. During a second search, Savedoff guided investigators to additional items. He has also described the pair’s methods to investigators and has talked with insti-

tutions about how to spot theft attempts, Nathans said.

The documents the pair have acknowledged stealing included copies of speeches delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his three inaugurations, a land grant signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and a document signed by President George Washington. Government prosecutors valued the group of documents at between $400,000 and $1 million, though some are irreplaceable.

Code names Prosecutors have said that it is likely that Landau began stealing items as early as 2003.

Savedoff acknowledged conspiring with Landau beginning in 2010, and prosecutors have previously said they referred to each other as “weasel 1” and “weasel 2.” Savedoff ’s lawyer said Friday that Landau approached his client at the gym and befriended him during a difficult period in Savedoff ’s life.

“I’m really, really sorry,” Savedoff said before he was sentenced. “I should have never been involved with any of this, and I truly apologize.”

Judge Catherine C. Blake, who also sentenced Landau, called the pair’s crimes “a very serious offense.”

“What we are talking about is the theft of unique, irreplaceable parts of our country’s history,” she said, adding that researchers would likely find access to historical collections more restrictive as a result of the pair’s thefts.

The judge said she couldn’t see sentencing Savedoff to probation alone, but she did sen-

tence him to less time than recommended by federal sentencing guidelines. Savedoff will also repay approximately $16,000 he earned from the sale of stolen documents.

An FBI spokesman said about 30 percent of the stolen documents has now been returned to their rightful owners.

Landau and Savedoff acknowledged stealing items from numerous museums including the New York Historical Society, the Connecticut Historical Society, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, NY.

Hundreds honor 2 Atlanta officers ATLANTA — Hundreds of law enforcement officers are honoring two Atlanta police officers killed when their helicopter crashed during a nighttime search for a missing boy.

Officers Richard J. Halford and Shawn A. Smiley died in Saturday night’s crash of their OH-6A helicopter in an Atlanta street. The missing boy was later found safe.

On Friday, a motorcade of officers lined up at Turner Field for a procession to Jackson Memorial Baptist Church for the funeral of Halford, a pilot who had been with the department for 26 years.

On Saturday, a funeral will be held for Smiley at First Baptist Church of Atlanta. A tactical flight officer, Smiley joined the department two years ago.

Both men were fathers.

The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the cause of the crash.

CHARGES Continued from Page 1A family and friends and all who knew her, but her charismatic smile, charm, sense of humor and zest for life will forever live in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Milton Haber and to all the staff at the Laredo Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Visitation hours will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, 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, Nov. 12, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery.

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

camp.

“They should have been in their uniforms and in the patrol unit. That was strange,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with journalists.

He said investigators were still trying to determine whether a drug cartel planned the attack.

The U.S. vehicle tried to escape and more vehicles joined

the aggressors in the chase as the police officers continuously shot the diplomatic vehicle.

The two CIA men were wounded, but survived. The navy captain was not injured.

A prosecutors’ statement said the fact that the U.S. vehicle was armored helped the men survive.

Prosecutors said the shooters changed into uniforms and arrived in police patrol cars after they were called in for

questioning hours after the Aug. 24 shooting.

Homicide and attempted homicide charges are usually state crimes in Mexico, but the Mexican official said this was a more serious case because the suspects were federal police.

The Mexican officers have spent nearly 80 days under a form of house arrest that Mexico uses in organized crime cases.

INDICTMENT Continued from Page 1A ject to a K-9 unit sniffing the cargo but he did tell agents something.

“Morin stated he did not have a problem with the argents searching the container and if they found anything inside the container, it was because he had been set up,” Morin told agents, a criminal complaint states.

The narcotics dog alerted

agents to the presence of contraband inside the container.

Agents noticed “fresh tool marks” on an electrical box, leading them to believe that someone had tampered with the box, according to court documents.

Federal authorities found several bundles wrapped in cellophane plastic behind two trap doors.

The bundles contained a

green, leafy substance which tested positive for marijuana, according to the complaint.

DEA took over the case. Morin invoked his right to an attorney, but not before stating, “If I tell you all stuff now, I will probably go to jail and someone will kill me.”

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

National

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

World War II vets remember ship days

By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH

TYLER — Bob Wood, 90, of Tyler, served as a World War II radioman on the first crew of the CVE 18 USS Altamaha, an escort carrier that served in the 3rd and 5th Fleets. Dozens of young men were assigned to the ship between 1942 and 1946, the year it was taken out of service.

The carrier was later scrapped, but the men of the USS Altamaha never forgot their beloved ship or each other, gathering annually to catch up and swap old stories.

“It broke our hearts every time we look at her website,” Wood said. “They didn’t save a one (carrier) ... but we still remember her.”

Wood brought them together again this week for the 25th and possibly last shipmate reunion.

Only four of the USS Altamaha’s crew could make the journey, joined by widows and children of others.

The group also is affiliated with the Escort Carrier Sailor and Airmen Association.

“It’s really great seeing them,” Wood said. “Our last reunion was in Tucson, and it was supposed to be our last. I told my girlfriend, ‘We can’t let it end like this. ... Do you think we can do one?’”

Reunion attendees said Thursday it’s difficult to fathom the idea of no more get-togethers, but acknowledged advancing ages can complicate travel.

The group’s first day together started at the Tyler Rose Garden, where old friends took the opportunity to stroll and reflect. The visit wraps up today with a noon visit to the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum.

Dave Hoy, 86, another radioman, came from Maine to see old buddies.

“When he (Wood) got off the ship, I got on,” he said.

Photo by Sarah A. Miller/The Tyler Morning Telegraph | AP

Jim Griffin, 87, of Grand Prairie, Lula Hendry of Lufkin, and Gordon McBride, 88, of Castro Valley, Calif. share stories as they tour the Tyler Rose Garden on Thursday as part of a tour with a group of veterans, friends and family of shipmates of the CVE-18 USS Altamaha, in Tyler.

“We really look forward to these reunions. I still think about the guys and some of the interesting stories. ...

We were colorful.”

Wood jokingly agreed, “We rearranged furniture in bars up and down the West Coast.”

Gordon McBride, of Castro Valley, Calif., said his most dramatic moments aboard ship came from weather, not war.

The drama unfolded in December 1944 when Typhoon Cobra roared through the Philippines, capsizing three destroyers and killing more than 750.

Numerous other warships and aircraft were either damaged or destroyed, records show.

“We had the dubious dis-

tinction of losing the most airplanes,” McBride said of aircraft parked on the flight deck. “They had been tied down the previous day. We (the ship) rolled further than she was supposed to, and when the ship rolled enough, the ropes broke.”

The planes plunged overboard, but no casualties were reported among the Altamaha’s crew.

The typhoon “destroyed more airplanes in that one day than the whole situation,” Wood said. “We lost 43 planes on my ship alone. ... That was a bad day.”

Altamaha veteran Jim Griffin, 87, of Grand Prairie, was in charge of the ship’s laundry and used the position to barter for extras, such as offering freshly

ironed shirts in exchange for two helpings of dessert.

“We didn’t know everyone aboard ship,” Griffin said. “But after going to the reunions, we feel more like family. They say this might be our last one. ... I guess we’ll fight that battle before the weekend is out.”

Washington siblings Marianne Kolden and Molly McNamara came to honor their father, Chet McNamara, who worked in the ship’s machine room.

He died in 1998 without realizing there were opportunities to reunite with old shipmates, they said.

The women have been gathering data on the ship and its men in hopes of building a detailed online archive.

“As the guys get older, they really want to talk,” she said. “We began asking, and the stories he told were so fascinating. ... We really miss our dad,” Molly McNamara said.

McNamara said, “Being here makes us feel closer to dad, they all remind us of him. When we found out this (reunion) was happening, we jumped through hoops to be here.”

Former B-24 bomber pilot Bob Gunderson, 90, of Louisiana, was in the U.S. Army Air Force during the war, but started attending the Navy reunions for two reasons: friendship and love.

“Seventy-five years ago, I dated a girl that dated a Navy guy, Larry Sommers, a

good friend of mine,” he said. “When Larry passed away and my wife passed away, we got together.”

He originally attended the occasions wearing an Air Force cap, but the guys gave him a Navy one, which he wears with pride.

“They adopted me,” he said. “I’m one of them now.”

Wood’s daughter, Gloria Goodrich, called this week’s reunion experience priceless.

“It’s wonderful,” she said.

“To put this on for my dad is a blessing. I knew it would be a lot of work, but it’s been worth it. To see the smiles on the men’s faces, for them to be able to see each other for maybe one last time, it’s definitely worth it.”

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors NCAA FOOTBALL

“

CLARA SANDOVAL VAL

Turning the Tide

The thrill of Zapata sports Reflecting on covering local athletic events

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Photo by Eric Kayne | AP

Texas A&M defensive lineman Damontre Moore (94) tries to tackle LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) on Oct. 20, 2012, in College Station, Texas. LSU won 24-19.

Aggies attempt to upset Alabama in College Station

By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

C

OLLEGE STATION, Texas — The hype entering Saturday’s game between top-ranked Alabama and No. 15 Texas A&M revolves around the Crimson Tide’s dominate defense and the Aggies’ prolific offense.

But that only tells part of the story. It overshadows Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron and Texas A&M defensive end Damontre Moore. McCarron is a Heisman

Trophy candidate who hasn’t thrown an interception. Moore is second in the nation in tackles for losses and tied for second in sacks.

Alabama’s offense and Texas A&M’s defense might both be a bit underrated, but both teams know these units can’t be overlooked.

“All the way across the board, there are no weaknesses in this offense,” Texas A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder said. “Each week when you go into a game, you see a weakness here or there

that you may be able to attack. They’re good across the board ... they’re a complete offense.”

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, long known for his high-powered offenses, has been impressed by McCarron’ development. The junior has thrown for 1,849 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, the bigger the screen pass he threw to T.J. Yeldon for the touchdown that gave Alabama a 21-17 victory over LSU last weekend.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

ell Zapata, the time has come for me to say goodbye to all The Zapata Times readers, as this will be my last column.

Changes are coming to The Zapata Times and the sports section will be a little different the next time you pick up a copy. Rest assured that I will attempt to do my best with every single word in my articles and in my future coverages.

It has been a great year and a half writing my column for The Zapata Times. I looked forward to it every week as events unfolded locally and nationally that I wanted to share with every one of you in Zapata County.

Please don’t think that I am going anywhere; I will still be writing every week to cover all the local sports.

I understand Zapata because I come from a small town and understand the draw of growing up in such a great atmosphere.

Writing for The Zapata Times was a rush every week because I had an opportunity to talk with the coaches and got to know all of them through sports, along with many of the athletes.

It was a thrill to write this column and I will miss the emails that I received, good or bad, about something that I wrote about that particular week.

I understand coaches like no other, because I was a head coach at one point and know what it is like to deal with administrators, athletic directors, parents and the community.

That is why I always went to bat

See AGGIES PAGE 2B See ZAPATA PAGE 2B

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Cowboys urgent at midseason

By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Dave Einsel | AP

Houston quarterback Matt Schaub (8) hands off the ball to running back Arian Foster (23) in the fourth quarter against Buffalo on Sunday in Houston.

Texans face stout Chicago defense

By CHRIS DUNCAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans are about to get the ultimate test in holding onto the ball.

The Texans (7-1) have gone two games without a turnover and have committed the fewest (6) of any team heading into Sunday’s night’s showdown on the road against Chicago (7-1).

The Bears, meanwhile, lead the league in takeaways (28) and they’re the first team to return seven interceptions for touchdowns through their first eight games of a season.

“These guys are exceptional, they never give up on a play,” Houston coach Gary Kubiak said. “We’ve been good at protecting it, but they’re the best at

See TEXANS PAGE 2B

IRVING, Texas — The season that once looked so promising for the Dallas Cowboys is halfway done.

After losses in four of their last five games, the Cowboys (3-5) have plenty of work to do just to have another .500 season.

As for any chance of making the playoffs, that already seems like a big stretch because only one NFC team has won fewer games than Dallas at this point.

No matter how the situation is described — coach Jason Garrett prefers “urgency” and despises the term “desperation” — the Cowboys have clearly faltered since kicking off the entire NFL season with a victory at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants two months ago.

“Obviously we didn’t expect to be 3-5,” tight end Jason Witten said Thursday. “At this point where we’re at, it’s tough to swallow. You’ve got to change it.”

Stephen Jones, the team’s executive vice president and the owner’s son, said the Cowboys have “absolutely” underachieved.

“I just think it’s urgent. We need to win a game,” Jones said.

“We can do a lot for our season if we can get this one.”

Photo by Chuck Burton | AP

Dallas head coach Jason Garrett, left, talks with Tony Romo, right, during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday. Atlanta won 19-13.

Dallas starts the second half of its season Sunday at Philadelphia (3-5), which will be trying to avoid its first five-game losing streak in coach Andy Reid’s 14 years.

After that, the Cowboys have three home games in a 15-day span, including their Thanksgiving Day game against Washington (3-6), the only team below them in the NFC East standings.

They play five of six overall at home, including Pittsburgh — the only remaining opponent that currently has a winning record.

“We have played the hardest part of our schedule,” said

Jones, speaking to reporters during the open portion of practice.

“We had higher expectations than this. We are disappointed with our record. We have to play better, we have to finish. The bottom line at the end of the day, you are what you are. We are 3-5.

We have to improve.”

Despite the disappointment with the season so far, Jones reiterated that the organization is pleased with foundation that Garrett is setting for long-term success.

Jones said he “won’t even comment” on speculation about

See COWBOYS PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Longhorns honoring Royal

Texas Tech hosts struggling Jayhawks

By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — When No. 19 Texas takes the field on Saturday against Iowa State, the Longhorns will be paying tribute to former coach Darrell Royal with helmet stickers bearing his “DKR” initials and the first play on offense, which will be run from the wishbone formation Royal introduced to major college football in 1968.

Royal died this week at age 88, and the school wants to honor the coach who won two national championships, a share of a third and 11 Southwest Conference titles from 1957 to 1976.

“He built the foundation that we’re working off of today,” Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds said.

“He took a program that was struggling, and took it to new heights ...

Helped build the university. Helped brand the university.”

It will be an emotional day for Texas coach Mack Brown, who was very close to Royal and often talked about their friendship and the mentor’s role Royal had in his life. Royal was influential in Texas hiring Brown in 1997.

In a statement this week, Brown said he and his wife Sally considered Darrell and Edith Royal their “closest of friends.”

“I lost my dad when I was 54 and coach filled a real void in my life and treated me like family,” said Brown, who is 61. “I lost a wonderful friend, a mentor, a confidant and my hero.”

Brown will have to try to overcome some of that emotion when the game starts against the Cyclones.

The No. 19 Longhorns (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) are on a three-game winning streak and still in the running for one of the Big 12’s top bowl bids after last week’s 31-22 win at Texas Tech.

The Texas defense is coming off one of its best games of the season and quarterback David Ash rebounded from getting pulled from

By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Ralph Barrera | AP

In this file photo taken Sept. 1, 2012, former Texas legendary head football coach Darrell K. Royal gives the "Hook’em Horns" hand gesture. the game a week earlier against Kansas to throw for three touchdowns.

The offense also seems to have found a new weapon in freshman running back Johnathan Gray, who has consecutive 100-yard games in the first two starts of his career.

“Whatever you’ve got left in the tank, we need it. Full effort. All in,” Ash said. “Four more weeks of regular-season football and let’s try to be in the best spot possible at the end of the year.”

Iowa State (5-4, 2-4) has upended the Longhorns in the recent past. In 2010, Texas was coming off a huge win at Nebraska that the Longhorns believed had turned their season around. Instead, they ran into a Cyclones team that mostly dominated Texas in a 28-21 win in Austin that sent the Longhorns into a tailspin and a 5-7 finish.

Iowa State had never beaten Texas

until that game and Brown has warned his team not to fall into the same trap. There are plenty of current Longhorns who remember the loss.

“I realized how well-coached and tough and physical Iowa State is,” Texas guard Mason Walters said. “I won’t take that for granted. I don’t think anybody on this team will.”

Iowa State has shown it can trade punches with the top teams in the Big 12 for at least a little while. The Cyclones dropped a tough 27-21 loss to Big 12 leader Kansas State and lost last week 35-21 to Oklahoma. Iowa State’s most impressive win this season was on the road at TCU. “(Texas) is one of the hottest teams in our conference,” Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads said. “Two years ago, we went down there and played a sound football game. That’s what we’ll hope to do again.”

LUBBOCK, Texas — Kansas coach Charlie Weis is tweaking a couple of routines heading into the Jayhawks’ game against No. 25 Texas Tech this weekend.

It couldn’t hurt to try something different. The Jayhawks are winless in Big 12 play and have just one win overall this season, so Weis is taking the team to Lubbock earlier and holding practice where they will play the Red Raiders on Saturday.

“We’re not just going to go there to take a look at the wonderful stadium they have,” Weis said. “We’re going to get out there and we’re going to go run around.”

Kansas (1-8, 0-6) is looking to break an 18-game conference losing streak.

The Jayhawks most recent defeat came in a 41-14 loss at Baylor, while Texas Tech (6-3, 3-3) is coming off a second-straight loss, having fallen 31-22 to Texas last week.

After five-straight losses to close last season Texas Tech doesn’t want to see this year’s skid extended.

The Red Raiders’ 28thranked rush defense will be tested by Jayhawks running back James Sims, who would be leading the conference in rushing yards per game (124.7) had he played in more games. He

served a three-game suspension to open the season.

Texas Tech is allowing about as many yards per game as Sims is averaging.

Last week, Longhorns running back Johnathan Gray got 106 yards on 20 carries.

Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said Texas moved its offensive lineman around to create mismatches.

Weis said Sims is showing he’s more than just a player who comes onto the field to carry the ball.

“Obviously, we’re a runfirst team,” the first-year coach at Kansas said.

“That’s no secret. And he’s the main guy. So, I think that what’s really helping James is he’s taking more of that leadership role on.

And I think it bodes well for both him and us as we go forward.”

Texas Tech is one of just two teams nationally — along with Florida State — that’s ranked in the top 20 in both total offense and total defense. The latter represents a huge turnaround from last season when the Red Raiders were ranked near the bottom in several defensive categories.

“Now, all of a sudden, (Tuberville’s) got himself a more complete team than just one-sided one way or the other,” Weis said. “And being that he’s a defensive guy by trade, I’m sure that brings a smile to his face.”

TCU faces off with undefeated Kansas State

By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU knew its schedule was going to get more difficult by moving to the Big 12.

Coach Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs are finding out just how much, though they have already obtained bowl eligibility in their inaugural season in a BCS league.

“This part of our season is our Custer section. Going over the hill,” Patterson said, referring to the closing three-game stretch that starts Saturday night at home against No. 3 Kansas State, his alma mater.

“We all knew the schedule, what these last three were like before we started. ...

I’m glad we got to six (wins) before we got to these three.”

Led by Heisman Trophy front-running quarterback Collin Klein, the Wildcats (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) are in the thick of the national championship chase. They’re No. 2 in the BCS rankings behind only defending champion Alabama.

Kansas State is the highest AP-ranked team to visit Fort Worth since 1970, when No. 2 Texas won 58-0 in a Southwest Conference

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game.

TCU last hosted a Top 10 team in 1993, and have lost their last 12 such games at home since a victory over No. 9 Texas A&M in 1965.

“It’s a big game. It will be pretty easy for everyone to get ready,” said TCU right guard Blaize Foltz, who is from Kansas. “I know people on that team.

I know they’re just as excited to come down here and

play us, and just as fired up.”

After Kansas State, the Frogs play Thanksgiving night at 19th-ranked Texas and finish the regular season at home Dec. 1 against No. 14 Oklahoma.

With a win against TCU, the Wildcats would still be in pursuit of their first BCS national championship game appearance.

Regardless of what hap-

pens, they will still control their Big 12 fate. They go to Baylor next, then have Thanksgiving week off before their regular season finale at home against Texas.

Klein sustained an apparent head injury in the third quarter of last Saturday’s victory against Oklahoma State, but should be back in the lineup against the Frogs.

TEXANS Continued from Page 1B

Continued from Page 1B for the coaches.

There were so many columns and so many memories, but the ones that always stick out in my mind are the ones of coaches and how parents need to be good fans in the stands.

This has been a great journey, and even though I will not be in communication though our usual column, please feel free to drop me a line. I always enjoy hearing from all of Zapata County.

(Clara Sandoval can be reached at sandoval.clara@gmail.com)

getting it out. We pay attention to it all the time, but we better pay special attention to it this week.”

Some nasty weather could add to the challenge for the Texans, who’ve lost only one fumble all season. The forecast for kickoff time in Chicago calls for rain, temperatures in the 30s and winds gusting around 13-15 mph.

Quarterback Matt Schaub says he’s mostly concerned about the blustery conditions at Soldier Field, where the Texans will play for the first time since Dec. 19, 2004. Schaub has only been there once as a pro, in 2005 when he played for Atlanta, and didn’t throw a pass.

“It’s just something you just have to work through,” Schaub said. “You’ve got to learn to adjust to it. It is what it is, and it’s that way for both teams. You’ve just got to go play.”

The Bears had an interception return for a touchdown in three straight games earlier this season, a first for the franchise. During that

streak, Chicago joined the 1960 Cleveland Browns as the only teams to record multiple interception returns for TDs in back-to-back games.

Houston safety Danieal Manning, who played for the Bears from 2006-10, has warned the Texans’ offensive players about how much Chicago coach Lovie Smith stresses the importance of forcing turnovers and the kinds of drills the Bears use in practice to work on it.

“He sets up stations where he has stripping and turnover drills,” Manning said. “They believe in that. They’ve bought into the system.

It’s obviously been working for them.”

On the flip side, Kubiak has emphasized ball security since he worked as Denver’s offensive coordinator from 1995-2005. The Broncos produced more yards and touchdowns than any other team in that span, while their turnover total was among the 10 lowest in seven of those seasons. The ’05 team had an NFL-low 16 give-

COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B the future for Garrett, who is 16-16 since replacing Wade Garrett midway through the 2010 season.

“That’s ridiculous,” Jones added.

Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, during a radio interview on the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, said he felt Garrett “is probably coaching for his job for the rest of the year.”

Johnson won consecutive Super Bowl titles at the end of his five seasons in Dallas (1989-93). Garrett was a backup quarterback to Troy Aikman for the 1993 team coached

by Johnson.

“First of all, I think Jason is incredibly smart. No one understands the game more,” Jones said. “He grew up at a breakfast table knowing about the NFL. His father was a coach. His father was a scout. He understands the league. He leads our team in a great way. ... The players respect

him. He demands accountability.”

Quarterback Tony Romo said Garrett has done a phenomenal job with his even approach and calming influence. Garrett again Thursday was talking about focusing on the task at hand — playing Philadelphia — and not worrying about anything else.

“When you do that, I think there’s a certain level of confidence,” Garrett said.

In his same interview with Patrick, Johnson said only a handful of NFL players are self-motivated and that the best motivator is fear of letting down teammates, being embarrassed or losing their jobs.

He said there’s no fear in Dallas, which he went on to describe as a country club setting where “everybody is buddies.”

Jones said he had no comment on what Johnson said in the interview.

“Obviously he’s great for this

franchise and won a lot of Super Bowls,” Witten said. “I haven’t seen him around a whole lot.

These guys are working hard.”

Like Jones, Garrett said he had no comment. But the coach then went on to say he believes that his team practices and meets the right way.

“We create the right atmosphere of urgency for our players,” Garrett said. “It’s what I learned as a player and as a coach in this league, and that’s what we’re trying to create here with our football team.”

NOTES: RB DeMarco Murray (foot) didn’t practice Thursday, making it more likely he will miss his fourth consecutive game. ... Also not practicing were cornerback Mike Jenkins (back), a new addition to the list, defensive tackles Jay Ratliff and Sean Lissemore with ankle injuries, and center Phil Costa (ankle).

aways.

Kubiak became Houston’s coach in 2006. The Texans have cut down their turnovers in recent years after coughing up more than 30 in 2007 and ’08. They had a franchise-low 18 in 2010 and 20 last season, among the six lowest totals in the league both times.

Smith said eliminating turnovers has become ingrained with the Houston offense under Kubiak, just as generating takeaways has become part of Chicago’s defensive identity.

The Bears have generated at least four turnovers in half their games, and at least two in all of them. Linebacker Brian Urlacher said their challenge this week is forcing miscues by a quarterback and an offense that doesn’t make many.

Schaub has thrown four interceptions in 249 attempts and he’s only been sacked 10 times.

Foster, meanwhile, hasn’t fumbled in a leaguehigh 192 carries.

AGGIES Continued from Page 1B “For every quarterback there’s that moment where you grow up,” Sumlin said.

“For AJ McCarron, the way he performed coming down the field to win was one of those moments. As an offense they continue to grow. They’ve got weapons all over the field.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban knows facing the Texas A&M defense will be a challenge.

“Their defense is really good — they are very aggressive, they do a lot of different things, they run a lot of pressures,” he said.Along with the talented skill players, the Crimson Tide has an offensive line filled with players who look to be headed for an NFL career. Texas A&M defensive linemen said this week that Snyder normally puts a star by a couple of top players on a team each week. This week ev-

ery lineman had that star.

Alabama left tackle Cyrus Kouandjio is aware of the playmaking ability of Moore, who has blossomed into A&M’s top player this season after shedding some off the field trouble early in his career.

“I’ve heard he’s a good player,” Kouandjio said. “I’ve heard he’s a high energy, high motor player. I can’t wait to play against him.”

Most figured that A&M’s offense would be able to hold its own in the move from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference this season, but some doubted that the defense could find success. The Aggies don’t mind the offense gets the lion’s share of the publicity.

The Aggies have fared better against the run than the pass and are sixth in the SEC in run defense.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

HINTS | BY HELOISE SAVE MONEY ON AIR FRESHENERS Dear Readers: Many folks buy the commercial AIR FRESHENERS, but they can be pricey. To save money, here is an easy Heloise Hints way that you can make air fresheners at home for just a few cents.

All you need is some essential oil (you can use whichever you like, such as peppermint, lavender, orange, lemon, eucalyptus and bergamot). These essential oils can be found at many large grocery chains or drugstores. They may seem to cost a bit, but a small bottle will last a long, long time.

All you do is put several drops of the oil on some cotton balls. Then put the cotton balls in a glass, ceramic or metal container. Set these around the room you want to freshen, and the fragrance will be wonderful.

They must be placed high enough and out of the way so that children or pets cannot get to them. — Heloise P.S.: My favorites are essential oil of lavender, which is calming and relaxing, and essential oil of orange, which can be uplifting and invigorating, and adds a fresh citrus fragrance to the room.

PET PAL

“

HELOISE

Dear Readers: Gloria B. in Waterville, Maine, sent a close-up photo of her adorable Yorkie, Mekka. Gloria says: “My husband rescued her for me when I retired.

She is now 7 years old.” To see Mekka’s close up, please visit my website at www.Heloise.com and click on “Pets.” — Heloise CARPETED-STEP CLEANING Dear Heloise: I discovered an economical way to clean the carpeted steps in your home, especially if you have pets.

Start by sweeping from the top with a broom to get most of the hair, all the way to the bottom. You won’t believe how much hair you will scoop up. It’s economical, because now you won’t have to run your vacuum so long, and there will be fewer bags or canisters to empty! — Helen F., Steubenville, Ohio Helen, you are right — sometimes an “old-fashioned method” is surprisingly more efficient than using an appliance that uses electricity. — Heloise

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Sports

4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Lakers fire Mike Brown after 1-4 start

By GREG BEACHAM ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Christian Palma | AP

America’s Adrian Aldrete, right, fights for the ball with Pachuca’s Hector Herrera at a Mexican soccer league match in Mexico City on Nov. 3, 2012.

Rebranded Liga MX producing fewer goals

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY — Mexico rebranded its first division the “Liga MX” to start the season, but the results have changed little. In fact, this season is producing more draws and fewer goals, which is probably not what organizers wanted.

The first half of Mexico’s regular season wraps up this weekend and, through 16 rounds, 49 matches have ended as draws. It was 40 last season at this point.

Goal scoring is down, too, averaging 2.47 per game going into the final weekend — the lowest since Mexico went to split seasons in 1996.

“The draws are because the league is so competitive and coaches know it is important to get points,” said former Mexico national team coach Manuel Lapuente. “The season is very short and if you go into a slump there is no room to recover.”

Like much of Latin America, Mexico plays a split season and crowns a champion for each one. Toluca and Tijuana are the leaders heading into the final weekend.

One of the changes in the new Liga MX was to include second-division teams in the MX Cup competition.

But first-division teams have fielded largely reserve squads for the cup games, lowering interest. As a result, the four finalists this season were all second-division teams.

Decio De Maria, the president of Liga MX, has acknowledged things could be better.

“This is the first edition and we’ve all learned — club and referees. There is a maturation process involved.”

Some have suggested there needs to be an economic incentive for winning the cup. De Maria seems open to it in some fashion, but draws a line.

“We could dangle a car-

rot,” he said over the possibility of a monetary award.

“But the best carrot should be lifting the trophy. The economic award should be an incentive, but it should never be the most important.”

The league, which was formerly administered by the Mexican Football Federation, has also tried to show a more gentle face with coaches, players and referees operating under an ethics code. But the only difference seems to be that coaches who had previously been openly critical — like Brazilian Ricardo Ferreti of Tigres — have been quiet for fear of being fined.

“The league made me sign a paper that says I have to respect the referees, not say anything, not get angry, not make comments, not overact,” Ferreti said. “If I signed it, I have to keep my word.”

De Maria said it would take three years for the new league to show improvement, but not much has changed so far.

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Mike Brown on Friday after a 1-4 start to his second season in charge.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak announced the surprising move several hours before they hosted Golden State.

Assistant coach Bernie Bickerstaff will coach the Lakers against the Warriors.

“This was a difficult and painful decision to make,” Kupchak said.

“Mike was very hardworking and dedicated, but we felt it was in the best interest of the team to make a change at this time. We appreciate Mike’s efforts and contributions and wish him and his family the best of luck.”

Los Angeles began the season with championship expectations after trading for center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash, adding two superstars alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

But the Lakers went 0-8 during the preseason last month for the first time in franchise history before stumbling into the regular season with an 0-3 start, losing to Dallas, Portland and the Clippers. After finally beating Detroit last Sunday for their first win, the Lakers looked listless again in a loss at Utah on Wednesday.

The Lakers’ 1-4 record is the worst in the Western Conference, and owner Jim Buss had seen enough of the coach he hired just 18 months earlier to replace 11-time NBA champion Phil Jackson.

Brown signed a four-year deal worth roughly $18 million in May 2011.

“It’s a pretty direct

Photo by Rick Bowmer | AP

Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike Brown holds his head before the start of the first quarter on Wednesday. message to all of us,” Gasol said while leaving the Lakers’ shootaround Friday morning in El Segundo. “There’s no messing around. It’s time for all of us to step it up.”

While Lakers fans had reacted with their usual panic whenever the 16time NBA champions lose a few games in a row, Kupchak and Buss publicly appeared to stand firmly behind Brown, the longtime Cleveland Cavaliers coach.

Brown had pleaded for patience with his integration of several new players into his lineup while everybody learned a new offense.

“I have great respect for the Buss family and the Lakers’ storied tradition, and I thank them for the opportunity they afforded me,” Brown said in a statement issued by the Lakers. “I have a deep appreciation for the coaches and players that I worked with this past year, and I wish the organization nothing but success as they move forward.”

Brown’s players all were fully behind him in public, with Bryant vocally suggesting critics of the

Lakers’ new offense should give them time to get it working. Bryant missed a significant portion of training camp while dealing with minor injuries, and Nash has a small fracture in his leg that has kept him out of the lineup since the Lakers’ second game.

Yet the Lakers had given no indication they might pull one of the earliest coaching changes in NBA history until Kupchak gathered the players Friday morning to inform them of the decision.

Los Angeles went 41-25 and reached the second round of the playoffs last season in Brown’s debut, losing to Oklahoma City.

Brown received criticism even for that largely successful season, with Magic Johnson predicting Brown would be fired if the Lakers lost to Denver in the first round.

Brown implemented a new offensive scheme this fall that didn’t appear to suit his players’ talents, yet the Lakers also played spotty defense, Brown’s specialty.