The Zapata Times 11/13/2010

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2010

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JUVENILE DETENTION

FINANCES

Deals with counties OK’d

Fix up or shut down

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Juvenile detention service contracts between Zapata County and Webb and Duval counties were approved at a special Commissioners Court meeting on Friday.

Zapata County does not provide a facility to house troubled youth and the nearest facilities are in Webb and Duval, noted Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Sandy Pippen-Gomez.

Contracts began on Sept. 1 and will end Aug. 31, she added.

There are between 60-80 juveniles from Zapata County housed at the Webb and the Duval detention facilities, Pippen-Gomez said.

Juveniles end up in the facilities after committing criminal of-

County gets rest stop ultimatum from TxDOT

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Zapata County Commissioners were more than glad to approve all necessary repairs and upgrades of several community buildings at their last meeting Monday; however, they have yet to determine a solution to prevent scenic rest stops from closing.

Texas Department of Transportation project manager Marisa Ramirez presented the court with an ultimatum: find a solution to maintain the scenic rest stops or they will be closed and torn down, she said.

Maintenance budget cuts have caused the closure of the rest stops, Ramirez said.

Both rest stops at risk for closing are in Precinct 2, and Com-

missioner Gabriel Villarreal announced he does not have the manpower to maintain them.

County Judge Rosalva Guerra and commissioners presented ideas to Ramirez, including the installation of cameras and a juvenile detention clean-up program. “(The rest stops) are historical and we need to go after these people because I’d hate to see

these parks go,” Guerra said.

Commissioners have set up a meeting with TxDOT Area Engineer Eddie Gracia Jr. to decide the fate of the rest stops.

Also at the meeting, the request by Buckner Housing Assistance Program to help demolish a dilapidated house owned by the Atilano and Rosa Flores

See COMMISSIONERS PAGE 10A

HONORING VETERANS

See DETENTION PAGE 10A

UNITED WAY

Group teaches language skills (Editor’s note: This is one in a series of profiles of the 26 agencies funded by United Way. The 2010 campaign is now under way.)

By ERIC GARZA SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Nora G. Garcia began working in the U.S. without any knowaledge of English language. In January 2008, she enrolled with Literacy Volunteers of Laredo. Since she began, she has learned a lot about English. She is now able to communicate in English, though she prefers Spanish.

Nora has begun reading classic literature such as “Little Women” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Last year, Nora was recognized by Literacy Volunteers of Laredo as the student of the year.

She is on the sixth level (of seven)

See READING PAGE 10A

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Zapata County war veterans, from left, Jaime Gonzalez, Teo Garza and Gerardo Gutierrez Jr., joined students for a Veterans Day ceremony at Villarreal Elementary on Thursday morning.

Vets join students to honor those who served

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

In observance of Veterans Day, all the Zapata County Independent School District campuses paid tribute to veterans in the community with ceremonies which included the traditional moment of silence, the singing of the national anthem, the 21gun salute and the playing of Taps.

Fidel and Andrea R. Villarreal Elementary invited more than 40 veterans to join in the celebration in front of the campus.

“It was a special day. We gathered around our flag pole and in-

vited veterans of this community to join us and they partook in the ceremony at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” said Principal Carmen Zavala.

During the ceremony a few of the veterans helped to raise the flags for the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem.

“One of our teachers, Nidia Mesquita, sang the national anthem while our students paid tribute to the flag and veterans, and we concluded the ceremony with Taps played by Victor Gar-

See VETERANS DAY PAGE 10A

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Zapata County veterans Teo Garza, left, Jaime Gonzalez and Gerardo Gutierrez Jr., raise the American flag during the Veterans Day ceremony Thursday.

PAGE 2A

Zin brief

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

AROUND TEXAS

CALENDAR

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, NOV. 13 TAMIU will host the “Healing Cambodia Bicycle Race and Fun Run/ Walk/Bike” fundraiser to demonstrate the impact of this year’s “Reading the Globe” common read book. Cost to participate is $30; proceeds will go to the Somaly Mam Foundation and PEPY, an organization devoted to improving the quality of education offered in government schools in rural Cambodia. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 8 a.m. Bicycle Race participants will depart from TAMIU, and ride to Doctor’s Hospital and back. Fun Race participants will walk, jog, or ride along TAMIU’s loop inside the campus. The events are open to the public and are sponsored by the TAMIU Reading the Globe Ambassadors. For more information, contact Dr. Hayley D. Kazen at hkazen@tamiu.edu or 326-2134, or visit offices in the University Success Center, room 223.

The Monte Mucho Audubon Society is hosting a field trip to two ranches from 6:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. This is a great opportunity to explore and discover two new bird watching paradises. The group will see a variety of habitats from river frontages to Tamaulipan Thorn Scrub areas. Peacefield and La Laja ranches are both located off South Hwy 83. The target birds for the morning will be the white-collared seedeater, orioles, warblers, ducks and shore birds. Public and novice bird watchers are welcome.

The group is bilingual. Departure is at 6:15 a.m. RSVP would be appreciated.

Contact Raul Delgado at rcdelg@sbcglobal.net or Matthew Adams at matthew.adams@laredo.edu for more information.

A medley of jazz instruments and voices will be heard as Laredo Community College’s Performing Arts Department presents six of its own during the Faculty Jazz Recital. The event will take place from 7:30-8:45 p.m. in the Lilia and Guadalupe Martinez Fine Arts Center. Admission is $10 per person, and $5 for students with a valid ID. Veterans Helping Veterans will meet in TAMIU’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center, Room 126, from noon to 2:30 p.m. today, Nov. 27, and Dec. 11 and 18. Meetings are confidential and for military veterans only. For more information, contact George Mendez at 794-3057 or georgem@borderregion.org, or Jessica Morales at 7943091 or jessicam@borderregion.org.

SUNDAY, NOV. 14 The Texas A&M International University Organ Recital Series continues with organist Dr. Eun Joo Chung today from 4-7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public. The program will feature pieces by Dieterich Buxtehude, Cesar Franck, Samuel Scheidt, J. S. Bach, Joe Utterback, and Jean Langlais. For more information, please call 326.2654. For a list of upcoming fine arts events, call 326-ARTS or visit tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe.

The Laredo Public Library’s Friends of the Library is trying to raise $250,000 for books for two branch libraries. The group will hold its second fundraiser, a bowling tournament at Jett Bowl North, 701 Gale St., at noon Sunday. The cost is $125 per team of five, which includes three games and shoe rentalFor more information or to sign up a team, contact Friend of the Library Jackie Ramos at 744-2336 or the Laredo Public Library at 795-2400.

MONDAY, NOV. 15 International Week 2010 at TAMIU starts today and ends Nov. 19. Today at 11 a.m., view the AIS Post Card Art Exhibition, located in the Student Center Rotunda, or visit the Division of International Programs Information Tables, located in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center Foyer and in the Student Center (SC) Rotunda. The Flag Walk begins at noon at Killam Library, and the “Proclamation” begins at 12:45 p.m. in the Student Center Rotunda. View a Jordan presentation at 1:30 p.m. and a Turkish presentation at 1:50 p.m. in the Student Center Rotunda. These events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Division of International Programs, at 326.2282, e-mail iss@tamiu.edu or visit Anthony J. and Georgia A. Pellegrino Hall, room 303.

SETTING IT STRAIGHT The blotter in the Nov. 6 edition incorrectly identified the man charged with possession of a controlled substance.

In fact, Ramon Tanguma was arrested and Deputy Michael Ray Alvarez was the arresting officer.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Jaime R. Carrero/Tyler Morning Telegraph | AP

Texas Gov. Rick Perry signs copies of his book "Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save America from Washington," during a stop in Tyler, on Friday. Perry expects to be selected as chairman of the Republican Governors Association next week, according to an aide. In the book, Perry calls Social Security a "failure" and compares it to an illegal Ponzi scheme.

Perry eyes leadership

By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry expects to be selected next week as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, a Perry aide said Friday.

The group, now led by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, is expected to vote at its weeklong meeting next week in San Diego.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said the Texas governor has been lobbying for the job so he can champion his pet issues of state’s rights and limited federal government.

Perry has been an oft-mentioned name in the run-up to the 2012 presidential race, but he has insisted he’s not interested.

Since being re-elected to a third full term, Perry has been promoting his new book on state’s rights, "Fed Up!: Our Fight to Save America from Washington."

Perry pointed to the book and its attacks on Washington as evidence that he doesn’t want to run for president.

In the book, Perry calls Social Security a "failure" and compares it to an illegal Ponzi scheme. He also criticizes the modern implementation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, saying that Texas and other states — most of them from the South — should no longer have to get pre-clearance from federal authorities to make changes affecting voting.

It would be Perry’s second stint as leader of the association.

The RGA gives campaign money to and promotes Republican candidates for governor. According to the association’s website, the group spent $50 million on races in 10 key swing states that Republicans believe are critical to their chances of taking back the White House in 2012.

Former UT staffer arrested for shower videotaping

Dad sought after SUV wreck, girl in street

70 whooping cranes reach refuge in Texas

AUSTIN — A former University of Texas women’s track equipment manager has been accused of videotaping athletes in the locker room shower.

Rene Zamora was arrested and charged with improper photography or visual recording, a state jail felony.

Police seized a laptop computer and memory cards from Zamora’s home.

DALLAS — Dallas police sought a driver who fled when his SUV wrecked and his 5-yearold daughter was ejected through a window and was left on a street.

The man’s three sons, ages 9, 6 and 11 months, also were in the vehicle and two were hurt.

The oldest child told police that his father had been “drinking heavily.”

AUSTWELL — At least 70 endangered whooping cranes have flown to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.

Last week’s cold snap apparently led more whooping cranes to head south.

Six of 10 birds fitted with radio transmitters for tracking have arrived.

Change death penalty laws: Innocence Project

Ike FEMA trailers in Galveston to stay a year

HOUSTON — Anti-death penalty lawyers say the execution of a Texas man whose plea for DNA testing was ignored shows procedures and laws covering capital punishment need to be changed.

The Innocence Project said Friday the execution of Claude Jones 10 years ago occurred because then-Gov. George W. Bush wasn’t aware Jones’ lawyer was asking for DNA testing.

GALVESTON — City Council approved a plan so 17 families still living in government-provided mobile homes since Hurricane Ike won’t have to move.

The council voted to extend the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Jan. 7floodplain elevation deadline for a year.

The action was taken since the trailers were handed to a private nonprofit organization.

Lewisville repeat drunken driver gets life term DENTON — A repeat drunken driver from Lewisville blamed for an Easter morning wreck in which two people were killed has been sentenced to life in prison.

A jury sentenced John Patrick Barton, 30, who apologized in court.

Barton pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of murder and three counts of intoxicated assault with a vehicle. He did not have a plea agreement.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION Trial set in death of girl hit by rock

CONTACT US

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A trial has been set for a 16-yearold boy accused of kicking a rock off a cliff that killed a Michigan girl vacationing in Colorado.

Freddie Henderson Bailey III of Katy, Texas, pleaded not guilty Friday to manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Audra Brownell of Sparta, Mich., in June.

If Bailey is convicted, the maximum sentence would be two years in a juvenile facility.

Miss. DEQ seeks help in assessing spill damage OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — Officials with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality are seeking help in determining how much BP should pay for damaging natural resources during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Today is Saturday, Nov. 13, the 317th day of 2010. There are 48 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Nov. 13, 1974, Karen Silkwood, a technician and union activist at the Kerr-McGee Cimarron plutonium plant near Crescent, Okla., died in a car crash while on her way to meet a reporter.

On this date: In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter to a friend, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

In 1909, 259 men and boys were killed when fire erupted inside a coal mine in Cherry, Ill. In 1927, the Holland Tunnel opened to the public, providing access between lower Manhattan and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River.

In 1940, the Walt Disney animated movie “Fantasia” had its world premiere in New York.

In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws calling for racial segregation on public city and state buses.

In 1960, entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. married actress May Britt (the marriage lasted until 1968).

In 1969, speaking in Des Moines, Iowa, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew accused network television news departments of bias and distortion, and urged viewers to lodge complaints.

In 1971, the U.S. space probe Mariner 9 went into orbit around Mars.

In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. In 1985, some 23,000 residents of Armero, Colombia, died when a volcanic mudslide buried the city.

Ten years ago: Lawyers for George W. Bush failed to win a court order barring manual recounts of ballots in Florida.

Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris announced she would end the recounting at 5 p.m. Eastern time the next day — prompting an immediate appeal by lawyers for Al Gore. Joe Mullen and Denis Savard were among those inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Five years ago: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in Jerusalem, strongly rebuked Iran’s leadership, saying “no civilized nation” can call for the annihilation of another — a reference to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s remark that Israel should be “wiped off the map.”

Today’s Birthdays: Journalist-author Peter Arnett is 76. Producer-director Garry Marshall is 76. Actor Jimmy Hawkins is 69. Country singersongwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard is 64. Actress Sheila Frazier is 62. Actress Frances Conroy is 57. Musician Andrew Ranken (The Pogues) is 57. Actress Tracy Scoggins is 57. Actor Chris Noth (nohth) is 56. Actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg is 55. Actor Rex Linn (“CSI: Miami”) is 54. Actress Caroline Goodall is 51.

Actor Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”) is 50.

Thought for Today: “If we like a man’s dream, we call him a reformer; if we don’t like his dream, we call him a crank.” — William Dean Howells, American author (18371920).

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Students play disc golf as the sun sets on campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Friday.

Steinem: notion of ‘having it all’ is a myth PHILADELPHIA — Gloria Steinem says women grappling with the pressure for perfection

that can wreak havoc in their lives need to realize the notion of “having it all” is largely a myth.

The women’s movement icon spoke at an annual meeting of eating disorder clinicians in Philadelphia on Friday.

— Compiled from AP reports

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Local

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

SPECS SHADE OUT DRUGS

New campus possible

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Members of the ZCISD facilities committee were briefed Tuesday on the status of future renovations and building upgrades in the district, including the possible construction of a new campus for Zapata North Elementary.

“The options for North Elementary are still under exploration. At this point we are possibly looking at renovating it or building a new (school),” Superintendent Norma Garcia said. “Our architect is working on different options for us to present to our school board.”

If the board approves the construction of a new building, the facilities committee will have to find a way to fund the project, Garcia said.

Garcia hopes to obtain funding sources for the project by the next school board meeting, which is set for Tuesday.

The committee also heard renovation options for the Building Trades and Administration buildings.

“The building trades proposal was way beyond our budget. That project still needs further study,” Garcia said.

Both buildings are located at Zapata High School and were not a part of the original blueprint, Garcia added.

“It appears it was an afterthought, so teachers are struggling with the facility because it is not adequate for their needs,” she said.

Also at the meeting,

Chief Financial Officer Laura McCoy presented the board with a solution for central office control of air conditioning and communication at the school pavilions.

Automated logic controls would be installed at four elementary schools, Garcia said.

“This is particularly necessary because they are not on a timer,” she said.

“When schools and buildings are centrally controlled there will be a great savings to the district.”

At the same time, the district is setting up a facilities use plan for individuals requesting the usage of any district buildings or facilities.

“We’ve had some confusion about which buildings and facilities can be used and if there is a cost involved in using any of our buildings or facilities,” Garcia said. “I just want to make sure individuals have some kind of guidelines to follow.”

A draft of the facilities use plan was supposed to be presented by McCoy, but lack of input by stakeholders delayed the presentation.

“We need more time to prepare it,” Garcia said.

“Presently, we don’t have the appropriate protocol for the community to seek out the use of any of our facilities.”

Garcia and school administrators also discussed the old Zapata South Elementary project schedule.

“The old South Elementary School is scheduled to be demolished beginning early December,” Garcia

said. “That project will take approximately two months and we just wanted to give the board an update.”

Other district improvements include landscaping in all four elementary schools and the Zapata Middle School construction project, according to the agenda.

“All of the new elementary (schools) lack landscaping,” Garcia said.

“That is just the next step we want to take to complete the schools.”

Prior to the meeting, Garcia, board members, key members of the construction team, Zapata Middle School administrators, and district administrators did a walk-through of the Zapata Middle School campus to update board members on the status of the construction project.

“Our expectations are that (the architects) honor the Dec. 17 date they gave us to start moving in,” Garcia said. “We are concerned because there is still a lot that needs to be completed.”

“They promised us that the school would be ready for us to move in by the 17th, and the administration and staff of ZMS are anxiously waiting for the move,” she added.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3A

Courtesy photo

Students in Liliana R. Martinez’s third grade class wore sunglasses to Shade Out drugs during drug prevention week at Villarreal Elementary. Pictured from left are, top, Raul Garza, Yesenia Montalvo, Leilani Delgado, Yesenia Vaughn, Evelyn Lara, Rolando Martinez and Erik Chapa; bottom, Eusebio Lobaton, Cindy Zuñiga, Gisselle Ibarra, Diana Alvarez, Jadir Gonzalez, Jordy Castillo and Luis Rangel.

Professor writes book SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The intersection of psychology and information systems is explored in a new text edited by Texas A&M International University professor of Information Systems Ned Kock.

“Evolutionary Psychology and Information Systems Research: A New Approach to Studying the Effects of Modern Technologies on Human Behavior” (Springer, 2010), compiles current research on how our evolving psychological traits, such as our

capacity to understand or acquire language, can affect the way we approach and understand technology.

Kock, considered one of the leading scholars in evolutionary psychologyinformation systems research, brings together the research of other leading world researchers. Among the chapter authors are

another TAMIU faculty member, Christopher Ferguson; and two former TAMIU doctoral students.

The book initially frames evolutionary psychology concepts and theories to form a foundation for research, and then focuses on examples of current EP-IS research in practice. It concludes with a look at breaking issues.

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

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

OTHER VIEWS

Both groups get stern warnings

By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS

W

ASHINGTON — Never mind the talk of tsunamis and tidal waves, last weeks election results revealed some storm clouds ahead for both parties. (Okay, I promise to stop sounding like the political Weather Channel.)

Let’s start with the Democrats. Beyond the obvious, such as losing independent voters by 16 points and moving backward with nearly every major demographic group compared to the last two elections, Democrats should be wary of five other pitfalls.

First, call them the Pelosi Democrats. Strategists were shocked last week to learn that the speaker plans to run again for party leader in the new Congress that convenes in January. The Democratic leadership team is out of step with many districts in the South, Midwest and West. About half of the Republican gains last week were from districts that Sen. John McCain won in his 2008 presidential bid and that had elected a Democratic House member. Now in the hands of the GOP, they will not easily flip back to candidates closely aligned with the Siren of San Francisco.

Next there’s the 2012 presidential map. Florida, Georgia, Texas and Arizona are among the states that will gain House seats — and electoral votes — before the next election, while others like Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and New York will lose. At the presidential level, it means many of the states that Obama won in 2008 will lose clout in the Electoral College, while those where Republicans performed well will gain votes.

Third, beyond presidential politics, Democrats also struggle with congressional reapportionment. Post-2010 Census seat gains in key states could help cushion the GOP’s House majority for the next several cycles.

“Republicans fully control redistricting in 15 states, including the battlegrounds of Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin,” the National Journal’s Josh Kraushaar wrote last week. “They control the mapmaking for 193 House districts, compared to 44 for the Democrats,” Fourth, Democrats no longer enjoy the money advantage that they held over the past several cycles. Not only have groups like American Crossroads and American Action Network helped close the gap that unions provide for Democrats, but GOP gains in Congress means party committees, like the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), will out-raise the Democrats in 2012.

Typically, the majority party in Congress receives about 60 percent of PAC contributions.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee enjoyed that type of advantage in 2008 and 2010. With Republicans back in the House major-

ity, expect them to recapture the money edge.

Finally, compared to the last two cycles, 2012 in the Senate looks particularly challenging for the Democrats. Of the 33 senators up for reelection, only 10 are Republicans and 23 are Democrats.

Yet 2010 also revealed some Republican soft spots. Consider turnout.

Republicans did well for two reasons in 2010.

First, independents swung against Democrats by that gaping 16point margin.

But the composition of the electorate also favored the GOP. About 41.5 percent of the voting age population turned out last week, according to Professor Michael McDonald of George Mason University, compared to 61.6 percent in 2008 — roughly a 30 percent drop between the presidential and midterm elections. The people who turned out at lower rates — younger voters, African Americans and Latinos —are higher propensity Democratic supporters. They will show up in higher numbers in two years. And unless something changes, they will not support GOP candidates.

Long term, the Latino vote is an ongoing Republican vulnerability.

Republicans elected three new Hispanic office holders (Senatorelect Marco Rubio from Florida, as well as newly elected governors Susana Martinez from New Mexico and Brian Sandoval from Nevada). But strength among Hispanic voters in other contests was mixed. Weakness among Latinos probably cost Republicans Senate seats in Nevada and Colorado, and perhaps even California.

Third, if the economy improves, GOP strategists will have to closely watch the Obama Republicans — the over 50 districts now held by the GOP that Obama won in 2008. These lawmakers had smoother sailing in 2010 because of favorable political winds; 2012 might be a different story. Just like Republicans beat about 75 percent of the Democrats in McCain districts this year, many of the Obama Republicans could face tough sledding in two years.

Fourth, Republicans may have run out of room on the electoral map. There are a dozen or less (depending on the final tallies) Democratic incumbents left that represent districts won by McCain in the last presidential election (there were just under 50 before the Nov. 2 elections).

These are normally fertile political hunting grounds. But 2010 considerably thinned the herd.

Finally, no one knows what the Republican presidential primary will produce. The GOP might nominate more candidates like Christine O’Donnell who stand for conservative principles, but lack electoral crossover appeal. Some in the GOP would rather lose and stay 100 percent true to a particular issue agenda. If that mindset prevails, Nancy Pelosi will take back the speaker’s gavel and join Barack Obama at a reelection party in 2012.

COLUMN

Dems should heed warnings

By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

T

he ancient Greeks gave us democracy, the rule of the people. They also gave us the elements of tragedy, which have been hard to miss in the political events of the last two years, in the 2010 elections and in their aftermath.

The Greek tragic cycle begins with “koros,” the period of a protagonist’s happiness. It moves to “hubris,” a show of excessive pride that offends the gods.

In the stage of “ate,” the protagonist ignores the warnings of the gods and commits an act of folly, which invites “nemesis,” retributive destruction.

In November 2008, Democrats were euphoric, celebrating the results of a historic election. Two years after they had regained majorities in both houses of Congress, they padded those majorities while also taking control of the White House. “Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our politics for so long,” President-

elect Barack Obama told a rapturous crowd on election night.

Three days after his inauguration, Obama invited congressional leaders to the White House. Republicans raised concerns about the scope of the so-called stimulus bill and presented their ideas for boosting the economy and increasing employment. The president swatted them away with two words: “I won.”

Democrats rammed through the $814 billion stimulus package, with the administration touting projections that it would keep unemployment from exceeding 8 percent. As the jobless rate rose above 9 percent and onto 10 percent, the Democratic majority used taxpayer money to bailout automakers and pushed a climate change cap-and-trade scheme that would cripple the economy.

There were warning signs in the polls. This was too much spending, too much government intrusion. Then the gods — in a democracy, the people — hurled a thunderbolt, electing a Republican, Scott Brown, to succeed Ted Kennedy as senator from Mas-

sachusetts.

The Democrats ignored the warnings. They forced through a $938 billion takeover of health care without bothering to read their own legislation. They presided over a $3 trillion increase in the national debt in less than two years. They sneered at the people, calling them bigots and xenophobes who were too dumb to acknowledge the Democrats’ Olympian greatness.

Then they were shocked at the destruction on Nov. 2. Democrats suffered their biggest midterm rout in the House since 1938, losing at least 61 seats, in addition to six Senate seats. But those numbers don’t begin to tell the tale of voter retribution across the country, where Republicans gained, at minimum, an astonishing 675 seats in state legislatures, taking 19 state chambers and 10 governorships from Democrats.

In ancient Greece, this would normally be the end, with the vanquished protagonist exiting or, often as not, being carried from the stage. But this Democratic tragedy continues.

An unchastened Obama, who blamed the Demo-

crats’ electoral disaster on the impatience of the American people and a failure to communicate, will remain in the White House for at least two more years.

In an act of hubris worthy of Oedipus, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — while celebrating her magnificent accomplishments — will seek to retain her position as leader of a truncated minority in the House.

Meanwhile, a new narrative has developed, building on the theme that this nation of gun-clinging religious zealots is unworthy of the Democrats’ enlightened leadership. According to this narrative, the electoral backlash was not the result of pushing an agenda that was too extreme.

Rather, it was not extreme enough. More should have been rammed through, and now that the moderate Blue Dog caucus has been annihilated, progressive Democrats are free to soar like Icarus.

Even people only remotely familiar with the classical world know how that myth ends.

(E-mail Jonathan Gurwitz at jgurwitz@expressnews.net)

Court faces tough spot in video game case NEW YORK TIMES

I

f the Supreme Court renders justice in a case it heard this month, Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association, it will strike down

a California law barring the sale or rental of violent video games to anyone younger than 18. That would end a violation of free expression — but not prevent the states from finding other ways to sup-

port parents who do not want their children to play violent games.

Some of these games are grotesquely violent.

Restricting the content of games, however, would mean adding to the short

list of expression excluded from the First Amendment’s protection. In April, the court said the Constitution does not permit a restriction “simply on the basis that some speech is not worth it.”

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

PAGE 6A

Zentertainment

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

A Tejano legend returns

By EMILIO RÁBAGO III LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Photo by Lynne Sladky | AP

Singer Tito El Bambino performs during the Latin Billboard Awards at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., on Thursday, April 27, 2006.

‘El Bambino’ stops in Laredo tonight

By BY EMILIO RÁBAGO III LAREDO MORNING TIMES

A couple of days after attending the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas and right before hitting stages in Mexico, reggaeton artist Tito “El Bambino” is stopping in the Gateway City.

The Laredo Energy Arena will host the concert, which will also feature another reggaeton/Latin music veteran, Big Boy. Recently added to bill were local DJ Laidback Lou, Yanuis “The Beat Machine” from Puerto Rico and Julio “El Cartas” from Cuba, plus two other performers.

Armed with a new hot single and a career that dates back to the beginnings of the reggaeton genre, Tito “El Bambino” will visit Laredo for the first time Saturday.

Formerly of the duo Hector y Tito, the Puerto Rican released his first solo album, titled “Top of the Line,” in April 2006. The album featured 20 tracks that featured artists such as Daddy Yankee. The album reached No. 1 status in Puerto Rico.

Tito’s second album, titled “It’s My Time,” featured artists such as rapper and producer Pharell and R.K.M. y Ken-Y. “It’s My Time” made the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart.

Born Efraín Fines Nevarez, Tito “El Bambino” recently released the track “Underground,” which samples beats from an oldschool Daddy Yankee song.

Tito has previously worked with Yankee on several tracks, and started his

career at approximately the same time, in the early to mid-2000s.

Along with Hector “El Bambino,” Tito could be considered one of the first in the genre. He’s recorded with the likes of Don Omar and Beenie Man. As Hector y Tito, the duo got off to a successful start, earning a Latin Billboard Award and a Tu Musica Award.

“Underground” is off Tito’s upcoming album, titled “Invencible.”

Another recent track by Tito, “Te Pido Perdon,” features la Banda El Recodo.

It’s a danceable tune that features a little bit of salsa and banda mixed with romantic lyrics. “Te Comenze a Querer” and “El Amor” go along the same salsa/me-

rengue lines, and are also off his album “El Patrón: La Victoria,” his most recent full-length album release.

“The Laredo Energy Arena is proud to host Tito ‘El Bambino’ for his first visit to Laredo. Our city has always embraced reggaeton,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager at the LEA. Tickets to Tito “El Bambino’s” half-house show at the arena, which is set for 8 p.m., are $13 to $68, plus service fees, and are available via Ticketmaster or at the LEA box office.

The event is being presented by Twisted Entertainment and E11even Promotions.

(Emilio Rábago III may be reached at 728-2564 or erabago@lmtonline.com)

One of Tejano music’s most celebrated male stars is coming back to Laredo in a month.

The legendary Emilio Navaira, who suffered a life-threatening accident while in a tour bus in Houston two years ago, will be playing at the Laredo Energy Arena on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Dubbed “The Return of Emilio Navaira,” the concert and dance will also feature Los Palominos, the popular band of Arreola brothers.

According to Richard A. Marini of the San Antonio Express-News, Emilio made his first public appearance after the 2008 accident in April of this year, alongside country artist Clay Walker, at the Pearl Brewery Complex in downtown S.A. In May 2009, a separate Express-News article stated that Navaira, at the time, was still suffering from memory and motor

Express-News file photo

skills problems.

Given Emilio’s popularity in the Gateway City, it’s good news that he’s making a comeback and that his tour will once again stop in Laredo. So, far only the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi has booked Emilio — for Nov. 27.

The December event at the arena is being presented by Family Chevrolet and Unitrade, along with LULAC Council No. 12.

“Not only will this be a memorable event, but all proceeds will go to scholarships for graduates,” said Amando Chapa, President of LULAC No. 12.

“Emilio Navaira is a Tejano icon and so we here

at the LEA think it’s fitting that the Laredo Energy Arena plays a big part in his career comeback.

This event is what Tejano fans have been waiting for, it’s more than just a concert, and it’s a performance of a Texas legend, who is coming back from all odds.” said Xavier Villalon, LEA general manager, in a press release.

Tickets for “The Return” go on sale today at 10 a.m. at the LEA box office and through Ticketmaster.

A special buy-one-getone-free promotion will be available for the first 500 fans who purchase their tickets at the LEA box office today only. The box office will be open until 8 p.m., LEA officials said.

General admission tickets, for seating in the upper and lower bowls, are $25 and are included in the promotion. They will be $30, plus fees, on the day of event.

For more information, call the LEA box office at 523-7700.

SÁBADO 13 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010

Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 13 DE NOVIEMBRE Hoy es el Bazar de San Agustin, una exposición de artesanías en San Agustin Plaza. Más información llamando al 753-4406 ó al 237-0627.

Hoy habrá una campaña para recaudación de fondos en TAMIU titulado “Healing Cambodia Bicycle Race and Fun Run/Walk/Bike”. El costo por persona es de 30 dólares y las ganancias se destinarán a la Somaly Mam Foundation y PEPY. El registro será a partir de las 7 a.m. y la carrera iniciará a las 8 a.m. El evento es abierto al público en general.

Hoy es el Festival para Padres de UISD en la Secundaria United de 8 a.m. a 2 p.m. La inscripción y desayuno será a las 8 a.m., las sesiones de 8:30 a.m. a 1:20 p.m. y la comida se servirá de 11:15 a.m. a 11:45 a.m. El conferencista invitado es Simón Silva con el tema “Cultura, creatividad y arte: una fuente de oportunidad”. También habrá actividades para los primeros 400 niños que asistan. Más información en el 473-6452.

El Consulado de México en Laredo invita a su Jornada Sabatina hoy de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m., para quien no pueda acudir en día hábil a realizar sus trámites.

Puede solicitar previa cita, desde EU llamando al 1-877MEXITEL (1-877-639-4835) y desde México en el 01-8009000-SER. Estudiantes, padres de familia, ex alumnos y amigos de Mary Help of Christians School están invitados a asistir a la Misa con motivo de su 75 Aniversario, hoy a las 10:30 a.m. en el gimnasio de la escuela. Habrá refrigerios después de la Celebración.

El Club de Maestros de TAMIU explorará “Colors” durante la “Saturday Story Hour” de 2 p.m. a 3 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo (1120 E. Calton Road), de 2 p.m. a 3 p.m. La sesión es para niños de 3 a 8 años, acompañados de un adulto.

Veteranos Ayudando Veteranos tendrán una reunión de grupo en el aula 126 del Western Hemispheric Trade Center de TAMIU, a las 2:30 p.m. de hoy. La reunión es confidencial y exclusiva para veteranos militares. Habrá otras reuniones el 27 de noviembre, el 11 de diciembre y el 18 de diciembre.

La Asociación de Veteranos de Afganistán-Irak del Sur de Texas estará teniendo su Día de Agradecimiento a Veteranos — Día de Diversión Familiar el día de hoy de 3 p.m. a 7 p.m. en Alexander Crossings (6911 Rosio Dr). Posteriormente habrá música en vivo con Mick Cruz y Diamondback de 8 p.m. a la medianoche.

Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y disfrute “The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather” a las 5 p.m., “Bella Gaia: A Poetic Vision of Earth from Space” a las 6 p.m., y Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares.

Disfrute el partido benéfico Guns ‘n’ Hoses entre el Departamento de Bomberos de Laredo y el Departamento de Policía de Laredo en el Edificio de Kinesiology-Convocation de TAMIU, a partir de las 6:30 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y 10 dólares.

En el medio tiempo se presentará el Diana Rendon Gutierrez Dance Studio, además de que habrá juegos y otros atractivos.

Zfrontera

PÁGINA 7A

Buscan prevenir diabetes ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CD. VICTORIA, Tamaulipas — En el marco de la conmemoración del Día Mundial de la Diabetes, la Secretaría de Salud realiza la "Semana Nacional de Salud para Gente Grande", la cual tiene el propósito de promover la importancia de la actividad física mediante la realización de caminatas, el fomento del conocimiento sobre cuáles son los riesgos de salud más frecuentes y la manera de controlarlos.

El doctor Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzola, Secretario de Salud en la entidad, dijo que del 15 al 19 de noviembre se llevará a cabo la Semana para Gente Grande, además de realizar la Tercera Semana Estatal de "Chécate, Toma el Control", en donde se ofrecerán diferentes intervenciones como la vacunación, la estrategia de los "5 Pasos por tu Salud", entre otras actividades.

Refirió que este año, la campaña se centra en Educación y la Prevención de la Diabetes", tema seleccionado para el día mundial de la diabetes a partir del 2009 y hasta el 2013, misma que se conmemora este 15 de noviembre para hacer un llamamiento a todos aquellos responsables de la atención diabética a tomar control de esta enfermedad.

La campaña, en la que

Investigan sobornos de farmacias Conversación grabada ASSOCIATED PRESS

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas

En el marco de la conmemoración del Día Mundial de la Diabetes, la Secretaría de Salud realiza la "Semana Nacional de Salud para Gente Grande", la cual tiene el propósito de promover la importancia de la actividad física mediante la realización de caminatas, el fomento del conocimiento sobre cuáles son los riesgos de salud más frecuentes y la manera de controlarlos. se beneficia al público general y las personas en riesgo de desarrollar diabetes, se enfoca en aumentar la conciencia sobre la enfermedad y tratar de evitar aquellas conductas que pueden derivar en esta, así como en reconocer los signos de alarma.

Para las personas con diabetes, se les proporcionará la información que mejore el conocimiento para que puedan entender mejor su condición y prevenir complicaciones.

El evento, el cual se

tiene programado su inauguración el próximo viernes 12 de noviembre, se llevará a cabo en las instalaciones del gimnasio Multidisciplinario de esta ciudad, contando con la presencia del gobernador del estado Eugenio Hernández Flores, además de contar con el apoyo y participación de la asociación DIAVIVIR, así como de los integrantes de los grupos GAM, Grupos de Ayuda Mutua.

Por último el titular de salud destacó que durante

esta "Semana Nacional de Salud para Gente Grande" y durante esta "Tercera Semana de Chécate, Toma el Control", el estado une sus esfuerzos con los esfuerzos federales, para fortalecer las acciones tendientes a contribuir de manera importante en la promoción de la salud, prevención y control de las enfermedades de mayor prevalencia en las personas de la tercera edad, para favorecer al auto cuidado y fomentar un envejecimiento activo y sano.

MEXICO — Una conversación telefónica grabada en la que aparentemente dos directivos de compañías farmacéuticas negocian sobornos para obtener un contrato del gobierno mexicano ha generado investigaciones y sanciones para varias personas.

La cinta parece demostrar que la corrupción sigue activa en México a pesar de años de reformas.

Dos voces masculinas en la cinta discuten los porcentajes a pagar en relación con un contrato por 80 millones de pesos (6,5 millones de dólares) con el gobierno.

Finalmente acuerdan "por lo menos 5 por ciento" y mencionan el nombre de por lo menos un funcionario de gobierno del sector de la salud.

Una de las compañías inició una investigación interna, la otra suspendió a dos directivos y el gobierno hizo lo mismo con un coordinador de adquisiciones.

EN HONOR A VETERANOS

Foto de cortesía | L C C

Un árbol roble fue plantado frente al Edificio de Servicios de Porteccion del Congresista Henry Cuellar en Laredo Community College, Campus South, en honor a todos los Veteranos militares de EU. La ceremonia fue hecha posible a traves de los esfuerzos de American Electric Power (AEP), el Departamento del Alguacil del Condado de Webb y LCC. Manjeando las tareas honorarias estaban, de izquierda, el Alguacil Martin Cuellar; Juan Maldonado, Presidente de LCC; Alcalde Raul Salinas; Don Fields de AEP y Henry Cuellar.

Acción contra conducción intoxicada POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

NUEVO LAREDO — Al iniciar aquí el programa de conductor designado, se anunció que existen 318 accidentes provocados por conductores intoxicados de enero hasta noviembre, los cuales han dejado decenas de heridos y muertos.

Existe preocupación por descender las estadísticas, se explicó en conferencia de prensa, en la sede del gobierno local.

“Tenemos que llegar a la conciencia de los jóvenes.

Ellos están en riesgo”, dijo el jefe de gobierno Ramón Garza Barrios. “La empresa Cervecería CuauhtémocMoctezuma que inició el programa, que sólo se ejecuta en 21 ciudades de México, ha incluido a nuestra ciudad para orientar a nuestra comunidad”.

A la conferencia asistieron el CPA Luis Márquez

Rosy; Omar Enrique Márquez Estrada, el educador Adán Hernández Ríos, así como el regidor Ernesto Saldaña.

Jaime Aguilar Garza, dijo que en el 2008, ocurrieron 594 accidentes con heridos y decesos por las colisiones reportadas en ese tiempo; en el año 2009 se incremento el número de casos por conductores intoxicados a 639.

“Hemos realizado esfuerzos de conciencia en la calle, escuelas y lugares públicos”, dijo Aguilar Garza.

“Al encontrarnos frente a una estadística de 318 de enero hasta ayer lunes 8 de noviembre, creemos que hemos sido exitosos”.

Aguilar Garza, dijo que en cada accidente hubo más de un herido, pero también muertos, pero no mostró estadísticas, tampoco refirió los daños colaterales.

Verónica Galleros, re-

sponsable del Programa “Conductor Designado” dijo que no solo los jóvenes se han visto envueltos de accidentes de alcohol operando un vehículo.

“Los adultos también están dentro de ese patrón de conducta. Ellos no han mostrado ser responsables”, dijo Gallegos. “Pero nuestro mensaje es para todos, debemos evitarlo”.

El interés de la empresa Cervecera que sí algún grupo de amigos desean disfrutar el momento, pueden ingerir bebidas moderadas, pero una persona debe estar asignada para conducir.

Gallegos es empleada de la empresa cervecera, asiste a escuelas, clubes, lugares públicos motivando al conductor designado.

“Cada mes se están registrando como 50 casos de accidentes bajo intoxicación”, dijo Gallegos. “Se ha descendido hasta un 20 por ciento”.

Hernández Ríos, responsable en el gobierno del Conductor designado, dijo que se han registrado accidentes mortales, así como otros con consecuencias graves, donde los actores de estos eventos truncan su vida y su destino al verse afectados en sus movimientos físicos.

Unidad El gobierno firmó un programa con la empresa cervecera para trabajar unidos por evitar accidentes.

“Se unirán esfuerzos para aplicar la labor social aplicados con los estudiantes de niveles medio y superior de las escuelas locales”, dijo Hernández.

“Cuando tenemos frente a un problema de alcohol, debemos orientar y prevenir que pueda evitar los accidentes y perder hasta la vi-

da”.

Márquez Estrada, dijo que la inclusión del gobierno en el programa de conductores designados ha sido determinante para evitar víctimas.

“Esta ciudad es la única en Tamaulipas en la que se aplica el programa. Se ha visto exitoso y consideremos que debe continuar parta ayudar a conductores”, dijo Márquez. “Estamos comprometidos como empresa cervecera a usar las herramientas para orientar a los jóvenes, para no mezclar el alcohol con el volante”.

Márquez Rosy, dijo que el programa de “Conductor Designado” fue instituido en 1992, en el Instituto Mexicano e Estudios Superiores, después de revisar que los accidentes iban creciendo desfavorablemente en la seguridad ciudadana”.

Nation

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

Civil War meet to fight again

By EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS ASSOCIATED PRESS

JACKSON, Miss. — The South still loses.

Of course, that’s no surprise to the 1,300 Civil War buffs gathering in northern Mississippi this weekend to re-enact a battle that actually took place in Tennessee.

People dressed as Union and Confederate soldiers are recreating the Battle of Fort Donelson, which took place in February 1862 near Dover, Tenn., northwest of Nashville.

The battle was a victory for the North, and it helped keep Kentucky in the Union.

Organizers say they’re expecting re-enactors from as far away as Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maine for the event outside tiny Michigan City, Miss., a stone’s throw south of the Tennessee state line.

The Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee doesn’t host full-scale Civil War re-enactments because the park is home to two bald eagles. Officials there don’t want the booming of cannons and muskets to bother the eagles, said Doug Richardson, the top park ranger at the battlefield. Richardson said parking at the battlefield is also limited, with space for only a few dozen vehicles.

Photo by Mel Evans | AP

Civil War re-enactor Greg Belcastro, of Randolph, N.J., is dressed as a soldier, outside the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. Re-enactors say they’re trying to create an authentic experience of a war that ended slavery and preserved the union. “Civilian” re-enactors are making period crafts and selling reproductions of Civil War-era clothing.

Skirmishes started Thursday evening. Battles are open to the public Saturday and Sunday.

Mark Way of Navarre, Fla., who portrays a Confederate soldier with the Cleburne’s Division of Reenactors, said recreating history is a way for him and his relatives to escape the stress of everyday life and enjoy each other’s company. They gather around campfires rather than in

front of TV sets.

“My whole family actually comes,” Way said. “My father is a general. I’m an adjutant for him. My sister rides courier for him.”

Way doesn’t go completely cold turkey with the technology — he’s still toting a cell phone and returned a call Friday during a break in the battle. He said the gathering this weekend is one of the first large-scale re-enactments marking the 150th anniversary the Civil War. Although smaller-scale re-enactments are common on several weekends of the year, organizers say the one this weekend is a “national” event, meaning it’s one of the two largest re-enact-

CHRISTMAS IS ON ITS WAY

Photo by Richard Drew | AP

Workers position the 2010 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza, on Friday.

The 74-foot Norway Spruce was cut from the yard of a New York City firefighter in Mahopac, N.Y.

ments planned for this year.

Other national events are scheduled for the sesquicentennial over the next several years, including late next July at Manassas, Va., and in late March and early April 2010 at Shiloh, Tenn.

Dave Eisele of Rockford, Ill., is part of a federal artillery re-enactment group participating in the event this weekend in Mississippi. He said his great-greatgrandfather, Jacob Eisele of Indiana, fought for the Union during the Civil War and contracted pneumonia during the Battle of Stones River in December 1862 and January 1863 near Murfreesboro, Tenn.

“They weren’t allowed to put up tents or build campfires because that would give away positions to the enemy,” Dave Eisele said Friday. “They were out in the freezing rain with no campfire, no tents.”

He said his great-greatgrandfather, who was 20, survived the pneumonia but wrote on his application for his military pension 20 years later that he had chronic bronchitis.

Eisele won’t have relatives at this weekend’s reenactment.

“I tried to get my wife involved,” Eisele said. “And she said, ’Unless there’s a Holiday Inn, no way.”’

Photo by Bruce Smith | AP

This is the veterans grave marker for Henry Benjamin Noisette dedicated Thursday, during a ceremony in Charleston, S.C.

Black Civil War gets marker

By BRUCE SMITH ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Almost 100 years after his death, a black Union Civil War vet from South Carolina finally has a veterans marker on his grave.

The gravestone for Henry Benjamin Noisette was unveiled Thursday in a black Charleston cemetery. Noisette escaped slavery and joined the U.S. Navy in 1862. The Charleston native served on the

USS Huron and saw action against Confederate defenses on the Stono River near Charleston and the Ogeechee River south of Savannah, Ga. After the war, he stayed in Charleston and died in 1911.

Descendants, black reenactors and Citadel cadets watched as Noisette’s great-granddaughter unveiled the marker. Researchers only recently discovered Noisette’s military past.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

Prison population surges amid drug war

By COLLEEN LONG

main boulevard of the tourist zone.

In Morelia, the state capital of Michoacan, two billboards put up by the federal Attorney General’s Office offering rewards for information about members of La Familia cartel were found torched.

The burning came a day after a letter surfaced purportedly signed by “La Familia Michoacana.” It claimed the cartel wants to protect Michoacan and its residents and says the group will disband if federal police promise to act honestly and fight to the death to defend the state. There was no way to know whether the letter was legitimate.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s federal prison population has more than doubled in recent years amid the crackdown on drug cartels and the overcrowded system needs to be revamped to prevent violence, the country’s top policeman said Friday.

Public Safety Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna said one prison in particular, Islas Marias, has seen its inmate population quadruple since President Felipe Calderon launched a national assault on organized crime in late 2006. Located off the coast of Sinaloa state, the prison now houses 3,946 inmates, up from 915.

“Where more disorder exists, there will be more violence,” Garcia Luna said, adding the government needs space. “The penitentiaries can be places where not only do people complete their punishments, but where future delinquent conduct is prevented.”

In 2008, the federal prison system had 4,500 inmates in six locations. Now there are nearly 11,000 inmates in eight penitentiaries.

“We are trying to abate

Photo by Miguel Tovar | AP

A seized Rolex watch made of 18 carat white gold, 48 embedded white diamonds and 12 sapphires sits in a plastic bag at the government office for seized property in Mexico City, on Friday. The government will auction property allegedly seized from drug dealers and criminals. the deficit of space and modernize our prison system,” he said.

In the case of Islas Marias, the government expanded so it can house more than 5,000 inmates, but more needs to be done, especially as cartel violence continues, Garcia Luna said.

In recent years the government has detained thousands of suspected drug traffickers. In addition to the eight federal prisons, the country has 92 state and 333 municipal jails. The most dangerous nonfederal criminals are housed in the federal prisons.

In September, 85 prisoners escaped from a prison in the northern border city of Reynosa — the biggest breakout in recent history.

Federal officials contend some jailbreaks are due to cartels seeking to recover members because new recruits are hard to come by.

More than 28,000 Mexicans have been killed since late 2006 in drug-related violence, and 2010 is on track to be the bloodiest so far.

In Acapulco on Friday, three men were shot to death in separate incidents, including one found dead on Costera Miguel Aleman, the

Meanwhile, the Mexican government plans to auction luxury jewelry and cars, planes and helicopters seized from drug traffickers and use the money to help pay for its campaign against organized crime.

The items to be auctioned next Thursday and Friday include a Rolex watch made of white gold and encrusted with 60 18-karat white diamonds and a gold ring with a 12.25-carat diamond that will start bidding at $114,000.

Website publishes 1800s West Point applications

By CHRIS CAROLA ASSOCIATED PRESS

ALBANY, N.Y. — Years before leading his vastly outnumbered troops to their doom at Little Bighorn, a young George Armstrong Custer was described as accurate in math.

Nearly 30 years before his March to the Sea laid waste to a large swath of Georgia, William Tecumseh Sherman was deemed a “fine energetic boy.”

And two decades before he would earn the nickname “Stonewall,” Thomas J. Jackson’s dreams of a military career got a boost from a man who would help start the Civil War. Those are some of the tidbits gleaned from more than 115,000 U.S. Military Academy application documents being posted online for the first time by Ancestry.com.

The Provo, Utah-based genealogy website said the information can be viewed for free until Sunday.

After Sunday, it will cost $12.95 a month for unlimited access to the West Point records and the website’s more than 100 million military documents, company officials said.

The oldest West Point documents being posted online date to 1805, three years after the academy’s found-

ing, and run through 1866, a year after the Civil War ended. The records and other related documents from that period were culled from the National Archives in Washington, D.C., said Quinton Atkinson, director of content acquisition for Ancestry.com.

The documents represent some 16,000 individuals accepted into the Corps of Cadets, he said. Missing from the collection are the application records of notables such as Edgar Allen Poe, who briefly attended West Point, and Robert E. Lee, who graduated in 1829, Atkinson said.

“These are the rich aspects of the research that you can add to the more fundamental tree-building that family historians do,” Atkinson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “You can understand who these people were.”

Back then, as it is now, the process for applying for admission to West Point included being nominated by a member of Congress. Lawmakers, governors, guardians, businessmen and other prominent citizens in a prospective cadet’s home state would write recommendation letters. Although the handwritten letters are often hard to decipher, they

Photo by James F. Gibson/Library of Congress/ | AP

This May 20, 1862, photograph from the Library of Congress shows Lt. George A. Custer reclining with a dog for a portrait with fellow staff members of General Fitz-John Porter, during the Civil War in Virginia. Years before leading his troops to their doom at Little Bighorn, a young George Armstrong Custer was described as accurate in math. This is just one tidbit gleaned from more than 115,000 U.S. Military Academy applications being posted online by Ancestry.com. can offer insights about how others viewed the budding military leaders, Atkinson said.

Ohio Congressman John Bingham, in his 1856 nomination letter for Custer, described the then-17-year-old as being a shade under 5foot-10, with “no deformity.”

Custer, Bingham wrote, “reads well, spells correctly, writes a fair and legible hand, able to perform with facility and accuracy the ground rules of arithmetic ...”

A letter written in 1835

by Sherman’s guardian referred to the future Union

general, then 16, as “a good scholar and a fine energetic boy.”

Thomas J. Jackson was seeking acceptance to West Point in 1842 when a South Carolina politician wrote a letter to the academy on Jackson’s behalf. Jackson graduated four years later.

In April 1861, that politician — Francis W. Pickens — was governor of South Carolina when he approved the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston, the opening salvos of the Civil War. Three months later in Manassas, Va., Jackson earned the nickname “Stonewall” when his Virginia brigade repulsed a Union assault during the First Battle of Bull Run. And George Pickett, the Confederate officer who would find immortality leading what became known as Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, gave an early hint of his vanity in a letter he wrote to President James Polk in 1845, seeking admission to West Point.

“I am a young man, nineteen years old, six feet tall and moderately good-looking (as I am told),” Pickett wrote.

Atkinson said, “I guess you could surmise that he was moderately modest.”

The National Archives doesn’t have West Point’s application records beyond 1866, Atkinson said. West Point is believed to have those records, he said.

Calls to West Point’s public information office for comment on the project weren’t immediately returned.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

VETERANS DAY Continued from Page 1A za, the brother of one of our teachers,” Zavala said.

Most students wore patriotic hats they had colored in the classroom as part of their Veterans Day activities, Zavala said.

“The counselor researched and gave teachers different activities for the classroom,” Zavala said.

Nearly 700 students from Pre-K3 to fifth grade were present at the ceremony, along with faculty and staff, including Superintendent Norma Garcia.

“The students were all well behaved,” Zavala said.

Zavala led the students

in a shout-out for all veterans present at the ceremony.

“They got to say thank you and hip, hip hooray,” Zavala said. “They always love the hip, hip hooray, and they all yelled out a big thank you for all the sacrifices that (veterans) have done for us and our country.”

Also present at the ceremony were the Zapata High School Junior R.O.T.C. cadets, as well as Sergeant Lewis Martinez and a representatives from U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s office, Maria Gonzalez.

After the ceremony a few of the students, faculty and staff shook hands and took pictures with some of the veterans dressed in uniform.

“Some have served in various wars and some have just been active members of the armed forces,” Zavala said. “(The ceremony) turned out really nice and it was a real honor.”

The student council also hosted a lunch for veterans on Friday at the school library, Zavala said.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

COMMISSIONERS Continued from Page 1A family in the Lopeño community was approved.

The program is known for building new homes for needy families. It also helps underprivileged children by providing clothing, shoes and school supplies, said mission group coordinator Gabriel Flores. The Flores family is no relation to Gabriel Flores.

A group of volunteers will start the construction project on the Flores’ new home on Nov. 20 by demolishing and disposing of all debris, Gabriel Flores said.

“They need a home really bad,” he said. “This is out of heart, we don’t want any recognition and they don’t have to pay for anything.”

Volunteers are still needed to put up dry wall and paint the new 3-bedroom home that will be constructed for the Flores family, Gabriel Flores said.

Flores asked the commissioners if the county would help with the demolition process and Zapata County Attorney Said Figueroa advised the court that the

county can not help because the home is on private property; however, if the home was identified as hazardous to the family or to the community by Zapata County Fire Chief Juan Jose Meza, the county could step in.

Meza agreed to inspect the condition of the residence.

Commissioner Jose E. Vela estimated the cost of the removal of debris at $1,500, which is a manageable price to pay, he said.

Gabriel Flores estimates the entire project will take approximately two weeks to complete at a cost of $15,000 for the 768 square foot home.

“The family also helps with the labor,” Gabriel Flores said.

Repairs and upgrades to the Zapata County State Guard Post Headquarters were also approved along with the remodeling of office buildings for storage purposes to benefit the Zapata County Museum of History.

In a previous article, Ve-

DETENTION fenses, she added.

“We always have the best interest of the child,” Pippen-Gomez said. “We’re positive to help the kids.”

Zapata County detention service staff includes Pippen-Gomez, five certified probation officers and support personnel, she said.

After a child commits a

la expressed concern regarding a contract with Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, a company hired to collect delinquent fines and fees. He demanded the company show reports on any collections after none have been reported as yet.

The company did not make an appearance at the meeting and failed to report on any collections.

Vela has asked to hear a report at the next Commissioners Court meeting.

In other business, commissioners approved a county employee Thanksgiving luncheon, which will double as a workshop with two guest speakers.

Despite initial doubts, Vela voted with other commissioners to approve the event.

The commissioners reappointed Joe Medrano to serve as a Zapata County Economic Development Center board member for a one year term.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

Coolness on its way ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rain and cooler temperatures are expected for North and Central Texas and the Panhandle on Friday as a cold front makes its way into the state, according to the National Weather Service.

In Greenville, high winds ripped the roof off a Braum’s ice cream store and several other buildings received damage when a storm passed through Friday.

City spokesman Doyle Dick told The Associated Press that straight-line winds were to blame for damage that also was reported at a car rental business and a gas station.

Fire and police officials were responding on Friday afternoon. Dick said one person may have received minor injuries when a sign toppled onto a car.

KTVT television station in Dallas showed a large piece of the Braum’s roof in the parking lot of the

for GED readiness. Nora’s goal is to be able to work as an accountant at an office or store once she achieves her GED.

What is Literacy Volunteers of Laredo?

Literacy Volunteers of Laredo is a nonprofit agency that provides basic reading classes and tutoring sessions for free to English as a Second Language students. Literacy Volunteers has about 18 volunteers and about 100 students.

United Way supports Literacy Volunteers of Laredo.

The classes order the child to be housed in a detention facility for a certain number of days, Pippen-Gomez said.

“This is not a growing problem, but it is everywhere. It’s been like this for years,” she said.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at (956)7282557.)

eatery following the storm.

Greenville is about 50 miles northeast of Dallas.

Elsewhere, skies will be clear to partly cloudy in West and South Texas.

Highs will be in the mid-70s in North and Central Texas and the Concho Valley and the Edwards Plateau of West Texas, low 60s in the rest of West Texas, low 50s in the South Plains and mid-40s in the Panhandle as the cold

front passes. Ahead of the front in South Texas, highs will reach the 80s. Winds will be southerly at 5 to 10 mph, shifting to the north at 15 to 20 mph.

More rain is likely in the eastern half of Texas Friday night and early Saturday, with skies clearing in the western half. Lows will be in the upper 20s in the Panhandle, South Plains and West Texas mountains. variable

READING Continued from Page 1A

Continued from Page 1A

crime, probation officers will pick the child up, call the parents or guardians, and take the child to a close juvenile facility, Pippen-Gomez said.

“It’s a long procedure,” Pippen-Gomez said.

The process includes a detention hearing with a juvenile referee who will

Photo by Michael Norris/Amarillo Globe-News | AP

A Texas Department of Transportation snow plow works Friday, in Amarillo. After floods Thursday, people woke up Friday to snow.

Classes are held each semester, lasting between 12 and 14 weeks. Classes meet once a week for three hours and are available during the morning, after-

noon and evening. Missed classes can be recovered if arrangements are made with the tutor for a makeup session. Class sizes vary from two to about 15 students. One-on-one tutoring also is available. The usual content of classes consists of teaching the basics of the English language and doing reading and writing exercises. To aid with pronunciation skills, reading aloud is a frequent class activity. Homework is given for students for practice at home. Often, the homework consists of looking up definitions of words, writing assignments or reading selected titles. At the end of each semester, a post-test will be given to measure progress. Once a student reaches a certain level of English proficiency, Literacy Volunteers can refer the student to LCC to take their GED exams.

Enrolling To enroll with Literacy Volunteers of Laredo, visit its office on the LCC main campus. If you are interested, call ahead to confirm time availability. For anyone unable to go during office hours, arrangements can be made to meet during outside of office hours.

The Literacy Volunteers will try to place students in classes at the students’ preferred times and locations.

Students will be required to take exams to measure their English reading and writing skills. The exam is provided by the agency and serves only to place students in classes of similar skill levels. Students will also be asked about their goals, so that tutors can better aid them in achieving them. The Literacy Volunteers also offers supplies to students without the basic necessities for class.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors VOLLEYBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

STATEMENT RACE Courtesy photo

Zapata senior Cassandra Quintanilla was named District 32-3A’s Libero of the Year for her solid efforts this season.

Alldistrict honors Hawks earn recognition

By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES

The Zapata Lady Hawks played with grit and determination all season long and were rewarded for that hard work when the district coaches released the all-district 32-3A volleyball selection list.

The Lady Hawks picked up a slew of awards after concluding the season with a district title in hand and a state ranking.

Senior Brandi King was named the Most Valuable Player by the district

See VOLLEYBALL PAGE 2B

Photo by Clara Sandoval | Laredo Morning Times

The Zapata Lady Hawks’ cross country team is participating in the Class 3A state meet this morning in Round Rock.

Hawks reach state meet for third year straight

By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES

While most teams dream of competing at the state cross country meet at least one time during their high school careers, it has become a second home for the Zapata Lady Hawks.

Zapata is making its third consecutive trip after a strong showing at the regional meet last weekend.

This morning, the Lady Hawks are competing at the state meet in Round Rock on the grounds of Old Settlers Park.

The Lady Hawks are sched-

uled to run this morning at 10 a.m.

At the inception of the season, during those long, scorching summer months, the Lady Hawks set their goal of returning to the state meet.

“It has been a long process, consisting of 24 weeks of training that leads up to the

’Boys hope for quick turnaround

By JAIME ARON

Johnson struggles through injuries

By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — Andre Johnson isn’t himself.

When people ask how he feels, he’ll say he’s OK, but he’s still struggling with a sprained right ankle almost two months after it was injured.

But Johnson hates excuses and the problem won’t keep him from helping the Houston Texans. It can’t.

The star receiver has been waiting his entire career to reach the playoffs and he’ll need a big second half to get the Texans (4-4) to that goal.

“When I’m out there I’m just playing and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got, whether it’s a hurt ankle or not,” he said. “I’m going to keep battling and just doing what I’ve got to do to try to be as healthy as I can so I can go out and perform well on Sunday.”

Johnson has 635 yards receiving with three touchdowns, missing one game because of the ankle. But it just hasn’t healed as quickly and he has been forced to wear a brace. He hasn’t practiced this week after an MRI on Monday revealed that there was still swelling and he was advised to take it easy.

The Texans expect him to play this week at Jacksonville. Coach Gary Kubiak raved about the toughness Johnson has shown in dealing with this injury.

“It just tells you what he’s made of,” Kubiak said. “He’s out there playing, not

See TEXANS PAGE 2B

See CROSS COUNTRY PAGE 2B

NFL

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL

pinnacle of all meets,” Zapata coach Mike Villarreal said.

“Week in and week out, the Lady Hawks competed against larger classifications, putting themselves in difficult and uncomfortable situations, to prepare them for whatever chal-

IRVING — Jason Garrett is in a hurry.

As interim coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and still the offensive coordinator, he has no time for chitchat, no time for anything but work. All those congratulatory calls, texts and e-mails piling up will have to wait.

"I’m not overly concerned about getting back with everybody," he said during one of his brief news conferences this week. "I think they understand that I appreciate the support."

Garrett can’t slow down because there is always something to do next. His world is an NFL assembly line of meetings, walkthroughs, practices and more meetings, all culminating in a game — and he has only has eight of them to show Jerry Jones he’s the right man to lead America’s Team.

Jones flipped over the team’s leadership structure this week, tossing out coachdefensive coordinator Wade Phillips and promoting Garrett, a 44-year-old Princeton grad who’s never been a head coach at any level but has long been viewed as a great candidate.

With the playoffs a lost cause, Jones made this change to recalibrate the stakes for the second half of the season. How everyone performs from now on will go a long way toward deciding who remains with the organization and who doesn’t.

Since that includes the coach, it’s little wonder he’s moving so quickly. And how’s this for added pressure?

Jones said Friday on KRLDFM in Dallas that, even before he fired Phillips, Super Bowl-winning coaches were inquiring about the job. He didn’t name names.

Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

In this Oct. 25 file photo, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant scores a touchdown as New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas defends during the second half in Arlington.

Garrett has a lot of cleaning up to do if he wants to make a good impression. Dallas is 1-7 and could be playing its worst football since the 1960 expansion season, when Tom Landry’s cast of hasbeens and never-weres went 0-11-1. The Cowboys have lost five straight, giving up 121 points over the last three games, at least 35 each time.

The offense is sputtering behind a line that’s not blocking, runners who aren’t running and a 38-year-old, fill-in quarterback who hasn’t won since 2007.

The baffling part is that

this team won the NFC East and a playoff game last year with virtually the same cast.

They were widely thought to have a chance of playing in the Super Bowl, which happens to be coming to Cowboys Stadium.

Instead, they’re contending for the first pick in the draft.

This roster was built to win now, which makes things tougher for Garrett. He can’t try a youth movement because there aren’t many youngsters to try.

Bad drafts have interrupted the cycle of having kids ready to replace the veterans

in front of them. For instance, the Cowboys gave up on an eighth member of their 2009 draft class just this week, leaving only kicker David Buehler, linebackers Victor Butler and Brandon Williams, and quarterback Stephen McGee. All you need to know about McGee is that Dallas is sticking with Jon Kitna as the replacement for Tony Romo when the Cowboys play the New York Giants on Sunday.

Garrett isn’t big on sharing information, especially about the lineup. While he speaks politely and enthusiastically, he’s mastered the art of talking without really saying anything.

"There might be some subtle changes," Garrett said.

"There might be some that are more obvious to people.

We’ll obviously continue to evaluate how we practice this week and certainly the game evaluations will be significant going forward."

Garrett has been on the staff for 3½ years, so he probably already has an idea who overachieved last year and who is underachieving this year. Perhaps he’s giving them all one last chance to snap out of it; once they reveal themselves, then he’ll start shaking things up.

Phillips refused to make an example out of anyone. He talked a lot about accountability, but with guys rarely getting benched, demoted or cut, it was just talk.

Jones essentially told the players they got Phillips fired by not responding. Garrett’s message to players was that he’s not going to let them let him down. He laid out expectations and the consequences for failing to fulfill those expectations.

"He got his point across," Kitna said. "He’s really not

See COWBOYS PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B

Zscores

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

Bears play host to Aggies

By KRISTIE RIEKEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLLEGE STATION — Jerrod Johnson was supposed to be the quarterback to lead Texas A&M back into contention this season after years of mediocrity and worse.

Instead, the senior who holds most of A&M’s passing records has struggled and the Aggies dropped three games in a row.

Then Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman decided to take a gamble. He split the snaps between Johnson and Ryan Tannehill in one game, even though the backup had thrown just 13 career passes, and then benched Johnson two weeks ago.

So far, the move has paid off with Tannehill 2-0 as a starter and the Aggies (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) back in the hunt for the Big 12 South entering Saturday’s game at Baylor (7-3, 4-2).

Tannehill threw for 155 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Kansas where he shared time with Johnson. Then the junior, who had spent most of his time at receiver, threw for a school-record 449 yards with four touchdowns in his first career start, a 45-27 win over Texas Tech.

Last week, he had 225 yards passing and two touchdowns to help Texas A&M knock off Oklahoma 33-19 and enter the Top 25 for the first time since 2007 at No. 23.

Tannehill doesn’t believe the turnaround is because of him and credits his team for staying positive.

“We had a three-game losing streak, and that’s hard on everyone,” he said.

“But no one ever gave up.

You’d look in everyone’s eyes and see that no one is giving up.”

Tannehill is happy to have a couple of games of experience and believes

Photo by Harry Cabluck | AP

In this photo taken Oct. 30, Texas head football coach Mack Brown looks on against Baylor in Austin.

Photo by Rod Aydelotte | AP

Baylor running back Terrance Ganaway, right, scores past Oklahoma State linebacker Shaun Lewis, left, in the second half on Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. bouncing back after throwing a pair of interceptions against the Sooners will help his development.

“I think I learned more in this game than in any other game,” he said.

“They are probably the best defense we’ve played so far. I didn’t play real well and I realize that. I have to learn to take care of the ball and throw the ball away in certain situations.”

Sherman loves how Tannehill has helped the offense become a more uptempo group and the players enjoy playing at a quicker pace.

“It’s a lot of fun when we get the tempo going and we are executing and making big plays, and the defense gets tired,” receiver Ryan Swope said. “It just opens up the whole field.”

Baylor coach Art Briles is more familiar with Tannehill than most after meeting him when the quarterback was starring in high school in Big

Spring.

“I guess the change kind of provided a little spark and it has certainly done it,” he said. “(Ryan is) very competitive, very intelligent and a guy that just has the ability to make plays. He’s a multi-sport athlete coming out of high school and is a (player) that guys will rally around a little bit.”

Briles hopes Tannehill, whose two starts have come at home, will be a bit less comfortable playing in a hostile road environment.

“It is imperative that we get him out of a comfort zone,” Briles said. “I think a lot of that can be done by our crowd in the stadium.

When you can’t hear or talk to the guy next to you, it’s different and it makes a big difference in the football game.”

The Bears are looking to bounce back after a tough 55-28 loss to Oklahoma State last week that ended a three-game winning streak.

Robert Griffin

VOLLEYBALL Continued from Page 1B coaches. King was spectacular all season long for the Lady Hawks with her great offensive firepower.

She was a force at the net, putting the ball down every opportunity.

Junior Shelby Bigler complemented King at the net and was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year, along with La Feria sophomore Julie Zamora and Port Isabel sophomore Katherine Bowles.

Offensive Player of the Year honors went to Port Isabel senior Morgan Malik, while Zapata sophomore Kristina De Leon picked up the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Zapata senior Cassandra Quintanilla was

named Libero of the Year for her defensive prowess in the back row that ignited the Lady Hawks offense.

Setter of the Year honors went to Port Isabel junior Gabriela Gonzalez.

First team honors went to Zapata junior Estella Molina and senior Selina Mata, La Feria senior Alyssa De La Rosa, Port Isabel senior Helena Loya, Rio Hondo senior Kaylene Betancourt and Progreso junior Melissa Torres.

Second team honors went to La Feria junior Desiree Serna, Port Isabel sophomore Mary Garcia, Progreso junior Rebeca Ochoa, Rio Grande City La Grulla junior Bethany

Martinez, Rio Hondo junior Savanna Gonzalez and Donna Idea senior Melissa Sutiata.

Honorable Honors went to Zapata’s Jackie Salinas, Abby Aguilar and Karen Villa; La Feria’s Lea Juarez, Jade Morales, Mikayla Johnson and Jennifer Exinia; Port Isabel’s Belinda Barrera, Marissa Hernandez, Kristian Watkins, Laura Perez and Wundi Flores; Rio Hondo’s Clarissa Cruz, Audry Cuellar, Anna Reyes, Cynthia Cruz and Ronnie Tijerina; Donna Idea’s Marlissa Candanosa and Cassandra Cortez; Progreso’s Dulce Velez, Karla Munoz and Selena Amaya; Rio Grande City La Grulla’s Marina Flores, Monica Escott and Jessica Falcon.

COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B asking us to do anything that ’Wow, that’s revolutionary’ or we weren’t trying to do before. There was just a little more emphasis on the things he feels like are going to help us win."

When Garrett says "it doesn’t matter where players come from, whether they’re Pro Bowl players, drafted players or undrafted free agents, we’re going to play the best guys," one look at his bio shows he means it.

This is a guy who spent a year as a college assistant coach, then a season in the World League and another in the CFL before ever making an NFL roster, only to last for 12 seasons. He made himself a keeper despite being good enough to play in just 25 games. It only makes sense that he’s looking to trust guys with the instincts and passion he had.

Even guys with thick resumes and secure con-

tracts consider themselves put on notice.

"Guys like myself or (cocaptain Keith Brooking) or whoever else is supposedly supposed to be here ... you have to show the younger guys never to give up," linebacker DeMarcus Ware said.

Jones doesn’t expect Garrett to perform miracles this half-season. Wins would be great, but he’ll settle for improved effort.

The decision on whether to keep Garrett for 2011 and-or beyond probably won’t require a detailed breakdown of game films or statistical analysis. It should be apparent to everyone if the redheaded coach lights a fire under this club.

He’s already awakened something within cornerback Mike Jenkins.

Jenkins has gone from making the Pro Bowl last season to making all the highlight shows this week for a play that underscored why Phillips had to

go. Against Green Bay last Sunday, Jenkins had a chance to tackle a running back a few yards from the end zone and didn’t even bother trying. He was allowed to stay in the game and wasn’t publicly chastised for it. Why wouldn’t he have a sense of entitlement — especially since he’s also kept his job despite repeatedly getting beaten and often drawing pass interference penalties when he fears getting beaten?

Yet when Jenkins got word Tuesday that he had to be at team headquarters by 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, he snapped to attention.

He brought a notebook and an open mind to Garrett’s first meeting.

"I thought he pointed out a lot of good things," Jenkins said. "I took a lot of notes and took down a lot of key words that he used. I’m going to take it with me. ... It’s a new day for me. It’s a new day for everybody."

threw for 267 yards, but had an interception with no touchdowns.

He isn’t worried about the bad feelings from the game bleeding into this week.

“I took a lot of blame for the game,” he said. “That is what I am supposed to do because I’m a leader. We didn’t play well and things didn’t go our way. It doesn’t matter who made the mistakes, we lost the game and that is that. I will take that on my shoulders and I will make sure that everyone is ready to play this weekend.”

“They can be a hot offense,” Sherman said. “The quarterback can take off and take it the distance anytime he wants to.”

Dire straights for Longhorns

By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — Next in line for Texas’ miserable season: fast-rising No. 12 Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys (8-1, 4-1 Big 12) roll into Austin with an express train of an offense and serious payback on their minds after a 12-year losing streak to the Longhorns that includes some excruciating defeats.

A win Saturday night would also tighten their surprising grip on first place in the Big 12 South.

That’s where most ex-

pected the Longhorns (4-5, 2-4) to be. But losers of five of their last six games, including three in a row at home, they’re stuck in last place just one season after winning the Big 12 title.

“Everybody is enjoying us struggling right now,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. “We’ve got to turn it around.”

The Longhorns have been so bad — they trailed Kansas State 39-0 last week before scoring two late touchdowns — that Texas won’t even get to a bowl game unless they win two of their final three games.

CROSS COUNTRY Continued from Page 1B lenges the next meet presented.”

The Lady Hawks headed to the regional meet in a usual position, as the district runner-up instead of a place that they held for six years: district champions.

They were dethroned by La Feria, but that did not waver their motivation to return to the to the state meet despite taking the course with four new faces.

Zapata had to fend off 178 runners from 24 teams and eight different districts.

The Lady Hawks, who are veterans of the regional meet, put themselves in a great position at the sound of the gun, something that lacked earlier in the season.

Senior Marlena Garcia, the defending individual regional champion, and newcomer freshman Jazmine Garcia went out with the leaders of the race running side by side for the entire race.

Jazmine found her second gear in the last halfmile and crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 11:48, while Marlena fought to the end but was edged out by a district foe and crossed the finish line in fourth place with a time of 11:57.

This marks the first time two runners from Zapata in the same year qualified for the state meet as individuals.

The fate of the team was in the hands of the other five runners.

Erica Hernandez hit a

personal record and crossed the finish line at 12:40 and was followed by Cassie Pena.

Senior Gloria Jauegui also hit a personal mark of 12:49.

Clarissa Villarreal and Kristina Garcia broke the 13-minute barrier to mark the first time in school history all seven runners came under the 13-minute mark at the regional meet.

When the dust had settled and the results were announced, the Lady Hawks punched their ticket to state with a runnerup finish to district rival La Feria.

Each of the last three years, both teams have shared the top two spots in the region, speaking volumes of the quality of runners in District 32-3A.

TEXANS Continued from Page 1B at 100 percent, but he’s playing. And to not only be not 100 percent and then to get double teamed, he has his work cut out for him. But he knows how important he is to the team and how important it is that he’s out there. So he’s giving us everything he has.”

The injury has been particularly bothersome for Johnson because different things seem to irritate it.

“You never know when it will bother you,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a little nagging pain that you feel. I can’t predict when it’s going to happen. Sometimes I may go up and catch a ball and come down on it and I may not feel nothing. Sometimes I may go up and catch a ball and come down and it pains me.”

He has learned to think of it as simply another obstacle he has to deal with.

The few times he’s tweaked it in games he’ll just go to the sideline and walk around for a couple of minutes and then let the team know he’s ready to return.

Though he’s not 100 percent, he has still been able

Photo by Michael Conroy | AP

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, front, scores in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden in the third quarter in Indianapolis on Monday. to be effective since the injury. That was most evident he was injured on Sept. 19. Johnson left the game against Washington in the third quarter, but returned in the fourth quarter to make a leaping touchdown catch in the end zone that tied the game that the Texans eventually won 30-27.

Dealing with the injury in that game was one thing, but still fighting

with it weeks later has been trying.

“It’s very frustrating because you’ve been dealing with it for so long,” he said. “It gets frustrating at times but it’s something you have to learn how to fight through. I don’t feel like it’s holding me back.

But I do wish it was feeling a lot better.”

So do the Texans, who need a win Sunday against their AFC South foe.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B

HINTS BY | HELOISE Dear Readers: OVERWEIGHT CATS may look cute and roly-poly, but that extra fat can be dangerous.

They can suffer from aching joints, liver problems and diabetes, just to mention a few repercussions.

How to tell if your cat is fat? Can you feel the spine and ribs? If you can’t, your cat is probably overweight.

Losing weight can involve increasing the cat’s activity level while maintaining the same calorie intake.

Talk to your veterinarian about weight management.

You may need to change some of your habits, too! A lot of cat treats, for example, can pack on the ounces.

Also important? Feeding the cat several small meals per day, and increasing play and exercise time. Monitor the cat if he is a hunter; this could add on extra calories, too.

After time, you should notice an improvement in the cat’s health and general well-being. If not, please work with your veterinarian to keep your four-pawed furry friend in good health.

-- Heloise DOGS DIGGING Dear Heloise: The problem of my dogs digging in the yard had gotten bad.

For every hole I filled, they would dig up another. So I sprinkled some red-pepper flakes around the hole and into the dirt I shoveled back in. It’s still a game, but I’m winning. No more

“

HELOISE

digging! -- R.B. in West Virginia TOO CUTE Dear Heloise: I have a little Chihuahua named Peso who sleeps in his dog bed. I put an extra blanket on the bed so he stays warm, and he likes to burrow under the covers.

To make his bed warm, I put the blanket in the dryer for a few minutes. When I place it on the bed, Peso comes running and immediately goes under cover for the night! -- Keralyn R., Colorado Springs, Colo.

NO SHOCK Dear Heloise: I have a betta fish in a fishbowl and try to keep the bowl clean.

When I clean it, I take Homer out and put him into another container with a little bit of the water from the tank to keep him from getting temperature “shocked” since I keep him in the same water.

I then clean the bowl and any gravel, plants, etc., with water only. Then I put everything back in the bowl, fill with water, and Homer’s back in! -- Kasey Ann in Utah COMICS AS PLACE MATS Dear Readers: A way to reuse the colorful Sunday comics? As a liner underneath pet dishes. The paper is absorbent, but change it as needed. -- Heloise

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Sports

4B LAREDO MORNING TIMES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

Raiders hope to upset OU

By JEFF LATZKE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Jim Urquhart | AP

TCU tight end Corey Fuller (86) and TCU running back Waymon James (32) celebrate against Utah on Saturday in Salt Lake City.

TCU won 47-7.

Frogs face Aztecs

By STEPHEN HAWKINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

FORT WORTH — Now comes the real challenge for third-ranked TCU: Match the intensity of the 40-point victory in the big game that has already passed.

A week after the Horned Frogs (10-0, 6-0 Mountain West) won impressively at then-undefeated Utah, they play their home finale Saturday against upstart San Diego State (7-2, 4-1).

“We have to find a way

by Saturday to emotionally play at the same peak that we played at last Saturday.

There’s a lot riding on what can be accomplished,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said.

“They have a lot to prove coming in here, and we have a lot to hold on to.”

The Aztecs have their first four-game winning streak since 1998 and have reached seven wins this quickly for the first time since 1977. They had only seven wins their previous 28 games going into this season.

Yet, TCU is still a nearly four-touchdown favorite in a game with Mountain

West title implications.

“I’ve watched them enough to know that if they’re not the best, they’re one of the best,” Aztecs coach Brady Hoke said.

TCU guarantees itself at least a share of the Mountain West title with a win.

That would also get the Horned Frogs to 11 victories for the sixth time in eight seasons and keep them in contention for a possible BCS national title shot.

The Frogs solidified their spot at No. 3 in the BCS standings — behind Oregon and Auburn, and ahead of Boise State — with that 47-7 victory last weekend at Utah.

With an upset this week, San Diego State would remain in contention for the Mountain West title. The Aztecs are coming off a mistake-filled comeback win over Colorado State.

“It’s a new feeling to be upset with yourself after a win,” quarterback Ryan Lindley said. “It’s a testament to what coach Hoke has done and how he’s changed all of our mindsets to make us better.”

NORMAN, Okla. — The fans in Oklahoma’s largest home crowd ever started jumping up and down, and the players joined in on the sidelines. The lopsided victory against one of the nation’s few remaining undefeated teams had vaulted the Sooners back into the national championship picture.

The last time Texas Tech visited Norman, it produced memories that could last a lifetime for Oklahoma’s players.

“We really came out and dominated that game,” said linebacker Travis Lewis, who recalls jumping along with the fans when “Jump Around” blared over the loudspeaker with the Sooners up five touchdowns in the first half. “To this day, I’ve played in a national championship, Big 12 championships. It’s the best game I’ve played in.”

That 65-21 blowout by the Sooners two years ago forged a three-way tie between Oklahoma, Texas and the previously unbeaten Red Raiders atop the Big 12 South. Oklahoma would end up ahead in the tiebreaker and play for the conference and national titles.

“It was great to see the fans and everything just go at it. That’s one of the few games I’m going to really remember just because everybody got into it. It was such a lot of fun,” Sooners offensive tackle Eric Mensik said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to repeat that.”

Texas Tech got its revenge last year by walloping Oklahoma 41-13 in Lubbock — punctuated by its own rendition of “Jump Around.” That continued a trend of wins by the home team in the series each of the past six years.

“The last time we played

Photo by John A. Bowersmith | AP

Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts looks for an open receiver against Missouri during the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday in Lubbock. them, we went to their house and they put a whoopin’ to us,” Mensik said. “You can’t just go and play some team thinking that you’re going to win. It’s not like that. You’ve got to prepare and you’ve got to be sound.”

The Sooners (7-2, 3-2 Big 12) have lost both times they’ve played at an opponent’s stadium this season, including a 33-19 defeat at Texas A&M last week, while winning 35 in a row on Owen Field for the nation’s longest home winning streak.

“Oklahoma hasn’t lost a game at home in a long, long time, but it’s time we go play and continue to play the way we’re playing,” Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said. “Get a little bit more consistent and see what happens.”

The Red Raiders (5-4, 3-4) beat Missouri last week for their first victory over a ranked team under Tuberville, and they’ll playing in their

fifth road game this season having split the previous four.

“We’re pretty much road-tested, but it’s an obvious advantage anywhere you go — not just Oklahoma. If you look at all the teams across the country, the home-field advantage is huge in college football,” Tuberville said.

“You’ve just got to go in and play your game. I talked to the players about it, and there’s not been much success of Texas Tech or anybody going to Norman in the last three or four or five years. We’ll just go try

to play our game and really not worry about it.”

Tuberville has said Taylor Potts will return as the starter after he threw three touchdown passes in relief of Steven Sheffield for a come-from-behind victory a week ago. Potts threw for 388 yards and two touchdowns against the Sooners last year.

“I thought we were a great defense last year. I thought we played good practically the whole year, except for that game,” Lewis said. “It’s disappointing, but it’s something you can learn from.”