Henry, you’re killin’ me, Bro
By Gregg Wendorf
Advance News Journal
Every time I hear the slang expression “Bro,” I think about being in state District Judge Noé Gonzalez’s courtroom once, when this prisoner in an orange jump suit was standing, trying to explain something to the judge. I think it had to do with skipping bail and traveling to Mexico.
“I had to visit my sick grandma.”
The prisoner kept peppering his sentences by addressing the judge as “Bro,” like they were old drinking buddies from back in the day.
“I didn’t mean to miss my court hearing, Judge. But like, Bro, if I had it all to do over again, I would have let you know that I wasn’t gonna be here, Bro.” Said Gonzalez, leaning forward, “I’m not your bro.”
Some sentences, though, just call for a “Bro.” Kind of like “Dude,” only different.
For this week’s headline, thinking about the press release sent out last Thursday by Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar, currently in legal trouble with the feds — indicted in May on charges of bribery and money laundering — a “Bro” just seemed so apt.
For starters, since I blasted GOP U.S. Senator John Cornyn in the May 29th issue of The Advance, equal play calls for lambasting a Democrat as well for the failed leadership shown with regard to the 1944 Water Treaty the U.S. shares with Mexico.
Cuellar’s press release couldn’t have come at a better time, because if you didn’t know the back story, it would come across as an elected official who was really serious about helping Valley farmers, the local ag industry, not to mention the municipalities and the the counties that call South Texas home. Water is such an essential part of living.
Yet, it’s only now when the water reservoir levels are at all-time record lows that you see guys like Cornyn and Cuellar step up to the plate.
What they fail to understand, or may not even know, is that Mexico currently lacks the water they owe us as part of the 1944 treaty.
The water Mexico currently has in the six tributaries that feed Amistad and Falcon is approximately 1.1 million acre feet. They owe the U.S., or the river, put it any way you want, approximately 800,000 acre feet. There is no way they are going to pay the water deficit and only leave their stakeholders 300,000 acre feet.
As mentioned in the Cornyn column two weeks ago, Mexico had a weather event two years ago, when the water in the six tributaries was approximately three times what it is now. The water holding tanks in Tamaulipas were overflowing, yet, with Mexican officials already knowing they were way behind in the 1944 Water Treaty’s current fiveyear cycle, which ends Oct. 25, 2025, Mexico released no water into the river (Amistad and Falcon). Not a drop.
At the time, there was no pressure coming out of D.C. Cornyn and Cuellar were silent on this issue.
In other words, when Mexico had the water to pay off the debt it owes us two years ago, our fearless leaders said nothing.
Of course, in 2022, the water levels at Amistad and Falcon weren’t as low as they are now, so the pressure wasn’t as intense as it is now.
But please, Bro, don’t come out with this ridiculous June 6 press release, taken from Sen. Cornyn’s playbook, no doubt, demanding that Mexico pay up on its water debt.
By the way, we know you have your PhD, but using “Dr.” in front of your name comes across as just a little bit too pretentious for a career politician, Bro.
From Cuellar's press release:
“Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding the inclusion of language withholding funding from Mexico until water deliveries are made as required by the 1944 Water Treaty in the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs government funding bill:
“Water from Mexico is essential for South Texas communities to operate and grow,” said Dr. Cuellar. “As a member of Congress, it is my job to ensure communities on the border have a consistent water supply. While there is still more work to be done, I will continue to focus my efforts on securing immediate water deliveries from Mexico for South Texas. Thank you to my colleagues in the Texas delegation, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), Congressmen Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34), and Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15).”
“The language withholds funding for Mexico until the United States and Mexico have entered into an agreement to balance the deficit of water deliveries to the United States. However, this funding does not include assistance for countering the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs into the United States.”
Henry, you’re killing me, Bro. Start speaking the truth to your constituents: “Mexico currently lacks the water it needs to pay up. Two years ago, Mexico had the water, but I, along with my colleague from across the aisle, Sen. John Cornyn, and many others from our respective parties, did nothing to force its hand.”
The Real Problem
There is also another issue at hand, and it’s a big one.
According to the 1944 treaty, Mexico doesn’t even regard us as a “water user.” That’s no joke. Here is an excerpt from a “water story” published in The Advance in 2013, about the same subject. Meaning, our continued lack of adequate river water: But why won’t Mexico live up to its end of the treaty?
“The fundamental problem remains that Mexico does not recognize the U.S. as a water user under the treaty and does not set aside any water for treaty compliance,” said Carlos Rubinstein, Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board. “To the extent that remains unchanged, water reliability under the treaty for the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas will remain at risk.”
Meaning, for the past 11 years since this 2013 story was published, the meandering zombies in D.C. masquerading as elected officials have done next to nothing to address the Valley’s water needs, which really call for the drafting of a new water treaty. The one dating back to 1944 is antiquated, drafted during a time far removed from today with regard to water availability, usage, and demand.
You know, the only reason I’m rooting for AI to take over running the country, is that it will do a far better job of managing the government, as opposed to the people we send there, like John Cornyn and Dr. Henry Cuellar.