The QueQue: SA fluoride resistance hits LULAC, Streetcar wrasslin’, Occupy speaks

For supporters of the long-serving congressman, it was sign that Castro helped devise the very map that put the GOP-guided bullseye on Doggett’s back. Then, in part of a largely glowing Express-News profile of Castro early this month, the daily noted that Castro phoned state Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, for help in redistricting — like pushing more Hispanic precincts into the newly-formed District 35. “I’m not inclined to believe that this is some evidence of his (Castro’s) prowess. … If being a savvy politician means carving up communities, that’s just not what good representatives do,” said Doggett campaign manager Matt Arnold last week. “The reason Tobin Hill is now connected to Montopolis, the reason that King William is connected to the Austin airport is because Joaquin Castro went in and helped draw the map,” he charged.

Also, there’s the damage done to freshman GOP Congressman Francisco “Quico” Canseco’s district, Arnold said, which got significantly less Democratic this go around, paving the road for Canseco’s reelection. Not to mention the hatchet job done to the district of the Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, longtime Democratic Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, Arnold said.

Castro fired back with his own message Friday, releasing a YouTube video defending himself and sending off an email containing a letter from one supporter, Eugene Sepuvelda, saying in part, “It’s sad that Lloyd is more worried about keeping his job than standing for the principles we’ve long known him to champion.” In his video, Castro claims Doggett’s “so worried about losing his job that he’s spreading conspiracy theory rumors about me working with the Republicans to draw him out of a job.”

You can bet many in Democratic circles are praying the federal courts will throw the standing map in the trash bin and start over. Maybe then we can put this little Castro-Doggett saga behind us.

Occupy speaks

For all the escape-from-wonkiness that Occupy Wall Street offers (there have been many marches, a few statements, but no “demands”), some people get frustrated: they want specifics. Well, a day before the Occupy San Antonio contingent camping out at HemisFair Park joined what became a global Day of Rage and marched on the Alamo with MoveOn support, they released their first communication — urging locals to cash out from the big banks and move to local banks and credit unions. (“The big banks gamble with all of our money, and they must be held accountable for their crimes,” the group wrote.) Efforts are also being made to establish partnerships with local businesses that support Occupy. “We are all for small business. … We are fighting to take back control of our government from special interest groups and corporations, but we cannot do it alone. We need the help of our local community.” Supportive establishments so far include DeliveryMarketSA.com (you can phone in or email food orders for the protestors here, according to the group’s website), as well as Pat O’Briens, Rhines Restaurant, Guillermo’s, and Planet K. See more at the group’s website at occupysatx.com.•