In his New York Times column this week, David Brooks dubs a rising segment of the GOP as White Identitarian.  The identity of this group was  complicated in its development, but straightforward in its result – overt racism.  White Identitarians may or may not be simply racist; its worse than that.  This group, which has risen from 6% of the party in 2005 to 40% today apply minority standards to themselves.  What this means is that these white people feel discriminated against and are aggrieved by that perception.  They want minority standards applied to themselves, even though they are in the majority.  An example of this behavior is the White Lives Matter folks that has emerged to oppose Black Lives Matter.

Like many cultish like groups, White Identitarians reinforce their own belief that they’re being treated unfairly by talking only to each other and getting their “news” from propaganda outlets that repeat that myth.  The idiocy of this belief reveals itself when these folks say something really stupid to normal people resulting in mockery. For example, they believe the term “old white guy” is actually racist and/or sexist.  Saying that is silly, of course, but these folks actually believe it and get even more offended when someone like me laughs at them.

The dangerous element of this belief?  Donald Trump is playing to White Identitarians giving rise to overt racist behavior such as we witnessed in Charlottesville a few weeks ago.  Overt racists have taken control of the GOP, and radical gerrymandering has put these overt racists (and morons) in positions of power in Washington and state capitals all over the country.  It’s tearing the GOP, and indeed, the country, apart at its racial seems and needs to be exposed for what it is – white supremacy.  Period.

How do you fight this?  Head on.  You have to call racism racism.  This is not dealt with by equivocation and the “both sides” argument.  Like Brooks says in this column – white identitarianism is noxious.  It is poisoning the GOP from within and will destroy our democracy if not stomped out quickly.

So I was watching the electric teevee and on comes Ted Cruz to talk with Katy Tur, who has ten IQ points, a unwhiny voice, and real hair on him.

So Katy asks Ole Ted, “Why is it that you want aid for Texas now but you opposed aid for Sandy relief to New York?”  Ted smugged smiled and replied in that chastising voice he’s got, “Katy, now is not the time to play petty politics.”

Oh sure, but right after Hurricane Sandy was a great time to play petty politics.

When I was a little girl my Aunt Lillian used to tell me that if a crab pinched you, it wouldn’t let go until sundown. That’s not true but it’s enough to scare a little girl from putting her hand in the crab basket and tormenting the crabs. I’m just praying it is true for Katy Tur and she won’t let go ’til you can ice skate in hell.

If Ted Cruz accidentally cuts himself, he bleeds petty politics.  And there’s so much in him that if you sew him up, he’ll spring a leak somewhere else.

And it is true that while Trump didn’t see even an inch of water in the streets of Corpus, any destroyed property or see one person tragically impacted by this, Cruz dropped by the George R Brown shelter housing 10,000 people and shook a few hands before dashing out. I think he was hoping to leave some bumper stickers. (I just made that up but it’s probably true.)

Y’all, I hate this man.  I hate the way he treats his wife and children. I hate how when he prays, he puts his head down and used that time to figure out way to screw people. I hate how smart he thinks he is. I hate how he has no friends and enjoys being hated. I hate this tiny little boots he wears.

This morning we awoke exhausted, drained, and weary to the bluest sky I’ve ever seen, fluffy white clouds, a slight coolish breeze, and a big ball of fire in the sky.  There were moments to rejoice.  I had coffee on the front porch, thanking God for a short reprieve to recharge and fight again.  I would have had my coffee in the back yard but the swimming pool looks like we ought to throw up our hands and just stock it with catfish.

The second round starts today for Beaumont and small cities east.  That’s where Houston Petrochemical companies supply most of America with gasoline.  If you’re smart, you’ll fill up now.

My small town is still facing the rise of the Brazos River.  It’s such a long river that it takes days for the water to hit us before it pours into the Gulf of Mexico.  They really just have to get out their slide rulers and guess where all that water will end up because we have no idea what drainage ditches and tributaries are blocked with debris at this point.  The best guess is that the river will crest on Friday morning and that the oldest parts of the city, about a two mile area, will remain a literal island for 3 – 4 days. We won’t be able to get in or out except by boat. The upside is that we have a small hospital, a grocery store, more taco huts than Mexico City, a movie theater, and more good folks than jackasses.  The main downside is snakes, alligators, and fire ants seeking high ground.

Here’s what you can do to help.  A few of you have asked me where you could donate a little money where it would do the most good. I am donating to the AFL-CIO Texas Worker Relief Fund.  I know these guys.  John Patrick, the president of the TEXAS AFL-CIO  is a friend of mine and he’s meaner than ten acres of snakes. I know for damn fact that he will squeeze every penny you give him to do the most good. Click here to donate.

If I hear of any more in need, I will let you know.

Yeah, he ain’t coming here.  He’s going to Corpus Christi and then dropping by Austin to strut with the Governor.

Here’s the deal. Undocumented workers were refusing to go to shelters because they feared it was a ruse by ICE. So, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez went on tv, speaking in Spanish, to say that he would personally insure that they would not be arrested or detained.  Then Mayor Sylvester Turner, a lawyer, said that if they were detained, he would personally represent them for free.

Trump and his sheriff would not feel at home here.

I’m not saying that insurance companies own the Texas Legislature but they most certainly do have a long term lease. The Texas Republican Insurance Whore Corp (those last two words rhyme) has signed the lease.

Most Texas homeowners insurance does not include flooding. Thanks to the Texas Lege, you have to buy a separate policy if you think you might flood.  (ON EDIT: I have been instructed that this is also the case in foreign states.  I apologize.  I am running 102 degrees with cabin fever.) Many of those policies come through FEMA.

Let’s say you have to sue your insurance company so they will pay your claim.

For many Texans ravaged by the rain and winds Hurricane Harvey carried ashore this past weekend, filing an insurance claim for the damage their property sustained is probably the farthest thing from their minds right now. But waiting to submit a claim past Friday could cost them big.

A new law set to take effect Friday aims to crack down on frivolous insurance lawsuits. But House Bill 1774 also reduces the penalty interest rate insurance companies face for late payments if the policyholder files a lawsuit.

Okay, there are people in shelters, those who cannot get out of their flooded homes and are living on the second floor, and the lucky ones who might be dry but are trapped in their neighborhoods and all these folks better file an insurance claim before Friday.  Hell, they are now saying the Brazos River won’t creat until Thursday around noon so the worst is yet to come for a mess of people.

Thank you, Texas Republicans.  You and Joel Osteen are the grinches of Houston.