There is an ancient proverb, “Ex Africa semper aliquid novi,” i.e., “From Africa always something strange.” I am prompted to substitute the Texas of today for the Africa of old, for Texas regularly is always bringing something weird into the nation’s politics. Recently, Texas has given us the likeable and steadfast Senator Ted Cruz. Then there’s Rep. Louis Gohmert, a perennial embarrassment to the Congress, who did his own little bit to cause the 6th of January attack on the government. And one cannot forget Texas’ Attorney General, Mr. Ken Paxton, who files one foolish suit after another so he can keep moving and stay one jump ahead of federal law enforcement. 

And today yet another Texan monstrosity blundered his way to national attention. The incoherence and insensitivity of Rep. Chip Roy’s remarks at the House hearing about the Atlanta killings were the equal of anything we used to hear from our former president. Roy denounced China and the Chinese government. He denounced criticism of extremist rhetoric as an attempt to stifle free speech. He pledged his devotion to the “rule of law.” And then topped it all off with positive remarks about lynching, quoting “old sayings in Texas about find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak true.” These “old sayings in Texas” were derived from a 2002 song written by Oklahoman Toby Keith.

I have heard there is a movement in Texas to secede again from the United States. I can only applaud this initiative and wish its advocates all success.