The embarrassment of the Republican champions of Cliven Bundy’s challenge to the Federal Government has led to a frantic effort by many to disassociate from an ignorant racist steeped in the conspiracy politics of the radical right.

Even as Bundy was amazed that people of color would take offense at his supposedly well thought out insights about “the negro” (including the advantages of slavery, and the need to teach black youth to pick cotton) the anti-government crowd seems equally oblivious to just how extreme they have become.

The now familiar photo of the armed militiaman training his automatic rifle on government officials should have been a source of great discomfort.  Yet under the tutelage of second amendment champions like NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, this is viewed as the action of true American Patriots.

This is even stranger when one considers that virtually every aspect of Cliven Bundy and his militia is illegal.  So much for the “nation of laws” argument I keep hearing from these same folk when issues of immigration reform are discussed.

For me, there is something strangely familiar about a proud racist spewing his state’s rights sentiment in the face of federal authorities.  But then, I remember the 1960’s.