The true colors of a certain group of Americans are coming into ever-clearer focus through an almost daily litany of public comments. Look at this beaut from a GOP activist out of South Carolina, who has some thoughts about the genetic relationship between an escaped gorilla and our first lady. But it’s okay, right? Since he only meant it as a joke. And he’s so sorry if he offended anybody. And now that he’s apologized, everyone can go on about their business guilt free in that Sunday-confession-whole-bunch-of-Hail-Marys sort of way.

I’m guessing he’s actually sorry he got caught and not at all sorry about what he said. But thanks to a publicized screen-grab of the indecent status update on his Facebook account, and–dagnabbit!–the poor bastard has no choice but to make the apologies sound heartfelt, no matter how much teeth grinding he has to endure.

People: We must be vigilant when it comes to white right-wingers who perceive themselves to be increasingly marginalized. These people walk among us, work with us, pass us in the produce section at the grocery store. I’ve seen them. They lurch toward me wide-eyed, with arms outstretched to touch my kid’s hair without asking.