Alaska Rep. Don Young:

“My father had a ranch; we used to have 50-60 wetbacks to pick tomatoes.”

House Speaker John Boehner, per CNN:

“Congressman Young’s remarks were offensive and beneath the dignity of the office he holds. I don’t care why he said it – there’s no excuse and it warrants an immediate apology.”

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus:

“Our party represents freedom and opportunity for every American and a beacon of hope to those seeking liberty throughout the world. Offensive language and ethnic slurs have no place in our public discourse.”

Is Priebus kidding? Does he have no awareness of what his party has said and done to diminish the dignity and rights of not-white people and how all too many conservatives still refer to them (scroll)?

Rep. Young:

“I used a term that was commonly used during my days growing up on a farm in Central California. I know that this term is not used in the same way nowadays and I meant no disrespect.“

Psst! Don! It’s 2013.

Psst! Don! Your statement, excuses, and non-apology have now been documented and will be available for review forever.

CNN:

The word is widely considered an ethnic slur and generally refers to those from Mexico who come to the United States illegally by crossing the Rio Grande River. It was used by the government in the 1950s for “Operation Wetback,” a massive crackdown on illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Let’s take a gander at the ol’ GOP playbook, shall we?

1950s mentality:

Slurs:

Massive crackdown on immigrants:

How’s that reachy-outy thing workin’ for ya?

UPDATE via Think Progress:

By Friday afternoon, Young had issued a full apology:

“I apologize for the insensitive term I used during an interview in Ketchikan, Alaska. There was no malice in my heart or intent to offend; it was a poor choice of words. That word, and the negative attitudes that come with it, should be left in the 20th century, and I’m sorry that this has shifted our focus away from comprehensive immigration reform.”