Note: After this original post was written, RCGOP chair Rob Towle issued a real, actual APOLOGY. Details after the jump below.

Awwwww. The Rutland County GOP has apparently dumped its Facebook page. You know, the one famous for definitely racist and all-but-racist anonymous postings in the name of topical humor?

Well, it’s gone. Thankfully, we preserved their excesses in the posts linked above.

Ever since GMD first brought the Facebook posts to light on Sunday, Rob Towle, the tone-deaf chair of the RCGOP, had issued a strong of absurd defenses, non-apologies, and attacks in apology form. I guess things finally got too hot for him — especially since the national media is on the case. First Huffington Post, and now NBCNews.com.

Might also have had something to do with VTGOP chair Jack Lindley’s evident displeasure at his southern brethren’s comedic diarrhea, as reported yesterday by VTDigger:

As for an official apology, Lindley said, “I haven’t actually seen it, so it’s a little hard for me to be able to say that I’m issuing an apology.” He repeated that it wasn’t part of “civil discourse” several times, however, also calling it “most inappropriate.”

…”If I had any control over it whatsoever, that would never see the light of day. But I have no control over it, obviously.”

I can almost imagine him hanging up the phone and mixing himself a nice tall Jack-and-Maalox. The last thing he needed, what with the fallout from Paul LePage’s visit and the disastrous campaign finance reports filed by his candidates, is another self-inflicted injury.

Farewell, Rutland County GOP Facebook Page; we hardly knew ye.

Later update: After two full days of defensiveness, false apologies, and attacks in the form of apologies, RCGOP chair Rob Towle has finally — FINALLY — learned the art of the apology. From the Rutland Herald:

“I want to let everyone know that I am truly sorry about the stupid and insensitive post that I reposted to the Rutland County page Sunday,” he wrote. “It was a case of bad judgement and anyone that knows me, knows that the post does not reflect my personal values, nor does it in any way reflect the values or beliefs of any GOP official, Candidate, GOP worker, or any person that I am friends with or associate with. At no time was any person other than myself involved with this post and I wanted to make sure people understand I take full responsibility.

“In writing this statement (with a heavy heart and great sorrow), I hope this message will reach those offended and will take this apology for face value and find it in their hearts to forgive.”

Touching. And I’m glad he finally came clean — not only in his recognition that the “joke” was offensive, but also that he was, himself, responsible for posting it.

Still, the fact that it took him two days does him no credit. And I suspect it came only after heavy pressure from state and/or national GOP officials.