they were thought to be a joke back then, at least at the start. Conservatives of the day were not inclined to be harsh to these people.
Obama on the other hand is a wanna be dictator, he won’t hesitate to use the police and other methods to control these idiots.
I don't think you were alive back then. Conservatives of the day as you say, for the most part, were suckers believing every word the government told them.
Most of those people still around today, have made an abrupt about face regarding government, haven't they?