Relax, it's funny

I'm sure I'll be ruthlessly chastised for this post, but I think VP Cheney should be allowed to make a joke.

WASHINGTON (June 2) - Vice President Dick Cheney threw a verbal insult at West Virginians on Monday, but quickly apologized.

Talking about his family roots and how he's distantly related to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the vice president noted that he had Cheneys on both sides of his family.

"And we don't even live in West Virginia," Cheney quipped.

"You can say those things when you're not running for re-election."

West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a Democrat, quickly asked Cheney to apologize.

"I truly cannot believe that any vice president of the United States, regardless of their political affiliation, would make such a derogatory statement about my state or any state for that matter," he said.

What American born - and unAmerican born for that matter- doesn't know how to make fun of West Virginia? I grew up with a student who didn't even know West Virginia was a separate state. She thought it was part of Virginia! And we're FROM there?!

Cheney's right if you ask me, he doesn't need to worry about what other people think. Most of us would probably be surprised at how we can relate to the situation. My own great-great grandmother married into my great-great-grandfather's side. I believe it's similar in John McCain's family from his book. And Oh No, Barack Obama is related to a white guy? It's actually very humbling and quite humorous!

And to the governor who wanted to act all offended, look where you live! People have been poking fun at you for years! Grow a sense of humor.

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., blasted Cheney, saying that for a vice president to openly display "such contempt and astounding ignorance toward his own countrymen" was an insult to all Americans.

"Now that he or the administration he represents no longer needs their vote, Mr. Cheney apparently feels that he is now free to mock and belittle the people of West Virginia," Byrd said.

Get a grip Byrd. Contempt, ignorance, mock and belittle? Get over yourselves, you're from West Virginia. Go have a beer with some toothless married cousins!