I was reading the headlines on Yahoo! News when I came across a statement that reads something like this: McCain's humor draws criticism again.

I assumed it was about the whole "Bomb Iran" situation that erupted in the past weeks, but I wanted to inspect further. (I was never sure what the joke really was when he changed a Beach Boys song's lyrics to something about bombing Iran.)

It, however, was not about that. Apparently, on Tuesday night John McCain was a guest on Jon Stewart's The Daily Show.

Stewart asked McCain what controversy he wanted to talk about, the "Bomb Iran" song or the walk through the Baghdad Market.

McCain's reply was the market, where he "had picked something out for [Stewart]." He said it was a little I.E.D. (improvised explosive device) for Stewart's desk.

The next day, our own Rep. John Murtha, demanded an apology from McCain for that comment.

McCain's response to his critics: "Lighten up."

The only thing I can say is: Well said, Senator.

Let me start by saying that I am not supporting Sen. McCain for president, yet a man who intelligently stands up for himself against critics does garner my respect.

Maybe McCain's humor is not grasped by all, nor appreciated by all, but his effort was one which tried to lighten up an otherwise dire situation. And, if we can allow anyone to pull humor from that particular situation, we should allow McCain.

I'm sure those years he spent in the Hanoi Hilton might be enough to allow him to make the joke. I am only assuming that he has respect for all the troops abroad and knows what it is like to be in their situation.

This situation leads me into my point. Why are we (or the media) so hellbent on calling each other out over what is obviously a joke?

McCain didn't make a racist or sexist comment; he made a comment (it doesn't matter whether humorous or not) on a fake news show, which, in fact, may be more insightful than we realize.

What if McCain's comment really meant that things are so messed up in Iraq that, if one wanted (even Sen. John McCain), he or she could buy an I.E.D. at a street market in Baghdad?

Did Rep. Murtha realize that?

And, that, my readers, is the problem. As I have often seen in the media, there is a certain group of people who make comments on something without looking at the entire situation.

This unidentifiable group often wants the publicity of being the first to say or spot out the possible faux pas.

I call it whistle-bloweritis.

Now, let me state that there are whistle blowers who do good things for out society. This whistle blower is not one of them.

Rep. Murtha's demand for an apology was an attempt to gain support from people by casting a betraying shadow over what another has said.

In addition, I often see this phenomenon occur in surveys and polls.

If asked if you thought making jokes about I.E.D.s was acceptable, 99 percent of individuals would say no. In this scenario, the asker would never tell you what the surrounding circumstances are, then report the findings.

The asker would then announce to the world that 99 percent of people are against John McCain.

This is, then, his or her fact that they use against someone. I'm not saying Rep. Murtha did this, but a lot of people who fit into that category do (in my book, a lot means more than zero).

I can only suggest they take a statistics class, or maybe a math class for analytical skills or for reading comprehension, English literature. Why not? It might just help correct these 'errors' in interpretation.

But, with present day media coverage and the individual's desire for his or her 15 minutes, I really don't believe that whistle-bloweritis will ever be cured.

What I am, perhaps, finding solace in, is the lack of derogatory coverage that McCain has been subject to, considering his very controversial comments.

Maybe, it is the public that is becoming more and more educated, and, hopefully, no one can possibly take that in the wrong way. Wait, I'm sure there's someone.