Former Vice President Dick Cheney can be a polarizing figure even six years out of office.

The Wyoming State Bar invited Cheney, a prominent Republican with deep Wyoming ties, to be keynote speaker at its annual convention next week.

Some lawyers are objecting — both to Cheney’s selection and to the bar’s announcement of his appearance. It consisted of an unedited biography submitted by Cheney in which he criticizes President Barack Obama for weakening the United States’ security posture.

Cheyenne lawyer and Democratic state legislator Mary Throne says she won’t attend. She says she respects Cheney’s public service but that she believes he’s too political a choice for a state bar convention.

Others welcome Cheney’s appearance — and say they’d have no problem if it were Obama who was speaking.

(AP)