NBC misses half the story in long-winded attempt to pin blame for shutdown on GOP

Yeah, yeah, keep saying there's no liberal media bias. 

Explain this little gem from NBC News today about who has the power to end the government shutdown:

Best description of the debt ceiling debate I've seen so far

This is pure genius. A website called "Havoc on the Hill" has summed up the debt ceiling debate with a series of photos with snarky word balloons.

Havoc on the Hill | The Great Debt Ceiling Debate

You should definitely go check out the entire series, but here are some samples:

"Crazy" Allen West

Allen West, never one to shy from a challenge, sent out an email to his supporters today with the subject line "CRAZY:"

Some of my opponents have taken to using that word to describe me. I guess in their world it's "crazy" to want to defend the Constitution and call it like I see it. In short, they think principles of fiscal responsibility and restraint are "crazy!"

Well, here's something that's really crazy: the President and the Democrats' lack of a plan to stop the country from defaulting on its debts.

It's simple. Speaker John Boehner has put together a plan which will reduce spending and at the same time allow us to keep running the country.

No reasonable alternative sits before us. And to this day, President Barack Obama hasn't put even an outline of a plan on paper.

It has been more than 816 days since the Senate Democrats have even voted on a budget for our nation -- which is required by the U.S. Constitution.

Now that's crazy!

We need to get behind Speaker Boehner's plan. We simply can't put politics above doing what is right for the country. And in the meantime, we will continue to hold President Obama and the Senate Democrats accountable for all they have done to get us here.

There are two things you can do right now.

First, make a special contribution of $15, $25, $35, or even more right now to help me continue to fight for conservative principles. It's critical we have strong, outspoken voices in Washington, DC especially now.

Second, let’s turn the tables on President Obama and call him at 202-456-1414 and tell the White House you think he needs come to the table on this crisis which faces every American man, woman and child.

President Obama has spent more time pointing fingers and blaming Republicans than solving the problem. But I think the American People see through that. And I think in the end, he and the Senate Democrats will pay the price at the ballot box next November.

I appreciate all you have done for the campaign and the kind words I have heard from you over the last few weeks. If you are able I hope you will consider a contribution of $15, $25, $35 or more to help me keep fighting for all of us "CRAZY" people who care about the future of our country.

Thank you again.

Steadfast and Loyal,

LTC(R) Allen B. West
Member of Congress

P.S. It's never crazy to stand up for your beliefs and fight for what's right. The debate going on in Washington right now just shows you how far President Obama and Democrats will go to demonize conservatives. Help me fight back by making a gift of $15, $25, $35 or even more right now. Thanks again.

Change I Really CAN Believe In!

When I was in DC in November, I took this picture of the hallway leading to the offices for the Speaker of the House:

The sign says "THIS CORRIDOR CLOSED," which just seemed full of delicious irony at the time.

Today, some delightful photos were posted online:

Go Ahead and Cry

Here's a great post from a blogger friend of mine - another conservative Southern gal named Sarah (awesome, right?), about the media obsession with Speaker-elect John Boehner's tears during recent interviews:

Sarah Way Down South | Journalistic Pansies

...I don’t care if John Boehner tears up when he’s talking to Lesley Stahl (I’d cry if I had to spend that much time with a CBS reporter, too) and I don’t care if he gets a little misty when he watches Bambi. I just want someone – anyone – in Congress to do his or her damn job and for the media to report on it accordingly.

If John Boehner can go back to Washington in January, get Congress out of my personal business and into the business of cutting spending, I don’t care if he lies down on the floor of the Capital Building and sobs like a little girl every day for the rest of his life...

Personally, I agree with Sarah.   

John Boehner truly represents the great American dream.  He grew up in a tiny house, sharing two bedrooms and one bathroom with eleven siblings (Boehner's parents slept on a pull-out couch).  He was the first in his family to go to college, taking seven years to finish because he was working several jobs (including janitor) to pay for his tuition.

Can you blame him for getting a little choked up when he thinks about how far he has come?  Is it really that strange for him to be moved by the challenges faced by other poor children? 

After two years of seeing Nancy Pelosi's overly-Botoxed face and wondering if she was capable of showing any human emotion at all (I'm still suspicious that she might be a robot) I like the idea of a politician who actually has some feelings.  I want to cry too when I think about the insane growth of our national debt.

Mr. Boehner, you've got a lot of hard work to do starting in January.  As Sarah said, do a good job and we aren't going to care if you're crying, giggling, or singing.