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Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez shared a wild story about what happens when politicians watch too much Fox News.

Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez shared a wild story about what happens when politicians watch too much Fox News.

When Alexandria Oscasio-Cortez (D-NY) completed her historic election to Congress in 2018, plenty of people wondered if her momentum would carry over when she was off the campaign trail and forced to participate in the much quieter world of legislating.

Needless to say, she hasn’t missed a beat.

Part of what has kept AOC in the public spotlight is the unique approach she has taken to asking questions during congressional hearings.


Some people think she’s too flashy -- all spark and no substance. While her fans, and even some of her critics, have applauded her for asking the tough and honest questions that often get left behind in the hallowed halls of Congress.

During an appearance on “Late Night with Seth Myers” AOC said the reason her questions go viral isn’t because there’s anything special about her, other than her “secret” of paying her staff a living wage.

While noting she pays every member of her staff a living wage, no one makes less than $52,000, she even suggested Republicans do the same if they want to have better questions for their next hearing.

“If you pay your staff, you’ll be prepared,” she quipped.

AOC said it’s important because she’s been shocked at how uninformed many of her congressional colleagues are.

"One of the side-effects of this kind of Fox News lunacy is that other actual members of Congress believe it, and see it uncritically," she said. "So I was on the floor [of the House] once and this guy came up to me, and he was like, 'Is it true that you got $10 million from Netflix?' And I was like, 'No?' And it was like, in the well—we're voting on, like, gun reform. And I'm like, what else do you not know?This is concerning."

Then, things got a little weird, when AOC joked about all of the criticism she gets from moderate Democrats and conservatives. When Myers asked what that was all about, she wondered out loud, “Why are so many grown men obsessed with this 29-year-old?” before looking down at her dress and deciding maybe that’s a question not worth dwelling on.

However, she admitted that sometimes it’s at least entertaining. “It’s really funny and the conspiracy theories are great, too.”

But regardless of your political views, AOC makes a great point. We miss the days when congressional staffers and elected officials themselves were treasure troves of knowledge and experience.

Our government is meant to reflect and enforce our collective values. So, if we truly care about having an informed citizenry it’s time to insist that our members of Congress reflect that value by hiring, and paying, the best staffers available to help them do the best job of representing the people who sent them to Congress.

Pop Culture

People are loving Drew Barrymore's live reaction to her first perimenopause hot flash

“I don’t know that I have ever heard a celebrity talk about a hot flash in the moment. Thank you for being so real."

The Drew Barrymore Show/Youtube

Drew Barrymore getting a quick assist from Jennifer Aniston

It feels safe to say that many, if not most people hail Drew Barrymore as the “Queen of Candid.” She can seemingly talk to absolutely anyone about anything in a way that’s consistently warm and authentic.

That even goes for when she experiences her first hot flash in front of a live television audience, apparently.

While speaking with guests Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler on her talk show, Barrymore abruptly appears flustered, fanning herself and removing her jacket.

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Science

Fascinating video shows how an orangutan mom learned to nurse from a breastfeeding zookeeper

Zoe had been orphaned at a young age and hadn't developed her maternal instincts.

Metro Richmond Zoo/Youtube

Just two new moms helping each other.

Whitlee Turner, a zookeeper for the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia, was given a unique task—teach an orangutan to breastfeed.

Turner’s pupil, Zoe, had been orphaned at a young age, and without guidance presumably hadn’t learned any maternal instincts. Zoe’s first baby had to be hand-raised after she was unable to nurse, so when baby #2 came around, the zoo was determined to reach a different outcome.

That’s why they called on Turner, who had coincidentally also become a new mom. Thinking Zoe could be taught by example—a strategy that’s proven successful in the past—Turner was asked to bring her newborn son, Caleb, in to give a demonstration.

Turner agreed wholeheartedly.

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A great example of New Yorkers looking out for one another happened on Reddit’s AskNYC subforum earlier this month. AskNYC is where New Yorkers consult one another on various topics, such as where to get cheap rent, subway shortcuts, and places to volunteer.

It all started when a Redditor named Andy, 21, who is autistic, reached out for help in a post titled, “Please help, where do I wait.” On the forum he goes by the name GalacticBambi. Andy is a native New Yorker who moved away at a young age. His father passed away two years ago, so he came back to the Big Apple to see his cousin and learn more about his father.

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Basketball referee has an emotional reunion with the player who saved his life on the court

Not many people survive a "widow maker," but thanks to the player's quick actions, this ref lived to call another game.

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There are some things people are never quite prepared to experience, and a heart attack is high on that list. Semi-pro basketball referee John Sculli found himself on the receiving end of an unexpected heart attack, right in the middle of reffing a game.

Sculli was keenly watching the game between Toledo Glass City and the Jamestown Jackals when he went from following the players down the court to sprawled out on the ground. He was quickly surrounded by other referees, but his fall got the attention of Myles Copeland, who recognized Sculli was unresponsive and immediately began CPR.

"I had never witnessed someone just collapse, but I knew what had to be done," Copeland told CBS.

Turns out Copeland wasn't just a basketball player, he was also a firefighter, and his quick actions saved Sculli's life. Doctors told the referee and his fiancé, Donna, that he had a "widow maker" heart attack, which is often fatal. So when the two men got a chance to reconnect with Donna in tow, emotions ran high and CBS caught it on video.

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There are all kinds of tips and tricks to make your little ones feel better during cootie season, which can sometimes feel year-round. Some people swear by homeopathic preventions and remedies while others stock up on vitamin C. But outside of Pedialyte popsicles and keeping a bucket nearby hoping for the best, there's not really a trick to surviving the dreaded stomach bug.

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