January 1, Jeff Bezos Accuses National Inquirer of Extortion

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos published an on-line essay Thursday – accusing that The National Enquirer of blackmail and extortion. Bezos claims the publication threatened to publish nude photos of him unless he called off an investigation aimed at finding out how his intimate text messages were leaked to the tabloid. The texts ultimately ended Bezo’s marriage.

Bezos, who is also owner of The Washington Post, detailed his interactions with American Media Inc. in an extraordinary blog post Thursday on the Medium.com website.

After the tabloid published a story about his extramarital affair last month, Bezos ordered a team of private investigators to get to the bottom of how the Enquirer obtained risque texts between the executive and former TV anchor Lauren Sanchez. Since then, there’s been a public relations battle.

Rep. Matt Gaetz Talks About Border, At Gun Control Hearing

The House Judiciary Committee held its first hearing on gun control in eight years on Wednesday. Democrats are pushing a bill aimed at strengthening background checks for retail and private gun sales. The bill is known known as H.R. 8.

But During the hearing REP. Matt Gaetz, (R-FL), says illegal aliens are a bigger threat than people buying guns without background checks.

“H.R. 8 would not have stopped many of the circumstances I raised, but a wall, a border on the southern barrier may have and that’s what we are fighting for,” Rep. Gaetz said as members of the attendees groaned.

Several parents, who lost children during the mass shooting a Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL last year. One father who lost his son — and tired to shout down Gaetz.

According to NPR, This led to protests in the hearing room by the fathers of two Parkland shooting victims, Manuel Oliver and Fred Guttenberg. Gaetz responded by asking for their removal. The public is not allowed to comment during congressional hearings, and the two were given a warning.

Democrats also did not allow Rep. Steve Scalise, (R-LA) to speak on the topic, even though he was a victim of gun violence himself. Rep. Scalise was shot and wounded at congressional baseball game in 2017.

NC Gov. Roy Cooper On Climate Change On Capitol Hill

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says the United States needs to do more to fight climate change. This week, Govs. Cooper Charlie Baker of Massachusetts testified before a House committee hearing focused on the economic and personal impact of climate change on states like North Carolina. Gov. Cooper specifically mentioned the impact from Hurricanes Florence and Matthew.

“We have weathered two so-called 500 year floods and three of them within 20 years,” Gov. Cooper said, adding, “It is not too late but it soon maybe.”

Coopers comments come on the same day NOAA and NASA released data that showing that 9 of the 10 warmest years on record have occurred since 2005.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez: Green New Deal a “Statement”

Congressional Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are rolling out the “Green New Deal” to fight climate change. It calls for the abolition of fossil fuels. But Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez says the “Green New Deal” isn’t quite ready to become a law.  The Freshman Democrat from the Bronx, recently told NPR that – her version — is more like a “statement” – than an actual bill proposal.  Meanwhile, house  Speaker Nancy Pelosi has named nine Democrats to the newly formed Select Cmte on Climate Change.

But, AOC, as she calls herself on twitter, didn’t make the cut.

Former NYT Exec Editor Jill Abrams facing accusations of plagiarism

Jill Abrams, the former executive editor of the New York Times Jill defends her new book – “Merchants of Truth” – and herself against plagiarism charges.

Vice News Correspondent Michael Moynihan, took Abrams to task on twitter, posting images with passages from Abramson’s book along side passages from other publications and even a master’s thesis. Some of them, looked identical.

This week on Fox News Abramson said “All I can tell you is I certainly didn’t plagiarize in my book.”She said everything is referenced in the foot notes of the book.

Gucci, Adidas Apologize for Black History Month Mishaps

Both Gucci and Adidas are apologizing for fashion faux pas and bad timing. dGucci recently caught heat for releasing a $890 black-knit women’s women’s sweater with a turtle neck that can be pulled over your face. It includes red lips around an opening for the mouth. Social media users say it’s too similar to blackface imagery.

Gucci quickly apologized and removed the item from all on-line and retail stores.

Meanwhile – Adidas is in hot water because they released a pair of all-white shoes – to honor the Harlem Renaissance movement and Black History Month. But when someone pointed out that all white shoes for black history month — didn’t make sense.Adidas pulled $180 sneakers off the shelves and said they “did not reflect the spirit or philosophy of how Adidas believes we should recognize and honor Black History Month.”