Newark Mayor To Live On Food Stamps For Week

My kinda guy.

Don Emmert /AFP/Getty Images

Today, New Jersey Mayor, Cory Booker, is putting his money where his mouth is. This week, he will attempt to live off $30 for food, the average weekly  amount allotted to New Jersey families.

That boils down to $4 a day.

He says,

"My goals for the #SNAPChallenge are to raise awareness and understanding of food insecurity; reduce the stigma of SNAP participation; elevate innovative local and national food justice initiatives and food policy; and, amplify compassion for individuals and communities in need of assistance. Over the next seven days, I plan to highlight the voices of people involved in local food policy, the SNAP program, and other related initiatives. ... Throughout this week, I will document my #SNAPChallenge experiences and reflections on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and through video on#waywire."

I would love to see more politicians take a step into the shoes of the people they affect with their policies. We elect individuals who haven't the slightest clue of our (we the voters) day to day issues. Beyond this being an empathetic step to take, it shows character and will definitely influence his remaining days in office.

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#TheQuench | New Music: Gilles - "Commencement"

Pronounced Jeelz.

Yep, I did that.

Nothing like some good ole originality to kick off the day. 

And lawyer turned rapper, Gilles, is all of that and then some. After graduating from the esteemed Emory University, (my alma mater) he was unsure exactly how to break in the rap game, so he did the most obvious choice: Law school! 

Indeed, all of that education has done him some good. His voice resonates with the young, educated and working class. This music is smart and infused with a perspective that's predominately missing from hip hop. Imagine listening to a rap song that isn't dumbed down and yet, remains catchy AND memorable. Kind of mind blowing isn't it?

Pretty refreshing.

Soooo, with great pleasure, I present to you, "Commencement," the first single from the upcoming EP, "Successfully Lost."

Watch.

What do you think of "Commencement?"

www.SuperGilles.com

#TheQuench: WTF is a Fiscal Cliff?

My brain hurts.

Where does is start? Where does it end? What happens if we go over? So many questions about this ominous topic. I'm not completely 100% on it, but here's my take of the basics:

WHAT:

Soon and very soon, tax cuts that George W. Bush put into place will officially expire and automated (severe) spending cuts and tax hikes will go into affect. Spending cuts in public programs like:

Energy research (Have you seen the polar ice caps?) 

Water toxic waste (Remember the BP oil spill?)

Clean water programs (Speaks for itself)

Among many others!

Uhm...those seem pretty important to me!

WHEN:

January 2 is the official deadline date.

WHY:

Because last year, President Obama and Congress could not come to an agreement on a budget. The President wants to increase taxes on those earning more than $250,000 a year. Republicans want to cut spending but really don't want taxes to go up. Both sides are being really stingy and holding up progress. 

Ridiculous!

Anywho, whenever you have a few minutes  take a look at the video below for a more detailed explanation.

BONUS: It has drawings! I  don't know about you, I'm a visual learner. The more pictures the better.





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#InCaseYouWereWondering: The Powerball Has Winners

I'm hating.

Let's get this over with.

So there were 2 winning tickets for the $587.5 million dollar lottery this past week. One ticket in Arizona (the owner has not come forward yet.) The other, a nice family in Missouri. See picture above. ::rolls eyes and walks away:::

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#TheQuench: Dr. Dre is Forbes List 2012 Highest Paid Musician

Cha-Ching!

Thanks to "Beats By Dre" headphones, Dr. Dre has pulled in over $100 million dollars this year leading Forbes' list of highest paid musicians. 

Ooowee. 

Other notables, Taylor Swift beats out Justin Beiber by a mili, sitting pretty at number 8 with $57 million. Lady Gaga and Diddy are number 13 and 15, respectively. And Rihanna tops both Beyonce and Jaz-Z Carter with a comfy $53 million dollars.

P.S. Who the heck is Roger Waters you say? I wondered the same damn thing. He's a one of the founding members of the rock band, Pink Floyd and clearly a BAWSE.

Here's the list in its entirety:

Forbes’ Highest-Paid Musicians 2012

1. Dr. Dre – $110 million
2. Roger Waters – $88 million
3. Elton John – $80 million
4. U2 – $78 million
5. Take That – $69 million
6. Bon Jovi – $60 million
7. Britney Spears – $58 million
8. Paul McCartney – $57 million (tie)
8. Taylor Swift – $57 million (tie)
10. Justin Bieber – $55 million (tie)
10. Toby Keith – $55 million
12. Rihanna – $53 million
13. Lady Gaga – $52 million
14. Foo Fighters – $47 million
15. Diddy – $45 million (tie)
15. Katy Perry – $45 million (tie)
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 million
18. Beyoncé – $40 million
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 million
20. Jay-Z – $38 million
21. Coldplay – $37 million
22. Adele – $35 million (tie)
22. Kanye West – $35 million (tie)
24. Michael Bublé – $34 million
25. Sade – $33 million

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Congress Thinking About Stopping $1 Bill

Why is this up for discussion?

Ok. Before I judge, let's quickly (and briefly) take a look at why this could possibly be a good idea: 

1. Save money

-Did you know that paper bills have to be replaced every four to five years as opposed to coins which last for thirty years or so? 

-The Mint has discovered several new and less expensive metal combinations for coins that could potentially save the government nearly 200 million dollars a year. 

2. Get Current

-Apparently, the U.S. is the only Western economy without a $1 bill.  There must be something we're missing!

Methinks, it would be annoying to walk around with a pocket full of coins. And as a good friend of mine pointed out, its about to get real hard out here for these strippers!

Indeed.

Are you for or against the paper to coin switch? Let me know in the comments below.

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Singer, Ashanti, Joins Cast of Lifetime's Hit Drama, "Army Wives"

Ashanti is making her little screen debut and in a big way:

Singer-songwriter-producer-actress Ashanti, whose credits include Resident Evil: Extinction, John Tucker Must Die and Coach Carter, will make her series regular debut as Latasha Durant, an optimistic mother of three: 11-year-old Quincy Jr. (known as Deuce), daughter Nyah, 8, and Gabe, 6, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. Latasha is described as a survivor with no self-pity who is determined to wrench all the joy out of life that she can. She's a sexy, fun woman who knows how to keep a husband -- and keep him in line. 

I was very impressed with Ashanti's performance on Keyshia Cole's latest album, proving her vocal growth.  Hopefully, the she took the same steps in the acting department. As always, I shall be standing by.


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