There’s nothing surprising to read or hear that the Trump Administration wants a name change to the Department of Defense. The administration wants a Department of War. It needs to project masculinity, strength and power. The talk, the chatter, the words all seem to do something else: expose Trump and Hegseth as being examples of frail male egos.
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Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. People with SUD have an intense focus (sometimes called an addiction) on using a certain substance(s) such as alcohol, tobacco, or other psychoactive substances, to the point where their ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or will cause problems.
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For years, students in middle and high schools across the country were urged to “just say no” to drugs and alcohol. But it’s no secret that the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, which was typically delivered by police officers who urged total abstinence, didn’t work.
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Yale Medicine: "Addiction is now understood to be a brain disease. Whether it’s alcohol, prescription pain pills, nicotine, gambling, or something else, overcoming an addiction isn’t as simple as just stopping or exercising greater control over impulses."
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Mayo Clinic: "Some people appear to overindulge more than others or seem incapable of saying "no" or "enough already." You may have heard the term "addictive personality" to describe people who believe that too much of a good thing is never enough. But is this an actual diagnosis, and do some personality traits increase a person's addiction risk? Here's a closer look at addictive personality traits and their effect on the likelihood of addiction."
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A Note from Kimberly Lee Minor, CEO, Women of Color Retail Alliance — "A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the exodus of more than 300,000 Black women from the workforce this year. On Aug. 31, this New York Times article puts a face to those numbers — and it's chilling: Dr. Peggy Carr, the first Black woman to lead the National Center for Education Statistics in its history, was escorted out of her office after 35 years of service. Denise Joseph, who had built a career supporting minority-serving institutions, was placed on administrative leave without explanation. Kissy Chapman-Thaw, a former teacher living with multiple sclerosis, was dismissed despite a decade of dedicated service. Read more to learn what we are doing — and Join the Revolution!
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On Aug. 25, 2025, DC Chef Jose Andres wrote on X — "Mr. President: I understand why you are confused...all your time in DC you haven't eaten ONCE outside the White House or your own hotel. I've lived here for 33 years, and it's a flat out lie that half the restaurants have closed because of safety...but restaurants will close because you have troops with guns and federal agents harassing people...making people afraid to go out."
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"The last three weeks in DC have been hard. With federal law enforcement including ICE, and the FBI harassing businesses and arresting our neighbors, and umpteen National Guard troops standing around doing nothing, it has been tense," share the owners of Solid State Books DC
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Hold the light is a call to action that appeals to us at the highest expression of our own humanity. It is a call to each of us to be beacons of kindness, love, compassion, generosity, liberty, justice and humanity for the sake of one another in this world.
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"Welcome everyone. We are here as part of a call to action to Hold The Light for Ukraine and for one another as individuals living together as a shared humanity on this Earth," says curator Alla Rogers.
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Tim believes: "More disturbing about the FBI’s increased role in street crime prevention is the report that the FBI will lower standards for future FBI agents."
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In today's edition of ALXnow, publisher Ryan Belmore explains that Mayor Alyia Gaskins hosted her third annual back-to-school salon event on Tuesday, Aug. 12, providing free professional hairstyling, backpacks, and food to girls living in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties across the city.
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"In this dark, twisted tale of sex, drugs, and murder, in the book, Tom compellingly exposes the intrigue behind every locked door, our secret desires and fears, the what-ifs, and the meandering paths we take to find the truth," explains I.S. Berry, an Edgar Award-winning author of The Peacock and the Sparrow, of Tom Milani's new novel, "The Places that are Gone."
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Sikh activist Valarie Kaur traveled to Guatemala to learn about the 20th-century genocide of Mayan Indigenous peoples. While there, she joined CAC teachers in an online event to explore how we might honor and learn from our anger.
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The big-beautiful-actually-big-ugly bill that passed through Congress and hit the President’s desk on July 4th will cause untold damage to our country. Ironically, the pain will be felt most acutely by those who have supported the President most.
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This week, Alina and Hope begin Season 2, where they open the Questions Bar to guests. Today's star is Cynthia de Lorenzi, an artist and activist who on November 5, 2024 co-founded the Empowered Together Network with our hosts.
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This week we learn about "Food Is Love," a heartwarming cookbook filled with delicious, vegan recipes and you'll be inspired by the tale of Chef Angelique Santana's journey of self-discovery and transformation.
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Alina and Hope begin Season 2 where they turn the Questions Bar to guests. Don't miss this important discussion about women's self-defense with stunning Stun Gun Jen!
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Andrea Walton is a seasoned HR executive, published author, and purpose-driven philanthropist committed to building pathways to education for Black and Brown girls around the world.
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As founder of the True Power Institute and host of the TruePower Executive Roundtable, Rúna Bouius leverages her experience as a former CEO and serial entrepreneur from Iceland to unlock clients’ potential for conscious leadership. Rúna specializes in navigating shifting power dynamics and accelerating personal and professional growth.
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Natalie Jacobsen is an award-winning journalist, writer and marketer who devotes her time and talent to the nonprofit sector, inspiring others to take action and change the world.
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