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Welcome to this entry of the CH Times! Boy, do we have a lotof stuff coming up. I hope you enjoy the entry!
First, we have the CH News written by @Theresa!
~The CH News~ by @Theresa
 
Congratulations @Stormcrow on becoming the new Chess club President!!!      CH poetry voting is going on right now by @Marin Clare Wilder!
https://www.catholicharbor.com/topic/28600-ch-poetry-contest-voting-theme-music/
  There's a mad-libs contest going on till the end of February, @SmartKitty16 is running!    https://www.catholicharbor.com/topic/27821-title-pending-a-mad-libs-esque-contest/     CH memes:    
 
 


Thank you for doing this, Theresa! As you can all see, someone replied to the ad in the last entry. 
 House Columns by @SmartKitty16
This is the section where I share announcements on the different houses, as well as show off the talent of its members! 
Thank you to all the House members who have contributed, especially the House Leaders! I couldn't have done this without you. 
Franciscan House
House Leader @Dais is hosting a roleplay event, with special permission from Mr. Warren. The Profile Thread is already up, where members can join, submit their character, etc. The actual roleplay starts sometime in March, and the last day to make a character is March 3rd. Non-participants can also join in by making up objects that affect the story. 
Theresian House 
In this entry I'll share some of the artwork of Theresian members! The photos taken are under the member's username. 
@Cath


@Elleigh

@Bluebell


@Brigieboo22

@Strider

In other news, a Swan-themed contest is being held in the Theresian House. 
Dominican House
A movie night is planned for the 6th of March. 
Article by @Mr. Rock
Fear in the US is something that has been on my mind for a while, and so when I was asked to write something for the Times, I figured I'd try to crystalize my thoughts about this. Do give me feedback about my writing, as I am trying to figure out how to accurately express my thoughts on paper, and do it in an interesting and engaging way. I know my writing isn't the best, but I really want to improve. I am also very interested to hear what you think about fear and political manipulation and discuss it, so please share your thoughts!
--
Fear and Political Manipulation
 
     Fear. Quite a powerful tool. And an emotion that can be incited to either paralyze or provoke people.
    The latter effect is harnessed in today’s political world by major political groups vying for the support of the common people, who are caught between the two sides in their struggle for power.
     To help sway some votes to their party, one of the common tactics of both sides is to vilify their opponent, attempting to move people to vote out of fear that some supposed terrible person could come to office and allegedly destroy America. This tactic has been very obvious in the recent presidential elections, like in 2016, where the Democrat nominee, Hilary Clinton, was considered by the Republicans as crooked and a criminal, claiming she should be in jail. On the other side, the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, was regarded by the Democrats as a bully, a monster, and mentally unfit to be president. All the while, both parties pushed their candidate as the answer to America’s problems.
     This is what political parties and some politicians do: try to turn elections into a choice between who they think are the devil and the messiah, and use that fact to stress how that election is the most important ever, and how all of America is at stake.
     However, this massive utilization of fear is very dangerous to America, especially since it is manipulative. The fact is, many citizens are being manipulated to vote by their party or the candidates themselves, who make exaggerated claims and even sometimes untrue statements about their opponent (especially about the policies they will supposedly enact), all to move people to vote to keep their opponent out of office and elect their candidate. And the problem is, people fall for those claims and believe them.
     In the long term, “preventative voting” slowly degrades the principle of voting and steers campaigns away from building a candidate up- showing how their issues will truly help America- to tearing the opponent down in any way they can, even if it means exaggeration and false claims. And this is all to bring fear into voters and manipulate them to vote for their candidate by vilifying their opponent. And regular tearing down of political figures, especially by untruths, without building others up will result in an America where fear and mud-slinging run rampant, and civility, logic, and calm are nonexistent.
     So, what can we do about it?
     First, be a patriot. Not just the person who hangs a flag outside their house every day and says they love America, but a person who genuinely knows America and its government. Read the Declaration of Independence and learn why our country got started in the first place. Read the Constitution and its Amendments, and know the limitations and powers of the three branches of the government. So much fear stems from the idea that the president (and other leaders) are more powerful than they actually are, and the Constitution is a great place to start to learn about the powers of the national government. Learn about American History. Many past events and politics in American History are similar to the present problem and can provide insight into current issues.
     In addition, don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by exaggerated and false claims. In attempts to vilify their opponent, candidates will exaggerate, twist words, and even make untrue claims about their opponent. Just because your favorite politician says so doesn’t mean it is true, and just because their opponent says something does not mean it is false. Find out what the opponent actually believes and said (in context!), especially keeping different perspectives in mind. If you only listen to one side and believe what they say, you open yourself to being manipulated by that side.
    America will be good so long as the citizens are good. And if the people will not allow themselves to be manipulated by unnecessary fear, then America’s politics will greatly improve. Start with yourself and those near you. Don’t allow yourself and others to be manipulated by fear based on falsities by politicians who just want your support so they can get to power. Search for the truth on issues- which often isn’t fully on one side or the other but somewhere in between- and know what the candidates really believe on issues. Arm yourself with the facts and think through the issues. If we can do all that, then we can transform America.
Thank you to Mr. Rock for writing this!

Benedictine House
As one of the Benedictine House's traits is being supportive, their section is dedicated to that. Here is something written by Benedictine member @Doctor Strange:
 
Hey everyone! Here at Benedictine we are wishing you the best. <33 No matter what's happening in your life - maybe you think your not enough, maybe you think you don't do enough, maybe you feel down because you have been procrastinating, remember - "We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
As long as what you are doing is filled with love for God, and love for those around you, you ARE enough, no matter what anyone says <33
No matter what you're going through, whether you're having conflict with another member, or maybe you just aren't liking the way you are seeing things, remember - “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” — Mother Teresa
We are all friends on CH, and we are all in this together, as family and friends. Wishing you all peace, happiness, and more friendship 🤍
Danny, (Doctor Strange, Benedictine House)
In other news, the Benedictine House recently had a movie night, and watched The Sound of Music. 
@MAKKiKING recently hosted a School Catch-Up Competition as well. 
Welcome Our Newest Members! by @SmartKitty16
xXLibaXx
Sunny
Anamaria_26
MacTJN
Robert LeBeouf
Welcome to CH! We hope you all enjoy our community!
That's it for this entry of the CH Times. I have some new things hopefully ready by the next entry, so stay tuned!
Thank you AGAIN to @Cocococo for fixing the logo, and giving another option for the background. 
God Bless you all,
Natalie