Political Update: "Avatars Aganst Trump," Conservative Podcast Goes on Hiatus

It's been a little over a month since the new President's inauguration. But political discussion in Second Life has still been going on. Some residents would rather have nothing to do with politics and it's "poo-flinging shrieking monkeys" to paraphrase one. For others, however, it remains a hot topic.

"Avatars Against Trump," a Flickr group, invites Second Life photographers "to express their opposition to Trump and his policies in screenshots and machinima. ... Get creative, get angry, get ridiculous with in-game signs, sculptures, satire, and more!" As of the writing of this article, various people have submitted over 140 screenshots. Many were dark and humorless pictures, calling for resistance. Adolf Chapman in contrast had an amusing one inspired by a news article about an upcoming cartoon movie, poking fun at Trump's idea of a border wall.

Earlier this week in the Second Life Republicans group, some of whom gather to listen to the "Front Porch Political Talk" conservative podcast, there was an announcement by Hatton Humphrey, known in Second Life as Hatton Hunghi. He was putting his podcast on hiatus.

Those are very difficult words for me to write but I have to. For a number of different reasons the show has, for the moment, run its course. We have always had the goal to provide insight and information from different perspectives and on different issues. The current media and political climate makes achieving that goal week in and week out neigh on impossible. The arguments are repeating themselves and if we continue on the path we're on it turns into either an echo chamber or a broken clock.

Hatton thanked his listeners for their support over the years, his show having gone on since 2007. He expressed his hope to "restart the show some time in the future." He reminded that the show's Facebook page was still up for people to leave comments.

Bixyl Shuftan

Second Life Republicans Podcast Meeting

It's been a wild election year, in real life as well as Second Life. Of those inworld who declared their support for the the conservatives, the most visible this year were the Trump Organization, which ended up getting in trouble. But there is another group: the Second Life Republicans, which gather to discuss the topics of a regular podcast hosted by Hatton Hunghi. Second Life Newser dropped in to have a listen, then have a few words with Hatton.

Read more in People.

And It's Obama, Again

Last night, Second Life residents watched the election returns not only on TV, but also got together at locations like the GOP HQ, Cafe Wellstone, and Obama HQ. It was just after 8PM SL time in which the winner was declared. President Barrack Obama had won, overcoming a weak economy with an unemployment rate that would have brought down previous incumbents.

Stay tuned for an in-depth look at election night on the Grid.

Election Day

On Monday while boating on the Blake Sea in the Mizzen sim, Gemma Cleanslate got a reminder of what season it was. She spotted another boat heading her way, and as it got closer, she noticed a certain someone's picture on the sail: the Republican candidate for US President, Mitt Romney. The boat itself had no one aboard. Scripts made it go automatically on it's course, as a floating billboard for the election.

Second Life Newser will not endorse either candidate for office. What we do ask is that people get out and do their civic duty and vote.

For those wishing to discuss the election in Second Life, one can go to the hangout for Democrats/liberals and progressives at Cafe Wellstone in the mainland Pini sim (56, 78, 45) , or the meeting area for Republicans/conservatives at The Republican Party of SL Headquarters in the Sunset River sim (180, 198, 23).

Go out and go vote.

Bixyl Shuftan (image from Gemma Cleanslate)

Politics in Second Life

Four years ago in 2008, it wasn't too hard to find reflections of the US Presidential Election in Second Life. During the Presidential Primaries, a number of places on the Grid were set up for candidates by supporters. At Capitol Hill, showings of the debates, as well as election night's returns, were shown and moderated. And of course there were the Republican and Democrat hangouts, notably the Straight Talk Cafe and Cafe Wellstone.

Today in 2012, this year's election doesn't seem to have quite the same impact here. Part of it may have to do with the real-life media spotlight largely off of Second Life. Also the Capitol Hill sim is gone, and with it the most noted spot of neutral ground debates had. And then there's the theme to the election itself. Four years ago, we had a crusty old war hero against a promising up and coming young candidate. Today, the President's once shiny promises have long been replaced by gritty realities, challenged by a candidate whom while competent seems more than a little bland. And of course there's the deepening partisan divide. Drama-shy residents may be more than a little reluctant to get involved in discussions they fear may quickly become heated.

For those interested in participating in political discussion, there are still some places one can go to. For Democrats/liberals and progressives, there is Cafe Wellstone in the mainland Pini sim (56, 78, 45), next to the highway. For Republicans/conservatives, with the closing of the GOP Cafe (formerly the Straight Talk Cafe), their place with the most traffic seems to be The Republican Party of SL Headquarters in the Sunset River sim (180, 198, 23). Second Life Newser does not yet have weekly schedules of either location.

Do you the readers have any stories of political debate in Second Life, or know of another location where it takes place regularly? By all means let us know.

Bixyl Shuftan

An Interview with Hatton Hunghi (Hatton Humphrey), Talk Show/Podcast Host

With the US Presidential season in the news, some are turning to talk shows as a source of information, or a soapbox to speak their minds for a few minutes. While on the radio, they can be found in Second Life. One such show is East Coast Conservative, co-hosted by Hatton Humphrey, known on the Grid by his avatar Hatton Hunghi. Recently, he and I sat down for an interview, in which he talked about his show, and its current new location.

Read more in People.

Events this Week in Second Life from March 8 to March 14

It's a week of events in Second Life. Tuesday has the Madi Gras and the parties in various places. But there's more than just that holiday on the Grid. From talk shows, to book readings, and more parties, there's plenty to do inworld.

Read about the goings-on in Events.

Events this Week in Second Life from March 1 to March 7

March has arrived, and with it more events across the Grid. From dances, to talk shows, to comedy, we offer the times of a small selection of what happenings the Grid has this week.

Read the article in Events.

Events this Week in Second Life from Feb 8 to Feb 15

There are a number of events to experience each week in Second Life. We have a variety listed from live music to talk shows, to politics. Two new listings are Tuna Oddfellow's Odd Ball and the East Coast Conservative Podcast.

Read the article in Events.

Election Day: Get Out and Vote

For those living in the United States, it’s that time of year. No, I don’t mean hit the 50% off Halloween costumes sales, but Election Day.

Two years ago, the 2008 Presidential Election had a number of residents on Election Day, Democrat and Republican, waiting in political themed sims with anxious hopes until the Democratic candidate Obama was declared the winner. Today, the Congressional elections have taken on an unusual amount of interest as some are predicting a historical turnover as a revitalized Republican Party is poised to retake the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, and possibly the Senate.

Not much is predictable, though. A number of races are too close to call, and the Democrats have been making a last-minute push for votes. It is still potentially up for grabs.

So “Get off your tail and vote.”

After you vote, one can hang out at one of the political sims to discuss the election returns in the news. Among the places Democrats can hang out is at Cafe Wellstone in Pini (55, 95, 46). Republicans have the GOP Cafe at the Grand Old Party sim at (217, 73, 27). Although those with opposing views can drop by for reasonable dialogue, those seen as troublemakers will be ejected faster than one can say “gerrymander.”

Bixyl Shuftan

Chat at the GOP Cafe

In less than two weeks, it will be Election Day across the United States as voters head to the polls to elect their Congressmen and cast their ballots in other races. There are a number of places to discuss politics in Second Life, both left and right. Today, we check out the right at the GOP Cafe as they held their Thursday chat.

Read the story in Places.