Looking Back: The Saftey Pin Post-Election Support Group

 

A few weeks after the Presidential Election, things are starting to calm down somewhat. But with both sides screaming that victory for the opposition would bring ruin to the country, there are still some people nervous about what lies ahead. It was much the same eight years ago. In response to Trump's victory in 2016, the head of one Clinton HQ, Evangeline Ling, founded the "Safety Pin" post-election support group, "to provide a safe space for people negatively impacted by the election to process it and to support each other," inviting people over, "if you would like to take some time to process your fears, hopes, and experiences about this election." The Newser would interview her about the group then.

I would message Evangeline a few days ago, asking if the group was back or she knew of another. She would say no, "While 'Safety Pin' as a group no longer exists in reality it certainly exists as a concept." She would say she still thinks Trump is "disastrous," but would rather express her disappointment more privately than in 2016.

If anyone knows of such an existing support group, feel free to contact the Newser.

 

Breaking News: Hacker Renames Hundreds of Accounts Trump and Clinton

*Update - April Fool's*

In a shocking move, a hacker was somehow able to gain access to Linden Lab's computers and rename several hundred accounts. It is believed he or she was about to seize control of the renaming process and used it to change the names of the residents. There were a number of males in motorcross clubs given names such as "Kissyfur" and "Cuddlebaby." And there were several professors in science groups given insulting names such as "Dunderhead" and "Flatearther." But the majority of the affected residents were accounts that were created after 2010, given the surnames "Trump" and "Clinton." This includes a few dozen in political groups, given the name of the political figure in the party opposite theirs.

Numerous residents have already spoken out in various forums, demanding Linden Lab fix their accounts. Several have already stated they will not return until their accounts are fixed. Linden Lab in response has stated they are considering activating the ability for residents to change their names early, though has not spoken on whether or not the residents affected by the hacking will have their account names restored for free.

For the official statement by Linden Lab, Click Here.

Post-Election Support Group For Democrats

It was quite a Presidential election season in the United States this year. While some are happy with the results, and some are just glad it's over and putting politics behind them, others are expressing fear and anger. For those genuinely worried about what changes the election might mean, Evangeline Ling has started a support group. The first meeting was last week, but another one is tonight. Talking to Evangeline, she had a number of things to say.

Read more in People.

Election Night 2016

On Tuesday November 8, after a long Presidential campaign American voters went to the polls. The big issue, who would be the next President: Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton? And back home millions were glued to the TV awaiting election returns. In Second Life, a number gathered at one of a few political-themed locations around the Grid. Second Life Newser was there, and dropped in to check in on the conversations.

Read the story in Events.

Commentary: Election Day

With this moment of truth for Americans, we're taking a moment to talk about an important real life event today.

For about a year and a half, the US Presidential election process has gone on, the declarations of those seeking the nominations of their parties, the primaries and caucuses, the winning of convention delegates, the whittling down of candidates for the major parties down to a winner, the conventions and nominations, the accusations and counter-accusations, the charges and counter-charges, the leaks, the mudslinging, in an election that many simply begged for it to end. And today it finally does. It all comes down to today, when Americans cast their ballot for their choice for President of the United States.

While not the nastiest election in US History, one is hard pressed to think of another in recent history that surpasses the ill feelings of this one. Both candidates are highly unpopular, even among members of their own party, and many Americans have simply given up on politics.

But there's more to vote on than just the top office. Everywhere Americans will be voting on who represents them in Congress, and a third of the country votes on who represents them in the Senate. Then there are state and local elections. For instance a city near me is voting on whether to have a light rail system or not.

As for the office of the President, it's not for me to tell you who to vote for, just make a choice, whether Democrat, Republican, Third-Party, or write-in. But do not get upset at friends of break friendships just because one's choice has a "D" or "R" after it. And should your candidate loose, there's always next time.

As for yours truly, I'll be going out in real life, just not saying who for. And will be watching the results while in Second Life like so many of you.

See you at the polls.

Bixyl Shuftan

Cafe Wellstone, The Twin Political Campaign Buildings, And The Trump Pub

With just a short time before the US Presidential Election, Bixyl Shuftan does a look at four political-themed locations not mentioned before this season. One was a location from previous elections that had moved and only now was the Newser made aware of where it is now: Cafe Wellstone. Besides that, there were also two political buildings standing side by side appearing to each represent one of the candidates. And there was also a pub for Trump supporters.

Read more in Extra.

Addition: Originally, the link led to the wrong section, it was later corrected.

Update on the Politcal Locations

So with the appearance of a new Hillary Clinton HQ in Second Life, what have the Trump and Sanders supporters been doing, and have the Clinton supporters been doing anything else? As one might expect, the "Trumpers" have not taken the appearance of supporters of another of their candidate's opponents lying down. So just what happened in the latest chapter of the 2016 US Presidential election's reflection in the virtual world?

Read the story in Extra.

More Places for US Presdential Candidates in Second Life

In September, the Newser reported on two places in Second Life build to support US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. Recently, a few more have been built.

I heard about a "Trump Manor" in the Lionheart Ahadi sim, and heading over, found a large house with a wall around it with a number of Trump campaign signs on it. There were also a couple cars inside, one for estate management, the other which had the image of the candidate on it. Clicking on the gate, it opened, but after I stepped inside, I got a warning from the security system that I had 30 seconds to leave or be given the boot.

I managed to get in touch with the manor's owner, JP Laszio, a member of the "Trump Organization," and one of the people behind the Facebook page, "Donald Trump Thinks Your Waifu Is S***." She stated that the orb had been set up due to griefers and less than reasonable political activists, and if I wanted in to get in touch with her so my name could be added to the list of those allowed in.

More on the discussion with JP will be up later. To get to the manor, head to Lionheart Ahadi (71/38/29). Just contact her if you want inside.

With three areas for "The Donald," what was there for his opposition? The answer was in the Caspoli sim, where I found the "Bernie Sanders SL Headquarters." It was a patio lined with a number of pro-Sanders signs, some praising him, some mocking his opposition. The largest sign was a statement as to how he would pay for his proposals (a series of new taxes and eliminating certain tax breaks). The building is owned by Mac.Wind (Macaria Wind) head of "Vote Bernie Sanders 2016."

Upon entering, I was handed a notecard:

Open to all to enjoy - Group members wearing their group tag are welcome to set home and leave full perm Bernie gifts for the group. Please keep drama and negativity to a minimum and stick to the facts. Ask yourself: What would Bernie do/say?

We all run in to folks who either don't know Bernie or are skeptical about him. These Links to Bernie info including sample articles and facebook pages should be helpful in getting one started on their Bernie Journey. 

Have a Berniful day!

The headquarters is in Caspoli (127/33/34)

Searching to see if there was a place for candidate Hillary Clinton, I found one in the Pandorus sim. Porting there, it was a dark, small, rusty place with barbed wire fence and a walking skeleton. The clearest statement of the owner's intentions was on the map. This wasn't a place for a candidate, but against one.

More on the Trump Manor, and presumably the Sanders HQ later.

Hat tip: Hamlet Au

Bixyl Shuftan