Election Day in The US

 

After months of campaigning, some might say since just after Inauguration Day 2021, it's finally Election Day in the United States. And we at the Newser encourage all Americans to vote, if they haven't already done early voting. 

In the past, the Newser (and the SL Newspaper before us) wrote a number of Election-related articles. This year, not much. As time has gone on, politics has gotten more divisive and toxic than any time in living memory, with not just the Presidential candidates but also their supporters branding the others as evil, dumb, or both. 

So while we encourage people to vote, we also ask that we respect each other, and while any reasonable accusation of voter tampering should be investigated, once the Election results are final, they should be accepted. 

Hopefully all will go smoothly,

Bixyl Shuftan

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

Cartoon of the Day

Taken at Obama HQ on Election Night

By Bixyl Shuftan

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)

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