And, It's Trump

 

 

Yesterday was Election Day, and following a long campaign with some historic twists and turns, it was now up to the voters to decide the outcome of the Presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. While it was expected that the outcome would take at least a few days to resolve, to the surprise of many (myself included), late into the night it was becoming increasingly clear Trump was going to be the winner. He gave a speech thanking those who voted for him. As of now, there has been no comment from Harris yet. 

Looking around, Learning Virtualē had a small exhibit on it's ground floor (above). There was also a Harris Campaign HQ in Star Valley. The place was full of American flags and campaign posters, and a globe that had been turned upside down. 

On Discord and Facebook, there were a number of cheers from Trump fans, "tears of joy!" And a number of less than happy comments from Harris supporters, "I'm going to hide in my room until it's over." From both, there were people praying to God, asking that all be well with the country.

Obviously for those interested in politics, there will be a lot of chatter over the next few days, and weeks. But for others, they're just glad it's over and looking forward to when talk will turn to other subjects.

Bixyl Shuftan

Election Night 2020 in Second Life

 

Last week was the culmination of the efforts of thousands of political volunteers and the two men leading them. On Tuesday November 3, millions of Americans went to the polls to vote in the Presidential Election. As people anxiously waited watching TV and social media, some gathered in certain places here in Second Life. I visited a few of them in an Election Night like no other here.

Read the story in Events.

US Election Results: To Be Continued

 

 

It was Election night last evening in Second Life. And at the Election Simulator (above) and other places last night many people gathered to see the results of the polls as they closed. Over time, the results slowly trickled in, and as the hours went on, the crowds thinned as people realized it would not be over soon and logged off to head to bed. As of 2AM SL time, the Electoral College score of declared states is 225 to 213 in favor of Democrat Biden. Several states have yet to be decided, and there are millions of mail-in ballots to read. President Trump has already declared victory. But the general consensus is figuring out the winner will take time.

To be continued.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Election Day

 

 In the United States, it's Election Day, and time for Americans, at least those whom haven't done so earlier, to vote. It's been a unique election, and while there are always those who feel each election is the one the future of the country depends on, this time more than usual consider this one vital. 

People will likely hang out at one of several locations, such as the Election Simulator (above), one of Second Life's political areas, and even Book Island is offering for those anxious about the election to come and hang out. So who will win, Trump or Biden? We may know sometime tonight.

So go out and vote (if you haven't already), and come and hang out in Second Life.

Bixyl Shuftan

 

 

Looking Back: John McCain's Campaign in Second Life

Some sad news. John McCain, the Vietnam War veteran turned political leader, passed away yesterday on Saturday August 25. He had been suffering from cancer, and had just announced he was no longer continuing his treatment. He was 81.

Besides serving as US Senator for Arizona for six terms, he ran for President twice. In 2008, he succeeded in winning the nomination of the Republican Party for the Presidential Election that year. And like many other things in real life, the election would be reflected inworld with various offices of a number of candidates inworld during the primaries, such as Hillary Clinton's. Although a few politicians such as Newt Gingrich had made appearances in Second Life earlier, these efforts were not the work of the candidates, but their supporters. For supporters of McCain inworld, they would meet at the "Straight Talk Cafe," named for the "Straight Talk Express," an expression of McCain's meaning he would do his best to be straightforward with the voters. The Cafe also handed out McCain t-shirts, such as the one pictured here.

I would write about the election a few times for Second Life Newspaper, such as the watching the Presidential Debates from the Straight Talk Cafe, as well as Cafe Wellstone and Capitol Hill. And occasionally these locations would be mentioned in real life media, such as my local newspaper. I would also write about Election Night on November 4. But due to the stock market crash a few months earlier and resulting economic worries, McCain's campaign would lose much of it's steam, and Obama would win the election. After Second Life Newspaper closed, most of the election articles would vanish from the Internet. What I have left is the Election Night 2008 article, and the t-shirt.

In his concession speech on Election Night 2008, McCain called on Americans to come together. Maybe it's something we need to do a little more often.

Bixyl Shuftan

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.

And It's ... Trump

Last night was certainly a nail-biter of a Presidential election, the winner not being decided until close to Midnight SL time (3AM EST). But with four states yet to be decided at the writing of this brief, the Electoral College total is 278 to 218 in favor of the Republican Party's nomine Donald Trump. This was something as a surprise as while the polls were a statistical dead head, most showed Clinton slightly ahead. But once again, Trump surprised friend and opponent alike and got a slight lead in the popular and Electoral vote.

At certain places in Second Life, such as the Bay City Clinton HQ and the Trump Pub (pictured above), people gathered to discuss the election and await the results. Over group chats, such as that of my home community the Sunweavers, there was quite a bit of chatter, some cheering, some despairing, and some simply watching the whole thing with fascination. Over my Facebook feed, there were a number of cheers from supporters and many seemingly almost in tears or in rage. Not that many had neutral comments about Trump's victory.

I'll have more to say later. But for now, time for a little rest.

Correction: As the votes came in, Clinton eventually got the lead in the popular vote. But winning the popular vote doesn't get a candidate the Presidency.

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

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.

The Presidential Debate From the Clinton HQ at Bay City

Politics can be a turnoff for some any year, but this election season more seem to be keeping their distance. Still, there are still a number of people in Second Life interested in the subject. And when the Democrat and Republican candidates for the US Presidential election this November had their first debate on Monday, a number gathered at the Clinton HQ at Bay City. So how did it go?

Read the story in Events.

Trump Manor, HQ, and Wall Gone, Hillary HQ Up

The US Presidential Election has gone through no shortage of twists and turns in real life, and so it has in Second Life as well. A fan of the Republican candidate Donald Trump set up a "Trump Manor," in Lionheart Ahadi, followed soon by a "Trump HQ." Likewise. fans of Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders set up two locations of their own, the "Sanders HQ" in Caspoli and "Feel the Bern" in Young. Some people in the Trump HQ group bought some land next to the Sanders HQ and erected a tall slab of concrete called the "Trump Wall" towering over it, which they called a prank while the Sanders supporters called griefing. Both side claimed to have been harassed by griefers, the Sanders groups accusing the Trump group of being behind some of it.

In the latest twist, the Trump Manor, and Trump HQ in Lionheart and the Trump Wall in Caspoli have disappeared, at least from their former locations. In the place of the former two was a new headquarters for supporters of the leading candidate for the Democratic Party's nomination: Hillary Rodham Clinton. Candace Larganta (candacelarganta) is the owner of the new build in the location.

The location is decorated with red white and blue decorations all around, and has a number of American flags. And there's no shortage of campaign signs for Clinton all around both the building and the fence around it. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a small radiant fairy with the caption "Let's keep fighting!" over her. Going through the front door, one passes through a room with a white wall with pro-Hillary colored drawings. The interior resembles a school gym area, with seating on the sides for crowds and on the floor a huge "I'm Ready for Hillary" sign. There was a small kitchen room to the side (maybe for baking cookies and brewing tea). When I got there, there were only three avatars there, and one left without saying anything soon after. The remaining two, a robot and a small airship flying in the air, were likely bots.

Not everyone in the neighborhood seemed happy to see the new political HQ. One place called "The Love Shack" had a huge "Bernie 2016" sign over the roof, with a "Hillary: For Prison" sign on the side of the building. Hamlet Au had a few words with it's owner, Psyclonis Draconia, who explained that the Sanders sign up had been put up while the Trump HQ was still around, and they had moved out on their own to another location.

Checking out the Caspoli sim, I found the Trump Wall was gone. What was there was a wall of stone around the Sanders area with a huge "Bernie 2016" sign. The Trump Wall had been replaced by the Bennie Wall.

Both Candace and the owner of the Trump HQ JP Laszlo were unavailable for comment. While JP had the location of a new location on her profile, the sim was blocked from my trying to enter. But I did find an old message from Dirk Klees, the owner of the Lionheart Estates from when I asked earlier about the Trump Manor. He had stated, "I have no point of view about this location. We're a land provider, they are customers like everyone else, and happen to own land here. That's about it. We have/had many different political and religious themed landowner's projects on these sims. Neither do we care, discriminate or get involved with people's political or religious views."

As of the writing of this article, the last state Democratic primaries have taken place. With 2383 delegates needed to win, Clinton has 1926 pledged delegates and the support of 571 unpledged or "superdelagates" whom have stated their intentions to support Clinton, for a total of 2497. Sanders has a total of 1615 pledged delegates with the support of just 48 superdelagates for a total of 1663. While some Berners are insisting the race for the nomination isn't over yet, Hillary Clinton has declared victory, and most mainstream news sources have declared her the winner of the Democratic nomination race.

For those wishing to visit the Clinton HQ, it is at Lionheart Ahadi (151/7/28).

Sources: New World Notes, BBC

Bixyl Shuftan

"Feel the Bern" Bernie Sanders Themed Location

The US Presidential election continues to make news in real life, with Donald Trump all but having won the nomination for the Republicans. For the Democrats, the race between the two candidates continues, with Bernie Sanders having a following in Second Life. Recently, I stopped by the "Feel the Bern" hangout in the Young sim, built by Addie Tozz. She talked some about the spot and her plans.

Read more in Places.

Bernie Sanders' Second Life Headquarters

In recent weeks, interest in politics in Second Life has heated up with the "Trump Manor" getting attention. Less flashy, but still there and getting results in the form of donations was the "Bernie Sanders Second Life Headquarters." Owned by Macaria Wind, the location can be found in the Caspoli sim. Second Life Newser took a look at the location, and interviewed the owner. Since first hearing about the place, there have been a few changes.

Read the story in Places.

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

Trump Campaign in Second Life

In 2008, when Second Life was still the darling of tech and mainstream media, the US Presidential election found it's way into the Grid with the supporters of various candidates during the primaries setting up "headquarters" where people could pick up shirts. At the US Capitol Hill building, as well as Cafe Wellstone for Democratic supporters and the Straight Talk Cafe for the Republicans, people could listen in and discuss the debates, and on Election Night people gathered to watch the results of the polls state by state, the Democrats cheering their victory and the Republicans resolving to win next time. Four years later, the attention of real life media had gone elsewhere, and only one of the two political parties had to choose a candidate, so there was less political activity on the Grid, with fewer supporters, and no neutral location as Capitol Hill was gone, but more retoric thrown against each other.

With the 2016 campaign under way, so far only a handful of candidates have stepped up to campaign for the Democratic nomination to replace the outgoing President, while the Republicans have a long list. A search for locations for the two leading Dems on the Grid revealed nothing, though the current leader in the polls for the Reps did. Typing in "Trump" revealed two locations. One was the "Donald Trump Campaign" at Portland Main (218,231, 11), where one could pick up a shirt and check a campaign Facebook page.

Another location was "Donald Trump For America," Seokcheon (164,251, 49), on the Second Life mainland, where there were two prominent signs on the road.

The election is still well over a year away, so a *lot* can change. But one thing is certain, supporters of candidates will be making their voice heard.

Bixyl Shuftan

Election Night 2012 in Second Life

Last week on November 6th, it was time for American voters to head to the polls in real life. And in Second Life, some politically-minded residents went to certain places to watch and discuss the results. So were the winners gracious in their victory, or did the Democratic donkey make an "ass" out of itself? Were those in second place take it like a champion, or did the Republican elephant vow to never forget what happened?

Read more in Events.