Politics in SL

Hey guys
I was wondering if it is allowed to create political groups in SL and promote actively a real life political group/movement.
For example, create a conservative movement and work on promoting conservative values.
Or create a democrat movement and promote democrat values.

Thanks

I've seen "Front Nationale SL" before now.

I've also seen Republican Party and other political parties. Tried searching groups first?

/me runs from Politics, cos this is my world and my imagination and I don't want it sullied by such things. <sticks fingers in my ears> LA LA LA LA LA

I can't imagine why it wouldn't be allowed...

*contemplates creating a communist movement and runs away before stingy comments start flying around*

I've seen anti-Iraq-war group meetings in SL almost daily. Not that I've attended.

I've seen group titles for just about any political ideal. I guess certain extreme groups aren't allowed, but otherwise there shouldn't be a problem.

If you dont officially represent the political party in RL, then I would think you may need to make that clear in your group name or group blurb so you dont run into copyright issues in the same way a shop owner would if he named his shop "microsoft".

Also the RL political groups would have to be legal ones of course.

Other than those issues I dont see a problem.

There are a fair number of political groups and events going on all the time. The anti-Iraq War stuff is common, and I've seen the odd "Support our Troops" type event as well. I've seen campaigning events for several of the US presidential hopefuls, from both parties, although mainly Democrat. There are groups that espouse certain political philosophies, mainly left-wing that I've seen, but I wouldn't have looked for other movements. I think several European political parties have what seem to be at least semi-official presences in SL, the Front Nationale is the best known, mainly because of the opposition it generated.

Search for words that mean something within the political grouping that you're interested in, and you'll probably find something. Just scanning through the Discussion section of Events will usually turn up something political.

There are already political groups here. Last year there were complaints that the John Edwards Second Life HQ was targetted by griefers and Spanish political parties engaged in a feud whereby they were bombing each other's bases and entering them with sub machine guns.

More fun than in RL too then

Yes you may wish to avoid mass slawning of flying willies, lots of Goatse and Marios ... by not doing anything organised.

Unless of course you fancy organising a Scientology event. That would be mega safe from such attentions.

Ohhh! my hotel was next door to the Scientology HQs in NYC. I went in and watched a goofy sentimental American film for 15 minutes, with a look-alike Tom C actor, but I still wouldn't buy their bloody book.

Here was a report on the Edwards Campaign in Second Life,

Its also the one that brings up "Jailbait" and probably led to the famous keep it hidden Notecard "ban"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AuaOR7-Mw0

Thanks I enjoyed that link.

That was a good one. All the Edwards promoters, I know (quite a few big$ supporters who are friends and relatives) aren't real computer literate. If I sent that link to them in email they may not know how to open it.

I don't see the purpose of a political group, just a bunch of people gathered together because they are conservatives, republicans, nazis or whatever. I don't see the main goal of these groups in a virtual enviroment where you can't choose a president .

...or, start your own...

/jumps up on a soapbox

Pear pimples for hairy fishnuts!!!

/steps down

**apologies to Berke Breathed**

The idea is for movements to promote candidates,attract users/players to consider voting for a certain candidate

Joseph,that is the idea

World domination!

Step 1. Get Philip to move aside.

What are we going to do tomorrow, Brain?
Same thing we do every day, Pinky. Try to take over the world!

I'm sure you could, but why? Don't we get enough of the political crap in RL? (I know -- your world.......)

/me is already really really sick of it all

I think you meant Democratic movement and values. Democrats belong to the Democratic Party and Repugs belong to the Repugnant Party.

Obama 08!

Political threads always seem to cause some idiot knob a kneejerk broad brush reaction, kind of like projectile vomiting in that they seem to have no control over their fingers at the time.

Oooh! I can be Comrade Oryx! Can I wear big mink coats and those cool furry hats with the star on the front? I'll sit in the SL Kremlin and eat caviar while the peasants [oops, sorry, I meant "my comrades"] run around singing doleful Russian ditties in their sackcloth.

/me wonders if Oryx could finally catch that moose and squirrel.

I have control over my fingers and I am giving you one right now.