Second Life (SL) is not a game. It “is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents” (“What is Second Life?“), tens of thousands of whom log in every day. In 2008, they spent almost 400 million hours “in world” (“Second Life Residents“).

Residents can do just about anything in SL that they can do in RL (“real life”)–and a lot more. They can fly, teleport instantaneously from one island to another, and appear as any size, age, gender, or species they want–all while sitting at their computers.

Hundreds of educational, business, government, and non-profit organizations have taught classes, offered training, conducted conferences, and provided services in SL.

Newt Gingrich has spoken in SL (“Newt Gingrich“) at Capitol Hill, which is modeled after the one in Washington D.C. (“Congressional Hearing“), and a speech by Madeline Albright was streamed into the virtual world (“Former US Secretary of State“).

In addition, to “spur economic growth in their community the city leaders in Decatur, Georgia [are] creating an online virtual version of their city on Second Life” (“Decatur Georgia’s“), and officials in Arlington County, Virginia, have created offices in SL where “executives can swing by to gather market research aimed at luring grocery chains to Arlington. County officials can conduct presentations on an interactive white board as they promote the region to corporate prospects. And later this month, anyone interested will be able to join a confab on how to launch a business in Arlington” (“O Brave New World“).

Not surprisingly, leftists have protested Israel’s recent retaliation against Hamas in Gaza (“MBC Breaking News“) and held an inauguration ball “in world” (“Avatars in Tuxes“).

There are already quite a few Republican and conservative groups in SL (“Conservatives and Republicans“). One of the most active of these is the GOP Cafe founded by Wyatt Forster on Sagamore Island. The group currently has 263 members.

In addition to political discussions and a beach party every week, the steering committee organizes parties on special occasions. Tuesday night, members got together to honor President Bush at the Welcome Back to Texas Celebration, with music, dancing, bull riding, good conversation, and a tribute to the outgoing president.

Sagamore Island is also home to NRA-SL and Pro-Life Conservatives of Sagamore.

To keep up with activities at the GOP Cafe, read their blog and visit their Ning social network.

Gartner, Inc., has predicted, “By the end of 2011, 80 percent of active Internet users (and Fortune 500 enterprises) will have a ’second life’” in a virtual world like SL (“Gartner Says“). Republicans and conservatives need to start learning how to use it now to advance our causes and our candidates.

Second Life is the next best thing to being there–in some cases. In other cases, it’s even better.

NOTE:  This article was original published on the Social Media Platoon site on January 21, but it is no longer there.

On Saturday, May 16, 2009, the GOP Cafe hosted a 1940s USO dance to celebrate Armed Forces Day.  I’m in the 1940s-style orange-red dress with the full skirt and gloves.

slideshow

The five-part series began last Thursday, May 7, and will continue tonight and at least the next three Wednesdays:

• May 13–Part 2, “Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession” (text, audio)
• May 20–Part 3, “Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs” (text, audio)
• May 27–Part 4, “Of the Present Ability of America: with some Miscellaneous Reflections” (text, audio)
• June 3–Part 5, “Appendix to the Third Edition” (text, audio)

All discussions will be held at the GOP Cafe in Second Life at 6:00 p.m. SLT/PDT.

I didn’t take as many snapshots as I’d have liked because I was busy watching for griefers.  The slideshow of the pictures is here.

Video:  “GOP Cafe Tea Party“

Rally, videos, discussion
6:00 p.m. SLT/PDT
GOP Cafe in Second Life
Follow the arrows or directions to the dock.
Free tea party signs will be available.

Last night during the open discussion at the GOP Cafe in Second Life, someone mentioned that the Obama administration was crafting a regulation that would require Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.  This lead to a lengthy exchange about whether or not surgeons could choose what patients they would operate on and what procedures they would perform.

During the exchange, one abortion supporter argued that doctors should be “forced”–at the risk of legal penalties if they refused–to perform abortions when a woman’s life is in danger (or any other similar emergency surgery).  One of the most-heard arguments in favor of abortion is that a woman should have control of her own body and the government shouldn’t dictate what she can or cannot do with it.  Well, that same argument applies to a doctor.  If you accept that argument, then you must also accept that a doctor has the right to control his or her own body (and not perform an abortion), and the government shouldn’t dictate what he or she can or cannot do with it.

In addition, unlike the imaginary right to an abortion–or to privacy, which appears nowhere in the Constitution, the right to free exercise of religion is guaranteed in the First Amendment.

Another person said that if a doctor didn’t want to perform abortions, he or she shouldn’t go into OB/GYN.  If that’s the case, then can’t we say that if a woman doesn’t want to have a baby, she shouldn’t engage in sex.  The reasoning is the same:  if you don’t want the consequences, don’t engage in the activity that produces them.  Of course, women have sex for other reasons than to get pregnant, and doctors (or future doctors) go into OB/GYN for other reasons than to perform abortions.

The first person, if I remember correctly, also argued that by allowing doctors to decide whom they would treat and how, we were starting down a slippery slope to allowing any provider of “vital services,” like a police officer, to decide whom they would and would not serve.  That is a false analogy.  First, providing police protection to secure people’s rights is a legitimate function of government; providing health care is not.  Second, police officers are employed by or under contract to some level of government; unless a doctor is a member of the military or employed by a government medical facility, he or she works for him- or herself or for a larger practice.  Thus, like any privately employed individual, the doctor has the right to decide what customers (i.e., patients) he or she will accept.

A doctor has a right to choose, too.

Thurs., Mar. 5
6:00 p.m. SLT/PST
GOP Cafe in Second Life
to help members gather ammunition to support conservative principles and Republican issues in discussions with our political opponents

Slideshow on Flickr
Set of Pictures on Flickr

more about “Chicago Tea Party in Second Life“, posted with vodpod

The GOP Cafe in Second Life is hosting a Chicago Tea Party on Friday:

Friday, February 27, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. SLT/PST
12:00 n. – 12:30 p.m. EST
Sagamore Island Dock
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sagamore/165/155/32
Follow markers from the landing point (gazebo) to the dock