I had read in the Daily Mail on Monday 12th January that the Labour Party had planned to enter Second Life as part of an ‘attempt to step up preparations for a General Election’ (as stated in the Mail). There was to be a Peter Mandleson avatar and there would be other contributors, including Alastair Campbell, Hazel Blears, Ed Milliband and former newspaper editor Piers Morgan. I must admit I had had a look in ‘search’ after I had read this, but found nothing of the Labour Party in SL. Although I try not to discuss politics in SL, I am definitely not a supporter of Labour if I’m asked. In fact there isn't a lot to choose from any of the parties.
Well last night I teleported over to SL Knightsbridge and stood talking to a few friends when I noticed an avatar next to me. His name was Peter Mascarenhas and he not only looked unusual, he had ‘Peter Mandleson’ as a group name above his head. I scanned his profile quicky and spotted a link to the Daily Mail, but I didn’t have time to study it. I honestly thought at first it was someone who had read the press coverage about Mandleson and co. coming into SL and had made an avatar as a spoof.
Mr Mascarenhas said ‘Hello there everyone. Lovely to be here’ and thinking this avatar was a spoof, I asked if he was kidding. To he honest the avatar looked awful, with dark shadows under his eyes and he looked corpselike, quite badly done, so I had no idea this was a real Labour Party Aid. I began to tell him my views on how Labour has ruined the country when SL London Manager Seany sent me a message asking if I knew this person was really a Labour Party representative.
I am not a bigot and I continued to tell him what I thought, and what my views were, and still are, including asking him if he was spending taxpayers money by coming into
Second Life. Apparently I was the first person he approached, and the last, as he made his excuses and left. I stand by my opinions about the Labour Party and the state of the country. I consider that if politicians choose to come into Second Life and question people regarding their political slant, they should be ready to hear from any opposition as well as people who support them, but they seemed clearly unready for this.Whilst I apologies for my remarks about the appearance of the Peter Mandleson avatar, whilst thinking he was a fake, I totally stand by my remarks regarding my opinion of the way the Party has run the country during their terms in government. I am entitled to my opinion, even if they are trying to stop freedom of speech.
I would like to point out to Mr Mandleson, however, that I am totally independent of Debs Regent and the London sims. My presence in SL London is to report neutrally on daily events and happenings within the sims. Therefore, my personal views would have no bearing on Debs or the London Team.
6 comments:
Well done. If a politician decides to use this venue for their own (or their parties) gain, then they should be well prepared to listen to how other people feel. Second Life was originally intended to be just what the name implies, a "second life" bereft of the pettiness and drudgery that RL often brings to the table. I am just one voice, but I would love to see politics kept to a minimum or non-existent here, regardless of the party. They are in our lives (and our pockets) all too often in our first life. Let's keep the polticians out of our second life.
I think it fair enough to use SL for whatever you want so long as that isn't actually causing harm.
Certainly you can't attract business without attracting politics.
On a personal level your polityical views do seem to be a little nieve. Labour has no more ruined this country than any other party - no matter who's in power we brits blame them and never praise them.
If you want to know how amazingly faboulous this country is stand on Hyde park corner [RL] and speak your mind - no one will stop you. Break your leg or get cancer and you will be treated and cared for - no one will charge you.
If the price to live in what is withoput doubt one of the very best countries in the world is to have to ignore someone you don't like - and you have the freedom to do that as well - then it is small cost.
They don't call it GREAT Britain for nothing!
Curious comments You are already charged for your medical costs through such high taxes. Where do you think the money comes from????
You may be able to stand on a Hyde Park corner and speak your mind (as can any raving loon) but try criticizing the government handouts and preferences and see where it gets you!!!
Stay on the path that is being set and the capital G in Great Britain may eventually become lower case!!!
Talk about nieve!!!
well done Janey as now we found that he is a spoof :)
Thank you Anonymous, I had thought right from first sight that the av was a fake, he even had Peter Mandleson Fan Club as the name of his group then I saw the Daily Mail link and thought it may be the press. I was making fun of him in the beginning telling him his av needed a makeover and accusing him of being a fake. Then I got some urgent IMs as I bantered with him, crossly telling me that this was the real person and I was not acting correctly, so I had to conclude that I was talking to a real aid of the government, but I still gave my opinion as I would not lie about my beliefs and why should I. Anyway the spoof is out in the open now and it was the Daily Mail so they had a laugh. Trouble is if they still plan to bring the real Mr Mandleson in I think there will be a few people waiting for him with their own agendas, me included, so it will be interesting to see. Btw JonC could I borrow your rose tinted glasses at sometime as I need cheering up about England, yes I can say it, England (and the rest of the country included too!) When did you last see the word 'English' written on a legal document asking for your information? But as ever JonC I do appreciate your comments, thank you.
Hey Anonymous,
Take a look around the world.
Britain is great.
Do some comparisons.
Even if you've never paid a penny in tax you won't get turned away from hospitals.
And why7 is it loony to stand on Hyde parkcormner and voice your opinion but nieve to do so here?
Not only can yopu slam the government you can vote against it and, providing the comments are not personally libelous, you can stand out side parliment and decry the government.
If you don't think Britain is great name one country better - Okay maybe France - and tell me if you live there.
Big smiles from someone who is anonymous ;-)
Post a Comment