I've installed a new display at Capitol Hill in Second Life that streams Twitter tweets about candidates.  The tweets float above columns, and are refreshed every minute with a search for Obama, Biden, McCain or Palin. You can also talk to the display to get the latest tweets about an individual candidate. Touch a column, and you get the original post on Twitter that you can use to follow links, etc.

The Capitol Hill region has been one of a number of gathering places in Second Life during the debates. Though a lot of avatars tend to gather at party headquarters, Capitol Hill draws those wanting more of a cross-party discussion.

 As for me, joining the discussion in Second Life, with an eye on the Twitter election channel, and another eye on my TV, makes my head explode.

The grounds of Second Life Capitol Hill have been decorated for the season and the Capitol Reflecting Pool has frozen over.
The skating is great, with a choice of singles or couples, relaxing or trick skating. We even have a free pair of skates for you!
Thanks to landscaper TROI Timtam.

The Solutions Day workshop at Clear Ink's Capitol Hill in Second Life featured former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, as an avatar named "Newt Gingrich". Here is a link to the audio of the event, beginning with Clear Ink's Kiwini Oe, and IBM's Jessica Qin, introducing Newt Gingrich.

This month's Second Opinion Newsletter featured the virtual Capitol Hill recreation Clear Ink built in January for the swearing in of the 110th Congress, and the first female Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. The Second Life event included a live feed of the ceremony, as well as a question and answer session with Congressman George Miller.

Visit Capitol Hill in Second Life HERE.

During the month of February, the virtual Capitol Hill in Second Life is hosting an historical film festival, featuring some educational and entertaining public domain movies from the archive.

Playing on the main screens in the assembly hall and at the base of the stairs is “The Powers of Congress” from 1947, showing citizens of the day a surreal depiction of what life in America would be like if Congress did not exist.

Other short films are showing at each of the 6 pavilions in the southern area. The films, made from the 1930’s to the 1960’s, are inspired by the legislative issue profiled at each of the pavilions. They provide a perspective on the times in which they were made, and aren’t there to ply any particular point of view.

A sign at the base of the stairs to the south of the assembly hall dispenses a notecard describing the festival, as well as a bucket of popcorn. Enjoy!