The massive multiplayer online world of Second Life—a virtual reality so large that it has a nearly half billion a year real dollar economy and its own dedicated Reuters reporter—has just had its first political riot, complete with pot smoking protestors, buldings ablaze, and, of course, exploding pigs fired from UFOs. This in response to Jean-Marie Le Pen's National Front opening its own online HQ, the first of any European political party, though Democratic Congressman George Miller held an open cermemony "in-world" to coincide with the real event in Washington earlier this month. In the end, the Front's headquarters was burned down, though they've since erected a new one in another, apparently less hostile, region.

What this means, I can't begin to say, but I'd be remiss not to report it. Much more here.