Vigil For Civility

Project excellence reported that from Sept 8th to Oct 16th there was a huge bias in coverage between the candidates favoring Obama. While some could claim that varying degrees of favorable coverage are deserved, no one could possibly agree that the extreme level of bias shown on this graph against McCain was merited.

While it is not the role of the Vigil to pick sides between the candidates, it is clear beyond all doubt that if we are expecting a clean and fair election with ensuing peaceable acceptance of the results, there must be not only perceived, but actual responsibly unbiased media coverage. The conduct of the press in recent weeks, with clearly biased agendas is reprehensible. The result is twofold: 1) a trumped up popularity for one candidate which subjects voters to seeking information amidst biased messaging; and, 2) resentment and frustration from supporters of the dis-favored candidate (McCain in this case) who see this happening and respond with a combination of despondency, anger and the use of more extreme rhetoric in retaliation, which further polarizes the camps. Bottom line… biased reporting from the media creates divisions and hardens people into unyielding positions. Media leaders need to take ownership here.

Driving wedges between groups of people is a basic tenant of Machiavellian politics, and voters accept this is something they have to deal with in deciding our leaders, and they take it into account in what they like or don’t like about the candidates. What we cannot afford however is for the media, under the guise of objectivity, to be an active participant in creating divisions.

Therefore, for the context of the Vigil, participants here are encouraged to add the media to their watchlist, making it part of their AOV, and insisting on a better standard of journalism from all agencies. Civility dictates a rational investigation of the facts. Therefore the trust we invest in the media to dig up those facts(not feelings or bias) should not be betrayed. We stand united on the principles of honest and passionate debate, and I at least feel the media can be doing a much better job in its role in American politics.

ADVANCE RELEASE

VIGIL FOR CIVILITY ENABLES ALL AMERICANS TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR THE ELECTION

(October 27, 2008) – In response to polls showing many Americans fear massive voter fraud, and mounting partisan hostilities in the election, one group is spearheading an effort to organize an emergency Vigil for Civility. Organizers are asking American’s to empower themselves and others by standing together against political cynicism with acts of civil vigilance including prayer, hunger strikes, and organized gatherings for civility.
The Vigil for Civility website — http://VigilForCivility.com — carefully avoids partisan posturing as it seeks to bring together voters who are worried that voter fraud will throw this election into the courts.
This project is the brainchild of web developer and entrepreneur Andrew Deal, who conceived the idea and the website in 2004. Again in 2008, Deal feels this election carries the same urgency for America’s citizens to take up their act of vigilance. “Vigil for Civility is designed not to appeal to any particular religious demographic, political party or partisan point of view, while keeping its emphasis on fasting (hunger striking) and personal spiritual discipline (prayer),” said Deal.

With growing reports and accusations of vandalism, fraud, intimidation and legal disputes, VigilForCivility.com could become the virtual meeting place for all those not content to sit by the sidelines and watch democracy take a beating.

Deal continued, “This site represents an opportunity for both candidates and partisans to demonstrate their pre-eminent belief in civility over victory. The members here believe that political ambition and partisanship can be vigorous and even aggressive without sliding into areas of illegal activity, misrepresentation and fraud.”
Each visitor is asked to register their planned act of vigilance in a simple form and they are then given access to the site to update their information and use other functions.

Contact:
Andrew Deal
Vigil for Civility
360-859-1174
andrew@vigilforcivilty.com
www.vigilforcivility.com

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Technorati Profile

This one, made by Elin of Jurnaa, along with his generally awesome re-vamping of the graphics, makes me very very glad to be relaunching the site again this year. There are a bunch more on our promotion page you can choose from

All these great changes, and in just 2 days as well!

Reports are coming out about widespread problems with voter registrations in Ohio, and what that will mean on election day.

Ohio’s election is so broken that President Bush should tell the Justice Department to intervene, a congressional leader says.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of suburban Cincinnati asked Bush today to “direct” the Justice Department to order Ohio officials to enforce the 2002 election law known as the Help America Vote Act.

Many vigil-ers will want to focus on Ohio.. especially if you are from there.

We are re-launching the Vigil Site on Sunday for a 10 day, loose nation-wide vigil. Participants can choose and declare their own AOV, encouraging others to join in.

We hope to get even greater press this time around, as so many are hurting for a chance to make a positive contribution.

All of the 2004 blog entries were placed on this static blog page

More updates tomorrow, after we go through all the data from these findings in a recent poll on voter concerns and re-write the copy on the site

Many of the Vigil participants will love this video…