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VIGIL DECLARED A SUCCESS
Clear winner to emerge without dispute
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It is OVER!
11/3/04 - It happened. I was wrong in my assessment that it would be tighter and in real contention for weeks -- and I am relieved. Bush won the vote clearly and indisputably, and Kerry has conceded. Nonetheless, it is now time to say to all of you who fasted, prayed and hoped for a clear and definitive end.. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Our goal was that we could come to a civil resolution, despite the winner, and your efforts have made an effective difference.
As we proceed from here however, the Vigil For Civility calls upon both candidates to show restraint and respect toward the sensitivities of all parties at this time. I believe all Americans, despite which side they were on, are concerned for Kerry supporters sense of loss, and no one should gloat over it. Kerry supporters' passions ran so high over the last few months that I believe the best way to heal the breach is to work to sympathize with their positions, and forgive them today if statements of denial are expressed.
Kerry stated in his concession speach that we must "Search for common ground in this country" and that he "pledged to do (my) part". We are glad for this statement of civility, and we'll take that as a pledge befitting our mission. Now we have to hold him to that, because during the campaign, many uncivil accusations we made by him, and much rancor was tolerated by him from his closest allies.
Now that the election is essentially behind us, the Fellowship of the Vigil that we members have formed can quietly shift into prayer for healing of the national divide. We can be listeners, reasonable debators, and protectors of civility.
Carry on Friends! Please stay in touch with ideas for how this site should continue, or if it should find it's final resting place with a job well done.
The Vigil is Inclusive
Our goals are strictly in the common interest!
Many who have come to the site are concerned that the message and direction is somehow designed to appeal to only a certain demographic. With partisan arguments loaded into their six-shooters, people are looking desperately for the 'angle' in this site and they are missing the point. It is not our place to endorse any candidate, or to water down the passion that any member feels toward their candidate.
What this site represents however is an opportunity for both candidates and partisans to demonstrate their pre-emminence 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.
Vigil for Civility also is designed not to appeal to any particular religious demographic, while keeping it's emphasis on fasting (aka hunger striking) and personal spiritual discipline (aka prayer).
We appeal to the growing demographic in America and around the world that hold these two statements as clearly evident:
- That we can't afford to see the continued erosion of our confidence in the democratic process.
-- 58% of Americans are concerned that the election will not be decided by the people as intended.
- That the power of unified, civil insistence and prayer creates a positive effect and is called for in such a time as this.
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The Vigil is Volitile
This is a call to protest!
As election day approaches, the need for America to rise up and stand for decency could not be greater. The Vigil For Civility calls upon all Americans to exercise their duty to protest against the 'win at all costs' mentality that cultivates voter fraud, vandalism, violence, intimidation, legal threats, disingenuous protests, gratuitous spin and underhanded political manipulation.
The people need to decide our next president -- not the courts! If we allow lawyers and courts and coercive tactics to overshadow what should be a matter of legal vote counting, we could lose our confidence in democracy, and our respectability in the world will be tarnished immeasurably.
Vigil for Civility calls upon George Bush and John Kerry to reign in their surragates and join the Vigil themselves, creating an AOV that is thier own pledge and oath of civility in how they will handle the process of determining the legal and proper outcome of the vote counts.
We call upon the press to take notice and recognize the demands of the people now, and spead the word on this critical call to action.
The world awaits!
Join with us today in this emergency VIGIL FOR CIVILITY!
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