Conservatism Goes on a Cruise
The NR group is large, but spending time with several hundred conservatives from all over the country should be uplifting at a time when the magazine racks are still aglow with smiling Obama covers. In the magazine’s tradition, speakers like Michael Novak and Kate O’Beirne still make NR the cruise of choice among traditionalist Catholics. Writers like Jonah Goldberg and NRO editor Kathryn Lopez appeal to young, tech-savvy, forward thinkers from any background. Dick Morris contributes even more diversity of thought, since the former Clinton strategist is not really a self-identified conservative at all. On our NR cruise, we found he supplied the ballast of pragmatism to panels carrying an abundance of ideologically starboard weight.
Several intellectual heavyweights, including PJM’s own Victor Davis Hanson, will cruise the Adriatic in style on the luxurious Crystal Serenity, as Hillsdale College explores the cradle of Western civilization (July 28 through August 9). The Venice to Athens itinerary includes exotic spots like Corfu and Mykonos.
Author and top Fox News star Bill Sammon is the most familiar face in the Hillsdale group. A well-known voice is economist Walter Williams, familiar to many as a substitute host for Rush Limbaugh. Hillsdale President Larry Arnn‘s onboard brain trust also includes: Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Paul Johnson; John Julius Norwich, an expert on Venice; and Andrew Mango, featured speaker in Istanbul. On Crystal you typically find an older, more prosperous group of travelers.
The Weekly Standard’s ten-night Mediterranean cruise (August 7 through August 17) has perhaps the best itinerary of all, a round trip out of Rome circling the Mediterranean. First stop is gorgeous Tuscany, where an 8:00 PM departure leaves time for a bus ride to the museums of Florence. Then it’s on to Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Mallorca. Hopefully the deep thinkers of the conservative movement won’t get too distracted by local displays of shameless Euro-hedonism at the height of bikini season.
During two days at sea, the seminars aboard Holland America’s ms Noordam will be led by Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes, Terry Eastland, Richard Starr, and Andrew Ferguson, all of the Weekly Standard. European journalist Anne-Elisabeth Moutet will offer expert guidance on the political gyrations of Europe, while high-ranking Bush Administration veteran Elliott Abrams supplies top intelligence on global diplomatic and security matters.
On an earlier cruise my wife and I found the Standard’s team especially cohesive and most friendly. The mood was informal, and despite the serious matters being discussed in the seminars, no one forgets that the purpose of a cruise is to have a really good time. The medium-sized group means you’ll be eating with different people from the group every night, with time to get to know everyone.
Aboard three conservative cruises we’ve met farmers, judges, energy workers, a police chief from a college town, a cement salesman with a remarkable memory for funny stories, and an entrepreneur whose business was founding colleges. There’s a lot of interaction, plenty of first-person expertise offered, and often the speakers and panelists become listeners. Much as politicians need to spend time “in the district” to reconnect with voters, pundits and authors must also connect with their constituents.
Informal new media like blogs, message board posts, and tweets all have their place in shaping the conservative conversation. Still, sometimes the most effective exchange of ideas takes place in that most traditional of settings — across the dinner table, an after-dinner drink in hand, on “formal night.”
“Hugh Hewitt may be the smartest radio talk host of them all.”
..or, he may not.
He certainly is the most cautious and his show has, arguably, the heaviest commercial load of any in conservative talk. Perhaps I am being too hard on Mr Hewitt as his credentials are certainly extensive. And, if one wants no commercials, then one can listen to NPR, can’t one?
But Mr Hewitt, in my estimation, plods around the issues and is woefully patronising to his callers. These days, we should be going for the jugular, not mincing around. The thought of several weeks on a boat with him would bore me to distraction.
I can only say I hope Max Blumenthal is on that boat.
..ah yes. Max Blumenthal, like you, sheets, another worthless t*rd leftist.
3 Russian Looking Name Person . . . “another worthless t*rd leftist”
There it is again, another scat fetishist. I tell ya, it’s amazingly consistent on the right. Don’t take my word for it, just take note along the way. It’s not like it’s going to stop. You’re like pedophiles, beyond rehabilitation. Fascinating.
Sounds like both of you could use a cruise. Hopefully not on the same ship.
Hugh Hewitt’s radio show emphasizes expert guests over callers, which is fine with me. He emphasizes expert guests and discourages rambling callers, which is okay with this listener.
As for the ads, I’m glad the Salem network has as many as they do. (Salem’s hosts also include Dennis Prager (who leads some exotic cruises himself), Michael Medved, and the always amusing Dennis Miller.
Prager practices endorsement advertising to the point of promiscuity, but I did buy one of the Roger Stuart suits he goes on about, and it served me well on “formal night” at sea. Supporting the advertisers of our radio shows is a meaningful way to exert political power between elections.
Which one is Colin Powell on ? Please let it be on the Dennis Miller cruise. The clever nimble minded Miller undresses the General on dining deck 1A at 6:30 pm . Formal dress only.
Jim,
Point(s) taken; I do appreciate Mr Hewitt’s interviews, the semi-regular chats with the likes of Chris Hitchens, and the regular conversations with Mark Steyn, etc. And I concede(d) that I prefer a Capitalist to the liberal-guilt handwringing of the Socialists on National People’s Radio. (Oh God! Spare me!)
It’s just that he’s a little too smug and pat for me. I shy away from the over-the-top Savage Nation ranting and sometimes Sean Hannity gets a little too repetitive, but I wish Hugh had a little more intensity.
Just sayin’.
I’ve had one lousy vacation in 23 years. No wonder I’m so bitter!
Mr. Kearney;
“And that’s exactly where you’ll find some of the Right’s most influential thinkers in the coming months,”
I’m flattered, truly, but I don’t like any of you enough to invite yer dead @sses along for a boat ride.
Besides, I have work that needs to be done, I can’t afford to be flappin’ my gums at you lot all day while you puke over the side.
Just a bit of advice,folks:
Bring a working flashlight, and keep it with you at all times.
Impressive. Where is a German U-boat when you need one?
8. Delia: . . . “I’ve had one lousy vacation in 23 years. No wonder I’m so bitter!”
I’m on permanent vacation. You should try it. It’s easier than you think. Don’t be a slave to other people’s idea of what life should be . . . or require. You’re gonna be dead soon. We all are. You know that, right? Don’t waste it. Don’t work it away. Don’t give it to somebody else. Offer help, offer respect, but don’t surrender yourself to circumstance. It’s too . . . Calvinist.
Let’s hear from all you Calvinists out there!
Conservatives meeting and greeting on a CRUISE. In a recession, no less. Ain’t that just grand.
Does no-one else not see the ‘optics’ here ? Does no-one else care ?
In the famous words of a great philosopher— ‘Can’t ANYONE here play this game’?
Dear Sheesh:
I have noted you comment on many blogs, not just Pajamas Media. Before I ask you any questions, may I please know your real name? My name is John Becker.
Very truly yours,
John Becker
I get the feeling no one is getting laid on this cruise.
11. sheesh:
Sheeshers, the worst part is that our one lousy vacay was at ‘Disneyland’ and my daughter was terrified of all the rides. Go figure?
When I die, I’d like to go out with clowns climbing out of my casket and a video of me giving the finger to the world. Is that so awful? Huh? HUH?
Sheesh says:
I’m on permanent vacation. You should try it. It’s easier than you think.
Let me guess. You live on the money of Pa and Ma?
16. JFM: . . . “Let me guess. You live on the money of Pa and Ma?”
I know you’d like that to be true. It would make it so much easier to rationalize your punch-the-clock desperation. Alas, both my parents died poor, just like you’re going to do by the sound of it.
13. John Becker: . . . “I have noted you comment on many blogs, not just Pajamas Media. Before I ask you any questions, may I please know your real name? My name is John Becker.”
Actually, I haven’t posted on other blogs. But just for the record, my name is Sheesh Becker.
The NRO post election cruise was very well done and I wish I could be on the summer one but I have two kids getting married this summer. Yes, they still do that. The NRO panel discussions were great and my wife got her picture taken with Mitt so she was happy. Fred Thompson’s wife is hot.
Sheeshers,
Are you suggesting I should go GALT?
You mean other than Pajamas Media, I understand. Then it was another who goes by sheesh, but that person doesn’t share our last name.
John Becker
#10 Middleman:
Credit where credit is due – that was funny!
Sheesh – you seem to think your sarcasm is enlightening others with your sharp and cunning wit. We are enlightened to the fact that you can’t engage above an adolescent level. Do you just troll for people that you can (in your mind) bully with witless humor such as my name is “Sheesh Becker”. Wow! Brilliant!! John Becker must really feel the sting from that one. I’m not sure what you are getting out of your pest-like behavior, but it seems clear that you just need to get-out a bit more often.
Wait a second, which cruise has the conservatives on it?
23. Becky:
Don’t be bitter just because you’re a humorless, pedantic social bureaucrat. I think “Sheesh Becker” was a clever response to the feigned innocence of someone asking for my full name on a blog. Unless, of course, you think that’s reasonable request, in which case . . . I’m waiting . . .
I’m here. I’ve been away for work — and checking other websites.