Conservatism Goes on a Cruise
Chat and dine with some of conservatism's brightest stars on one of several cruises this summer.
Drummed out of Washington and fleeing Wall Street, conservatives are presently at sea.
And that’s exactly where you’ll find some of the Right’s most influential thinkers in the coming months, leading a diverse array of starboard-friendly cruise groups. On these voyages, the best part of re-grouping and rethinking political strategy is that you’re invited to participate!
Book now if you’re interested in joining Newt Gingrich, Oliver North, Ed Meese, and Wayne LaPierre for ten days on the Baltic — round-trip from Copenhagen — departing June 12. There’s only one cabin left on this Holland America cruise group sponsored by the Freedom Alliance and the NRA.
PJTV contributor and radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt sets sail out of London on July 3 for a two-week Celtic Kingdoms voyage. Holland America’s Prinsendam will carry you to destinations including Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin, Cardiff, and Guernsey. On board will be literature professor (at Annapolis!) and Shakespeare authority Dr. David Allen White, as well as the film critic who appears on Hugh’s radio program every Friday — Emmett of the Unblinking Eye. This juxtaposition of expert perspectives on classic and contemporary culture could spark some lively conversations around the dinner table.
Hugh Hewitt may be the smartest radio talk host of them all. He speaks with authority on topics including the law, Christianity, the blogosphere, and political races around the country. Ask him which battles are worth fighting as the Republican Party repairs itself electorally. My wife and I enjoyed a past “Hugh Cruise” and made a couple of lasting friendships within the group. Another plus: this is the only itinerary where you’ll be able to speak with all the natives in English!
If you’d prefer a more exotic and dangerous journey this summer, consider SpyCruise 2009, sailing the Black Sea from July 11 through July 23. You’ll start in Istanbul, then it’s on to Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and Greece. Retired CIA, KGB, and RCMP officers will brief you via lectures and social events. The expert guides will show you Kim Philby’s base of operations in Istanbul, Stalin’s secret dacha in Sochi, the czar’s summer palace in Yalta, and the base of the Soviet submarine fleet in Balaklava. This sailing, on the Oceana Nautica, is sponsored through the Center for Counterintelligence and Security Studies — a counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and security training center. We’d list the names of your expert hosts here, but then … that information is classified.
There’s no secret about the big names of conservatism aboard the National Review’s voyage on Holland America’s ms Noordam, from July 8 through July 18. While Major League Baseball’s All-Stars are suiting up in St. Louis, your batting order on the Mediterranean and Adriatic will be John Bolton, Tony Blankley, Karl Rove, Dick Morris, George Gilder, Gov. Pete DuPont, Cal Thomas, Christina Hoff Sommers, and Michael Novak — plus NR’s impressive lineup of home team players led by editor Rich Lowry.
The itinerary includes plenty of panels, meals, and social gatherings, so expect opportunities to exchange ideas in small groups or on the spur of the moment. Even if a guest isn’t on your list for the dinner rotation, have a question ready. If you wind up standing next to Karl Rove during the life boat drill, ask him about his new book. The next time your liberal friends start hammering you about the Bush Administration, you’ll stop them in their tracks with “all I can tell you is what Karl Rove told me.”
Page 1 of 2 Next ->
Jim Kearney, a television critic for Pajamas Media, teaches Mass Media and Television Programming at Loyola Marymount University. A former TV critic for KPCC-FM and The Hollywood Reporter, he has also worked as a TV executive and consultant. He is on the web at TVCriticism.com.
 |
 |
 |
Podcasts |  PJM Home |
Pajamas Media appreciates your comments that abide by the following guidelines:
1. Avoid profanities or foul language unless it is contained in a necessary quote or is relevant to the comment.
2. Stay on topic.
3. Disagree, but avoid ad hominem attacks.
4. Threats are treated seriously and reported to law enforcement.
5. Spam and advertising are not permitted in the comments area.
The clause regarding "hate speech" has been deleted because readers criticized it as being too loosely defined. We agreed.
These guidelines are very general and cannot cover every possible situation. Please don't assume that Pajamas Media management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment. We reserve the right to filter or delete comments or to deny posting privileges entirely at our discretion. If you feel your comment was filtered inappropriately, please email us at story@pajamasmedia.com.
26 Comments
1. Войска ПВО:“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.
Jun 14, 2009 - 8:02 am 2. sheesh:I can only say I hope Max Blumenthal is on that boat.
Jun 14, 2009 - 8:46 am 3. Войска ПВО:..ah yes. Max Blumenthal, like you, sheets, another worthless t*rd leftist.
Jun 14, 2009 - 10:28 am 4. sheesh: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.
Jun 14, 2009 - 11:19 am 5. Jim Kearney: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.
Jun 14, 2009 - 11:53 am 6. WR Jonas: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.
Jun 14, 2009 - 12:46 pm 7. Войска ПВО: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’.
Jun 14, 2009 - 12:59 pm 8. Delia:I’ve had one lousy vacation in 23 years. No wonder I’m so bitter!
Jun 14, 2009 - 5:37 pm 9. Bilgeman: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:
Jun 14, 2009 - 5:51 pm 10. Middleman:Bring a working flashlight, and keep it with you at all times.
Impressive. Where is a German U-boat when you need one?
Jun 14, 2009 - 6:54 pm 11. sheesh: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!
Jun 14, 2009 - 7:30 pm 12. Dougf: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’?
Jun 14, 2009 - 7:44 pm 13. John Becker: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
Jun 14, 2009 - 7:58 pm 14. Pat J:I get the feeling no one is getting laid on this cruise.
Jun 14, 2009 - 9:16 pm 15. Delia: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?
Jun 14, 2009 - 9:25 pm 16. JFM: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?
Jun 15, 2009 - 12:11 am 17. sheesh: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.
Jun 15, 2009 - 6:30 am 18. sheesh: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.
Jun 15, 2009 - 6:32 am 19. Mike_K: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.
Jun 15, 2009 - 8:26 am 20. Delia:Sheeshers,
Are you suggesting I should go GALT?
Jun 15, 2009 - 8:47 am 21. John Becker: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
Jun 15, 2009 - 10:22 am 22. Jack Okie:#10 Middleman:
Credit where credit is due – that was funny!
Jun 15, 2009 - 10:27 am 23. Becky: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.
Jun 15, 2009 - 10:41 am 24. Drew:Wait a second, which cruise has the conservatives on it?
Jun 15, 2009 - 4:17 pm 25. sheesh: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 . . .
Jun 16, 2009 - 6:49 am 26. John Becker:I’m here. I’ve been away for work — and checking other websites.
Jun 16, 2009 - 6:38 pm