Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Last September, I received an e-mail from a woman who described herself as the assistant to the associate vice-president of Hillsdale College, Dr. Timothy W. Caspar. She was writing, she said, to invite me on the Hillsdale College Baltic Cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity. I would be their guest, she wrote; my only obligation would be to deliver a lecture concerning the future of Europe.
Wow, these Nigerian scammers are getting sophisticated, I thought, and promptly sent the e-mail to the trash can.
Several days later, she wrote back to ask whether I'd received the invitation. I only studied this message closely because it occurred to me that I should let Paul Rahe know that some fraudster was sending these things out in Hillsdale College's name. But as I read on, I began to ask myself: Could this be for real?
It was. I'm not making this up. Out of nowhere, as I'm just going about my daily life, someone wrote to me and invited me on a luxury cruise of the Baltics--and politely concluded by offering the hope that I would accept. Never forget, friends, that just as tragedy can strike any time like a bolt from the blue, so can absurd good fortune.
It all seemed very distant and far away at the time, but the months passed quickly, and it turns out I'll be decamping for Tallinn to board the Crystal Serenity tomorrow. And because I take Ricochet wherever I go, so will you. I know this doesn't give you much time to pack--I'm sort of freaking out about this myself, actually--but fortunately, it seems you can find anything you need on board, and I do mean anything, including Karl Rove, Paul Johnson, and John O'Sullivan.
So, Ricochet, in the coming weeks we shall be enjoying Tallinn’s medieval splendor, St. Petersburg's gilded palaces under the spell of white nights, a state-of-the-art fitness center, teaching ourselves something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; learning about art, history and worldly destinations with an engaging lecture series (I guess that's me, the engaging lecture series); sneaking away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shopping in luxury boutiques, or simply relaxing by one of the tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, this cruise is, according to the brochure, "all about us." (I'm not seeing mixed martial arts on that list of attractions, do you think I should pack the grappling gloves anyway?)
As evening arrives, we will dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers' dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or the action-packed Crystal Casino. We will debark in Helsinki, "City of the Sea," and Warnemünde, which boasts one of the most charming ports on the Baltic coast, with her quaint harbor opening into a delightful beach resort area. We will then explore stately castles nestled in the gentle, emerald-green Danish countryside, and conclude our travels in Copenhagen, which I'm afraid will be ruined for everyone after my lecture concerning the future of Europe.
You'll be there for it all. Following this, Ricochet, you'll be joining my father for a few days at a conference in Tuscany. He's very much looking forward to meeting all of you.
There's only one down side: When I accepted these invitations (with a sob of gratitude to the benign deity who so clearly loves me and wants me to be happy), I wasn't really thinking that these dates overlap with the Turkish general election. It kills me a bit that after all this, I won't be here to see it. But perhaps I'll have a second chance to see whether Turkish democracy survives. And if it doesn't, the Crystal Serenity sounds like a place where it would be easy to put bad news in perspective.
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Comments :
Oct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
If you happen to talk to Rove, ask him if we'll ever break out of the race-to-the-bottom of modern political competition. And maybe ask if he thinks a national requirement to vote (e.g. you pay a hefty fine if you don't) would solve some of the pathologies in modern American politics.
And I'd love to get his opinion on if Republicans can permanently break out of the need to incite bigotry to get votes, or if we're as trapped as the Democrats are in that respect.
Edited on Jun 3, 2011 at 1:32amOct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Joseph Eagar: If you happen to talk to Rove, ask him if we'll ever break out of the race-to-the-bottom of modern political competition. And maybe ask if he thinks a national requirement to vote (e.g. you pay a hefty fine if you don't) would solve some of the pathologies in modern American politics.
And I'd love to get his opinion on if Republicans can permanently break out of the need to incite bigotry to get votes, or if we're as trapped as the Democrats are in that respect. · Jun 3 at 1:31am
Edited on Jun 03 at 01:32 am
Are you a Dem plant, Joseph?
Oct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
John, that question is specifically targeted to Rove. I should note, that Democrats are far more trapped in the bigotry-for-votes thing than Republicans are (who at least try to escape it from time to time, the Tea Party being an example of that).
The Republican Party is actually far more attractive than Democrats right now. The question is, can we sustain that. History is discouraging, but the past does not have to predict the future--the Tea Parties certainly prove that.
Oct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
I guess I should have been clearer; the Republican Party is not engaging in bigotry-for-votes schemes; my concern was whether we could sustain that, or if political competition will inevitably force another course. If so, I'd like to know what sort of institutional reforms Rove thinks would improve the political process.
Oct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
On second thought, maybe a wonkish, sensitive question on political theory isn't worth it. :) It'd be awesome to hear his opinion on a national requirement to vote, though. Seems most of our politics concentrates on motivating people to vote.
Nov '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Congrats and have fun!
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Wouldn't at all be like me to sit down next to someone and ask a question so wonky and sensitive question that no one can believe I really asked that.
Apr '11
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Does Crystal Cruises not have any promotional pictures of Baltic ports of call? As an expatriate Australian a picture of Sydney Harbour certainly warms my heart but the Baltic it is not :-)
Dec '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Y'know Claire - I was actually thinking (the day before yesterday asa matter of fact) that Ricochet should sponsor a cruise to the Mediterranean to include stops at Malta and of course Istanbul. Your constant coverage of the area has gotten me curious, besides that, my wife is nagging that we should do a cruise now that I'm finished with Grad school....just a thought...! Have a very enjoyable time and stay safe! Does your itinerary include Sweden per chance?
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Yes, I debated about that. There are promo photos of the Baltic ports of call, but I couldn't find one that seemed to sum up all the on-board delights promised by the brochure quite so effectively.
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
I'm unfortunately coming on board too late for the Stockholm part--a shame because that's a city I've always wanted to see.
Dec '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
It appears you're skipping Riga, so I'll have to pass ;-) I'll make my own trip at a later date to see my extended family.
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Claire, my bet is that this invitation has arisen as a consequence of your contributions to Ricochet. Diane Ellis emailed me some time ago to tell me that the number of hits on Ricochet per capita is higher from Hillsdale, Michigan (population, ca. 9000 when the students are not here) than from any community in the United States.
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
I'm liking Hillsdale more and more the more I learn about it. (Mind you, "Come join us on a cruise of the Baltics!" is one powerful way to introduce yourself.)
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Lucky!!!!
Or, this is a liberal plot to get you on a boat and steal you away.
Everyone wave goodbye to Claire.
Jul '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Love
Exciting and new
Come aboard
We're expecting Youuuuuuu....
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
"a pulsing dance club or the action-packed Crystal Casino . . . "
Coke came out my nose when I read that. Trust me: every night you will find a lonely bartender in the dance club, polishing a glass, waiting for someone to come in. The more luxurious the ship, the less likely the passengers will want to do the Hustle. But having spent almost two weeks on the ship (a speaking gig, as it turns out: sweetest job in the world) I can tell you that you'll have an incredible time. It's a beauty.
Oct '10
Re: Pack Your Bags, Ricochet, We're Going on a Baltic Cruise!
Ah! I forgot, Democrats have a history of electoral fraud through universal voting schemes. That's not what I'm suggesting; requiring everyone to vote is different then making it easier to (fraudulently) register to vote.
Actually, this brings up a good point. What affects on fraud would a requirement to vote have? Would there be demand for vote-buying schemes; I guess a fine for not voting is equivalent to a subsidy to vote, which could lower the cost of buying people's votes? I dunno. Surely there's a way to get everyone to vote without increasing fraud.