Alexander Cockburn, why are you publishing him?

And with that question for Victor Navasky from a Nation associate in Seattle, the mood was set for the start of the Nation Cruise to Alaska.

I could write for several hours about the seminars and people I’ve met. First of all let me say, many of the people on board have cruised with The Nation before and have been kind enough to point me in the right direction, as two days into the cruise I’ve lost my badge and have been caught wandering the hallways with dinner rolls in my purse.

In our introductory gathering, Bob Scheer reminded all of the newbie speakers that people attending our seminars would often have more knowledge on the subject we were addressing then we had. I have to say this has proven to be true.

Each night I’ve hosted a dinner and at my table I have been truly astounded by the array of people sitting opposite me. So far I’ve met people as diverse as: a retired judge in California, attorney who worked on Larry Flynt’s First Amendment case, an election-watcher who has monitored voting in numerous Latin American countries, a couple who were investors in Mel Fisher’s treasure-hunting adventures, a potato farmer from Boise, Idaho, restauranteurs, teachers, an active-duty military special intelligence forces officer, a philanthropist, the first female partner in a Big Five accounting firm–just a dazzling group of folks who have challenged every opinion I’ve put forth and run up to me all day with ideas for activism projects. So whatever these people are on, I want some of it! More later.