Posted on 02/24/2013 1:07:35 PM PST by 6ft2inhighheelshoes
What's All This About a Grassroots Cruise? Despite "OWS" Backlash, Still Better to Lead than Lose
February 24, 2013
When the idea for this 7-day conference first began to stir among a small group of independent organizers, the first suggestion was to convene at a resort somewhere, like CPAC does. But a little research quickly revealed that an upscale Caribbean cruise was actually more economical, and probably more fun. With three volunteers, and plans for a social media campaign to get the word out, Freedom on the Sea was born.
Since 2009, activists have grabbed training any way they can to improve their ability to effect change in the political arena. The Leadership Institute, Franklin Center, American Majority and Americans for Prosperity are just a few of the groups that offer fine training and networking opportunities through classes and online interactions, but none last a whole week. For many, it can be hard to digest a lot of information in just an afternoon or weekend.
Freedom on the Sea offers innovative ideas, advanced training, and extensive contact with celebrities who are eager for interactive sessions and opportunities to talk one-on-one with participants. After the disappointments of 2012, sensible conservatives realize that the movement has to reconnect and revitalize in order to chart a course for victory.
Is it possible to pull together all the Tea Party groups with their different agendas, and find common ground with conservatives, libertarians, independents, and republicans? Can we learn how to tell the story of a conservative future, and communicate the left's attempt to recycle their past failures? Are we just waiting for a great leader, or will we challenge ourselves to lead?
One of the disappointments in promoting this event was the appearance of a hitherto unknown OWS branch of the Tea Party family tree. We've had Facebook comments that bely class warfare; Why don't you plan an event we can ALL afford, it shouldn't just be for the rich! Calls for further division; It's not a conservative cruise unless it's Christian-based! And just plain paranoid; Seems like a cruise ship full of conservatives would be a good target for government bombs-just sayin'!
Leaders don't undercut honest efforts to improve circumstances, but losers are perfectly happy to kick each other down. Yes, cruises cost money, but it is by far the cheapest conservative cruise out there. Freedom on the Sea was created for intelligent activists who recognize failure, and are willing to shift strategy and tackle challenges in order to win. It's designed for leaders, not losers.
Darn, I was thinking this meant we would all get together and poop on cop cars or sumpin’.
Lol! Sorry to disappoint you!
You threw that in with no information at all what you were talking about.
Then you put in the title area a title that is not at the link provided
OWS is diametrically opposite of the Tea Party Movement, why are you merging them?
Care to clear those things up?
Certainly. I apologize for not being a very good writer. OWS spent a considerable amount of energy disparaging anyone who had planned and saved money. Freedom on the Sea is a cruise that starts at less than $200 per night, and include all the food you can eat, 24 hours a day, a beautiful and large, very clean stateroom, and all associated expenses; taxes, fees, tips. There’s a $500 deposit and the balance is charged in August, giving people some time to save up. I myself took an extra job just to save money for the National Review cruise last year, so I know this is doable for some.
For this, I got weird comments from some who were purportedly from the Tea Party ranks, like: You shouldn’t have an event that poor people can’t attend, and you should have this event in a campground, so all the people can be there, and this is only for the rich, how dare you, you’ll get blown up, blah blah blah. some of these folks seemed to be upset that activists might actually have some fun and relaxation on this cruise.
So I’ve made the suggestion that some people who represent themselves as tea partiers have something in common with the OWS- a destructive and counter productive nature that wants to punish those who have more resources for whatever reason. These crazed commenters made it difficult to remain on a friendly facebook page that was trying to support us, and if the conservative movement can’t even support a group of volunteers who are trying to put together a cruise, then we are in very deep trouble.
We need to overcome the temptations of class warfare and bickering between tea party groups, or we are lost. And quite frankly, no one is out there trying to save the conservative movement. It was a tough break in 2012, but we have to buck up and figure out what to do next, and that takes leaders, not the losers who insist on kicking us from behind.
What in the heck does OWS stand for?
Old Western Scrounger. A source for hard to find ammo.
http://www.ows-ammo.com
The group that leaves trash all over the place, rapes women in their “encampments,” poop in public and in some cases on a police car.
Called themselves the "99%ers"
Police gave them a wide birth and let them continue sometimes for weeks at a time, while at the same time stopping Tea Partiers from gathering when ever they could.
The ones that Obama praised for being relevant while at the same time he and his minions called the Tea Partiers racists haters.
If the Tea Party aligns with OWS, I am no longer associated with the Tea Party. OWS is the enemy and stands against everything we are supposed to stand for. I want nothing to do with those scum.
Occupy Wall Street
The leftist, Che worshiping, V mask wearing, occutards.
No, I don’t think there is a merger happening, but I guess even within the tea party you’re going to get class warfare rhetoric. If some tea partiers think events shouldn’t happen unless they’re free, well it’s no wonder Obama won.
I helped with a big event at a church a couple of years ago. we charged $50 for a day long event with three tracks of panels and training. Everyone agreed the content was great, but they were angry about the ticket price for a church venue-which they incorrectly assumed was free. We barely broke even on expenses.
Tea party people may let you know they would like other venues more affordable but they in no way would act at all like OWS rapists and public poopers.
Why you would put OWS in the title and make any mention of them in your article, as I said before, makes no sense at all unless you want to make the tea party look bad.
You need to do some research on the TPM and find out a little about the character of members and then maybe write an article with some knowledge of the movement.
I see you took the opportunity of the reply of my post to try to sell me a cruize, not interested thanks.
"So I’ve made the suggestion that some people who represent themselves as tea partiers have something in common with the OWS- a destructive and counter productive nature that wants to punish those who have more resources for whatever reason. These crazed commenters" etc etcWell tea partiers don't have ANYTHING in common with OWS scum, period.
And here some people on this thread have taken you at your word that you had had bad experiences with tea partiers when you didn't, you were scammed.
"No, I don’t think there is a merger happening, but I guess even within the tea party you’re going to get class warfare rhetoric. If some tea partiers think events shouldn’t happen unless they’re free, well it’s no wonder Obama won."They are NOT tea partiers!
Read my last post to you and please stop posting the anti Tea Party rhetoric.
Only big “cruise” I do each year is a week long landcruiser trip across Nevada from the Utah border to the California border without touching pavement. Be great for freepers to come and see some of the best terrain in the world. You just stop wherever you want at any good scenic looking place to set up camp for the night and sleep under the stars. The only unfortunate thing I’ve noticed is it seems the amount of time to get going, and get anywhere seems to double for each extra vehicle added to the trip, get more than 4 vehicles and you might as well be herding cats.
Mighty big of you to take a cruise and not demand to be paid for the privilege.
Do you have any idea of how stupid you sound? I don’t even get to “take” the cruise-I get to “work” the cruise. You obviously have no clue how much hard work has already gone into this.
humblegunner, why does it bother you so much that some lady put together an event on a cruise ship because it was the least expensive way she to get activists together with top notch trainers and speakers for a week? Why are you denigrating this?
Not denigrating “this”.
I’m denigrating anyone who thinks so highly of themselves
that they reckon the ignorant little nobodies should pay
them to take a cruise and share the rare wisdom that obviously
is borne of nothing more than hubris and an inflated ego.
No, your comment was obviously aimed at me, because you assumed I threw together a cruise just to have some fun.
Ignorant little nobodies? Are you saying you’re insulted? Just what did you do in the last election cycle, and how effective was it?
I’m amazed and impressed if you already know how to put together an anti-fraud voter program like Catherine Engelbrecht, and you don’t need advanced training in anything. Perhaps you were part of the right-to-work victory in Michigan. Many of my fellow conservatives have asked for help in camera interview techniques, reporting skills, and constructing local initiatives. And some just want to relax with other conservatives. Why do you treat it as if it were a crime?
I’m just an event planner, but the people who are guest speakers do have wisdom and experience to share, and they’re working for freedom. Which is more than I can say for old crabs who sit around complaining.
Got it.
You’re simply so smart and awesome and well-connected that you deserve a free cruise.
Makes perfect sense.
Boy, this really bothers, you, doesn’t it? I’m just a middle aged lady who volunteers for events, doesn’t make any claim to wisdom or particular skill, and am just informing people who might be interested in a really good event.
You seem to be intent on discouraging me and others with sarcasm. I really wonder why.
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