I couldn't help notice that the $3,800 Very Hungry Caterpillar tote bag from Christian Dior is now sold out. I'm going to assume that Substack readers crashed the site.
When I started reading your post, I felt angry - but it's the righteous kind of anger you're speaking of, which should motivate all of us out of our polite, quiet seats. Then I read on, and the joy spread because there is so damn much good and beautiful in this world worth storming the fortresses for. Thanks, Ron!
I have always wanted to read Ulysses. It has been sitting in my to be read pile for years. Thank you for the information about the seminar. Yes, I will join. Yes, Yes, Yes.
There are many reading guides to "Ulysses," but a really good one is "Ulysses: A Reader's Odyssey" by Daniel Mulhall, formerly the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. It's really down to earth; he explains the episodes clearly, and even - when he gets to the ones that make us ordinary non-scholarly readers want to tear our hair out (Joyce can be a real show-off with his erudition) he'll say gently (I am paraphrasing) "This one's really difficult, and not for the faint of heart. If the going gets too tough, don't be afraid to hit the skip button." Bless him!
Thanks for the review of Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It. Jesse Helms must have been one sound sleeper. For your viewing pleasure, a video of putting up that 1991 condom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS-w4Pqvkuw
Ron, this isn’t exactly on topic, but I’m startled that none of the news coverage of the Texas primary runoff this week has said a word about the fact that Texas is an open primary state. I for one am hoping that Barbara Jordan is smiling from heaven.
The most engaging and interesting thing for me about the book Protest (besides my dear friend Annie, being one of the authors) is that I can pick it up and turn to almost any page and be totally engrossed with the story it tells, not just about the idea of protest or the event of protest, but very much about who we are as people, what we owe to those who came before, and what it shows about our potential and the amazing things that people whose names we will never know often do on our behalf, and on behalf of the environment we must depend on for our life’s breath, literally.
Thank you for mentioning the "Ulysses" online group, Ron. Joyce enthusiasts - as well as those simply Joyce-curious - will enjoy a visit to Sweny's Pharmacy in Dublin (1 Lincoln Place, near Trinity College). It's the actual place where Bloom purchased a cake of yellow soap for Molly in The Lotus Eaters episode of "Ulysses," and today it's a hangout and something of a shrine to the book and its readers. They still may have scheduled participatory readings in various languages (which were online during the height of the pandemic, and culminated in a 24+ hour international reading of the entire of "Ulysses" online one Bloomsday that was absolutely glorious - to the final Yes). You can still buy the yellow soap, too - a great literary souvenir.
Ron, Thank you for the opening piece about Protest. Sadly, the ineptness of the Democratic Party (DNC) is showing through in its DOA autopsy report, and losing an unbelievable opportunity to gather supporters. As far as I know, the DNC has never endorsed, supported, or helped organize No Kings. Sadly, the DNC is asleep at the wheel when there are millions of citizens waiting for a unifying force. Thank you again for reminding your readers about the power, legitimacy, and historical precedent of mass protests in the US. Fearfully, the 2026 midterms will come and go with barely a whimper.
Thanks, Bill. I share your frustration with the Democratic Party, which seems determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.... But I have to say, by putting up a comically corrupt character like Ken Paxton, the GOP seems to be testing the until-now boundless limits of MAGA's gullibility.
Another excellent newsletter. I appreciate that you have (more?) freedom to celebrate those who protest when "so many corporations, media organizations, and even billionaires [are] groveling before Trump." Any you have in mind? ;-) I'm all in for protest--but even more for getting out the vote, which is the main thing I work on when I'm not reading. Please keep us posted if anything good is published about how to get our friends and neighbors to the polls.
Also, thank you for the link to “Reading Ulysses in 80 Days.” Perfect timing! As it happens, this is the year I'm going to tackle that book, and I had planned to begin Monday. I've already signed up for the mailing list.
In an interesting example of the complicated politics surrounding activists’ right to free speech, Patagonia is aggressively pursuing a trademark infringement lawsuit against drag queen climate activist Pattie Gonia. Maybe Patagonia’s board of directors should do some reading from their own library to help reconnect them to the company’s purported values.
I couldn't help notice that the $3,800 Very Hungry Caterpillar tote bag from Christian Dior is now sold out. I'm going to assume that Substack readers crashed the site.
Ron, I am appreciating how much more your sense of humor is allowed to shine now.
Well, thank you -- and thanks for supporting this endeavor. It's much appreciated.
When I started reading your post, I felt angry - but it's the righteous kind of anger you're speaking of, which should motivate all of us out of our polite, quiet seats. Then I read on, and the joy spread because there is so damn much good and beautiful in this world worth storming the fortresses for. Thanks, Ron!
Another good column. Thanks!
Any chance the Geraldine Brooks interview was recorded? Just looked on YouTube without success.
I have always wanted to read Ulysses. It has been sitting in my to be read pile for years. Thank you for the information about the seminar. Yes, I will join. Yes, Yes, Yes.
Good for you, Sandy!
(Tell me how it goes.)
There are many reading guides to "Ulysses," but a really good one is "Ulysses: A Reader's Odyssey" by Daniel Mulhall, formerly the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. It's really down to earth; he explains the episodes clearly, and even - when he gets to the ones that make us ordinary non-scholarly readers want to tear our hair out (Joyce can be a real show-off with his erudition) he'll say gently (I am paraphrasing) "This one's really difficult, and not for the faint of heart. If the going gets too tough, don't be afraid to hit the skip button." Bless him!
Thanks for the review of Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It. Jesse Helms must have been one sound sleeper. For your viewing pleasure, a video of putting up that 1991 condom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS-w4Pqvkuw
Ha! (The book notes that the activists made sure Helms was not home at the time.)
Ron, this isn’t exactly on topic, but I’m startled that none of the news coverage of the Texas primary runoff this week has said a word about the fact that Texas is an open primary state. I for one am hoping that Barbara Jordan is smiling from heaven.
The most engaging and interesting thing for me about the book Protest (besides my dear friend Annie, being one of the authors) is that I can pick it up and turn to almost any page and be totally engrossed with the story it tells, not just about the idea of protest or the event of protest, but very much about who we are as people, what we owe to those who came before, and what it shows about our potential and the amazing things that people whose names we will never know often do on our behalf, and on behalf of the environment we must depend on for our life’s breath, literally.
Thank you for mentioning the "Ulysses" online group, Ron. Joyce enthusiasts - as well as those simply Joyce-curious - will enjoy a visit to Sweny's Pharmacy in Dublin (1 Lincoln Place, near Trinity College). It's the actual place where Bloom purchased a cake of yellow soap for Molly in The Lotus Eaters episode of "Ulysses," and today it's a hangout and something of a shrine to the book and its readers. They still may have scheduled participatory readings in various languages (which were online during the height of the pandemic, and culminated in a 24+ hour international reading of the entire of "Ulysses" online one Bloomsday that was absolutely glorious - to the final Yes). You can still buy the yellow soap, too - a great literary souvenir.
Oh, I wish we'd bought that soap when we were there in 2018.
(We took a wonderful literary pub tour lead by two hilarious and incredibly well-read actors -- that's what brought us to Davy Byrnes.)
Ron, Thank you for the opening piece about Protest. Sadly, the ineptness of the Democratic Party (DNC) is showing through in its DOA autopsy report, and losing an unbelievable opportunity to gather supporters. As far as I know, the DNC has never endorsed, supported, or helped organize No Kings. Sadly, the DNC is asleep at the wheel when there are millions of citizens waiting for a unifying force. Thank you again for reminding your readers about the power, legitimacy, and historical precedent of mass protests in the US. Fearfully, the 2026 midterms will come and go with barely a whimper.
Thanks, Bill. I share your frustration with the Democratic Party, which seems determined to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.... But I have to say, by putting up a comically corrupt character like Ken Paxton, the GOP seems to be testing the until-now boundless limits of MAGA's gullibility.
Leave it to you,Ron, to give your readers the inside scoop on Christian Dior Hungry Caterpillar tote.
Hint, hint: My birthday's coming up!
Thanks for spotlighting this book at a critical time.
Another excellent newsletter. I appreciate that you have (more?) freedom to celebrate those who protest when "so many corporations, media organizations, and even billionaires [are] groveling before Trump." Any you have in mind? ;-) I'm all in for protest--but even more for getting out the vote, which is the main thing I work on when I'm not reading. Please keep us posted if anything good is published about how to get our friends and neighbors to the polls.
Also, thank you for the link to “Reading Ulysses in 80 Days.” Perfect timing! As it happens, this is the year I'm going to tackle that book, and I had planned to begin Monday. I've already signed up for the mailing list.
I hated Samantha. My mom decided that was my doll and it was clear that's the kid she wanted.
In an interesting example of the complicated politics surrounding activists’ right to free speech, Patagonia is aggressively pursuing a trademark infringement lawsuit against drag queen climate activist Pattie Gonia. Maybe Patagonia’s board of directors should do some reading from their own library to help reconnect them to the company’s purported values.