Comments on: Bové’s pipe in pieces

by: Wint Discontent

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:00:23 +0000

To be precise, and in these matters one should, Mr Hulot’s pipe is *full* of tobacco, but not lit.
This is very interesting within the context of no smoking regulations to be implemented soon in French public places.
Nobody has thought of letting people buy as many cigarettes and cigars as they wish, but of forbidding then to light them.
Both commerce and the health system would benefit from it. In the same spirit I suggest *simulating* a presidential election.
Everyone would go to vote, but no one would be elected.

by: Tim

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:44:57 +0000

Certainly one should not allow a confusion of pipes - or let their smoke cloud the issue. In my memory, M. Hulot (the real one - created by Jacques Tati) kept his pipe upside-down (and empty?) at all times, whereas M. Bové’s is used to show gritted teeth below the bristling moustache. Harold Wilson, the former British prime minister, never lit his pipe either - it was used as a symbol of deep wisdom, much as Bové’s.

by: Wint Discontent

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 07:41:24 +0000

José Bové is also well known for having, with a group of angry supporters, destroyed the Mc Donald restaurant in Millau in 1999, for which he was condemned and jailed. It’s not exactly like US citizens pouring out French wine ( Burgundy, but not Bordeaux if I remember) in the streets or boycotting Roquefort and foie gras. If he is canddidate and uses the same methods of self promotion, we shall have a good time.
You should note also that just as Bové is a perfect replica of Asterix, Mr Nicolas Hulot is a pale replica of Mr Hulot, Jacques Tati’s character in Les vacances de M. Hulot (1957).