The Dottle Line

This is Social Democrat (SPD) chairman Peter Struck (left) and deputy SPD leader Joachim Poss celebrating Poss's recognition today by the German tobacco industry as Pipe Smoker of the Year. By remarkable coincidence, the German parliament is currently considering federal anti-smoking regulations. Bans have recently been enacted in Spain and France, and now the very Ashtray of Europe itself is under threat. The SPD has a long and proud tradition of pipe-smoking spokesmen, but how long can it be before the pipe-puffing politician goes the way of muttonchops, salted lard butter-rolls, and the occasional invasion of France?

Just kidding. Salted lard butter-rolls aren't going anywhere.