The American Spectator

/p> p> I’d like to tell Mr. Henry that I participate in his pipe smoking anachronism (although my 50 pipes beat him by a touch) and truly appreciate his article. He should know that we are not alone (look at our fellows on the pipes.org website). It is a small fellowship, subject to the edicts of the ever-expanding nanny state, even in Virginia, but still alive and well. My prayers for his health. br> — Spike Herbert br> Kingstowne, Virginia /p>

Ohmygosh, there are at least two of us!

In smoking my pipe, I had come to think of myself as quite unique. I had heard that there were others but never actually saw any. Oh I would catch an occasional momentary glimpse of what looked like a pipe clenched in the teeth of an ancient driver some days while driving but did I really see it?

Anachronism is way down the list of things that I hear, with polluter, health hazard, old geezer, jerk and “get out of my air” easily passing it out. Also like most other smokers, I have been banished from the more civilized areas where good folks congregate, like my own living room. Even my sainted wife has fallen victim to the bleatings of those concerned with everyone else’s health, So in spite I head for my unheated garage and generate huge clouds of smoke in a silent but fragrant protest.

I know I should offer penance for all the innocent non pipe smokers that I have dispatched to a hopefully smoke free heaven, but sinner that I am, when I light up (multiple times and by the way, wasn’t the Bic lighter a great invention?) to ponder the moral question, I just figure that I’ll do it tomorrow.

I’m afraid that I’m about to lose the wonderful blend that I’ve been smoking for over 30 years. The Calabashe Shoppe where I faithfully picked up my monthly allotment of “Thornton” has been sold and being is converted to a cigar shop. The nice lady proprietor has graciously decided to keep supplying her old pipe clientele from her home, but for how long. It seems that our days are numbered. Maybe it’s time for another fragrant protest.

p>I wonder if Condy Rice has ever tried giving the Israelis and Palestinians a few nice briar pipes, with a fragrant pouch of Thornton before starting negotiations? I’ll have to think about that. Now where’s my pipe? br> —