You could have fooled me!
Sunday, May 3, 2009 
The Mail on Sunday features an interview a spoof column with by "smokers’ champion" David Hockney. David has been in the news this week following the revelation in the London Evening Standard that he has been using his iPhone to paint and draw.
"As imagined by Sinclair McKay", a fictional David Hockney writes:
"I want life thrilling and rich. And for that reason, I am about to light up a cigarette. Indoors. Because this is my house and it has not yet been taken over by the health peasants and, as it happens, I am 72. As I say to the fanatical anti-smoking lynch mobs: explain that, if you can.
"I had lunch with the Queen once. Now she didn’t mind my smoking, but you see, they’ve got breeding, the Royals. Unlike Tony and Cherie. I always gave a curt ‘no thank you very much’to their joyless, phoney, tobacco-free Downing Street receptions.
"I have a love for the surface of the Earth that is an escape from the mean-spirited and dreary people who seem to have taken over England. That is why I have flown back to my home in California. Mind you, the TV here is full of adverts for Prozac. You’d be much more cheered by a chocolate eclair and a Gauloise."
Funny thing is, this sounds just like the David Hockney I know! For the benefit of new readers, David (pictured above with yours truly at a Forest event last year) is a member of our Supporters Council. He is also responsible for the best (ie most hilarious, exhilarating) day I have ever had as director of Forest. See HERE.
Simon Clark
Oops. I must confess that I was originally fooled into thinking that this was a genuine interview with the great man, hence the changes to this post. Note to self: never rely on a single electronic cutting that omits some crucial information!
Reader Comments (3)
Not too sure I should say this, but since I have been involved in the pro choice movement actively now for about 2 years, I have had so much fun. The Forest events are such a pleasure, even the more serious ones like the Freedom Zone in Birmingham. I have made loads of new friends and the conversation is never less than stimulating.
To be fair for every hour spent indulging myself there must be 5 or 6 spent hunched over Google, writing letters and articles or putting posts on blogs. One task I have set myself is to go through the whole 70 scientific papers cited in the SCOTH Committee report and probably represents at least 20-30 hours work.
However on balance the rewards and my enhanced social life are worth the effort.
I just hope Simon will in a couple of years time will be able to post a photograph on Taking Liberties of all the pro choice sitting inside enjoying a smoke in a pub or bar.
Two articles in a row Simon, which I cannot access. Last week it was the Evening Standard article, which my paper did not have, and today it is this one in the Mail on Sunday, which once again, my paper hasn't run.
Am I in the new London Bermuda Triangle here in Blackheath?
Dave Atherton:
Good for you Dave. I hadn't realised how much dedicated research you are putting in apart from the blogging and enjoying the social life.
I should have known. It shows.
You and I have crossed swords in the past because you were still part of the polite mollifying section who feel they must say, "While we agree that smoking can be harmful", etc. I say again, WE DO NOT agree that smoking is harmful any more than present day living in general is harmful. The more you research, the more you will understand this for yourself.
In all other respects - hats off to you, Dave. You are certainly making a difference.