I witnessed this scene today at 11:09 a.m. in the Rue Hoche in Cannes: Three members of the municipal police were discussing whatever evil deed the owner of the scooter had committed that warranted having his vehicle impounded while an employee of the towing company was securing the bike to the truck. This is the flip side of the Sarkozy government: a huge increase in radar speed traps, unprecedented numbers of revoked driver’s licenses, and more summonses issued than ever before. Officially, this is for our benefit; in reality, it’s hard not to see it as an easy way to make money. Meanwhile, there is a slight smell of police state in the air… And speaking of policing: what was I doing at 11 o’clock in the morning in Cannes? Simple: I am on vacation this week.