Entering Bove's name into a Google search yields a large number of results detailing many of his actions over recent years. One site provides a statement, issued by Bove in a French court, which he constructed in justification of the role he played in the destruction of genetically-modified corn at a Novartis factory (resulting in $1 million worth of damage). Another result mentions Bove's destruction of a McDonald's restaurant in the name of anti-globalization efforts (resulting in more than $100,000 worth of damage). Another site, dated July 6, 2000, mentions Bove as a potential candidate for the French presidency.

As is everything related to him, Bove's past is an interesting one. Of all things, his parents were both agricultural chemists; he was born in France, yet was raised in numerous locales (the noble Frenchman spent his first seven years of youth at Berkeley). From the onset, Bove was something of a rebel, being deemed "faithless" prior to his expulsion from secondary school. His career as a "simple farmer" began when he decided to drop out of his university studies in order to focus on being a sheep herder and Roquefort cheese producer. When sheep-herding land was threatened by the expansion of a French military base, Bove attempted to unify the French farmers, and while his unification attempts were not a resounding success, the military's plans for expansion were dropped.

Since those early days in the French countryside, Bove's efforts have branched away from his anti-military expansion stance and into, primarily, anti-globalization, anti-GMO efforts peppered with strong pro-small, pro-independent farmer sentiments. Unlike many anti-GMO activists, Bove is not completely opposed to the presence of GMOs on the market. Rather, he is an avid supporter of more extensive research as to the long term effects of the genetic alterations that have been made in these organisms and remains apprehensive of the scientific community's confidence (or, as he sees it, arrogance): "Scientists only understand about 1% of the workings of genes in organisms and today with this lack of knowledge they are trying to impose technologies which provide no certainty or guarantee".

Despite all of his stunts, Bove does raise a number of points. The long-term health effects of GMOs do, in fact, remain in dispute. Yes, the small, independent family farm is being replaced by sprawling production facilities; this is readily apparent in our own country and in our own state (as anyone traveling north of Indianapolis on I-65 with their windows lowered will tell you). Past efforts at restricting the labeling of genetically modified foods are illogical. Globalization, while a provider of many benefits, may also be considered something of a beast, consuming local culture and detracting from the power of the individual to change his surroundings. Scientists could certainly stand to be a little more cautious when speaking about some issues.

Having a valid argument doesn't justify the leveling of the Golden Arches, but the fact that Bove is being heralded as a hero by many in both the anti-globalization community and France is a testament to the success of his flamboyant actions. And while it is doubtful that he will ever be satisfied, perhaps it is in our best interest to open up a larger debate concerning the issues Bove holds dear to his heart. Many of the French have wrongfully supported Bove solely as a result of his stance regarding American interests. It is important that we hold our own nation to a higher standard; discourage his dangerous practices, but debate the deeper issues at hand.