George Bush hates cheese, French people

Foodies and extravagants across America best stock up on their delicacies, fast. George Bush, in one of his last acts as President, raised tariffs on such imported fine goods as chocolate, truffles, foie gras (what Washington trade bureaucrats call "fatty livers of ducks and geese," says the Washington Post).

The biggest hit came on Roquefort cheese--the infamously stinky marbled and crumbly blue cheese crafted and cultivated in the 600-person town of Roquefort, France. Bush imposed a 300% tarriff on the cheese, for reasons not many seem to understand. The act not only will make Roquefort too expensive for most (me) to be able to enjoy, it was a major statement (if symbolic) to France as a whole. The 600-person town of Roquefort, which sustains itself almost wholly on the production of this cheese, is expected to feel the harshest effects of this decision.

These tariffs go into effect in March, and will likely raise prices significantly on these imported fine foods.

As the Economist's Free Exchange blog reports:

Yes, while Europeans will be relishing delicious bleu cheese, Americans can eat hormone-injected beef with a side of stale freedom fries.

Below you'll find my premature homage to the soon-to-be extinguished odor of this sublime piece of bovine mastery: The Christmas dinner I prepared this year. Three quarters of the dishes featured Roquefort in some way. Maybe it was a premonition?

[Brussels sprouts with Roquefort, glazed pecans and a balsalmic reduction.]

[L: Mixed greens with candied walnuts, blood oranges and pomegranates.
R: Butternut squash/apple soup with Roquefort garnish.]


[Oh, a time of such innocent indulgence.]