Bush war on Roquefort raises a stink in France

[NeoConsSuck]

Source: MSNBC.COM

ROQUEFORT-SUR-SOULZON, France - This seems an unlikely spot to fight a trade war.

A village of 600 souls in a remote part of southern France, Roquefort clings precariously to the side of Combalou Rock, a promontory overlooking a deep valley where sheep graze in the shadow of limestone cliffs that were sheared off by a seismic jolt in prehistoric times.

But the primal shake also carved out aerated underground crevasses that give a unique economic value to this jagged landscape about 65 miles northwest of Montpellier. They make possible a gastronomical wonder that has delighted gourmets for centuries: Roquefort cheese. And now, in an era of globalized competition for trade, the smelly delicacy and its little home town have become ground zero for the warriors of export-import in Washington.

<snip>

In its final days, the Bush administration imposed a 300 percent duty on Roquefort, in effect closing off the U.S. market. Americans, it declared, will no longer get to taste the creamy concoction that, in its authentic, most glorious form, comes with an odor of wet sheep and veins of blue mold that go perfectly with rye bread and coarse red wine.



Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28907462/

[madaboutharry]

1. I am so grateful these jackasses are out of power.

They ran this country like 3rd graders.

[cyclezealot]

2. Not a surprise . That is the town of Jose Bove.

Bove has been denied a visa to enter the US. Bove the famous anti globalist who tore down the McDonald's arches in nearby Milleau. An action of Bove after , the last time Bush imposed duties on Roquefort cheese. Why target Roquefort.?. Apparently , Bush has not a refined taste for great cheeses.

[annabanana]

3. "If it ain't Velveeta. It ain't cheese"

yeesh

[Kolesar]

4. Cheez-us, who writes these punny headlines?

Carl Reiner?

[moggie]

5. Roquefort cheese is one of the pinnacles of human achievement

A country without Roquefort is a hollow sham.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Another pinnacle being

the chocolate pannini.

[dipsydoodle]

6. Funny you should mention Roquefort cheese

I still got some in the freezer from when my daughter brought a half cheese back from Paris in 1988 - don't laugh.

I've noticed that when I occasionally break bits off it melts quite fast. Has yet to make me ill.....lol.

[dynasaw]

8. Repugs were always anti-French

Remember when John Kerry was discredited because he was too "frenchified? " When we weren't supposed to call them "French fries?"