Well, that was quick

That pesky agenda-setting effect of mass media!

... White House spokesman Matt Lehrich told Fox News on Wednesday afternoon that the administration is putting a stop to the proposal.

"I can tell you unequivocally that the Obama administration is not taxing Christmas trees. What's being talked about here is an industry group deciding to impose fees on itself to fund a promotional campaign, similar to how the dairy producers have created the 'Got Milk?' campaign," he said. "That said, USDA is going to delay implementation and revisit this action."

"Ridicule" barely begins to cover it, but do feel free to make sport of any parties to this media-policy-public transaction you wish.