Fishy behavior
EmailPeople Magazine reports that former Vice President Al Gore’s youngest daughter, Sarah Gore, 28, married businessman Bill Lee at the Beverly Hills Hotel earlier this month. For the rehearsal dinner, at Beverly Hills’ Crustacean restaurant, executive chef Helene An prepared a six-course menu that included Chilean sea bass. (LINK)
One problem, says Rebecca Keeble, program manager for Humane Society International.
Chilean Sea Bass is "arguably one of the world’s most threatened fish species" who says the selection indicates "only one week after Live Earth, Al Gore’s green credentials slipped."
Writing in the Daily Telegraph today (LINK), Keeble points out that "Working with non-government organisations, the Humane Society International’s focus is now on pursuit of illegal fishing operators who, in the rush to cash in on the highly valued species, plunder stocks with no regard for sustainability."
Tom Brokaw, among others, has covered how this delicious fish’s popularity is leading to problems (LINK) with its population.
Is Gore to be chastised for every fish that shows up on his plate? It’s not as if he was eating a Bald Eagle. (Whoops — weren’t those just taken off the Endangered Species List!)
On the other hand, could this be seen as the environmentalist version of Sen. David Vitter’s public santimony/private enjoyment of love with a red-lit glow?
You be the judge –
jpt
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If Gore was not pushing this as hard as he is , then no it would not be a big deal. But since he wants us to live in the stone age while him and his lib friend live the almighty life then it is a big deal.
Why doesn’t he Follow President Bush’s lead and get a Green Friendly Home.
Posted by: spock | July 18, 2007, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm
Aw, c’mon, Jake. I’m sure Al would be happy to just throw money at the problem. Maybe a sea bass credit.
Hmm. Sea bass credits. There’s an idea for an Internet scam.
Posted by: Ken Shepherd | July 18, 2007, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
According to the Whole Foods Market web site some Chilean Bass is acceptable:
“The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent non-profit body dedicated to sustainable fishing practices and ocean health, recently certified a fishery operating out of South Georgia Island for the sustainable harvesting of Chilean sea bass. This island is near the South Sandwich Islands located in the extreme southern Atlantic, where harsh prevailing weather conditions and active volcanism make it difficult for fishermen. While poaching remains a serious threat to Chilean sea bass in other areas, this remote fishery has proven itself to be a responsible one dedicated to sustainable practices as documented by the MSC.” But somebody said that Al Gore said he invented the internet, so he’s fair game for stenographers who are too lazy to do their own investigating.
Posted by: MadRuth | July 18, 2007, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
And do you think perhaps that the bride might just possibly have made her own choices about her wedding meal?
Posted by: Other Ed | July 18, 2007, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
Um, don’t the parents of the groom usually host the rehearsal dinner?
So now Al Gore is criticized for attending at a dinner he likely did not host where fish that may or many not be overfished was served.
What if he saw the fish on the menu and walked out of the dinner in protest – i suppose then you’d be needling him for allowing politics to interfere with a family wedding.
Maybe Al Gore will never get a fair shake from the media.
You be the judge.
Posted by: pauldem | July 18, 2007, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
Interesting, Mr. Tapper.
Posted by: david | July 18, 2007, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
I’m sure you were all over the story when President Bush served sea bass to Musharraf and Karzai last September. Oh, wait, why can’t I find that story here?
Or when President Bush himself enjoyed Chilean sea bass in October 2006.
Or wait a minute, I seem to recall reading that sea bass was served at last year’s White House Correspondents Dinner. What, no mention of the “controversy” then, either? What a surprise.
Posted by: Southern Beale | July 18, 2007, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Or if you don’t want to believe Whole Foods, why not look at what our State Dept. says
Posted by: DanNo | July 18, 2007, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
According to the US government Chilean Sea Bass is not endangered.
Posted by: Tammy Stickers | July 18, 2007, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Posted by: Sal Terillo | July 18, 2007, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Al Gore should immediately make full and just compensation with carbon credits. Oh wait he owns the company that sells his carbon credits. Hmm! Maybe Gore can join NutriSystem and slim down which will no doubt save the sea bass.
Posted by: Andy | July 18, 2007, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
read something about Chilean sea bass
Posted by: didnu | July 18, 2007, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm
Did you really just compare eating a piece of fish to illegally having sex with prostitutes for years while denying it and promoting a hateful agenda touting “family values” on the taxpayer’s dime?
That’s like having a piece of fish that’s not endangered or anything?
Posted by: Flailey | July 18, 2007, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
You commentors don’t understand, its the hypocrisies! See, Al Gore should be chastised for eating a fish that used to be endangered because he’s an environmentalist.
I’m sure Jake’s very next post will be about how George Bush should be chastised for being part of the “culture of life” movement and declaring preemptive war resulting in the deaths of untold thousands of innocent Iraqis!
Er…right?
Posted by: coda | July 18, 2007, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
Bash Bush, for this war that seems to be going on in the middle east. The one that is killing Americans and Iraqis.
Posted by: Richard Gipson | July 18, 2007, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
No, see, you’re all missing the point. It’s fine for Bush to eat sea bass because he doesn’t care about the environment. It’s fine for Romney to spend hundreds on makeup because he doesn’t care about the poor. Who cares if Thompson and Romney and Guiliani are just as wealthy as Edwards, they’re all for the rich getting richer, so no problem there.
Edwards cares about the poor, so he’s a hypocrite for having money. Gore cares about the environment, so he’s not allowed to use electricity. Michael Moore is fat, so he can’t criticize the health care system.
Posted by: SP | July 18, 2007, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
“The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent non-profit body dedicated to sustainable fishing practices and ocean health, recently certified a fishery operating out of South Georgia Island for the sustainable harvesting of Chilean sea bass. This island is near the South Sandwich Islands located in the extreme southern Atlantic, where harsh prevailing weather conditions and active volcanism make it difficult for fishermen. While poaching remains a serious threat to Chilean sea bass in other areas, this remote fishery has proven itself to be a responsible one dedicated to sustainable practices as documented by the MSC.”
Posted by: Doc Hickory | July 18, 2007, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
I would like to echo the comment questioning whether the bride’s father had anything to do with the rehearsal dinner other than showing up. The rehearsal dinner is generally hosted by the groom’s family, isn’t it?
Posted by: Snow | July 18, 2007, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
In case you were wondering, we have a president in the process of losing 2 wars.
Posted by: Blue Velveeta | July 18, 2007, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
Al Gore has shown on more than one occasion that he advocates one thing for the masses and another for himself. Apparently Al feels others should watch what they do so he and his family can enjoy life to its fullest!
Posted by: Jim | July 18, 2007, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
The Hypocrisy is so Fluid on with the libs, see Gore is telling everyone to live in the stone age except for him, and the libs defend his hypocrisy. OK when a so called republican does what Vitter did the true republicans do not defend him.
See I see the point Jake is making here Why is it ok for a Lib to not practice what he preaches but not alright for a Republican?
For a Anti American group (i.e anti war)like the libs they do spew a lot of hate.
Posted by: spock | July 18, 2007, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Surprise, surprise, surprise: His Elite Holiness’ action again admonish us to do as he says, not as he does.
Posted by: Bubba Gorbachev | July 18, 2007, 3:42 pm 3:42 pm
Blue Velveeta – First what two wars? Last I checked we are in one war with multiple fronts. We are losing?? interesting?
Oh and who cares what fish Pres. Bush ate, he is not the one trying to push down our throats this socialistic propaganda.
Posted by: spock | July 18, 2007, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
Not all Chilean Sea bass are endangered and you should have checked to see where Ms. Gore’s caterer got the fish. Whole Foods sells the stuff
Posted by: Ajax | July 18, 2007, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
Al Gore knows a good gig when he has one. Mr. Gore doesn’t believe half of the propaganda he spews.
Posted by: Mr Fuller | July 18, 2007, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
Who knew they had compact fluorescent bulbs in the stone age? Must be part of that creationism teaching we keep hearing about.
Posted by: SP | July 18, 2007, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
It was served at the REHEARSAL dinner which is typically planned and arranged by the groom or his parents. A brides father wouldn’t customarily know what was being served until the plate was put in front of him. I guess he could have been rude to his soon to be son-in-law and refused the meal. This article is petty and attempts to discredit a person’s efforts to save this lifeboat we’re riding through the universe on.
Posted by: Sara | July 18, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Chilean Sea Bass are not all endangered. I just bought some at Whole Foods
Posted by: maddow | July 18, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Anyone else notice how the media is always attacking, savaging and mocking the families of prominent Democrats, while at the same time they totally ignore the Republicans, who currently are fielding a bunch of Presidential contenders who are known philanderers; deadbeat parents; cradle robbers; divorcees and convenient liars.
The “Family Values” party is infested with hypocrites, but Al Gore’s kid had Chilean Sea Bass (farmed most likely, btw) at a wedding rehearsal dinner. OMG! Stop the presses! Breaking News!
Posted by: OxyCon | July 18, 2007, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
Al Gore announced today that the reason he had Chilean Sea Bass at the wedding was do to Global Warming which caused his CEREBRAL CORTEX to thaw (This is normally frozen solid on Al) prompting a temporary lobotomy condition.
Posted by: Andy | July 18, 2007, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Is it any wonder America is stuck in an unwinnable war it didn’t need to fight?
Posted by: A Hermit | July 18, 2007, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
I’m shocked, really just shocked.
Posted by: Splash | July 18, 2007, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
Well, at least she wasn’t staging a fish rodeo, like Davey Vitter…
Posted by: lambert strethe | July 18, 2007, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
According to the U.S. Department of State Chilean sea bass is a deep-water species, also known as toothfish, caught in southern ocean waters near and around Antartica, which is not an endangered species. In fact, in 2000 more than 16,000 tons of Chilean sea bass were legally harvested in the Anarctic management area. The U.S. government allows imports of Chilean sea bass that are caught within legal limits and that provide for the sustainable use and conservation of the fishery resource.
I’m not sure that eating a fish that is caught within legal limits and that provides for the sustainable use and conservation of the fishery resource makes Al Gore’s commitment to conservation suspect. If any thing it proves that the father of the groom, who traditionally provides the rehearsal dinner, has good taste in fish. Eating Chilean Sea Bass is no more anti-green than eating legally caught, dolphin friendly tuna.
Posted by: Dave Oakley | July 18, 2007, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
At least he’s consistent.
Posted by: Chas | July 18, 2007, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Was it a slow day in Washington?
Posted by: mj | July 18, 2007, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
On the other hand, could this be seen as the environmentalist version of Sen. David Vitter’s public sanctimony/private enjoyment of love with a red-lit glow?
Um, no.
Hope that helps.
Posted by: RogueAgainstTheMachine | July 18, 2007, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
As usual, more made-up stuff. Aside from the fact that it wasn’t his menu to plan, the fish may not even be an issue, ast least according to The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent non-profit body dedicated to sustainable fishing practices and ocean health, recently certified a fishery operating out of South Georgia Island for the sustainable harvesting of Chilean sea bass. This island is near the South Sandwich Islands located in the extreme southern Atlantic, where harsh prevailing weather conditions and active volcanism make it difficult for fishermen. While poaching remains a serious threat to Chilean sea bass in other areas, this remote fishery has proven itself to be a responsible one dedicated to sustainable practices as documented by the MSC.
Posted by: Cap'n Dunsel | July 18, 2007, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
Wow, these comments are really sad to read.
We are doomed.
Posted by: kenny | July 18, 2007, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
So far, no comments from the conservatives that is relevant here. Gore doesn’t want us to live in the stone age, folks, he wants to work with people, and countries, to prevent catastrophic climate change. If any of you managed to actually listen to Gore you might actually be able to comment on what Gore is trying to do.
Posted by: Chuffy | July 18, 2007, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
This story is ridiculous.
Posted by: Ferruge | July 18, 2007, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
I once knew a VEGETARIAN who attended a rehearsal dinner where MEAT WAS SERVED! Gasp!
Posted by: Adam Stanhope | July 18, 2007, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm
Did Karl Rove have wiretaps in the floral/candle centerpiece or what?
Vitter is a criminal, he should be on trial the same as the madam.
Posted by: feckless | July 18, 2007, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
But how much did his haircut cost?
Posted by: db | July 18, 2007, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Thank you Andy at Jul 18, 2007 4:06:00 PM, for demonstrating precisely why rightwingers don’t have jobs in comedy-writing.
Posted by: Ferruge | July 18, 2007, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm
The fish they were served was halibut NOT Chilean sea bass. the FACT that it was halibut was confirmed by the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Posted by: Vic | July 18, 2007, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
The fish was bought from a company that would taken major heat were it to sell the endangered variety of bass, and common sense tell one Gore wouldn’t have had reason to interrogate the groom’s family about the menu with an endangered species checklist in his hand.
Posted by: DD | July 18, 2007, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm
Dick Cheney and Karl Rove were seen unloading Sea Bass from a fish truck earlier in the day. It is believed that they swapped several hundred pounds of Halibut for the endangered Sea Bass to discredit Al Gore. Will they stop at nothing? Gore was heard to scream wildly as the Republicans sped away in a green Prius. “I’ll get you for this! I’ll run in ’08! Just you wait and see! You haven’t heard the last from Al Gore.”
Posted by: Chas | July 18, 2007, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
Really slow news day, Jake? Are you a serious journalist? Just wondering . . .
Posted by: Randy Paul | July 18, 2007, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
I heard Tapper on with the Hugh Hewitt. Embarrassing for both.
Posted by: Webster Hubble Telescope | July 18, 2007, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
Is Tapper to be chastised for every crappy thing that shows up under his byline? It’s not as if he was writing for the World Weekly News. (Whoops — their stories are more credible!)
On the other hand, could this be seen as the journalism version of Sen. David Vitter’s public santimony/private enjoyment of love with a red-lit glow?
You be the judge –
Posted by: toady | July 18, 2007, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
In other news, the entire event was offset by carbon credits.
Posted by: David | July 18, 2007, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm
I’m jealous of you, toady – how come you get to make snarky comments about the journalistic quality of this article, but mine got nuked?
Posted by: Ferruge | July 19, 2007, 1:03 am 1:03 am
Clearly a story worthy of a “Senior National Correspondent”.
I’ll sleep better tonight knowing that you’re on top of the really important, life changing stories.
Posted by: Froodish | July 19, 2007, 4:17 am 4:17 am
I think this item falls into the category of “news” instead of news. If you have to quote “People” magazine as a source, this is “news,” in much the same manner as the in-depth interview Larry King had with Paris Hilton was “news.”
Posted by: chuck | July 19, 2007, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
“If Gore was not pushing this as hard as he is , then no it would not be a big deal. But since he wants us to live in the stone age”
What a load of crap. Is your side really down to nothing but lies?
All Gore is asking for is be more energy efficient and use fuels that don’t pollute as much. How can that be a bad thing?
Posted by: C.S.Strowbridge | July 19, 2007, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
hhhmmmm sea bass!!!..hey kin i rites fur yur bloggy thing?..i are a gooder riter two…jus lik u
Posted by: see mbass | July 24, 2007, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
spock
where is gore saying we should live in the stone age?
where? can you find it? no…?
Hes actually saying we (the public and business) should encourage smarter technologies to prevent damaging the world further and maybe even reverse some of the damage.
read it again – hes saying we should use TECHNOLOGY!
so wheres the stone age in that?
also wheres the “evil socialism” in encouraging people to be smarter and use smarter technology?
you wanna talk stone age? – then lets talk coal fired power plants!
Posted by: fraser | July 26, 2007, 12:18 am 12:18 am