Barack Obama attended the 11th International Symposium on Coral Reefs and here is proof: him sandwiched between two top ocean scientists and proponents of the term 'shifting baselines': Daniel Pauly and Jeremy Jackson.
Okay, okay. So he is a cardboard cutout. I purchased him back in Ohio to ruffle the feathers in my Republican hearth and thought he might come in handy at the conference. Some in attendance had a different perspective, though, and as I walked into one of the upstairs rooms (where I had set Obama up off to side), he was being carted off by organizers who said they received complaints. I had to run after them to rescue him. I assured them Obama wouldn't say anything. I just thought it would be good to have him listening in on some of the ideas being presented: such as increased protection for the Florida Keys, stricter regulations on fishing (including spearfishing), and strong commitment to climate change mitigation.
Jennifer, we'd love to have any presidential thoughts you might have for either candidate over at our "Dear Mr. President" slot at blogfish. Just in case you have any ideas, of course..