New York Times Blogger Mark Bittman was once a journalist. He once was held to a standard higher than — these are my friends and this is my opinion. But that was many moons ago and now he peppers his musings about paprika and potatoes with a hearty dose of his own food politics, regardless of facts, figures and God forbid science.

Today he can be found chirping about his buddies at Greenpeace and their thinly disguised fund raising campaign that apparently seeks to educate consumers about fish aggregating devices. Yes, fish aggregating devices. Just like coupons and sales, fish aggregating devices are on the lips of every consumer who Bittman knows. A true common man.

While he extoles the virtue of a world without fish aggregating devices, in lock step with his hand-delivered Greenpeace talking points , Bittman excludes any mention of the work already being done by responsible, mainstream environmentalists through the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), a group created through a partnership between WWF, the worlds leading conservation organization, and canned tuna companies from across the globe.

Nowhere does he mention the commitments these companies have made, the global recognition they have earned, or the money they have expended researching the very thing he is complaining about: fish aggregating devices. While Bittmans hip friends are protesting in the parking lot with outstretched hands, hoping to reel in a few bucks, reasonable and responsible environmentalists are sitting at the table working on sustainability solutions. Oh and dont think Greenpeace hasnt been invited to take a seat at that table because they have (check out the clock here that counts the days since Greenpeace was invited to stop being an environmental parasite and start working with the adults.)

We know Bittman knows about ISSF and its work because weve made his editors aware of it, but still he hides behind the cloak of opinion and hands over his column to his friends without asking any tough questions.

This isnt the first and perhaps its not the last time well have to point out that using Greenpeace as the sole source, for even an opinion piece, flies in the face of the current mainstream understanding of tuna sustainability. Such work is contrasted by acclaimed science writer Wilson da Silva who pens, Greenpeace was once a friend of science, helping bring attention to important but ignored environmental research. These days, its a ratbag rabble of intellectual cowards intent on peddling an agenda, whatever the scientific evidence.

And once again their fund raising machine has found a home in Mark Bittmans column.