The Final Answer

The Deepwater Horizon disaster is now in it's 17th day and our community as well as the rest of the Gulf Coast is facing the worst environmental disaster in it's history. The helplessness that citizen's feel has turned to anger then blame. Our very way of life, our coast's natural beauty and the livelihood of our lifelong residents is being obliterated. When did we have a say in the decisions being made about our Gulf waters?

The Federal Government gave it's "rubber stamp" of approval last year without an environmental impact study. BP made a calculated risk based on a potential spill being less than 4600 barrels and projections that it would not reach the coast. They also left off the most expensive safety measures due to potential costs for re drilling the well. Their decision was a financial one with no concern for the far reaching impact of their actions. Gulf oil production is but a mere spec on the map of international drilling and in hind sight is it necessary? The Gulf of Mexico has some of the richest supplies of natural gas deposits in the world with an almost endless supply, this should be our contribution to the nation's energy supply. More natural gas escapes on a daily basis than we could pump out of wells for our use, a gas spill or well failure can be shut off in 30 seconds.

I have watched my 3 children closely as they process the news of the oil spill and make their judgements on what must be done. My children are 11yrs, 9yrs and 5yrs old and each has come to different conclusions. This disaster has transformed their lives and changed their sense of what is needed in their daily lives. The oldest says NO MORE OIL...simply find a different source to fuel our vehicles and stop the insanity. The 9 year old is worried and sad about sea life that has died as a result of our needs, he keeps asking why we would make such a poor decision and take oil from the Gulf if this kind of thing can happen. My youngest whispers to me every time he sees the news about the oil spill... "What about all the sea animals they have hurt?? The Final Answer he gives...God is not proud of those people...

Sadly, we are ALL...those people...we put ourselves and our needs ahead of the most precious resources we've been entrusted to take care of. This should shake us awake and make us redirect our energies, focus and most importantly our priorities. If we stop demanding so much oil and find other sources this problem will slowly take care of itself. We have some decisions to make...what do you say???