In just 5 short years since Hurricane Katrina, the people of southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast have made remarkable strides in recovery. Even with everything not quite back to par, and many still scattered across the country, the recovery has been a testament to the human spirit. I'm not totally surprised. Most of the people in southeast Louisiana are tough, hard working people.
Tonight, the same areas of the Gulf Coast that were devasted by Karina are facing a huge man-made ecological disaster. An oil spill that once was considered not such a big deal has become a huge big deal. In a matter of hours, oil is expected to began washing onshore in lower Plaquemines Parish, right near the mouth of the Mississippi River. It is being reported tonight that wind and wave action may bring oil to other parts of southeast Louisiana, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and even Mobile Bay.
What hurts about this is who the first victims will be: the fishermen, shrimpers and oystermen who work hard to scratch out a living and provide for their families. These are folks who do the same work of their fathers and grandfathers. These are the same folks who took the brunt of the devastating effects of Katrina. Their lives tonight are about concern and worry; unable to do anything to prevent that which threatens their very way of life. The environment, the marshes, the beaches, the coast, already under attack, will be so devastatingly impacted. Concerns are being raised about the pelican and other wildlife who will struggle for life itself because of the oil.
A nation will feel the brunt of this too. Louisiana seafood will not be readily available to a nation that craves it. And we will soon hear of increasing in the price of gas. And others will use this disaster to criticize oil drilling. When will our country ever learn, thank God for Louisiana and her willingness to drill. Many of you would be paying $5 per gallon of gas today if not for the great state of Louisiana.
And let's not forget that this traedy began with a horrible rig explosion and the death of 11 men who were simply doing their job.
So tonight, pray that this disaster will have a favorable outcome and pray for the innocent victims and a state and a region that can hardly afford another body shot. Pray for wisdom for those coordinating the clean up and pray that their efforts will meet with success. And pray for those men who died and the families and friends that mourn their loss.
May God continue to watch over and protect Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.
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