<a class="textLt">"August 29, 2005 is a date that will never be
forgotten on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As dawn broke that morning, it
reveled the true nature of that day. The rising sun brought light on
Hurricane Katrina and what would become the worst national disaster in
this country’s history. But, as dawn breaks today, May 1, 2010, we are
again being faced with another terrible disaster. This one, however, is
not natural – not in the least. What this morning sun brings is the
revelation of the oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon drilling
platform collapse bearing down upon our coastal home. On this morning,
peoples’ lives and personal belongings are not at stake. However, the
stakes are still just as high. Today, the very lifestyle of the
Mississippi Gulf Coast is at risk of being changed forever. The seafood
industry, barrier islands, and the amazing things that both give to the
area are at risk of being taken away. Oil booms that are used to contain
the oil have been set up around all of the islands and at the entrances
to the local bays in order to try to prevent the oil from touching
these treasures. But high winds and large waves threaten to shove the
oil over these preventative measures. If this should happen, the very
lifestyle many coast residents love so much can potentially be altered
forever. The barrier islands of the Gulf Coast are some of the most
distinct features of the area. They harbor many aquatic species and
serve as a living place for many mammals, birds, amphibians, and
reptiles. The beauty of the islands is something many of the coast
residents enjoy on an almost daily basis. If the oil breaks the barrier
of our beloved islands, they would harm the delicate ecosystem of these
islands enough to require years to recover. The spill could also shut
down all fishing, shrimping, and oyster harvesting in the area for
several years by contaminating the oyster beds and fish spawning areas. Such could quite possibly end the seafood industry that this
area was founded on for good. Local fisherman and shrimpers have been
collecting the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico in this area for over one
hundred years. In recent times, the seafood industry has fallen victim
to foreign importation, just as many other industries have. Yet, the
local shrimpers have continued the tradition even in the hard times.
They have struggled while doing so, though. If they are not allowed to
do their jobs for any number of years, most would be forced to find
other forms of income to continue their lives. Once this happens, many
will likely never return to shrimping, losing this very important part
of the local heritage. All we can do at this point is hope for the best.
Say a prayer to God or whichatever religious figure you worship. The
entire coast must again reunite as we did after Hurricane Katrina to
overcome this. Support those working tirelessly to preserve the very
lifestyle we love. Also, should you be so drawn to do so, do not
hesitate to volunteer any resources or time you can to help these
officials save our home. Thank you."</a>
forgotten on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As dawn broke that morning, it
reveled the true nature of that day. The rising sun brought light on
Hurricane Katrina and what would become the worst national disaster in
this country’s history. But, as dawn breaks today, May 1, 2010, we are
again being faced with another terrible disaster. This one, however, is
not natural – not in the least. What this morning sun brings is the
revelation of the oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon drilling
platform collapse bearing down upon our coastal home. On this morning,
peoples’ lives and personal belongings are not at stake. However, the
stakes are still just as high. Today, the very lifestyle of the
Mississippi Gulf Coast is at risk of being changed forever. The seafood
industry, barrier islands, and the amazing things that both give to the
area are at risk of being taken away. Oil booms that are used to contain
the oil have been set up around all of the islands and at the entrances
to the local bays in order to try to prevent the oil from touching
these treasures. But high winds and large waves threaten to shove the
oil over these preventative measures. If this should happen, the very
lifestyle many coast residents love so much can potentially be altered
forever. The barrier islands of the Gulf Coast are some of the most
distinct features of the area. They harbor many aquatic species and
serve as a living place for many mammals, birds, amphibians, and
reptiles. The beauty of the islands is something many of the coast
residents enjoy on an almost daily basis. If the oil breaks the barrier
of our beloved islands, they would harm the delicate ecosystem of these
islands enough to require years to recover. The spill could also shut
down all fishing, shrimping, and oyster harvesting in the area for
several years by contaminating the oyster beds and fish spawning areas. Such could quite possibly end the seafood industry that this
area was founded on for good. Local fisherman and shrimpers have been
collecting the bounty of the Gulf of Mexico in this area for over one
hundred years. In recent times, the seafood industry has fallen victim
to foreign importation, just as many other industries have. Yet, the
local shrimpers have continued the tradition even in the hard times.
They have struggled while doing so, though. If they are not allowed to
do their jobs for any number of years, most would be forced to find
other forms of income to continue their lives. Once this happens, many
will likely never return to shrimping, losing this very important part
of the local heritage. All we can do at this point is hope for the best.
Say a prayer to God or whichatever religious figure you worship. The
entire coast must again reunite as we did after Hurricane Katrina to
overcome this. Support those working tirelessly to preserve the very
lifestyle we love. Also, should you be so drawn to do so, do not
hesitate to volunteer any resources or time you can to help these
officials save our home. Thank you."</a>
