Tears From The Gulf
This really shouldn’t be happening. I shouldn’t be the one to write of this travesty. I’m much too close to the subject in peril: The Gulf of Mexico. These waters make up 90% of my body. As I cry for the Gulf, my tears taste of its salt. Without a childhood learning to surf on the playful waves or fishing such fertile grounds, I would have never built the foundations that would see me achieve a life filled of my wildest dreams.
Now, sitting here at the very same spot as so many days before, watching 4 generations of Lopez’s frolic in the pool-like conditions, a deep sorrow fills me despite such beauty and harmony. For at this very moment, not far to the Northwest of my location, an invasion of oil turns the environment toxic. Corruption and money are at fault. Everything I love is in jeopardy.
The youngest Lopez’s, although fortunate to be enjoying this moment and oblivious to what is to come, may never have the same opportunity to forge a similar bond and skill set as previous generations before them. With the days passing by with even more oil entering the Gulf at a truly disturbing rate, we are all witnesses to the contamination of one of the world’s greatest treasures.
Comments
August 10, 2010 3:30 pm
“Lisa Muir Wakley/East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame”— Chest thumping anybody???
July 13, 2010 7:03 am
Environmentalists and green whackos caused this. If oil drilling was allowed on land or in the shallows, this would not be going on 90+ days…… There is enough oil in the Rockies and in Alaska to last us for over 300 years at the rate we use oil today. It is ridiculous to think that liberal whackos can dictate where oil drilling can take place. Wake up folks. Your savior Obama hasn’t done squat. Intelligent people will learn from their stupidity. If you don’t like oil, and have a passion for getting the world off of it, develop something else. Enjoy your soft tyranny, cause it is over in 2012…..
Recession is when your neighbor loses his job,
Depression is when you lose your job
Recover is when Obama loses his job
July 3, 2010 6:11 pm
Shea, Thank-you for your response.It would be great to see you and other surf icons come here.Let me know when you start planning such an event and likewise.Perhaps I could help in some way.I am familliar with event planning and pemits for Santa Rosa County,Navarre Beach. For sure our community leader’s would welcome such an event. I spearhead ” Emeralds From The Sea”,a female surf meet 7 years running by Gulf Coast Surf Sisters.The beach is the heart of our lifestyle and it is in distress. Regards,Lisa Muir Wakley/East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame
July 3, 2010 8:41 am
Lisa,
I can only imagine how dire the situation has become up there. I’ve wanted to come see it firsthand but unfortunately my schedule hasn’t permitted me. I have been able to visit my home of Indian Rocks Beach and the feeling of impending doom hangs heavy in the air. Plans are in the works to bring an event to the Panhandle to raise money, awareness, and spirits to help us all through this terrible period of time we have been subjected to. Keep your head up Lisa! For cooler heads will prevail!!!!!!!!!
shea
July 3, 2010 7:35 am
It is like a war zone here in Nw Florida…Helecoptors flying low, plane’s buzz by,men in various uniforms.Restrictions and advisories.Peer pressure to stay out of the water in near perfect surf that looks harmless.Makes me mentally fatigued.It is doom and gloom.We could use some cheering up.How about a visit Shea? You are a Gulf Coaster,the kids would go nuts and It would be great for the surfing community… I am not involved in the surf indusrty for money,but rather a lifestyle. H-E-L-P.
July 1, 2010 10:31 am
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY. THANK YOU.
July 1, 2010 9:55 am
JR you must be one of the biggest jackass’s on the planet!
July 1, 2010 8:40 am
Obama told America that if we can win WWII and put a man on the moon, we can plug this leak and solve our dependency on fossil fuels.
But there’s a missing piece: the soldiers in WWII had the Pentagon and Neil Armstrong had NASA. What’s the man on the street supposed to do to solve the fossil fuel problem? Is it time for an organized, funded effort? One that will prevent crises like the spill from happening while figuring out a way to get off of fossil fuel?
The following link is to a satirical video, but it underscores this issue in real terms.
Link: You’re Soaking In It
July 1, 2010 8:29 am
Yes it’s sad, but’s it’s our dependency on oil thats to blame, not corruption or greed. Waving banners saying ‘ No offshore Drilling’ is all very well, but pointless unless theres a feasable alternative that everyones happy to turn to.
June 30, 2010 7:54 pm
It really is sad. Thanks for sharing Shea. And this blog is a good idea.
June 30, 2010 2:39 pm
“the total amount of oil in the Gulf of Mexico could be as much as 9 million barrels of oil, or a cool 378 million gallons”
http://newsbythesecond.com/gulf-oil-spill-largest-in-world-history/2770/
Tragic.