Progress can be painful

For the first time since the BP oil spill, the number of drilling permits issued in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico has reportedly reached pre-moratorium levels. That is progress.

However, many of the supply boats servicing the deep waters are now working in other countries, resulting in a shortage of boats and crews in the Gulf. The availability of deepwater rigs and workers to man them are also in short supply. That is the pain of progress.

I watched the movie “Apocalypse Now” for the first time on Friday. The Vietnam War-based story reminded me of a time when Americans believed that progress was a world embracing capitalism. Nearly 40 years later, progress has arrived.

With progress, there is pain.

China will soon replace the United States as the largest economy in the world, and America is no longer the lone force that drives the world’s economy. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Stock Market fell because of economic concerns in Greece.

Last week, it was troubles in Italy driving markets lower.

However, as I am reminded every time I work out, no pain, no gain.

The Tri-parish area has experienced progress over the last year, and I am proud to help celebrate that progress in this special edition of Tri-Parish Times & BusinessNews. We have survived hurricanes, oil spills and moratoriums to emerge this year with our heads held high.

We are one step closer to basic hurricane flood protection, with more than 30 miles of levees and floodgates under construction in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Unemployment is falling, the region is working together and the attitude among business owners is positive.

I believe we have had enough of the pains of politics in Washington D.C. and are ready to embrace the pains of progress.