Moratorium trick lingering on

Since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, one scary word has generated more emotion than any other in the Tri-parish area.

It’s not BP.

It’s not Feinburg.

It’s not even Obama.

Although these choices have all garnered their fair share of heat, the utterance that has arguably cringed the skin of Tri-parish natives since May 27 and is back at the forefront of thought just in time for Halloween is “moratorium.”

That single, five-syllable word has on one hand, angered citizens, and on the other, frightened them, because they do not know if things will ever be the same again.

Overheard coffee counter conversation this past weekend centered not on any exclamation as to who was at fault for the sudden onslaught of economic hardship in an area that basically missed out on the hard-hitting recession and non-stimulus actions that the rest of the nation experienced during the past two negative years, but held more of a question mark – will things get better anytime soon?

Part of the frustration held by oil workers, fishermen, farmers, professionals, tradesmen and retailers feeling the residual impact of the moratorium surrounds the almost unattached attitude exhibited by government and out-of-state corporate officials.

For folks along the working coast of Louisiana, the dragging of feet by decision makers and the red tape involved in gaining restitution for their losses comes across as a form of social warfare with the haves not being overly concerned about the urgency expressed and felt by the have-nots.

The Obama administration might have put a halt to the drilling ban this past week, but conditions are far from normal – and won’t be for at least months to come.

We acknowledge that the lifting of the moratorium was a step in the right direction.

But we also challenge the current administration to continue to move forward for the sake of our people.

“Moratorium” has become a frightening word along the Louisiana cost, and unfortunately burnt residents are coming to expect more tricks than treats because of it.