Mina 的 BLOG

It sure would be nice to know that we are now focusing on cleanup solely, rather than just trying to keep up with the amount that is coming out of the well, which we have not been able to do.

It is my hope that we can start to turn the corner down here in the gulf region and start feeling positive about what the future holds. Up until this point, just about every oil spill related news has been negative, from BP's inability to cap the well, to the poor response to the disaster, to the moratorium on deepwater drilling, to the handling of the assistance payments; there really just has not been any good news anywhere along the front until today.

The attitude here along the coast has been one of disbelief and uncertainty, because it was evident that no one was clearly in charge and it seemed that every day it was spinning out of control. This overall feeling of uncertainty was unconsciously seeping into everybody's lives in just about everything they did. Having this feeling of uncertainty about your future livelihood, your government, your ability to prosper going forward is pretty depressing and paralyzing, whether you recognize it or not.

Being in the real estate investing business, we have seen a slowdown in activity as people are in a wait and see mode, whether they were conscious of the fact or not. In talking with other investors, I have noticed, while their talk about their business has not changed, their ability to pull the trigger has been impeded. I liken it to a NASCAR race, where everyone thinks they are operating under the yellow flag, higher levels of caution but still going through the motions, however, in their subconscious the red flag is out and they are at a full stop. I would like to see this oil cap as a watershed event that starts to bring back the hope and order down here, drops the subconscious red flags so we can all get back to business.

Everyone knows the key to success in anything is to get out there and take action, do something, get the wheels turning, because you are either moving forward or moving backward. The Gulf Coast region has been moving backward for the last quarter without a doubt. It is time to pick ourselves up and get back to business.

So, while this cap may not work permanently, at least is proves that it is possible, and there is hope that we can return to some semblance of normalcy down here. So, let's celebrate the first real positive momentum since this thing started months ago. After months of doom and gloom, it sure is nice to see at least one ray of sunshine.