The Oil Spill Commission held its first hearing on the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico Monday at the New Orleans Hilton. During the public comment portion, local residents came forward to tell their own stories of loss and fear and frustration over the oil spill and the moratorium.

When words failed, music prevailed.

I don't remember a time where I've seen a hearing like this. I hope another never needs to take place. Whether the Commission hears or not, I did. We all should.

But for all their passion and courage, they concerned me. Many comments concerned their fear that a moratorium would destroy their business and their livelihoods. Others expressed concern that New Orleans would die for certain under a moratorium.

Their testimony left me wondering how on earth drilling can be made safer without a moratorium. It's a no-win situation, unless there is a way to structure the ban in a way that fast-tracks safety measures or other procedures are put in place to keep these people from losing everything they've worked so hard for.

These are the voices of the ones on the front line. Six kids and a second chance slipping from the grasp of a mom. A fisherman. A musician. And a life they've known slipping away from them.

I don't envy this Commission. There aren't any easy answers. On the one hand, these people see a moratorium as insult to injury. On the other hand, not imposing a moratorium gives them at least a shred of a hope they'll survive.

Lyrics to BP Blues

grew up on the southern shore

Louisiana now there ain't no more

kickin mud off up a crawfish hole

barefooted with a fishin pole

make a living with my own two hands

hell it's part of being who I am

went to workin in the oil fields

that's the only way to pay our bills

and if i'm lucky i can have a son

take him hunting like his daddy done

get him workin on a shrimpin boat

up and down the Gulf of Mexico

eleven dead out on a deep sea rig

doin what it is they had to live

oil bleeding from a gaping hole

up and down the Gulf of Mexico

Morgan City down to Mobile Bay

Pascagula down to Fla

still i'm stuck out here for 7 more

watching everything turn black offshore

and brother even if they cap the well

hell it's just another oil spill

our way of life won't be around no more

and all I wanted was to go back home.

little brother he ain't feeling well,

what you spraying on that oil spill

how may of us gonna lose our lives

before the people get to work on time

kickin mud up off of a crawfish hole

barefooted with a fishing pole

goin back into the oil fields

that's the only way to pay our bills...

(h/t NewOrleans.com)

Drew Landry's website