Yesterday, reports CNN, was designated a day of prayer by Louisiana’s desperate state senate.  The decision was made by unanimous vote last week as a reaction to the continued gushing of crude oil into the Gulf.  “Thus far efforts made by mortals to try to solve the crisis have been to no avail,” state Sen. Robert Adley said.  As to how Louisiana’s legislators might address the cause of the oil spill, CNN includes only the following paragraph, which invites questions about whether “culture and livelihood” are culprits or casualties:

The resolution names Sunday as a statewide day of prayer in Louisiana and calls on people of all religions throughout the Gulf Coast “to pray for an end to this environmental emergency, sparing us all from the destruction of both culture and livelihood.”