Valdez: Tucson tortures a cactus to get Amazon’s attention
By Linda Valdez Arizona Republic
Dear Jeff Bezos,
You’ll be receiving a 21-foot saguaro cactus from Tucson. Beware its hidden meaning.
It is proof of the stupidity of Tucson’s corporate cheerleaders and a clear demonstration that my hometown is a bad pick for your new Amazon headquarters.
It pains me to say this, but don’t come here. Tucson is too dumb for you.
Heaven knows we need the jobs. And the people of this community are great. But even the best Mexican food this side of the border can’t make up for this act of botanical cruelty.
Cuteness – or cruelty – gets you nowhere
Apparently, the brain trust in charge of Tucson’s economic development wanted to stand out from the crowd of cities salivating at the idea of being the new location for Amazon’s second corporate headquarters.
Who can blame them for wanting a prize that’s supposed to involve up to 50,000 full-time jobs and an investment of more than $5 billion over the next 10 to 15 years?
But the guys and gals at Tucson’s Sun Corridor Inc. should not be rewarded for sending a drought-loving saguaro to die a slow death in Seattle, a place with more rain than sunshine.
As the region’s main promoters of economic-development, the people at Sun Corridor think this idea is pretty cute. President and CEO Joe Snell told the Arizona Daily Star: “We want to break through the clutter and be noticed by Amazon.”
So notice this, Mr. Bezos.
A live saguaro is not a calling card
Know that there are any number of fine artists in this community who could have crafted a metal saguaro that would be noticed.
Know that there can be nothing but clueless carelessness behind a decision to send a live plant. Know that this says a lot about the self-appointed movers and shakers of Tucson…..
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