It's been a rough few months for our countries' relationship, with all the talk of building walls, deportation and ending NAFTA. Dark and turbulent times are looming for us all. It is unfathomable to me that we can suggest such over-the-top (hint. hint.) isolationist acts particularly with one of our two closest neighbors.
So here's a counterproposal: let's offer to build a ginormous garden. The world's largest and most succulent of gardens. Filled with species of all shapes, colors and political leanings. Yes there will be some thorns and barbs but that is to be expected. And we shall need tens of thousands of people from both our countries to plant, cultivate and weed this new place thus providing jobs in the most positive of work environments. After all; who doesn't love a beautiful garden particularly one that will run for 1,989 miles. Now here's where I come in...I would like to offer my services to you as the official photographer of our new NAFGA* proposition. I promise to exceed your every expectation and provide an unlimited supply of images for you to share as part of Mexico's ongoing Goodwill messaging (and perhaps as a metaphor for all the beauty that comes from your great country.) All I ask for in return is asylum, a small hacienda filled with some healing spirits (of the agave variety) and a weekly shipment of churros from El Moro. Simple enough, si?
I have but one concern to share. While there will be a few poisonous creatures that roam our beautiful new garden, there will be but one particular snake whose venom and bite has the potential to do irreparable harm. The good news is that he will be taking up residence in our mid-Atlantic region and travels with such a large entourage that we can take precautions in advance.
So, Señor Presidente Peña Nieto, what do you think? Shall we build a garden rather than a wall?
A centro, adentro!
Y Churros para todos.
Alan Wright Shapiro
*North American Free Garden Attraction
#buildgardensnotwalls #seekingasylum #fromtheasylum
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