A state official says Arizona has ‘too much grass’ — and everyone’s confused
A remark about golf courses sparks a debate over water, politics and what 'too much' really means.
The story
Arizona's Democratic attorney general says Arizona has 'too much grass' and 'too many golf courses,' sparking criticism from Republicans and business leaders who argue golf is vital to the state's economy and water use is minimal.
Source: www.foxnews.com
Our reading
Kris Mayes said Arizona has ‘too much grass,’ which is a way of saying she thinks there are too many golf courses. That’s a strange way to say it, but even stranger is that she didn’t mention water conservation until after the backlash. It’s like saying you’re worried about the weather but only after the storm hits.
Republicans and golf lovers say Arizona needs more courses, not fewer, and that the industry is a major economic driver. Mayes insists she’s not trying to shut down golf, just push for better water use. But if she’s not trying to shut it down, why mention it at all? It’s like saying you’re not mad about the mess in the kitchen, but you’re definitely going to clean it up.
Mayes’ comment was a bad move, but it also shows how easily a single phrase can turn into a political firestorm. She said ‘too much grass,’ and now everyone’s talking about it. Maybe she should have said ‘too many politicians’ instead.
