I know that Trump is not serious about buying Greenland?

1. 79

   Credence2posted 4 years ago

   I like to think that he would consider the desire of the 55,000 residents there first?
   
   Such retrograde, colonialist sort of thinking....

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      You know he's not serious? I'm not so sure.

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      promisemposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      From what I have read from multiple sources, he actually is serious about buying it for the sake of some natural resources.

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         Randy Godwinposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         He may want to rename it Trumpland.

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            promisemposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Imagine what he could do with his own country.

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               Randy Godwinposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I'm ready for him "to do" some other country for a change. Perhaps Putie will give him one of his very own.

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         Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Why stop there, let's look at Antarctica as a 51st state?

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            promisemposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            I would rather he buys Canada. Or we could just invade. That way we connect the continental U.S. with Alaska once and for all.
            
            If Trump declared war on Canada and took it over, he could:
            
            - Cut taxes on rich people and drive the country deeper in debt.
            - Make it pay for the wall with Mexico.
            - Shut down all media except for Fox News.
            - Kill their commie health program.
            
            So many possibilities.

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               Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Ha, I don't think that the Canucks would take kindly to that..........

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               TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               Plus he could tell the Eskimos to go back to where they came from.

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            GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            I think that comment was in jest, but, considering many other factors that would be involved, (see my comment to Don - an accessible Arctic Ocean is a game-changer in lots of international  considerations), I think it would be most definitely in the U.S. strategic interests to convince Greenland and Denmark that being a U.S. territory would be a fantastic idea.
            
            Of course, I am not talking about an Imperialism-type action. I am thinking more like $24 worth of beads and gew·gaws.
            
            GA

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      Don Wposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      It's funny you should say that, because I've been following the politics of the arctic circle for a while (yes I'm real fun at parties).
      
      Anyway, as you know, climate change is causing the polar ice caps to melt. This will cause bad things to happen. It will also make the arctic ocean accessible, and more importantly the natural resources below it.
      
      The US Geological Survey thinks the Arctic Circle has large deposits of natural resources:
      
      " . . . the United States Geological Survey has assessed the area north of the Arctic Circle and concluded that about 30% of the world’s undiscovered gas and 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil may be found there"
      https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70035000
      
      Here's the thing, every country that borders the arctic circle (US, Canada, Russia, Norway, Greenland) gets the default maritime border of 200 nautical miles off their coast. Even after accounting for that though, the majority of the ocean is up for grabs to anyone who can prove it belongs to them (this is why Canada has an Extended Continental Shelf Program).
      
      In response to this situation, Vladimir Putin has:
      
      Deployed MiG-31 fighters to the region
      Deployed SU-34 frontline bombers to the region
      Established a main military base equipped with air defense missiles
      Established radar stations and airstrips on four arctic islands
      https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russ … SKBN15E0W0
      
      Literally planted a flag on the seabed below the North Pole
      https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/worl … rctic.html
      
      In response to this situation, Donald Trump has:
      
      Denied climate change is real.
      Suggested buying Greenland (it is unclear whether this suggestion was a joke or not)
      
      To be fair, this has been something that's been known about by previous administrations, so any lack of long term strategy for the region doesn't sit entirely on Trump's shoulders.
      
      But here's the thing that's unique about Trump's situation. He and the GOP have been adamant climate change is a hoax. His base are all sold on that. If it's true, then the polar ice-caps are not melting, no need to secure the country's claims to the arctic ocean. On the other hand if the administration admits there is a need to secure US interests in the arctic ocean because the polar ice-caps are melting, then clearly climate change is not a hoax and needs to be taken serious.
      
      So the incompetent buffoons we laughably call an administration need to  try not to upset Trump's base by admitting climate change is real, but at the same time secure US interests in the area.
      
      The result? "Can't we just buy Greenland?"

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         Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Funny you mention it, as I was reading about a 1947 attempt to buy Greenland.
         
         Other articles pointed to new sea lanes for maritime traffic that now are accessible due to global warming and melting ice. Short cuts abound.
         
         I think that the anti-global warming position is just obstinance on the part of conservatives who are more interested in raping the planet for resources now, and worry about the effect and outcomes, later.
         
         Trump, if nothing else, is expedient. I don't think that he has any real principles about anything.
         
         Acquiring that much gas and oil, now that is expedience, all other considerations have been shelved.

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         TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Who would he buy Greenland from? That was my first thought. He didn't say, did he?

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            wildernessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Presumably the 56000 people that live there.  And then face it's connection to the Kingdom of Denmark as well - it is an autonomous constituent country within the Danish Kingdom just as Scotland is to the UK.

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         lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         They do deny that climate change is a hoax, the melting of the artic circle in our lifetimes is just the natural process, we have been moving away from the last ice age for hundreds of thousands of years already, it was bound to happen within just the span of a single generation. Don't you see?
         
         He was dead serious about it. I have been following the stuff in the North too and you missed out one point: Coal deposits in Greenland. Interesting about the flag, didn't know about that one.

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      Don Wposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      President Obama is due to visit Denmark in September to give a talk.
      https://www.thelocal.dk/20190813/barack … -september
      
      Some are speculating this is the real reason Trump cancelled his visit.
      https://twitter.com/davidfrum/status/11 … 8636050434

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         Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I guess, as for the Danes, Obama is still president

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            lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            If they are showing up in higher numbers it's not because they consider him President. They are showing up because his talk will offer some sort of value to them. If Michelle Obama was coming to speak, there would be equally as many or more willing to attend, it's not because they consider her first lady.

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               Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I was being facetious, it is likely that Obama would receive a greater welcome as a civilian than Trump as a Head of State

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                  lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Definitely.

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      peterstreepposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      This news was staggering.
      First Trump wants to buy Greenland. He wants to buy a country!!!
      And because Denmark told president Trump that it is not for sale.
      President Trump cancels his diplomatic visit to Denmark.
      It is clear that the President of the united states is mixing self interests and being a president of the US on a grand scale.
      Joke or no joke. This is a behaviour that can not be excused. Self interest before national diplomatic relationships.

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         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         The United States has made an offer on Greenland before Trump came along. Strategically, it'd be a good thing. If he was serious (which I don't know), it isn't self interest.

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            peterstreepposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            more people wanted to buy or obtain Greenland in the past.
            doesn't make it less absurd.
            It shows a president who has megalomaniac tendencies.

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               Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               So, does everyone with an interest in buying real estate have megalomaniac tendencies, or just Trump.
               
               Overreaction and embellishment. Is that a prerequisite for being on the left these days?

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                  lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Since when is buying people along with the land termed as a real estate deal? Or do the people not matter since they are just a few? This is a bad analogy.

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                  peterstreepposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  I do not generalize.
                  I only read about what the president of the united states wanted. I do not know how other people with interest in real estate are.
                  I said Mr Trump shows us megalomanic tendencies by wanting to buy a country.
                  I did not say all people who want to buy real estate are megalomaniacs. Or did I?

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                     Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                     You never explained why an interest in purchasing proves he is a megalomaniac. If it stems from a simple expression of interest in a purchase then it isn't unreasonable to ask you to what extent interest in real estate contributes to your definition.

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                        TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                        1. Because he oversteps what people without a lust for power do?
                        2. Because his previous behaviour has demonstrated that he is going in a particular direction? He likes to bully people?

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                           Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                           I would agree with you if:
                           
                           1. Denmark could sell an autonomous region.
                           
                           2. Trump had sent an offer, as just opposed to expressing a random thought.
                           
                           3. If the left wasn't so bizarrely inclined to freak out at anything and everything Trump related.

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                              peterstreepposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                              So If Putin announced that he wanted to buy Alaska you would not find it absurd and megalomanic?

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                                 Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                 If you think Putin wouldn't be interested in Greenland,  for its strategic location,  you'd be naive.

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                                    peterstreepposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                    Why is it so difficult for you to criticise the president? If I vote for someone I would criticise him/her if he/she did something stupid.
                                    Or are you simply defending him because the “lefties” (whoever they may be) criticise him?

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                                 Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                 I just noticed you said Alaska.  Why would I do anything but laugh? I would be fretted with the man if he showed up at the White House with a contract in hand and tied himself to a column until someone signed it.
                                 
                                 Have you all lost your sense of humor?
                                 
                                 Never mind.  I know the answer is yes.

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                                    PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                    Oh, I finally get it. Trump was just  joking, right? So all of these comments you made justifying and defending his idea to buy Greenland were also just jokes?
                                    
                                    Man, you need to send your resume to Conan.

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                                       Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                       I stand by everything I said. We have explored the possibility of purchase before and been rebuffed. I wonder if Truman would have had such leftist outrage when he actually came up with a price for a bid. It has strategic possibilities.
                                       
                                       That to the side. Trump didn't even pursue it. He just thought about it and you guys go off on a tizzy. If you can't see the humor in all of the outrage, it's your loss.
                                       
                                       I don't see the problem. He had a random thought. He didn't act on it. He just thought about it. And you guys just can't see the foolishness of going on and on about it.
                                       
                                       The up side is, you keep me laughing.

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                                          PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                          The only person who is in a tizzy is our petulant man-child president.
                                          
                                          https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/fumin … mark-visit
                                          
                                          You do know this is not normal behavior for a head of state, don't you?

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                                          TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                          You don't think there is something inappropropriate for the American president to post on twitter, to constantly lie, to offer to buy countries, to not know the basics of etiquette, to be a racist, to point out that some thought him appointed by god, etc.?
                                          
                                          Why would you not think that inappropriate?

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                                             Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                             I didn't say it was appropriate. We are talking Trump. But, since we are talking about Trump the fact you guys go on and on is the silly part.
                                             
                                             The down side of Trump is he says what he thinks. He always says what he thinks. No one can make him stop saying what he thinks. Every random thought.
                                             
                                             And that's the up side of Trump also. He has no hidden agendas because the guy is incapable of hiding jack. The worst we can see is the worst there is. Those who read stuff into his tweets and come up with negative comments because he might have meant something, or if he says this publicly then he thinks much, much worse privately, etc. are not really that intelligent. Trump is like Roman from 'Easy A'.
                                             
                                             Do I like it? On many levels, of course not. But with the political and social climate what it is it is almost a prerequisite for survival in the public eye. With the news media frenzy of ridiculous accusations it is mandatory.
                                             
                                             Trump is such that it would be impossible to come up with a deep state conspiracy theory about him. He appears to be an open book. And, that isn't a bad thing in government.

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                                                Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                That's nonsense, you cannot be our chief ambassador and not be judicious in your use of words and be oblivious to their consequences.
                                                
                                                Despite what conservatives keep hyping about, I don't see an open book at all. Honesty and being forthright is certainly not part of his character, so he ain't no Harry Truman
                                                
                                                Did you see the News Hour piece, Panther linked?
                                                
                                                The dnderhead continues to forget that being the President of the Unit d States is more than being the CEO of a financial empire.
                                                
                                                And right now he is a "bad thing" in government.

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                                                   Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                   I don't know whether you've noticed this or not but it doesn't matter what he says. Bad is bad, good is bad, benign is bad, happy is bad, sad is bad, angry is bad, hungry is bad, sleepy is bad, etc etc etc etc.
                                                   
                                                   To the left. Everyone else understands that if all you see is bad, the problem isn't Trump.

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                                                      Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                      What has Trump done to earn that assessment from so many? That was not said about Obama or even George Bush. Living during his administration, I don't even think that they were as hard on Nixon, because at least he had some political smarts.
                                                      
                                                      It did not just come out of the blue, he's earned it.

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                                                         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                         LOL. If you say so. 
                                                         
                                                         My opinion is that if you can't give credit when due, if you can't separate your emotions from everything else, you didn't earn your outrage. You fabricated and embraced it.

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                                                            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                            Your opinion has no basis in reality.
                                                            
                                                            Trump gets credit all the time for being a masterful manipilator, a con man of unprecedented proportions, and the most prolific liar of any president, ever.
                                                            
                                                            He is truly one of a kind.

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                                                            Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                            From MY point of view, he does not deserve much credit. Who are you to say regarding the source of my outrage?
                                                            
                                                            Could it be his policies and the way in which he handles the office. Am I entitled to an opinion? Rightwingers seem to have no problem expressing theirs.

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                                                      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                      Conversely, it doesn't matter what he says, his supporters defend him. And, further up this thread, you said he always says what he thinks, yet you and others have repeatedly defended what he says, no matter how racist or ugly. Since, according to you, he says what he thinks, he truly is a demented, disgusting, lying racist.

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                                                         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                         I'll repeat. Using a term like rat infested is not inherently racist. A racist might see a term they use as racist, because they are racist, but to the general population it just means a community has serious rodent problems and probably needs help, that they haven't been getting.
                                                         
                                                         Edit. I lived in an apartment once that got over run by roaches. We moved when the landlord refused to address the issue. We were lucky that we could move. Those who didn't, who continued to live in a roach infested environment, were not somehow considered lesser by my commenting on the fact their homes were roach infested. My commenting on the conditions was not racist.

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                                                            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                            Lol, that's one comment of many over the course of decades. What a weird response.

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                                                               Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                               What's the old saying about ask a stupid question?

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                                                                  PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

                                                                  

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            TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            It helps to know the facts.
            
            https://www.npr.org/2019/08/22/75319236 … in-the-day

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      Tim Truzy info4uposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, there is the fact the Chinese and the Russians are considering building military bases in the Arctic along with exploring for resources. Maybe our President just thought the name "Greenland" in an area surrounded by beautiful white snow seemed somehow right and really didn't mean it. He loves green and a very few other colors.

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         Credence2posted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Nice to see you, Tim.
         
         It just that he handles things like a bull in a China shop. What would possess him to think that could ignore the desires of the residents of Greenland to strike some sort of real estate deal?
         
         Then to pout like a baby when he received the only answer Denmark could give and, if he had any sense, would have anticipated.

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   GA Andersonposted 4 years ago

   Damn Don, Hopefully, we will never meet at a party. We might turn it into a wake.
   
   I have also followed some of the 'when the Arctic Ocean is assessable' scenarios. My interest was first piqued a few years ago by stories of the Russian efforts to establish a credible presence in the area.
   
   If I recall correctly it was stories about the radar stations and something to do with sub-bases that first caught my attention.
   
   Anyway, I can only be optimistic that there are more serious efforts to address this coming reality than a Let's buy it. thought.
   
   But, give this a second thought. By my thinking, (and apparently yours too), this Arctic Ocean thing is a future reality that needs serious consideration, (and for strategic reasons as much as financial mineral access ones), not just whimsical musings. So, should we give the President some credit for at least recognizing an issue?
   
   GA

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      "Should we give the President some credit for at least recognizing an issue?"
      
      The bar just keeps getting lower and lower.

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         GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Damn! I never thought of it that way. I was half-joking. But I do see your point. And I do not want to, in any way, contribute to lowering the "bar"
         
         
         
         It is already beyond belief.
         
         Maybe I should have included a smiley?
         
         Remember that saying that if you put enough monkeys in front of typewriters, for long enough,  sooner or later one of them will end up typing a Pulitzer prize winner?
         
         GA

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            PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            I didn't  read it as a joke, but I am relieved to learn it was a least half of one.

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   JAKE Earthshineposted 4 years ago

   The Donald Bankrupted casinos which were financed with other peoples money, he bankrupted the once great USA which is financed by other peoples money, he's bankrupting our once great farming industry and bankrupting many working Americans with his crazy Trade War Tariff TAXES which only benefits Vladimir Putin: WHY not start bankrupting other countries?

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   Valeantposted 4 years ago

   For when someone claims Trump is good for the stock market...
   
   
   

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   Credence2posted 4 years ago

   So now, the big orange baby has abruptly cancelled the planned meeting with Denmark, offending both it and Greenland, embarrassing me as an American just because he could not get his way?
   
   https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald … n-n1044651

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      How many more stupid ways will he embarrass us before we boot his pathetic a$$ out in 2020?
      
      Wait, don't answer that.  LOL

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   Randy Godwinposted 4 years ago

   Where can one purchase a big orange baby balloon? I'd love to have one to fly by I-75 where it passes through our farm. What a brat! 

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   Valeantposted 4 years ago

   Trump is the most American patriot ever. Marries All-American women several times over. Pays his fair share of taxes. Served with honor in the armed services. Makes all his products here in America. Ensured that all the money from the Trump Foundation went to Americans in need. Makes all his buildings with only American labor and materials. Spent the majority of his life ensuring that all his workers were documented and had the proper work visas or were sponsored. And of course showed much respect to McCain, Mattis, Kerry, and other veterans at all times. #MAGA - McDonald's And Golf Again

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   Live to Learnposted 4 years ago

   I don't think this was serious but if it was for sale it wouldn't be such a bad purchase. I'm sure Russia and China would be more than happy to buy it.

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      lobobrandonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      If it were not serious, he would not use that as the reason for him turning down the invite by the Danish royal family.
      
      If it were up for sale, but it's not. It's like being invited to a friends birthday, you put his or her house on the market without their consent and when they say no they are not selling to you, you use that to decline the invitation.

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         Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Not a good analogy.
         
         I haven't been following this but this wouldn't the first, second or millionth time one party thought of purchasing something another party wasn't thinking about selling.
         
         Nor would it be the first time the U.S. expressed an interest in this particular piece of real estate, and was rebuffed.

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   TessSchlesingerposted 4 years ago

   wtf??? Please explain to me what you've just said.
   
   1. People in the civilized world do not sell countries. They do not sell people. They do not put people in cages. They put humanity above profit.
   
   2. There is no way in hell that a first world country like Denmark would sell Greenland to the USA - even if it was for sale. Just the human rights disaster, the anti-climbate change, the racism, and Trump for president would horrify the civilized world. It's not all about money.
   
   3. The left freaks out over the abuse of human rights, inhumanity, and unfairness. The right freaks out over not being top dog, over science showing up religion as fake news, and over men not being that attractive to women anymore.

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      Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think the sale of Greenland would be Denmark's call. It was an ignorant conversation from the outset.
      
      I think, as freak outs go, you've just displayed one.

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         TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         Sweetie, I'm an INTJ. I don't freak out. Other people freak out at us.
         
         Of course, it was an ignorant remark of Trump. I don't deny that.
         
         Another Ad hominem. It amazes me that when speaking to a conservative, all they can do is insult the opposition.
         
         Why don't you actually try presenting a reasoned university level argument?

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            Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            If we are all in agreement the thought was a silly one, why are you going on and on? Why do you make blanket statements about people you don't know and then accuse others of being insulting?
            
            Those were rhetorical questions. I already know the answer.

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               TessSchlesingerposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               WTF?
               
               Well so long as you agree that Donald Trump made an ignorant remark is offering to buy Greenland, I don't have an issue.
               
               I'm going on and on because you have only now admitted that Trump made a stupid remark.
               
               But I'll leave it at that.

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    TessSchlesingerposted 4 years ago

    +++

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