President Trump: Making America Great Again...

[frank ryan]

While uncommon, it's certainly a viable thing. Most of the western US was purchased from another country, some of which was subject to incredible ridicule. Remember Seward's Folly? The Cold War dynamics would have been significantly impacted had the purchase of Alaska not occurred. I'm sure the critics of that purchase were as confident in its absurdity as you are of even discussing acquisition of Greenland.

Greenland is different than the other areas due to its low population, natural resources, strategic location along the arctic, partial reliance on Denmark for subsistence, and complete reliance on foreign governments for defense.

It's a dumb idea and it doesn't merit being viewed as strategically wise.

It doesn't matter whether there are real advantages to owning the territory or not, because there clearly are.
The Greenlandic people don't want us to "own Greenland," so we should fuck off with talk of buying it.

[Pelado]

It's a dumb idea and it doesn't merit being viewed as strategically wise.

It doesn't matter whether there are real advantages to owning the territory or not, because there clearly are.
The Greenlandic people don't want us to "own Greenland," so we should fuck off with talk of buying it.

How did the native Alaskans feel about the United States acquiring that territory?

[frank ryan]

How did the native Alaskans feel about the United States acquiring that territory?

Trying to be pedantic or something, really? Alaskans werent a singular sovereign people. There are something like 200 or 300 different tribes. They were a territory of Russia.
I'm not sure a lot changed in the immediate aftermath of that exchange.

Greenland is a country, with some international recognition and autonomy. The have structured laws, infrastructure, modern government and national identity.

Without doing some research I can't tell you the varied opinions of indigenous people of Alaska felt when the territory was sold, but it's pretty easily to read and learn about current Greenlandic thought?

So I'll ask you, why does it matter what Alaskans thoughts about their territory being sold? Does it matter to you that Greenlanders don't want to occupied by us?

[Pelado]

Trying to be pedantic or something, really? Alaskans werent a singular sovereign people. There are something like 200 or 300 different tribes. They were a territory of Russia.
I'm not sure a lot changed in the immediate aftermath of that exchange.

Greenland is a country, with some international recognition and autonomy. The have structured laws, infrastructure, modern government and national identity.

Without doing some research I can't tell you the varied opinions of indigenous people of Alaska felt when the territory was sold, but it's pretty easily to read and learn about current Greenlandic thought?

So I'll ask you, why does it matter what Alaskans thoughts about their territory being sold? Does it matter to you that Greenlanders don't want to occupied by us?

I was just continuing the comparison of the purchase of Alaska to the proposed acquisition of Greenland.

[frank ryan]

I was just continuing the comparison of the purchase of Alaska to the proposed acquisition of Greenland.

I don't think they compare very well, other than being geographically similar. Russia was willing to sell Alaska during a time of colonization. Trump is basically trying to bully and coerce a country with a lot of autonomy to comply.

I'm being genuine about encouraging people to explore what Greenlanders think.

Our national security, intelligence apparatus, diplomatic reach and force projection capacity relies on a series of alliances and these are constantly being battered. For all the strategic value that territory holds, just talk of taking it over is yet another blow to our credibility.

Denmark has probably moved some of their limited military resources to Greenland in anticipation of Trump's unpredictability (I haven't read that but I'm just speculating). Denmark is a small country though who has been a willing contributor to NATO, including sending their men and women to die in Afghanistan. I find Trump's bullying of them gross.

[Pelado]

I don't think they compare very well, other than being geographically similar. Russia was willing to sell Alaska during a time of colonization. Trump is basically trying to bully and coerce a country with a lot of autonomy to comply.

I'm being genuine about encouraging people to explore what Greenlanders think.

Our national security, intelligence apparatus, diplomatic reach and force projection capacity relies on a series of alliances and these are constantly being battered. For all the strategic value that territory holds, just talk of taking it over is yet another blow to our credibility.

Denmark has probably moved some of their limited military resources to Greenland in anticipation of Trump's unpredictability (I haven't read that but I'm just speculating). Denmark is a small country though who has been a willing contributor to NATO, including sending their men and women to die in Afghanistan. I find Trump's bullying of them gross.

Thanks.

[YOhio]

It's a dumb idea and it doesn't merit being viewed as strategically wise.

It doesn't matter whether there are real advantages to owning the territory or not, because there clearly are.
The Greenlandic people don't want us to "own Greenland," so we should fuck off with talk of buying it.

This is about where I land, except I think we should feel free to talk about it. We're really not good at integrating native tribal populations in remote mountainous regions.

[frank ryan]

This is about where I land, except I think we should feel free to talk about it. We're really not good at integrating native tribal populations in remote mountainous regions.

Sure, the Greenlandic people also have a strong sense of identity and there has been some talk and energy around them becoming fully independent.

Its kind of interesting because it wouldn't even be like the US selling Puerto Rico, which has a solid sense of national identity.

Greenland is more of legal country than that. In some ways it would like the United Kingdom telling Scotland they are were being sold without their permission. That's an imperfect parallel but a better one than say the United States telling the Guamanians their land and all the assorted ramifications were now being sold to China.

[YOhio]

Sure, the Greenlandic people also have a strong sense of identity and there has been some talk and energy around them becoming fully independent.

Its kind of interesting because it wouldn't even be like the US selling Puerto Rico, which has a solid sense of national identity.

Greenland is more of legal country than that. In some ways it would like the United Kingdom telling Scotland they are were being sold without their permission. That's an imperfect parallel but a better one than say the United States telling the Guamanians their land and all the assorted ramifications were now being sold to China.

I like the independent spirit, but they're never going to be *really* independent. With a population of 50K on a gigantic and coveted land mass they'll always be vulnerable and have to rely on a larger nation for their defense. In Greenland's case they also get welfare from Denmark. Maybe that can last forever. I kind of doubt it.

[frank ryan]

I like the independent spirit, but they're never going to be *really* independent. With a population of 50K on a gigantic and coveted land mass they'll always be vulnerable and have to rely on a larger nation for their defense. In Greenland's case they also get welfare from Denmark. Maybe that can last forever. I kind of doubt it.

Yeah, I don't see how they could sustain themselves. There is energy around independence but it makes less than some South Pacific nations like Nauru or Palau. And those don't make a lot of sense.

My dad visited Greenland when he was in the service. He didn't say much about it, just "It was a place I went to."

We need to beef up our arctic defenses. We are so outpaced by our adversaries when it comes to ice breakers. China is pretending the are an arctic power now because they think they are in charge of everything

[frank ryan]

It was nice to see Trump say pleasant things about Carter, even if his battle hardened supporters pushed back. I think Carter was a genuinely good human.

[Northwestcoug]

Is Mike Johnson going down in flames today?

[LVAllen]

Is Mike Johnson going down in flames today?

Do you think this is a protest round, and the GOP will fall in line with Trump's preferred Speaker in round 2? Or are we looking for another half-dozen rounds before Johnson gives up?

[Northwestcoug]

Do you think this is a protest round, and the GOP will fall in line with Trump's preferred Speaker in round 2? Or are we looking for another half-dozen rounds before Johnson gives up?

Who knows. This is probably a circus to allow the holdouts some exposure and to hobble Johnson when they finally vote him in.

[Northwestcoug]

Just kidding. Seemingly pointless political theater is done.