Buying Greenland isn't a good idea — it's a great idea

Washington Examiner ^ | 8/17/19 | Washington Examiner

[mkleesma]

The reaction to President Trump's sudden interest in buying Greenland from Denmark has been mostly one of derision. And Denmark, which owns the territory, appears to oppose any sale.

But don't laugh — an American purchase of Greenland could represent an extraordinary deal in terms of America's national security, economic interests, and environmental protection.

As much as it might seem out of the blue, U.S. acquisition of Greenland is not at all a strange or irrational idea. Following Denmark's fall to Nazi Germany in 1940, American forces defended Greenland. The roots of American-Greenland comradeship are thus old and formal. In 1946, one Harry S. Truman even attempted to purchase Greenland for $100 million. Was Truman crazy? On the contrary, he was the president who ended a global war and set America on its ultimate course to defeat the Soviet Union.

[SamAdams76]

They have dogs, houses and at least a little summer up there in Greenland. The pubs do have strange hours but they are in abundance. Here is an area in Nuuk, the largest city.

[DesertRhino]

Just take it. That idea makes sense... To Hitler

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Some info I gleaned:

The Denmark passport is excellent already
+80% of the residents are tribe members
Average per capita income is +$36k

They have a nice deal going now

Still, there are advantages to them

And we’d have Canada surrounded!

But Trump is correct to pursue this if true....

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“countries just don’t do those kinds of land sales anymore.

Until they do.

Consider it a transfer.

:-)

[Political Junkie Too]

Not exactly, as the other country is not giving up its rights.

It's an out-of-the-box idea for split ownership and shared governance.

-PJ

[Menehune56]

I bet you if the US offered each of the 56 thousand residents something like $100,000 tax free, plus US citizenship, and promise of investment, plus some billions to Denmark, we could buy Greenland. Greenland residents would love to get the money, the investment, and US citizenship. It would be a big win all around.

That sounds like an offer too good to refuse!

[discostu]

It’s a silly idea. Even sillier than Trump’s joke. Pretty sure it was a joke. Between the tax and jurisprudence problems it would wind up completely ungovernable.

[Political Junkie Too]

Maybe, but who knows how one's silly idea sparks another's brilliant idea?

Staying quiet is the silly idea. Collaboration yields ingenuity.

-PJ

[Kickass Conservative]

We don’t really need it. We already have Solvang.

[Dr. Sivana]

And Chicago, LA, Ballimore, Newark....

Bad plan. The Danes would send all the refugees there, and they would leech out into the U.S. general population. The "Newark Wall" does have a nice ring to it, though.

[CincyRichieRich]

President Trump would not have mentioned this unless he had an inside track. Also my understanding is the Chinese have tried to offer a solution to implement an airport for Greenland a few times. President Trump and his administration know that we do not want the Chinese that close to us.

[discostu]

Thought experiments can be fun. But once one realizes that experiment is turning into a comedy sketch, it’s time to walk away.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

I would never give away Puerto Rico...ever!!! The Trouble with Puerto Rico is very simple to define...The Low life, criminal crooks, Democrat Party...who along with crooks, criminals, political corruption have bled the island dry, forcing most native Puerto Ricans to escape to New York, Florida, New Jersey, etc.

For goodness sake....Puerto Rico properly run, should be the the Gem Jewel of the Caribbean Basin, leading in tourism & manufacturing. Both...the Puerto Rican & Cuban People are hard working productive folks. Can you imagine the Caribbean leaders Puerto Rico & Cuba would quickly become if they governed themselves without the Democrat Party of scum & vermin & Cuba dumping the “Castro’s” dictator, tyrants & despots. Go USA, Go, USA Puerto Rico, Go USA Cuba. Trump is never going to get rid of PR...never...he knows what PR & Cuba can become!!!

As for Greenland....I’m all for Trump getting it. Trump is always the strategic thinker...he knows the value of Greenland, its location, its minerals, its potential, that only the USA can effectively bring forth. Shucks we are talking about putting a base on the Moon and then Mars. Greenland is sitting right in front of our faces waiting for American opportunity to knock on her door!!! I say....Go, Trumpie get that island (Greenland), and make PR all she can become...period!!! Denmark should work with Trump on, maybe a dual ownership between the USA & Denmark!!!

[eartick]

Well this is kinda like an island and with more population it could cause it to tip over.

Balancing MUST be considered.

[Winniesboy]

Isn’t most of the land sinking?

As the ice goes, the land rises rather than sinks - isostatic rebound. Sometimes that happens faster than the sea level rises, sometimes it doesn't. So sometimes you end up with more land, sometimes you don't.

[Adder]

So we end up with a cold Puerto Rico?
Don’t the Danes subsidize them to the tune of $500 Bil?

[DoodleDawg]

People keep forgetting that neither Denmark nor the people in Greenland are interested in selling. So it’s pretty much a dumb idea.

[adorno]

Dumb!!!

[adorno]

Another dumb post!!!

[adorno]

Why are there so many dummies in FR?