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Taking on Greenland is not a nutty idea

Taking on Greenland is not a nutty idea

When President Trump first mentioned making Greenland part of the United States, the Washington political establishment and the left-leaning new media reported it as just another hair-brained idea from an unstable incoming President.  More grist for the never-Trump resistance mill.  BUT … it is a much more serious proposal than the knee-jerk anti-Trumpers allow.

Greenland – situated between North America and Europe has enormous strategic value in the competition between the Western democracies and the coalition of authoritarian states.  It is also a land of enormous untapped natural resources – oil, gas, precious metals and an estimated 1.5 million tons of the essential rare earth.

Gaining Greenland as a state or a protectorate, like Puerto Rico or Guam, would be extremely beneficial to the United States.  Unlike Puerto Rico, which requires millions of dollars in aide and welfare, Greenland would make an enormous positive economic contribution.  It is the largest island in the world, with small population (56,000 people – about the population of Kokomo, Indiana or Paducah, Kentucky.)

Greenland is officially an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.  The relationship began when Vikings first settled on the icy island in ancient times.  It officially became a Danish colony in the 18th Century.  Greenland gained home rule in 1979 – and gained further autonomy with the Self-Government Act of 2009.  The Act also gave the people of Greenland the right to declare total independence by referendum – and it is possible, and perhaps likely, that such a referendum will be passed this year.

At this point, the nature of Greenland and its place in the world is in flux. It can remain part of the Danish kingdom or declare independence. It could also associate itself with the United States.

Trump’s proposal to make Greenland part of the United States is neither original nor foolish.  It is also within the realm of possibility.  We purchased the huge Louisiana Territory from the French.  We purchased Alaska from Russia (and now Putin wants it back … seriously).  If the legend is true, we even purchased Manhattan – the capital of left-wing ideology — from the natives

When Trump first proposed to make Greenland part of the United States, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that “Greenland was not for sale.”  The never-Trump clan declared that as a rebuff of Trump – intimating that the very idea is loony and ridiculous.  They were misinforming the public.

The reason Denmark would not “sell” the island is because the policy in Copenhagen is to allow the people of Greenland to make their own decisions.  That was the second part of Frederiksen’s response that was omitted … censored … from the left-wing reports. 

In a recent NATO meeting in Helsinki, Frederiksen indicated that the Danish government would welcome closer ties to the United States and is looking forward to discussions with the incoming Trump administration regarding the future of Greenland.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B. Egede has also expressed a desire to have a closer working relationship with the United States.  Representatives of Greenland are said to already be talking to the Trump team.

Both Frederiksen and Egede have indicated that Greenland’s independence and any future relationship with other nations will depend on the wishes of the people of Greenland.  That is where it all gets verrrry interesting. 

In a recent poll released on January 12 by Patriot Polling, 57 percent of respondents approve of Greenland becoming part of the U.S.  Just over one-third, 37 percent, disapprove. 

If Greenland is declared to be an independent nation by referendum – the chances of which are better than 50/50 – the ice covered island could enter into an agreement with the United States to become a strategic ally, a protectorate and even the 51st state — should Congress agree.  Perhaps the greatest challenge is how to fit another star on the flag.

It would appear that the island of Greenland is drifting toward the United States – and least politically.  Looks like Trump is getting the last laugh.

So, there ‘tis.

About The Author

Larry Horist

So, there ‘tis… The opinions, perspectives and analyses of businessman, conservative writer and political strategist Larry Horist. Larry has an extensive background in economics and public policy. For more than 40 years, he ran his own Chicago based consulting firm. His clients included such conservative icons as Steve Forbes and Milton Friedman. He has served as a consultant to the Nixon White House and travelled the country as a spokesman for President Reagan’s economic reforms. Larry professional emphasis has been on civil rights and education. He was consultant to both the Chicago and the Detroit boards of education, the Educational Choice Foundation, the Chicago Teachers Academy and the Chicago Academy for the Performing Arts. Larry has testified as an expert witness before numerous legislative bodies, including the U. S. Congress, and has lectured at colleges and universities, including Harvard, Northwestern and DePaul. He served as Executive Director of the City Club of Chicago, where he led a successful two-year campaign to save the historic Chicago Theatre from the wrecking ball. Larry has been a guest on hundreds of public affairs talk shows, and hosted his own program, “Chicago In Sight,” on WIND radio. An award-winning debater, his insightful and sometimes controversial commentaries have appeared on the editorial pages of newspapers across the nation. He is praised by audiences for his style, substance and sense of humor. Larry retired from his consulting business to devote his time to writing. His books include a humorous look at collecting, “The Acrapulators’ Guide”, and a more serious history of the Democratic Party’s role in de facto institutional racism, “Who Put Blacks in That PLACE? -- The Long Sad History of the Democratic Party’s Oppression of Black Americans ... to This Day”. Larry currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

7 Comments

  1. Frank danger

    And then, deport them all to Denmark!!!

    Reply
  2. Frank danger

    And to sweeten the “deal,” let’s not rule out military force.

    Good to deal from the bully pulpit.

    You can always trust a felon as an honest broker.

    Great diversion! Is Ukraine war over, as promised? What’s up with that deal?

    And what about Iceland? They got blondes. We can grab em by the pussy. They like it.

    How about those illegals? Only criminals now? Just like Biden and Obama? What about Springfield? What about Aurora?

    Reply
  3. Darren

    In 3 years, Greenland will ask US for the deal!
    Wait and see!

    Reply
  4. Americafirst

    Certain people do know what a bully is and are bullies! Oh, you want to grab those blondes by the pussy, FS? That’s what you said. What? You can’t wait for them to be with us? What a joke!

    Reply
    • Frank dNger

      You really don’t have a clue, do you?

      Bully pulpit was a term coined by Theodore Roosevelt to describe the communications from the president. At that time, bully as he used it, and in terms of the phrase, bully pulpit, did not mean what you think it means or how you misinterpret it. Look it up.

      And, in case you missed it, Trump is known for the pussy line. I thought you liked what he says and remember it all.

      We is not me; I am singular. We is plural.

      But you knew all that, you just don’t give a fuck.

      Reply
      • Americafirst

        WHO CARES, fs?

        Reply
  5. Frank danger

    AF; you got that right. I realize you don’t understand that bully pulpit does not mean bully in the sense of that word today and so your segue from bully pulpit to bully just looks ignorant. English is a tricky language. Especially if you don’t care to improve. Not to worry, you are very adequate.

    Ps: I like the FS. it’s good.

    But I spell my name; danger. And I know what bully pulpit means and where it comes from. Because I care for our language. That’s who cares.

    Reply

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  1. Frank Danger .... Lots of opinion and not a scintilla of evidence. Where is your proof, old man? Funny how…