It really looks like now the POS is going to invade Greenland. . .

[Stargleamer]

and use the US military base as an excuse ("we had to protect it. . ." )

I'm usually very skeptical when I read alarming messages on DU, but this time even to me it seems like it is going to happen.

The return of US imperialism.

[BOSSHOG]

1. We can protect our military assets there

Without invading the country. We wouldn’t need to be in Greenland to protect those assets. Just smoke and mirrors by manipulative con men who care squat for others.

[Prairie Gates]

2. How so?

[Stargleamer]

19. He just has to follow in Reagan's footsteps. . .

"The invasion of the Caribbean island Grenada in 1983, ordered by President Reagan, was the first major foreign event of the administration, as well as the first major operation conducted by the military since the Vietnam War. President Reagan justified the invasion by claiming that the cooperation of the island with communist Cuba posed a threat to the United States. . ."

[GreenWave]

27. And did so to distract from the 250 dead marines killed in Lebanon.

[AltairIV]

39. I will not forget this, ever.

Reagan did not give a shit about Grenada. He and his administration were getting killed in the press over the slaughter and murder of US Marines at the Root in Beirut. Especially after it was revealed that Marine guards were not permitted ammunition for their weapons so as not to antagonize the local population.

[Prairie Gates]

28. This doesn't tell me why you think we will be invading Greenland

[Stargleamer]

44. If Trump/Vance feel they have a need for Greenland

then I don't know of any other way for them to acquire it, as Denmark isn't going to sell it and the Greenlanders are not going to vote to become part of the US, leaving invasion as the only option.

[Aristus]

45. Invading Greenland would be a war crime.

Even pro-Trump flag-level officers know that. They would just have to talk him down. If he persisted in ordering an illegal invasion of Greenland, the generals would be duty-bound to disobey the order. If they went through with it, they could end up in front of a war crimes tribunal.

[Stargleamer]

46. and I too would view it as a war crime. . .

However, Reagan invaded Grenada and suffered no consequences. Nobody talked Reagan out of doing that.

[Mosby]

3. When was the first imperialism?

I must have missed that.

[snowybirdie]

5. Back in the day about 1901 or so

We invaded Cuba, took over the Philippines and several other Spanish territories. Remember the Maine! Look up Teddy Roosevelt.

[standingtall]

47. I don't think we technically invaded Cuba in 1901

We occupied it after the Spanish American war until a new Cuban government was formed. We did invade Haiti in 1915 though.

[WarGamer]

8. Maybe the Westward march across our continent stomping out any indigenous folks?

Puerto Rico, Guam, Philippines and Samoa also might disagree.

Or ask the Ghost of Queen Liliʻuokalani

[brush]

25. And the nighly supicious and mysterioous death of the King in San Francisco where...

he went to receive medical treatment. American pineapple planters took over vast tracts of acres by American gunboat diplomacy once 'small matters' like the Hawaiian royal family was no longer a factor.

[unblock]

9. Well we did take Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam from Spain in 1898....

[Mosby]

10. Did we though?

We clearly don't control Cuba, and the rest are primarily independent democracies. We LIBERATED our protectorates from the real imperialists.

I think people are changing the meaning of "imperialism".

[unblock]

16. Cuba is complicated, though I think the Philippines and Puerto Rico clearly were colonies

And arguably Puerto Rico still is.

Complicating the argument is that our brand of colonialism involves less of the traditional overt military takeover and more of the less obvious corporate-motivated implied military threat corruption and/or coup support that results in other countries acting economically like colonies ever if they aren't officially such.

Maybe there's a better term for this that isn't exactly "colonialism" or maybe that's a distinction without much of a real difference.

[GreenWave]

29. You are what you eat.

We ate parts of Spain's empire back then under a contrived war.

We have over 2,270 "foreign" military outposts, bases and stations. ipso facto, empire.

[standingtall]

48. We did not take Cuba if we did it would probably be a U.S. territory now

We helped Cuba get it's independence from Spain and agreed to not make Cuba a U.S. territory and only occupied until a new Cuban Government was formed. The rest is true. We also invaded Haiti and came within an eyelash of annexing the Dominican Republic.

[haele]

11. It was a bit before our time....

One could say it started with Manifest Destiny, as Spain (later Mexico) and Russia had territory on the US West Coast.

Then in 1898 we went to war with Spain over Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines; supposedly the Cubans and the Puerto Ricans "asked us" to help their quest for independence, and frankly, the Robber Barons wanted control of the Philippines because of Rubber.
It also allowed us to modernize our Navy and give us secure, safe ports nearer to Trade partners.

[4TheArts]

21. 1895 Annexing Hawai'i

About a hundred years lead up as 'murican commerce and missionaries worked to erase native Hawai'ian culture. Probably the best revelation of this process of "our way of life is best for you so we're gonna make it happen" was written on one of Sarah Vowell's history books "Unfamiliar Fishes." (The title is from an ancient Hawai'ian prophetic saying, "when a bad storm sweeps over you, you will then find unfamiliar fishes in your nets."

[brush]

22. You nave no knowledge of the Monroe Doctrine and US's involvement in regime chamge and backing of dictatorial...

governments in Central an South American in exchange for letting American corporations exploit the natural resources of the countries for tremendous profit. The term 'banana republic' became synonymous with the 'arrangements' as the notorious United Fruit Company made enormous profits from their banana crops, upwards to 1000%, when sold in US markets.

South American countries of Columbia, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and others with US backed dictators were exploited for their resources. Hawaii for pineapples, Cuba for sugar cane, which eventually led to the Cuban revolution.

Our imperialist history is no secret. Dirty, dirty hands.

[Stargleamer]

23. Ever hear of Manifest Destiny?

"Manifest Destiny - It is one of the earliest expressions of American imperialism in the United States." - Wikipedia

It wasn't something that the indigenous people living here wanted.

Definition of imperialism according to Merriam-Webster: "the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas"

I winning the Philippines as the spoils or war would count as such.

[Kaleva]

52. From the Native Americans perspective, from Day One.

[H2O Man]

4. No.

He is simply accomplishing two things: distracting Americans, and attempting to bully Denmark for access to natural resources in Greenland.

[brush]

6. Hope not. Greenland should require that the US should clean up...

the environmental hazards left behind on the former military we left behind back in the late '40s. I had no idea we left rusting, deteriorating buildings, barrels full of toxic who knows what. Even a once underground nuclear facility that's now surfacing as the Arctic ice is receding.

Once the land is restored to how the US found it, we'll talk about a mutual protection pact between our two nations — no need for any invasion/occupation. Sort of like what we thought we had with NATO. Remember that?

The island is certainly not going anywhere. We're here, We'll lease you more land for a base/bases with clauses for clean up and leave it how you found it in the future of course, and leave it at that so Russia, China and whoever knows of the pact and to keep away.

Again, no need for an invasion, we'll talk later about mineral development with an agreed upon compensation percentage split as it is our land and our minerals.

How about that bully boys?

[sinkingfeeling]

12. Denmark should kick the base out of Greenland immediately.

[CanonRay]

15. That would give Trump an excuse to invade

to "protect" our base.

[David__77]

38. Correct.

[Irish_Dem]

13. No one will allow US bases to be built in their country any longer.

Last edited Sun Mar 30, 2025, 06:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Way too dangerous.

[zorbasd]

55. If Agent Krasnov takes Greenland by force

then expect smoldering US embassies around the world. We will be so hated by people around the world. We are in deep danger folks.

[Irish_Dem]

62. Putin and Trump were able to turn the proudest country in the world into trash.

[Nictuku]

14. Elon Wants it - A Space Force Base is there AND info re: Attacking Iran!!!

I've heard there are also minerals there.

Greenland is rich in various mineral resources, including rare earth elements, gold, copper, nickel, zinc, and diamonds. The melting ice due to climate change is making these resources more accessible, attracting significant interest from mining companies and governments worldwide.

Space Force Base:
https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/Pituffik-SB-Greenland/

I just heard something equally as bad, unannounced deployment of Spirit B2 bombers gathering in Diego Garcia (suggesting an attack on Iran!):

https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/26/b-2-unannounced-deployment-diego-garcia/

The U.S. is actively carrying out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, and B-2s have previously been employed as part of these operations. However, these sorties were flown directly from Whiteman AFB. It is unlikely that operations against the Houthis, who have only limited air defense capabilities, would warrant such a large forward deployment of America’s premier stealth strike capability.

Instead, the thoughts of many commentators have turned towards Iran. The Trump administration has reintroduced strict sanctions against Iran, aiming to dissuade the Iranian government from pursuing a nuclear weapons capability.

President Trump reportedly told Iranian leader Ayatollah Khamenei in a letter that Iran must either agree to a deal or face military consequences. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz told CBS News on Sunday (Mar. 23) that “all options are on the table”.

If the U.S. were to conduct airstrikes against Iran, the B-2 would be one of the first platforms to be considered. Though the bombers are now reaching a fair age, their stealth features remain world class. Perhaps just as importantly, the B-2 Spirit is currently the only aircraft in the U.S. inventory cleared to operationally carry and deploy the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP). Two MOPs can be carried per aircraft.

God(des) help us

[surfered]

17. Greenland and Denmark are in NATO. So, if attack it, we are also bound to defend it

[Nonnia Bisnez]

32. If the USA attacked Greenland, then Denmark will declare they need article 5 assistance

and the rest of the NATO countries would be obligated to come to its aid. WWIII in Greenland?

[surfered]

37. Elect a lunatic, expect lunacy!

[PCB66]

18. Intresting to note

that Vance did not rule out military invasion in his speech.

What are they planning?

[Paladin]

20. And if this escalates into a shooting conflict, with U.S. military casualties?

What then, trump, Vance and Musk? What then, United States of America? What then, Russia?

[allegorical oracle]

24. The president must get "his desires." He's an abomination. nt

[jls4561]

26. I doubt the US is paying enough to Greenland to justify the cost of the Vance visit there.

Denmark should immediately send an invoice to the US State Department demanding that costs be covered for 70 million barf bags (yes, I know that number is greater than the total population, but some residents inadvertently looked at JD twice), enhanced security for those civilian workers at the military base who feared being abducted to Louisiana after muttering “Beardo Weirdo” in Kalaallisut, and therapy for the canines Usha threatened to visit for her photo-op dog sled stunt.

The US has been ripping off Greenland for years. It’s time they pay their fair share.

[Ping Tung]

30. That's what the Romans said about Gaul, Thrace, Egypt, Syria, Spain, Palestine, Britain, and others.

History contains little beyond a list of people who have accommodated themselves with other people's property.

Voltaire

[Tickle]

31. Will this be before or after

he takes over Canada?

[Mysterian]

33. That would mean US expulsion from NATO and NATO war with US

With an imbecile for commander-in-chief, the US would lose.

[muriel_volestrangler]

34. FWIW, The Guardian has attributed that to both Vance and Trump

I suspect it was Trump - they said it was him first (twice), and the article saying it was Vance links back to the first one which said it was Trump:

Fri 1952 GMT:

In the White House, Trump reiterated his previous claims that the US needs Greenland for “world peace”.

“I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it,” he said in a press conference on Friday. “And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland. Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland.”

There are, he claimed, “Chinese and Russian ships all over the place”.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/28/greenland-political-parties-agree-to-form-coalition-government-before-jd-vance-visit

Sat 0212 GMT:

As the US vice-president toured Pituffik space base, Donald Trump reiterated his previous claims that the US needs Greenland for “world peace”. “I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it,” the US president said at a press conference at the White House on Friday. “And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/trump-administration-news-vance-greenland-smithsonian-today

Sat 1212 GMT:

“I think Greenland understands that the United States should own it,” Vance said in a press conference on Friday. “And if Denmark and the EU don’t understand it, we have to explain it to them. We need Greenland. Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/29/denmark-hits-back-at-tone-of-us-vice-presidents-criticism-over-greenland

[anciano]

35. Highly unlikely.

[raccoon]

36. Sounds so similar to September 1, 1939--when the Germans invaded Poland on a dumbass pretext.

[indusurb]

40. They do understand that this will bring about a major war with our allies

Denmark, and by extension Greenland, are members of NATO. Article 5 will be invoked and away we'll go. Plus he'll face immediate and serious pushback at home. Canada will get involved, all hell will break loose. Nukes could even fly. Either he's trying to bluff his way into getting Greenland or he thinks that Greenland, Denmark and the rest of NATO will just roll over and accept it. He's wrong.

[aurora the great]

42. Maybe. Maybe not.

I am not so sure. Lets hope!

[EndlessWire]

50. If he attacks Greenland

he's attacking Denmark. Greenland belongs to Denmark. Denmark is a NATO member. He'll trigger Article 5 faster than he can swallow. Think of it this way. If NATO does not repond, they are telling Putin they are nothing. They're not going to do that. Defense of Europe is depending on their collective might.

We are preparing to attack Iran. If he thinks he can slip a few thousand troops into Greenland unnoticed, he's wrong. He may be just testing NATO for their reaction.

He's such an asshole. He thinks if he gets Greenland, he'll get Canada. Canada will fight to their last breath. And, they are NATO, too.

His own people don't want him to do this. Now we know how Russians feel.

[Self Esteem]

51. Not gonna happen.

If he invades, they will stand down. There will be immense outcry but NATO is not going to go to war with the US. It just isn't going to happen.

[EndlessWire]

54. They will lose all their credibility.

This would be an easy end to NATO, if you are right. Maybe that's the point. What's to stop him from taking Iceland? Probably needs that, too.

He is behaving independently of the wishes of the country. Pretty much like a dictator.

[Self Esteem]

56. NATO will lose credibility. It may even dissolve.

But they will not go to war over Greenland. It just isn't going to happen.

The hope is that the US realizes it'll risk becoming a pariah state if they do. But there is very little chance of actual war over a very small territory where the US has more troops stationed there right now than Greenland has people.

[EndlessWire]

59. They have about 57,000 citizens.

(We have about 200 people at Thule, whatever.) All those people are citizens of Denmark. They may like to be independent of Denmark, but they do not want to be a state of America, especially, probably, with trump as dictator.

He's itching to go to war with someone.

[Self Esteem]

60. None of that is going to lead to NATO going to war over Greenland.

It isn't worth potentially World War III and all parties realize this.

Here is a good look what might happen:

https://dcubrexitinstitute.eu/2025/01/what-happens-if-trump-invades-greenland/

But NATO won't go to war with the US over it. And that's what likely makes Trump doing it all the more dangerous, because his team knows the likely outcome and they're perfectly fine it seems playing the pariah.

[Self Esteem]

53. None of that will happen over Greenland lol

NATO isn't going to go to war with the US. There will be immense criticism and public rebuking, possibly trade embargos and the demand of removal of bases in Europe and other areas.

[Iris]

41. This is sickening

[Cha]

43. Fucking Gaslighting SHit.. who gives a Fuck

what you "think"..

[Initech]

49. We need to 25th amendment this shit.

[GReedDiamond]

57. Unless this is about "THE SPACE ALIENS" I call BULLSHIT...

...I done heard the GRAY ALIENS already control the MOON!

[Bread and Circuses]

58. Mark this! JD Vance has just claimed the hill he dies on....

The yes man JD Vance is desperate to gain favor from the slobfather.

By insisting that the US should ‘own’ another country means that that country would be a plantation and the resident…indentured servants.

If #47 gets bored and looses interest in Greenland, the meme machines need to remind JD. He really is a dumb F.

[Emile]

61. Or hopefully he saying this crazy shit to overtly get the media to

stop talking about Hegseth signal group chat?

[no_hypocrisy]

63. Akin to a tenant claiming ownership of a property simply because of occupation.