Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Stargleamer

(2,614 posts)
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:28 PM Mar 2025

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

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.

63 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
It really looks like now the POS is going to invade Greenland. . . (Original Post) Stargleamer Mar 2025 OP
We can protect our military assets there BOSSHOG Mar 2025 #1
How so? Prairie Gates Mar 2025 #2
He just has to follow in Reagan's footsteps. . . Stargleamer Mar 2025 #19
And did so to distract from the 250 dead marines killed in Lebanon. GreenWave Mar 2025 #27
I will not forget this, ever. AltairIV Mar 2025 #39
This doesn't tell me why you think we will be invading Greenland Prairie Gates Mar 2025 #28
If Trump/Vance feel they have a need for Greenland Stargleamer Mar 2025 #44
Invading Greenland would be a war crime. Aristus Mar 2025 #45
and I too would view it as a war crime. . . Stargleamer Mar 2025 #46
When was the first imperialism? Mosby Mar 2025 #3
Back in the day about 1901 or so snowybirdie Mar 2025 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Mar 2025 #7
I don't think we technically invaded Cuba in 1901 standingtall Mar 2025 #47
Maybe the Westward march across our continent stomping out any indigenous folks? WarGamer Mar 2025 #8
And the nighly supicious and mysterioous death of the King in San Francisco where... brush Mar 2025 #25
Well we did take Cuba, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam from Spain in 1898.... unblock Mar 2025 #9
Did we though? Mosby Mar 2025 #10
Cuba is complicated, though I think the Philippines and Puerto Rico clearly were colonies unblock Mar 2025 #16
You are what you eat. GreenWave Mar 2025 #29
We did not take Cuba if we did it would probably be a U.S. territory now standingtall Mar 2025 #48
It was a bit before our time.... haele Mar 2025 #11
1895 Annexing Hawai'i 4TheArts Mar 2025 #21
You nave no knowledge of the Monroe Doctrine and US's involvement in regime chamge and backing of dictatorial... brush Mar 2025 #22
Ever hear of Manifest Destiny? Stargleamer Mar 2025 #23
From the Native Americans perspective, from Day One. Kaleva Mar 2025 #52
No. H2O Man Mar 2025 #4
Hope not. Greenland should require that the US should clean up... brush Mar 2025 #6
Denmark should kick the base out of Greenland immediately. sinkingfeeling Mar 2025 #12
That would give Trump an excuse to invade CanonRay Mar 2025 #15
Correct. David__77 Mar 2025 #38
No one will allow US bases to be built in their country any longer. Irish_Dem Mar 2025 #13
If Agent Krasnov takes Greenland by force zorbasd Mar 2025 #55
Putin and Trump were able to turn the proudest country in the world into trash. Irish_Dem Mar 2025 #62
Elon Wants it - A Space Force Base is there AND info re: Attacking Iran!!! Nictuku Mar 2025 #14
Greenland and Denmark are in NATO. So, if attack it, we are also bound to defend it surfered Mar 2025 #17
If the USA attacked Greenland, then Denmark will declare they need article 5 assistance Nonnia Bisnez Mar 2025 #32
Elect a lunatic, expect lunacy! surfered Mar 2025 #37
Intresting to note PCB66 Mar 2025 #18
And if this escalates into a shooting conflict, with U.S. military casualties? Paladin Mar 2025 #20
The president must get "his desires." He's an abomination. nt allegorical oracle Mar 2025 #24
I doubt the US is paying enough to Greenland to justify the cost of the Vance visit there. jls4561 Mar 2025 #26
That's what the Romans said about Gaul, Thrace, Egypt, Syria, Spain, Palestine, Britain, and others. Ping Tung Mar 2025 #30
Will this be before or after Tickle Mar 2025 #31
That would mean US expulsion from NATO and NATO war with US Mysterian Mar 2025 #33
FWIW, The Guardian has attributed that to both Vance and Trump muriel_volestrangler Mar 2025 #34
Highly unlikely. anciano Mar 2025 #35
Sounds so similar to September 1, 1939--when the Germans invaded Poland on a dumbass pretext. raccoon Mar 2025 #36
They do understand that this will bring about a major war with our allies indusurb Mar 2025 #40
Maybe. Maybe not. aurora the great Mar 2025 #42
If he attacks Greenland EndlessWire Mar 2025 #50
Not gonna happen. Self Esteem Mar 2025 #51
They will lose all their credibility. EndlessWire Mar 2025 #54
NATO will lose credibility. It may even dissolve. Self Esteem Mar 2025 #56
They have about 57,000 citizens. EndlessWire Mar 2025 #59
None of that is going to lead to NATO going to war over Greenland. Self Esteem Mar 2025 #60
None of that will happen over Greenland lol Self Esteem Mar 2025 #53
This is sickening Iris Mar 2025 #41
Fucking Gaslighting SHit.. who gives a Fuck Cha Mar 2025 #43
We need to 25th amendment this shit. Initech Mar 2025 #49
Unless this is about "THE SPACE ALIENS" I call BULLSHIT... GReedDiamond Mar 2025 #57
Mark this! JD Vance has just claimed the hill he dies on.... Bread and Circuses Mar 2025 #58
Or hopefully he saying this crazy shit to overtly get the media to Emile Mar 2025 #61
Akin to a tenant claiming ownership of a property simply because of occupation. no_hypocrisy Mar 2025 #63

BOSSHOG

(44,738 posts)
1. We can protect our military assets there
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:31 PM
Mar 2025

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.

Stargleamer

(2,614 posts)
19. He just has to follow in Reagan's footsteps. . .
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:20 PM
Mar 2025

"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. . ."

AltairIV

(1,004 posts)
39. I will not forget this, ever.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 04:31 PM
Mar 2025

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.

Stargleamer

(2,614 posts)
44. If Trump/Vance feel they have a need for Greenland
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 05:50 PM
Mar 2025

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

(71,658 posts)
45. Invading Greenland would be a war crime.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 05:56 PM
Mar 2025

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

(2,614 posts)
46. and I too would view it as a war crime. . .
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 06:01 PM
Mar 2025

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

snowybirdie

(6,567 posts)
5. Back in the day about 1901 or so
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:41 PM
Mar 2025

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

Response to snowybirdie (Reply #5)

standingtall

(3,144 posts)
47. I don't think we technically invaded Cuba in 1901
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 06:50 PM
Mar 2025

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

WarGamer

(18,256 posts)
8. Maybe the Westward march across our continent stomping out any indigenous folks?
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:45 PM
Mar 2025

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

Or ask the Ghost of Queen Liliʻuokalani

 

brush

(61,033 posts)
25. And the nighly supicious and mysterioous death of the King in San Francisco where...
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:43 PM
Mar 2025

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.

Mosby

(19,237 posts)
10. Did we though?
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:47 PM
Mar 2025

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

(55,929 posts)
16. Cuba is complicated, though I think the Philippines and Puerto Rico clearly were colonies
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:14 PM
Mar 2025

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

(12,348 posts)
29. You are what you eat.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:16 PM
Mar 2025

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

(3,144 posts)
48. We did not take Cuba if we did it would probably be a U.S. territory now
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 06:54 PM
Mar 2025

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

(15,087 posts)
11. It was a bit before our time....
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:50 PM
Mar 2025

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

(185 posts)
21. 1895 Annexing Hawai'i
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:26 PM
Mar 2025

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

(61,033 posts)
22. You nave no knowledge of the Monroe Doctrine and US's involvement in regime chamge and backing of dictatorial...
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:30 PM
Mar 2025

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

(2,614 posts)
23. Ever hear of Manifest Destiny?
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:39 PM
Mar 2025

"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.

H2O Man

(78,645 posts)
4. No.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:38 PM
Mar 2025

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

 

brush

(61,033 posts)
6. Hope not. Greenland should require that the US should clean up...
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 01:44 PM
Mar 2025

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?

Irish_Dem

(79,859 posts)
13. No one will allow US bases to be built in their country any longer.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:04 PM
Mar 2025

Last edited Sun Mar 30, 2025, 05:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Way too dangerous.

zorbasd

(514 posts)
55. If Agent Krasnov takes Greenland by force
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 02:57 AM
Mar 2025

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

Nictuku

(4,566 posts)
14. Elon Wants it - A Space Force Base is there AND info re: Attacking Iran!!!
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:08 PM
Mar 2025

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
 

Nonnia Bisnez

(90 posts)
32. If the USA attacked Greenland, then Denmark will declare they need article 5 assistance
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:28 PM
Mar 2025

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

PCB66

(77 posts)
18. Intresting to note
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:19 PM
Mar 2025

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

What are they planning?

Paladin

(32,296 posts)
20. And if this escalates into a shooting conflict, with U.S. military casualties?
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 02:22 PM
Mar 2025

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

jls4561

(2,841 posts)
26. I doubt the US is paying enough to Greenland to justify the cost of the Vance visit there.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:00 PM
Mar 2025

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

(4,141 posts)
30. That's what the Romans said about Gaul, Thrace, Egypt, Syria, Spain, Palestine, Britain, and others.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:23 PM
Mar 2025
History contains little beyond a list of people who have accommodated themselves with other people's property.

Voltaire

Mysterian

(6,177 posts)
33. That would mean US expulsion from NATO and NATO war with US
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:28 PM
Mar 2025

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

muriel_volestrangler

(105,574 posts)
34. FWIW, The Guardian has attributed that to both Vance and Trump
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:39 PM
Mar 2025

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


raccoon

(32,212 posts)
36. Sounds so similar to September 1, 1939--when the Germans invaded Poland on a dumbass pretext.
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 03:47 PM
Mar 2025

indusurb

(297 posts)
40. They do understand that this will bring about a major war with our allies
Sat Mar 29, 2025, 04:39 PM
Mar 2025

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.

EndlessWire

(8,103 posts)
50. If he attacks Greenland
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 02:05 AM
Mar 2025

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

(2,248 posts)
51. Not gonna happen.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 02:20 AM
Mar 2025

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

(8,103 posts)
54. They will lose all their credibility.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 02:45 AM
Mar 2025

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

(2,248 posts)
56. NATO will lose credibility. It may even dissolve.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:00 AM
Mar 2025

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

(8,103 posts)
59. They have about 57,000 citizens.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:27 AM
Mar 2025

(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

(2,248 posts)
60. None of that is going to lead to NATO going to war over Greenland.
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:41 AM
Mar 2025

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

(2,248 posts)
53. None of that will happen over Greenland lol
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 02:23 AM
Mar 2025

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.

GReedDiamond

(5,512 posts)
57. Unless this is about "THE SPACE ALIENS" I call BULLSHIT...
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:03 AM
Mar 2025

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

Bread and Circuses

(1,574 posts)
58. Mark this! JD Vance has just claimed the hill he dies on....
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:06 AM
Mar 2025

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

(40,647 posts)
61. Or hopefully he saying this crazy shit to overtly get the media to
Sun Mar 30, 2025, 03:45 AM
Mar 2025

stop talking about Hegseth signal group chat?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It really looks like now ...