American Greenland

[FCD]

That's what I'm calling it, "American Greenland" (kinda' like American Samoa, but different).

As a result of some quick research I was doing today, I got into looking at the country of Greenland (for a completely unrelated reason).  While on the subject I decided to look into the economy of Greenland.  The primary source of income in Greenland is aid from Denmark.  In other words, they have very little in the way of sustainable Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  I wondered how much this was.  Turns out it's a 'whopping' $645m.  I say 'whopping' somewhat sarcastically, as this is just peanuts really.  Here is Denmark flapping their arms wildly about the US possibly taking over Greenland like it was the end of the world, but their total investment in Greenland is a measly $645m annually.  The US can't even fart for less than $700m dollars!!!  Seriously though, I was shocked to see how small of a stock Denmark actually has in Greenland.

Also of note was another interesting factoid.  Since 2022 Denmark has been all up in arms about a mining deal Greenland has struck with none other than China (surprise, surprise!).  It doesn't take much imagination to figure out that this mining deal is for lithium (of course).  Up until recently, Denmark was trying to force Greenland to block the deal, but recently Greenland green-lighted the deal against Denmark's wishes.

Now the Trump move on Greenland makes a little more sense.  The lithium alone is worth probably 50x more than $645m annually, not to mention all of the other natural resources there.  Historically, Greenland has been very 'green' (environmentally conscious) (pun intended), but now I can see what's going through Trump's mind.  He's probably thinking somebody is going to get that lithiumm, so why not the US to leverage its bets against Chinese lithium?  Make sense, especially when Greenland can be had for less than the cost of a Blue-Light Special at K-mart.  (remember those?  I'm old, I know).

Thoughts?

[NobodySpecial268]

Now hang on cotton picken moment FCD. Greenland is no business of America's!

Just because the people there don't have a big economy doesn't make them small. Well it does, but that is just numbers.

Nevertheless, out of simple politeness and humility, I think it only proper for the American president to admit to the world he is being inconsiderate and to apologise sincerely to the Greenlanders, seals, and walruses.

[FCD]

Now hang on cotton picken moment FCD. Greenland is no business of America's!

Just because the people there don't have a big economy doesn't make them small. Well it does, but that is just numbers.

Nevertheless, out of simple politeness and humility, I think it only proper for the American president to admit to the world he is being inconsiderate and to apologise sincerely to the Greenlanders, seals, and walruses.

Okay, I'm good with that.  Do you think he should do it 'before', or 'after', we take over?  I'm thinkin' after, but either way works for me.  A few Snickers bars may help with relations too.

Because lemme' tell ya' what, there ain't nothin' more stupid lookin' than a Walrus speakin' Mandarin Chinese!

[NobodySpecial268]

Okay, I'm good with that.  Do you think he should do it 'before', or 'after', we take over?  I'm thinkin' after, but either way works for me.  A few Snickers bars may help with relations too.

Because lemme' tell ya' what, there ain't nothin' more stupid lookin' than a Walrus speakin' Mandarin Chinese!

Let's schedule the big apology before the take-over.

Now that we have prevented the world's second-largest nuclear nation from invading Greenland (Trump will never apologise), we have to negotiate a settlement with the penguins of Heard and McDonald islands. Those poor penguins are facing ten percent tariffs . . .

Mandarin? -- It could be worse . . .

[Ksihkehe]

I'm all for Greenland choosing its own fate.

That's about the only thing I have any real interest in, that the people have a say.

I'm not sure Lithium has the same staying power as fossil fuels have had, with a possible short window on materials science getting us to even better energy storage. It seems to be critical for now, but when they do find a cheaper and safer alternative I don't know what further applications will demand much of it. There may be advancements in something that uses lithium, but I don't know if there's any way to avoid the risks. I know I've heard of improved casing, but I don't know that I've heard of any inert form for the core.

I've also read that it's of strategic significance from a security standpoint, globally. I haven't really examined that rigorously, but they seem to have a number of reasons. I feel like the only modern wars that really go somewhat as expected are wars that make a lot of money for people that feel safe from any repercussions. I don't know if Greenland will be important, but I'm sure they consider the lithium as part of the security analysis. It may even be the biggest security consideration. I have no clue, but he's been on it for a while. I never really expected that seed to grow, but now it's being discussed seriously.

I don't really know what they think a couple years of Trump will do for turning around the legacy of the US letting corporations and politicians plunder the countries they take under their wing. It's not the strings attached in the deal that always get you, but in the future news strings can always be attached. I have no doubt people can make the argument that Denmark is no more trustworthy than the US, but I don't know enough about their politics. I have my suspicions that some people in Greenland must feel that way or we wouldn't still be seeing it.

I hope the citizens are getting the information they need to make a decision and aren't just being sold out by community leaders. I have no idea about the politics of Greenland and can't imagine what they're concerned with as individuals. I would imagine they're not unlike everyone else that wants a family or community, reasonable means to survive with opportunities to advance themselves, the means for enrichment activities, and a good future. Seems to be what the masses agree upon when you strip away all the bullshit, but there are many flavors of bullshit that get piled on everything.

[Ksihkehe]

we have to negotiate a settlement with the penguins of Heard and McDonald islands. Those poor penguins are facing ten percent tariffs . . .

(There is probably an "AI" that could spit this out, in Trump's voice, from the podium at a rally, if prompted correctly, but you'll just have to use your imagination.)

This tariff benefits Australia, helps make it great... we love Australia. You should be very happy with these tariffs in Australia.

Since the first hand-drawn images of penguins, Heard and McDonald Island have subsidized a sizeable cuteness-based export economy. It's only gotten bigger, huge industry. Calendars, National Geographic, they're everywhere, the penguins. They didn't adopt global standards for their fisheries and used those fish, illegally obtained -not counted, not a single one, they're not doing it at all- to build that cuteness industry. They need to play by the rules. That's all we're asking for. We're going to end up with a very good deal, penguins, koalas -we love koalas- all are going to do amazing with this deal.

You have cute Australian animals -the cutest, they really are the cutest- but they have been devalued on the global market, because Heard and McDonald -these tiny islands, unbelievable, these little islands, have you seen them?- have been very very dishonest about their fisheries. We're going to put the penguins on all our mugs, shirts, all over our media, the biggest platforms in the world, but they have to come to the table and we're working on that now. I think the penguins will end up very happy, we're going to give them a great deal.

ETA- added italics at the suggestion of FCD to prevent confusion. Nobodyspecial is from Australia, which is where that part came from.

[FCD]

I think you're correct, but Greenland is about more than just lithium.  There are numerous other natural resources there, copper chief among them.  Copper might actually be a bigger deal than the lithium.  As it stands right now, the US imports most of its copper ore from China.  In fact, copper is one of the exemptions to the current tariffs.  Greenland is rich in copper.  But (and there always has to be a "But"), to your point, copper mining is one of the most environmentally destructive forms of mining.  This is because copper doesn't exist in large dense pockets of veins, so the only effective mining method is open strip mining.  And, unfortunately, while aluminum is also a good electrical conductor, it is not a good material to use in electrical transmission and distribution because of its thermal expansion properties.  Aluminum ultimately becomes dangerous in this regard.  Gold and silver are obviously better than copper, but you're not going to see these metals showing up in Romex wire at Home Depot anytime soon, so copper is the next best thing.  Then it goes to aluminum, and then steeply downhill after that.  So, copper is a vitally important commodity.  And even before the tariff thing, the price of copper has been skyrocketing lately.

I am in agreement with you about not plundering the planet.  However, China doesn't share these same feelings.  Just look at China's pollution problems.  To date, much of China's pollution and environmental destruction has been contained to within China, but now with their move to expand to places like Greenland (along with Canada, Zambia, DRC, Brazil, Mongolia, Myanmar, Tajikistan), oil exploration in the Arctic and exploitation of anything and everything just about everywhere they get allowed to enter...China represents a major threat.  Then there's their activity in the South Pacific (which is for a whole other post).  Unfortunately, if America doesn't step in, China will absolutely fill the void (like overnight too).

[FCD]

(There is probably an "AI" that could spit this out, in Trump's voice, from the podium at a rally, if prompted correctly, but you'll just have to use your imagination)

This tariff benefits Australia, help make it great... we love Australia. You should be very happy with these tariffs in Australia.

Since the first hand-drawn images of penguins, Heard and McDonald Island have subsidized a sizeable cuteness-based export economy. It's only gotten bigger, huge industry. Calendars, National Geographic, they're everywhere, the penguins. They didn't adopt global standards for their fisheries and used those fish, illegally obtained -not counted, not a single one, they're not doing it at all- to build that cuteness industry. They need to play by the rules. That's all we're asking for. We're going to end up with a very good deal, penguins, koalas -we love koalas- all are going to do amazing with this deal.

You have cute Australian animals -the cutest, they really are the cutest- but they have been devalued on the global market, because Heard and McDonald -these tiny islands, unbelieve, these little islands, have you seen them?- have been very very dishonest about their fisheries. We're going to put the penguins on all our mugs, shirts, all over our media, the biggest platforms in the world, but they have to come to the table and we're working on that now. I think the penguins will end up very happy, we're going to give them a great deal.

HA!!  It took me a minute to see where you were going with this!  LOLOLOL!  That's a pretty good imitation.  At first I was following along like this was you replying, but the 3rd paragraph spilled the beans.  Funny stuff!  (Maybe put it in italics so it's clearer that it's a quote). 

Not sure if you've ever watched him, but the comedian Shane Gillis does a great impression of Trump.  I mean, it's like so good you can't even tell it's not Trump...except for Gillis making it stupidly funny (which he's pretty good at doing).

edit - I'm still cracking up at your post and my reaction to it. I was seriously starting to reply about Heard and McDonald Islands (interesting places to be sure), but that's when I figured out you were just joking!

[NobodySpecial268]

(There is probably an "AI" that could spit this out, in Trump's voice, from the podium at a rally, if prompted correctly, but you'll just have to use your imagination)

This tariff benefits Australia, help make it great... we love Australia. You should be very happy with these tariffs in Australia.

Since the first hand-drawn images of penguins, Heard and McDonald Island have subsidized a sizeable cuteness-based export economy. It's only gotten bigger, huge industry. Calendars, National Geographic, they're everywhere, the penguins. They didn't adopt global standards for their fisheries and used those fish, illegally obtained -not counted, not a single one, they're not doing it at all- to build that cuteness industry. They need to play by the rules. That's all we're asking for. We're going to end up with a very good deal, penguins, koalas -we love koalas- all are going to do amazing with this deal.

You have cute Australian animals -the cutest, they really are the cutest- but they have been devalued on the global market, because Heard and McDonald -these tiny islands, unbelieve, these little islands, have you seen them?- have been very very dishonest about their fisheries. We're going to put the penguins on all our mugs, shirts, all over our media, the biggest platforms in the world, but they have to come to the table and we're working on that now. I think the penguins will end up very happy, we're going to give them a great deal.

Actually, America came in second place once again. We have had a ten percent tariff on American products for years. The sneakily greedy Aussie government uses the deceptively innocent term of "Goods and Services Tax" (GST). That is where any American product has a ten percent tariff added to the price. Like the Brits with their Value Added Tax (VAT).

"Cute"? Beware of the Aussie bush mate, it'll kill ya . . .

[FCD]

LOL!  The "Drop Bear" video was hilarious!

I seem to recall some kind of lore about "Drop Bears" when I was working down in Sydney.  I want to say some of the guys from CASA tried to pull that "Drop Bear" joke on me one night while having a bunch of VB's (my most favorite beer of all time, BTW!).  These guys were real pranksters, so fortunately for me I knew about every other factoid they tried to tell me was probably some kind of a prank on this "Yank" (Manchurian Candidate 'Roo's, dingo's stealing babies, Rainbow Serpents, Yowies, etc.)