Greenland?

VIEWPOINT

By RALPH HARDIN

Evening Times Editor

Guys, Donald Trump isn’t even back in office yet, and here his is with this idea of “buying” Greenland again. I say “again,” because, in case you missed it, this was something that came up during his first term, although it didn’t get a lot of attention in the news, because, well, that whole “global pandemic” thing came up and such ruminations were sort of put aside.

Until now, I guess. The question I have is, “Why?”

Even after reading up on it, I still don’t really get it. I suppose it does offer some strategic advantages in that it’s closer to Europe (and perhaps more importantly, Russia and the Middle East). But it’s not really that much closer in the age of supersonic travel. It does have some as-yet untapped natural resources, but nothing that we don’t already have access to either here in the U.S. or via trade with friendly nations. Trump has

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been quoted as saying, “For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Honestly, that sounds like it was written by ChatGPT.

What, exactly would be the plan?

Would Greenland become our 51st state? Would it be relegated to territory status like Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa and the Virgin Islands? There’s only like 50,000 people on the whole island. That’s about as many people that live in Crittenden County. The whole thing is pretty frozen. If you were paying attention in history class, you’ll recall that the Vikings pulled a fast one and called Greenland and Iceland by names intended to dissuade and/or promote settlement.

And apparently, he’s just going full Teddy Roosevelt these days, also poking around with the idea of trying to claim the Panama Canal Zone and rename the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America. It’s all a little weird, but hey, this is the guy we elected… so best of luck.