Day: January 27, 2025

The Greenland Thing Is No Big Deal, Right?

Awhile ago Trump went back onto his claim that US should own Greenland and many people thought it was just him being a blowhard and that it was nothing to care about….that may not be true….

President Trump wants Greenland, and he’s reportedly making that very clear to its current ownership. The Hill reports that Trump had a “fiery” 45-minute phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Jan. 15, five days before his inauguration. According to the Daily Mail, the call descended into an “unprecedented diplomatic clash” over Trump’s insistence that US gain control of Greenland—which is autonomous but part of Denmark—is necessary to ensure America’s national security.

When Frederiksen said that the island isn’t for sale and that Greenland has a choice in its own independence, Trump reportedly became enraged and threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark if it didn’t give up the territory. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes didn’t comment on the tone of the call, but he did say Trump is focused on Greenland as part of a global competition between China and Russia. “President Trump has been clear that the safety and security of Greenland is important to the United States as China and Russia make significant investments throughout the Arctic region,” he said in a statement.

Trump first mentioned buying Greenland during his first term as president, and the plan resurfaced prior to his second inauguration this week. A source told the Financial Times that Trump was “very firm” during the phone call with Frederiksen. “It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.” Another Danish official said the call “utterly freaked out” the Danes. “The intent was very clear,” they said. “They want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode.” Frederiksen’s office countered that it “not recognize the interpretation of the conversation given by anonymous sources.”

Apparently it is just not something he mindlessly blurted out but rather a real thing that he will throw a tantrum if he does not get his way.

And what will this divide do to NATO allies?

Will we see a 25% tariff on Danish imports because Trump is pissed at Denmark?

If so, there goes my cheese danish…..to be eaten no more.

I am still waiting for the promise of ending daylight savings to be implemented.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Ladies And Gentlemen: Welcome To Amateur Hour

After a hard fought battle the Senate has confirmed the most unqualified person to run the War Department…..

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as the nation’s defense secretary Friday in a dramatic late-night vote, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon amid allegations of heavy drinking and aggressive behavior toward women, per the AP. Vice President JD Vance had to cast the tie-breaking vote, making the final tally 51-50, reports the New York Times. Hegseth himself was at the Capitol with his family.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Hegseth, as a veteran of the Army National Guard who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, “will bring a warrior’s perspective” to the top military job. “Gone will be the days of woke distractions,” Thune said, referring to the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives being slashed across the federal government. “The Pentagon’s focus will be on war fighting.”

Rarely has a Cabinet nominee faced such wide-ranging concerns about his experience and behavior as Hegseth, particularly for such a high-profile role atop the US military. But the Republican-led Senate was determined to confirm Hegseth, a former Fox News host, rounding out President Trump’s top national security Cabinet officials.

I am no friend of the War Department but at least we should have a qualified person in charge….not some bootlicker that will be overwhelmed from day one.

“The Pentagon’s focus will be on war fighting.”…..with a statement like that can you now see why I think it should be renamed the War Department?

Hegseth will lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and almost one million civilians who work for the US military, which has a near $1 trillion annual budget.

Hegseth told lawmakers that, until this point, the largest group he had managed was 100 people and the largest budget was $16m.

he three Republican senators who voted against Hegseth were Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, the party’s leader in the chamber until this month.

McConnell said Hegseth had failed to demonstrate that he had the ability to effectively manage an organisation as large and complex as the military.

“Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes,” McConnell said in a statement.

The kakistocracy is almost fully in place….let the destruction begin.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”