Europe, do not engage in appeasement.

he's been triggered and is suffering a mental breakdown ... ... boo hoo hoo, bummer ...

strap on his drool cup and then place an order for the pudding cups, jello cups and a pallet of depends ...

[✘] We’ll have Greenland democratically without a shot fire. It’ll just take a couple years

And if you wish hard enough all the Republican dreams will come true including 2+2=5, white is black and the Earth is flat.  

Huhh...I thought Canada was going to be taken over by the States?...how is that working out these days?? Gone awfully quiet..

So now it's Greenland turn after Canada said get stuffed...I heard Iran is nice this time of year too... besides I could have sworn Trump said help is on it's way?? I guess they are still waiting for it...

Greenland will remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark... even when Trump is long gone...

Does there seem to be a pattern developing here??... Canada, Venezuela, Greenland, rumblings of Columbia... wonder if we are on the hit list?...

Nah he wouldn't understand the lingo, time zones would stuff him up and our secret weapon..😁😁

We're safe..🦘

Canada must REALLY be pissing Trump off these days, because Carney just went to Beijing to improve relations and make new deals.  Canada is changing "RELIANCE" to "RESILIANCE". 

Would that secret weapon be Vegemite?

I thought Canada was going to be taken over by the States?...how is that working out these days??

Canada has Mark Carney. We have Donald Trump.

Any other questions? 

We have an emotional child at the helm of our nation doing damage on a weekly basis.    When will Congress wake up put this child-man into a pen?

What I wish I would see is the rest of the nations of the world having the balls to give Trump a knockout punch, a get-even plastering - because the American people don't have what it takes to tar and feather the bastard and run him out of town on a rail which is what he deserves.

Nice thought, but the only people on the planet who can directly deal with Trump are those in Congress.

That is it.   Without a responsible Congress, a PotUS can literally do anything that his reports will support.   Especially since the SCotUS made its inexplicable and unconstitutional immunity ruling.  Given Trump has surrounded himself with incompetent sycophants who will do whatever he wants and defend him no matter what, the USA (and the world) is in a precarious position.

Congress continues to fail us.   Of course, in this case, it is the GOP side of Congress since the Ds would clearly be in favor of putting guard rails on Trump.

Also, it truly sucks that our nation is being blamed and not just Trump.   It is reasonable given our electorate stupidly elected this buffoon a second time, but in reality, the people of the USA disapprove of what Trump is doing ... but cannot do a damned thing about it until mid-terms.

"...but cannot do a damned thing about it until mid-terms."

Let's hope that those who voted for Trump experience an epiphany in November.

the American people don't have what it takes to tar and feather the bastard and run him out of town on a rail which is what he deserves.

That may be what he deserves, but as TiG says, Congress won't do their job.

Oh, sure, somebody could try to use force, lethal or otherwise, to remove him from office.  They would die trying.  He is possibly the most protected person in the world, with the only likely exception being Vladimir Putin.  And the attempt would rally his supporters, as we already saw during the campaign.  It would also give him the excuse he desperately wants to impose martial law.  He'd love nothing more.

cannot do a damned thing about it until mid-terms.

I think you're right. IMO there's a good chance that after the mid-terms the Democrats wil end with a majority in both houses of Congress.

The expression is "From your lips to God's ears" but I guess for here we have to change it to "From your fingertips to God's eyes". 

The polls suggest this.   But if you observe the local posts one would expect that no such epiphany is remotely possible.   Anyone who is still defending Trump at this point is likely to never recognize that he should be chastised, not applauded.

I hope so.   We need some serious grid lock until the presidency is held by a rational, responsible individual who takes the oath of office seriously, respects our laws and the CotUS, has the good sense to NOT abuse the power and influence of the office, will try to reverse the insanity of Trump (e.g. tariffs, Gulf of America, environmental idiocy, White House damage/gilding/obnoxious signs, etc.).   And will put responsible people back in positions of great responsibility.

The expression is "From your lips to God's ears" but I guess for here we have to change it to "From your fingertips to God's eyes". 

Well I don't know anything about how she uses her eyes or ears, but lately there have been rumours that latekly she been relying a lot on ChatGTP!

But if you observe the local posts one would expect that no such epiphany is remotely possible.

I personally do not put much credence into "the local posts".

(Many of those who post those things do not impress me as being particularly well-informed).

On being well-informed, let me offer this.

We (several of us) have been providing mountains of evidence regarding the Renee Good killing.   The evidence clearly shows that the officer was standing clear of her path the entire time.   He was not hit.

So not being informed is no excuse.   

They are posting lies; intentional falsehoods to defend this corrupt administration.

So if an epiphany is coming, why are they trying so hard to convince others to not believe their own eyes?

I find this behavior to be irrational.

I find this behavior to be irrational.

Of course much of the population is not particularly rational . . .  

Congress continues to fail us.   Of course, in this case, it is the GOP side of Congress since the Ds would clearly be in favor of putting guard rails on Trump.

Well there are some signs that the GOP side is starting to come around on this issue at least.  Per Google AI:

In January 2026, several prominent Republican members of Congress have publicly denounced President Trump’s renewed efforts to acquire or seize Greenland   from Denmark. Dissent has intensified following Trump’s January 2026 announcement of a 10% tariff on eight European allies (including Denmark and the U.K.) intended to pressure them into a deal .  

Prominent Republican critics and their stances include:

• Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC):   A lead critic, Tillis joined a bipartisan delegation to Copenhagen in mid-January 2026 to reassure Danish officials. He has described the push for coercive action as " beyond stupid ," " absurd ," and " amateurish ," specifically blaming White House advisors like Stephen Miller. He stated there are enough Republican votes to pass a war powers resolution to block any military force.
• Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK):   Also part of the delegation to Denmark, Murkowski emphasized that "Greenland needs to be viewed as   our ally, not as an asset ". She warned that the administration's actions play into the hands of Vladimir Putin by destabilizing NATO.
• Representative Don Bacon (R-NE):   Bacon called the situation " appalling " and "the dumbest thing I've ever heard". He suggested that a military invasion of Greenland would lead to Trump's   impeachment , an effort he indicated he would "lean" toward supporting.
• Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY):   The former Senate Majority Leader called any use of force to annex the territory an " especially catastrophic act of strategic self-harm " that would "shatter the trust of allies".
• Senator John Kennedy (R-LA):   Characterized an invasion of a fellow NATO country as " weapons-grade stupid ".
• Senator Susan Collins (R-ME):   Stated that the U.S. should not be threatening to take Greenland by force or purchase, calling such threats " completely inappropriate ".
• Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX):   Warned that a military intervention would mean " war with NATO itself " and potentially end the alliance.
• Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA):   Stated that U.S. military action in Greenland " would not be appropriate ".  

While some Republicans, such as   Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD)   and   Tim Sheehy (R-MT) , have downplayed the threats as a "hypothetical" negotiating tactic, a growing faction in the GOP has vowed to block any attempt at a forceful takeover through legislative action.  

Eventually, something has to give.   I would expect Congress is getting close to its last straw, but frankly, Freewill, I would have expected them to do that right off the bat when Trump was greatly damaging international relationships with his tariffs and associated trolling.    He does not have the authority to just issue tariffs for any reason.   Congress has failed us.

Democrats will need more than a simple majority to do anything

Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD)   and   Tim Sheehy (R-MT) , have downplayed the threats as a "hypothetical" negotiating tactic,

sounds like someone we have here. Pretend we are all being hysterical until the shit does blow up

Normally I would be okay with gridlock.   Our federal politicians are worthless.

But in this case, we have a rogue PotUS who should be impeached and convicted.   For that reason alone, I would want to see 60 votes for conviction in the Senate beyond the Ds holding a majority in the House.   Not likely, but that is what this nation needs.

Vance can limp along as an ineffective substitute until the USA has a chance to elect a semi-decent human being to be the most powerful individual on the planet.   Maybe it will also start the GOP on its road to recovery.

Today is the one year anniversary of Trumps second term.  Which means we are 25% of the way to getting out of this nightmare.  Since Trump is constantly escalating his demented behavior I dont think we are going to make it with our society intact. 

Our society is already 'not intact'.   And it will almost certainly grow worse.   Negative public opinion appears not to dissuade Trump.   Seems he focuses on his GoP support and ignores the rest.

As has been true all along, it is Trump supporters who enable Trump to continue.

We are barreling toward ever increasing chaos.  If the current situation were as bad as it is ever going to be it would be terrible but the country could get through it.  Trump WILL get worse, as some of us have been saying for years and it came true.  He cannot stop for psychological reasons and he needs ever increasing subservience. 

Dictators don't care about the opposition. If anything, when they get enough power, the opposition "disappears"

Yes, Trump will grow worse.   He always wants more.   If he is not stopped by Congress or dissuaded by his supporters turning against him, he will predictably grow worse.

And the SCotUS has given him the confidence that he can do whatever he wants.

SCotUS has given him the confidence that he can do whatever he wants.

Except when he loses.  Crazy how progressives activists pretend the Court just does what he wants. 

We are barreling toward ever increasing chaos. 

With neither side willing to back down, one has to wonder just how bad it will get before it's open warfare on the streets.

Apparently you did not recognize what I was referring to.

I was referring to the grant of immunity by the SCotUS.

Trump is clearly emboldened by the ruling that he is immune from criminal charges for anything that can be considered an act of office.

Thats probably true, but why should people back down to an authoritarian who is mentally ill? 

As the majority of people look at how things directly impact them, all one has to do in this case is look at which can impact them more. An idiot in Washington or open warfare on the street in front of their homes and business. It's not like we haven't had authoritarians in Washington before. 

not like trmp

Anyone who thinks Trump is just another one in a list of "authoritarians in Washington" is hopeless. You see what you want to see. 

You see what you want to see. 

As do you.

I disagree. Personally I think that Obama did much the same that Trump is doing, the difference is how mainstream media is playing it.

Unbelievable. 

So many of you saw Obama as the Boogeyman 

I didn't say boogeyman, I was responding to the comment about authoritarian. Some of the actions by Obama that people can consider authoritarian include :

• Healthcare: In the ACA there was a mandate to purchase insurance coverage.
• Executive Actions: Using executive orders to set up DACA as well as climate regulations rather than going thru Congress to do any of this.
• National Security and Foreign Policy
  • Benghazi Attack: The initial explanations and security lapses and later explanations when caught.
  • Drone Warfare: Increased use of drone strikes which lead to civilian casualties. (Trump has received deserved criticism for this but not Obama?)
  • Iran Nuclear Deal: Was never ratified by Congress, instead handled via EO.
• Domestic Issues:
  • IRS Scandal : The IRS targeting conservative groups for extra scrutiny.
  • AP Phone Records: Seizure of AP journalists' phone records during an investigation
  • Financial Bailouts: The auto industry bailouts without regard to how it treated creditors and the banking bailouts that faced general public backlash.
  • Climate Policy : The use of Executive Orders to set emissions rules on power plants
• Abuse of Power
  • Religious freedom mandates ignored in the ACA.
  • Fast & Furious: Withholding information from Congress. 

The Executive Branch requires some authoritarianism in order to function. Reasonable people can debate if any actions were taken too far. For example I think the ACA mandate was a good thing as it helps to spread the costs over a larger pool of people. Sadly there is a largish group of people who view Presidential authoritarianism the same as they view their voting, if it's their party then it's good and if it's the other party then it's bad. 

Democrats will need more than a simple majority to do anything

I was thinking more of a democratic Congress stopping some of his more extreme ideas.

(Also if the Dems control both houses of Congress also depends to a large degree as to the size of the Democratic margin).

Trump is out of control.   Comparing Trump to any of our recent presidents makes zero sense.

Do you NOT recognize that Trump has already seriously harmed our relationships with the world's nations and is killing NATO?

Just this alone should wake up Trump supporters/defenders and cause them to criticize this maniac rather than always try to deflect to others.

Trump is a tragic aberration for our nation.   He is wholly unfit to be PotUS and proves that daily.   How is it possible that a rational mind cannot see this?

It is reasonable given our electorate stupidly elected this buffoon a second time,

This is America's fault. Period. And I'm not convinced there's any way out. 

Yes, this is a profound failure of the electorate.

I find this behavior to be irrational

There's a simple explanation. They are fascist true-believers. Dedicated racists.

We are reluctant to see evil in people with whom we share this forum. But. At some point, when all other explanations have been proven false... 

until the USA has a chance to elect a semi-decent human being

You assume that the US will continue to hold elections. That is not a given. 

We are reluctant to see evil in people with whom we share this forum.

I see it all around me so don't call me reluctant to see the evil

Eventually, something has to give. 

I think you were right.  Trump has specifically stated that he will not use force in Greenland while previously hinting at and dancing around that question before.  He has also backed down on that tariff bullshit he was talking about last week to get Europe "in line" with his approach to Greenland.

My question is why he felt the need to go into it with such threats and strong arm tactics in the first place?  This isn't a business or real estate deal where you go in with the most extreme and ridiculous offer and then work back toward a favorable outcome. This is national foreign policy where strong relationships with allies and friends are crucial to maintain.  Trust does not necessarily factor into a real estate deal, but it is EVERYTHING in the foreign relations and statecraft business, particularly when so many allies are involved.  He might end up with a rational agreement or solution in the end that will be accepted by all parties, but what of the damage he has done to the trust of our allies in the process?   

“We are reluctant to see evil in people with whom we share this forum.”

Not me.

My question is why he felt the need to go into it with such threats and strong arm tactics in the first place? 

Trump is a showman.   Everything is done for optics and for personal satisfaction.   Further, the guy apparently has no ability to determine the consequences of his impulsive actions.   He seems to get an idea and just stubbornly runs with it.   Facts get in the way.

Trump does not care what damage he causes the USA.   He only cares about what makes him feel good at the moment.   He is a petulant man-child.

I do not believe rational adults can understand why Trump does what he does because his distorted mind bears no resemblance to ours.

Trump is a showman. Everything is done for optics and for personal satisfaction.

Kennedy said it best, "weapons-grade stupid".

I don't usually agree with much that Kennedy has to say, but in this case, his aphorism is accurate. Whether or not this accumulates into action or remains words is yet to be seen. 

There are still three years left and many, many more pieces of goodwill to destroy.

When will Congress wake up put this child-man into a pen?

Sadly, the Republican congress is being held hostage by rightwing extremists aka their constituents. They know that if they act like adults and hold their party's president to account, they will be attacked, vilified and primaried right out of power. When you have to rely on a rabid mob to keep you in power, you do everything you can to pretend your supporters aren't a rabid mob and work to legitimize their insanity, which is exactly what we see most Republican legislators doing.

When Italy started to move towards fascism, it wasn't some outside group, it was a large portion of Italians who fell for Mussolini's rhetoric and fascist nationalism. They believed themselves the 'true Italians' fighting for their nation to be 'Great' under a populist leader not unlike rightwing conservatives today. It wasn't until Mussolini's boasts and promises went unkept that his gullible fool followers began to lose faith and realize they had been supporting an extreme narcissist and liar who didn't give a fuck about them and only thought about himself.

Two facts became evident in the last month of Mussolini’s 20-year rule. Fascism had lost its grip on  Italy . Mussolini had lost his grip on Fascism. The cheering crowds in Palermo were final proof to the entire world that Fascism had been repudiated except by the dwindling number of Italian citizens who were professional Blackshirts owing their position and wealth to this status. Already even these were visibly melting away.

But Mussolini had lost his grip even on those who remained. In mid-April Mussolini changed the whole of his Government and the high party bureaucracy in a final attempt to collect all strings in his hands. He excluded ambitious Fascists as well as those on the fringe of Fascism or outside it. He sought obedient instruments in vain. He became his own Foreign Minister in a desperate endeavour to change the appearances of Italy’s war policy so as to make it less odious to Italians.

Mussolini loses grip on Italy, archive 1943 | Benito Mussolini | The Guardian

How will the Mango Mussolini make his war policy less odious to Americans? He's losing support in every sector. I've even seen the cracks in his support here on NT. There is no future for MAGAites, they will be reviled as traitors to our nation just as those fascists clinging to Musollini who got their asses kicked by the allies.

America will reclaim its role as leader of the free world and defender of western Democracy, but it will not do so under Trump and the miserable MAGAites enabling him. Just like the Nazi's, they see empathy as weakness, diversity as a threat to their racial and religious privilege and reasoned dissent as treason.

Yes, the support for Trump (even though it is waning) is what is intimidating these spineless, worthless politicians.

I've even seen the cracks in his support here on NT.

Same here.  But what is remarkable is that anyone supports this dangerous buffoon.

Sadly, the Republican congress is being held hostage by rightwing extremists aka their constituents.

That reminds me of a quote from Albert Einstein:

I know of two things that that are infinite: the Universe and human stupidity. and I'm not entirely sure about sure about the former.

That reminds me of a quote from Albert Einstein: I know of two things that that are infinite: the Universe and human stupidity. and I'm not entirely sure about sure about the former.

But OTOH:

Democracy is the worst form of government in the world . . . except for all the others.

--Attributed to Winston Churchill

But what is remarkable is that anyone supports this dangerous buffoon.

I'm not surprised at that . . . not surprised at all!

Can you explain it to me?

Can you explain it to me?

I think he's just agreeing with Albert Eistein, it's not surprising because of human stupidity. There will always be some numbskulls who thinks empowering a villain to do their dirty work is a good idea.

But so many of them??

But so many of them??

Yes.

Can you explain it to me?

I have always been fascinated by human behaviour. Observing. And later tryinmh to understand why people act the way they do.

It can get complicated. And people are different. But most people constantly do stupid things. 

For example, some people still smoke cigarettes. At this point they should know what the consequences are (of smoking over time..)

What is the explanation of why people keep doing that? 

Physical biochemical addiction.

Can you explain it to me?

Other factors to consider:

1. Often we tend to assume that other people have the  same values as we do. And/or they have the same beliefs as we do. Often they don't.

2. In some cases its a case of immediate versus delayed gratification. Various people have different patternsd of behaviour. for example, they go for the immediate gratification of indulging  in a bad habit (that immediately makes them feel good-- smoking, dangerous drugs, Alcohol, etc) but its a habit that in the long run has very bad consequences.

(Often they do it without thinking-- its just a habit they learned from their family. Or from friends). Or from things they see repeatedly online).

Physical biochemical addiction.

Yes in some cases. And sometimes its psychological. Sometimes because of the crowd a person hangs out with. 

Often its instant vs delayed satisfaction. (There's the famous " Marshmallow Experiment ")

Yes in some cases. And sometimes its psychological. Sometimes because of the crowd a person hangs out with. 

Long ago I did a lot of research re: how wealthy people made their money. Interesting stuff. And I read a lot of books about how to become wealthy. But the reason I'm mentioning this in the context of this discussion is one of the suggestions was a bit surprising at first. It said one of the factors that lead to greater sucess: always try to hang out with people that are smarter than you.

Yes, the support for Trump (even though it is waning) is what is intimidating these spineless, worthless politicians.

Rogan's podcast probably has the largest following-- and he's speaking out:

Looks like we might be approaching some final straws for a layer of the Trump supporter onion.

Looks like we might be approaching some final straws for a layer of the Trump supporter onion.

That seems to be true. He is losing support of some of his followers. (Of course many still love him). But some of them are startinmg to be annoyed by some of his excesses...

put this child-man into a pen?

with bars

Back to the topic, looks like we're heading towards another tariff war.  Notwithstanding that, the damage Trump is doing to the World Order, and to the political relationships between allies is bound to make life more difficult for everyone.  Why anyone supports him is a mystery to me since he is not helping, but harming everyone, including those who support him and are just too fucking blind to realize it. 

Why anyone supports him is a mystery to me

He hates the people they hate.

I think that is most likely the root.   But I do not think Trump actually hates the Ds, libs, et. al.    I think he is playing a role because he knows his supporters indeed hate the Ds, libs, et. al. and all they stand for.   He will pretend to 'hate' and 'like' to please his base.

Trump hates those who cross him, and he does not care which party or ideology to which they ascribe.   The rest of it is, IMO, all show for his marks (his supporters).   And he could not care less about his supporters other than to secure their votes and praise.

He will pretend to 'hate' and 'like' to please his base.

He was once supposedly a die hard NY Dem. Until he wasn't. We know he doesn't care about anything, but himself. Although after being vehemently opposed for so long he may truly feel aggrieved. 

Trump hates those who cross him, and he does not care which party or ideology to which they ascribe.

He wears his narcissism on sleeve and puts it in his daily tweets and speeches. 

The rest of it is, IMO, all show for his marks (his supporters).

The bones he throws to his marks are almost an afterthought after his grievances. 

Why anyone supports him is a mystery to me

He hates the people they hate.

(Or at the very least he's got them convinced he hates the people they hate!)

He was once supposedly a die hard NY Dem.

Probably. (Or at least he acted like one).

That's when he lived up in NYC. Heavily Democratic area of course. Most of the people in power are Democrats. 

So he "was a Democrat").

True.  He seems to have convinced Nick Fuentes, for example, that he shares his views, which include antisemitism.  I wonder how his favorite child Ivanka feels about that, since she converted to Judaism?

and they worship selfishness in a person. trmp is the selfish person they've ever known and they love that about him

She probably just says "Oh, Daddy", gives him a kiss and skips along merrily on her way

and they worship selfishness in a person.

Ayn Rand extolled selfishness as a virtue in 1964 and they have been stuck there ever since.

She probably just says "Oh, Daddy", gives him a kiss and skips along merrily on her way

Or he gives her a kiss...

(He once said that if she wasn't his daughter he'd date her . . .  )

Trump believes in nothing. He is entirely ruled by his narcissism. 

Notwithstanding that, the damage Trump is doing to the World Order, and to the political relationships between allies is bound to make life more difficult for everyone.  Why anyone supports him is a mystery to me

Why? Because he says he will make their life better. And they believe him. So that's why they support him.

"And they believe him."

Has some kind of brain-devouring virus struck the USA?

And they can't show how he has made their life better. Not with high (and ever rising grocery prices) and the ups and downs at the gas pump. It was $2.19 a gallon here about 2 weeks ago. then it shot up to  2.45 over night. Now it's down to 2.39

Can we have Carney?

Please?

Pretty please with honey on it? 

If Carney went to the USA now that he made up with China he would probably just be detained by ICE.

This is the complete text of Trump's letter to Norway

“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”

This is just one of his idiotic "Truths" from his social media platform masquerading as international diplomacy. 

The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. 

I think someone said a version of that about central Europe localities about 90 years ago.

I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding

WTF???  

There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also.

And don't forget-- before that,  the Vikings landed boats there!

And before that? Who knows...

(Why is Trump trying to change the subject? Maybe he's afraid that if he persists the full Epstein files will (finally) be released?)

And don't forget-- before that,  the Vikings landed boats there!

The Vikings were widely known boat landers*:

(Buzz I know you can'r view Youtube videos. Here's what this one is-- a group of actual puppets singing one of The Village People's more nautical songs. Actually it probably doesn't add anything of great importance to the conversation, but some people may find it to be amusing)

Don't worry about it - it's not important.  What I've started thinking and worrying about is the mid-terms, because I don't think the Democrats have a leader who is charismatic enough to pull those who were and still are inspired by Trump away from thinking he's a strong leader able to Make America Great Again by bullying the rest of the world.  The Republican lawmakers need not fight for their seats, just rely on the existece of Trump to keep them secure with their constituents, which has now became obvious to me because I think back to how Liz Cheney lost her seat by having personal integrity, honesty and principles for doing what is right instead of following party lines. 

For mid-terms, we don't need a strong Democratic leader at the national level.  We just need good candidates at the state level.

You already got what you need: 5 states gerrymandered to the gills.

"We just need good candidates at the state level."

Hope you got them.

"...5 states gerrymandered to the gills."

Thanks to the Republicans for showing them how to be successful in doing it.

Dems finally figured out that they need to fight fire with fire.  Sorry they're not letting Texas get away with the "rules for thee, but not for me" bullshit the GOP has been relying on.

Dems finally figured out that they need to fight fire with fire

You were saying....

From google AI

As of the latest information, seven states had no Republican members in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2024 elections: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.

Every one of these states voted at least 35 percent for Trump in the 2024 election. 

unless you have red or blue districts 35% translates to zero wins

U.S. House of Representatives following the 2024 elections: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.

5 of those 7 states have 3 or less US Representatives meaning it would be easy if not expected that there would be no reps in those states for the minority vote party in a presidential election. 

35% translates to zero wins

Correct. They were gerrymandered so that there would be no republican wins

If a state only has 2 or 3 reps it cant be gerrymandered to win all three. 

Dems finally figured out that they need to fight fire with fire.

Being that I have lived in California for all of my adult life, I got a bit of a chuckle out of that.  As far back as I can remember, Democrats have gerrymandered their way to complete power here in California, culminating in the formation of the Citizens Redistricting Commission ( CCRC ) in 2008 and its application to congressional districts overwhelmingly in 2010.  Of course that was dismantled by Gov. Newsom and the State Legislature and their gambit called Prop 50.  Interesting historical record HERE .

The fighting fire with fire has been going on here in California for decades but in more recent decades (during my adult lifetime) most of that fire came from Democrats.  The Burton Gerrymander and his "contribution to modern art" (in reference to the contorted maps he had drawn) in the 80's was particularly memorable  Today the numbers are undeniable.

After the 2024 election the Democrats controlled 43 of the 52 Congressional seats (83%) while receiving 60.5% of the popular vote.  Republicans only 9 seats (17%) while getting 39.2% of the popular vote. Now after the passage of Prop 50, due to maps that had already been drawn by Newsom and the State Legislature for a mid-decade redistricting (overriding the CCRC maps until 2030 and likely beyond), the number of Republican US House seats will likely be reduced to just 4 or 5 (7.6% to 9.6%) after the 2026 mid-term election and beyond. If the tables were turned, would that seem like a fair or democratic process to you?  That sort of thing is the direct result of gerrymandering as the case of California makes abundantly clear.

As you probably imagine, I voted yes on those CCRC propositions in 2008 & 2010 and for the very same reasons voted no on Prop 50 here recently.  I'm against this gerrymandering fireball fight no matter who is blamed for starting it.  Gerrymandering is wrong no matter who does it and has no place in a true democratic republic, full stop. 

I would prefer that gerrymandering be illegal.

But if one side plays by the rules, and the other doesn't, no matter which side, that gives the honest side an unfair advantage, and takes away the voices of their voters.

Back in 2013, Republicans in Virginia pulled a stunt that even the Republican governor at the time didn't like.

warner.senate

The  secret plan  began unfolding about two weeks ago. Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. went to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling with a way to redraw Senate districts and make them  more favorable to Republicans .

But  Bolling  rejected the idea, fearing that it would set a bad precedent, according to two people familiar with the meeting but not authorized to discuss it publicly. Bolling, who would be needed to break a tie vote in the evenly divided Senate, also thought the move would so inflame partisan passions that lawmakers would lose sight of such priorities as  transportation  and  education .

Republicans would have to wait for the right opportunity.

It presented itself on  Inauguration Day , when Virginia Democrats basked in their second straight presidential win and one in particular traveled to Washington to witness President Obama’s swearing-in: Sen. Henry L. Marsh III (D-Richmond).

With the civil rights lawyer, who decades ago argued school desegregation cases and served as Richmond’s first black mayor, away in the District on Monday, Republicans saw their chance. They took up a bill that had been on the calendar for days, only to be passed over every time, and gave it the legislative equivalent of an extreme makeover.

Left over from last year, the original bill called for “technical adjustments” to House district boundaries. On Monday, without hearings or notice, Republicans amended it on the floor so that it also called for far-reaching changes to state Senate districts. The debate on the 36-page amendment was limited to 30 minutes.

The bill, approved 20 to 19, concentrates minority voters in a new Southside district and changes most district lines. Democrats said the new map would make eight districts, six of them held by Democrats, more heavily Republican. The map, which now goes before the Republican-controlled House, also puts senators R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) and Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R-Augusta) into one district. It also adds more Democrats to three already deeply blue districts.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) was among those surprised by  the new political map . He said he was concerned that his own party’s redistricting attempt will kill any bipartisan spirit and torpedo his ambitious agenda in his final year as governor.

As of the latest information, seven states had no Republican members in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2024 elections: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.

Every one of these states voted at least 35 percent for Trump in the 2024 election.

5 of the New England states have been very Democratic for quite a while-- their large Democratic representation is because of that, not gerrymandering.

And  New Hampshire used to be more Republican, but I believe its also become more Democratic in recent years. 

No they perfected gerrymandering decades ago

 Republicans have a long way to go

Okay... If you won't give us Carney... could you at least lend him to us for a few years? 

unless you have red or blue districts 35% translates to zero wins

Sadly true. This is America's "first past the post" electoral system. The Fathers may be forgiven for adopting a stupid system, but we - Americans today - are unforgivable for ignoring the many superior systems that other democracies have implemented since then. 

I'll seed a good video tomorrow, on the best ways to end gerrymandering. 

Oh, you think that if you had a leader with dignity instead of the xxxxx you have will make a difference when you have so many stupid voters who create a Congress with a majority of pussies lacking in personal integrity?

You are very depressing... 

YOU'RE depressed?  Since it's obvious that the variety of non-political articles I post have no way of evading being quickly pushed off the Front Page I'm only going to post the Creative Arts Weekend because I promised A.Mac I wouldn't let him down.  With the political chaos these days, what's the use?  

You have the bad luck of getting caught in the middle of a psychotic breakdown of the president of the United States. Since the great majority of members here are Americans that is mostly what will be talked about. I comment on most of your movie articles.  Im not interested in classic cars or boats and while the Chinese art and museums are nice I cant say I really have a lot to say about them other than they look good. 

What movies did you watch today ? 

True.

But you have Mark Carney.... 

"I comment on most of your movie articles."

Yes I post about cars and movies because I think that those are popular items for appreciation by Americans.  I also post articles about travel, literature, art, books and other nonpolitical items in the hope that they might catch the eye of non-members who have those interests, encouraging them to join NT in order to diversify and increase the waning NT membership to keep it worthwhile for the R.A. to maintain the site.  Once in a while I will post something on my American Gun Violence group because where else in the world is it more greatly existent particularly in the hopes that it will at least attract the ire of the many American gun lovers on this site.  

I do appreciate that you at least vote up and.or comment on some of my articles, and I do reciprocate in that regard.  

"What movies did you watch today ?" 

It's only 10 a.m. here.  I usually watch movies in the afternoon.  Yesterday I watched a depressing lmovie called Hellion.  The day before I watched UFO.  This morning I'll prepare to post A.Mac's Creative Arts Weekend, and I'll check what movies are available after lunch and watch one then. 

Do you get any new Hollywood movies over there?  I guess I would call new anything that came out within the last 3-5 years. 

"But you have Mark Carney.... "

Yes, I do.  I am a Canadian citizen, born, bred and educated.

You have YOUR leader.  This is MY leader.

Carney says Canada's values 'must be fought for' amid 'democratic decline' 

LINK - Carney Says Canada's Values 'Must Be Fought For' Amid 'Democratic Decline' - Buzz Of The Orient | The NewsTalkers

"Do you get any new Hollywood movies over there?"

Yes, but only at the movie theatres.  However, I don't go to movie theatres so I watch them on TV whcih isn't too bad because I have a 4'6" screen.  But on TV movies are at least 3 years old due to international copyright legislation. 

And in the event that anyone has the balls to disgaree with the ASSHOLE OF THE WORLD , this is what they can expect...

Trump withdraws Carney’s invitation to ‘Board of Peace’ 

LNK -> Trump withdraws Carney’s invitation to ‘Board of Peace’ - National | Globalnews.ca

Carney would never have joined it anyway, no more than the European naitons are doing so. 

As it happens, no truly civilized western nation is stupid enough to join his "King Arthur Round Table" anyway except a leader who may NOT be that peaceful or one totally beholden to him, like Netanyahu.

I dont think Carney will miss out on anything worthwhile if he is not on the "Board Of Peace"

We'll give you Greenland...

I'm sure Greenland would prefer to remain an autonomous region of Denmark, but I'm also sure it would prefer being part of Canada rather than part of the USA.

What wars?

If true Trump is an idiot.  I think Greenland would have been fine about the US building a bigger armed force there and also believe Greenland is part of NATO and I assume NATO would act in defense of an attack from China or Russia.

If true Trump is an idiot. 

Do you doubt he has made this threat?: 

The European Union will hold an emergency meeting of its ambassadors in Brussels on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would hit eight member countries with tariffs until a deal is struck to allow the United States to purchase Greenland, a spokesperson for the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council confirms to NBC News.

Do you doubt he has made this threat?:

There's another possible explanation to his actions. Perhaps he actually has no intention of invading Greenland. That he's using it for some other purpose and once he gets something he wants he will back down. 

Maybe he's starting to worry that the Epstein files are getting closer to release. maybe he's worrying that more and more people are realizing that they really aren't better off economically since he's president.

Or maybe he's using it as an excuse to put on more tariffs (which he can later use as a way of showing people how  much he's got done).

Trump is an idiot.

Accept that as a fact.

Trump is parroting Putin.

Putin claims he needs Ukraine for national security.

I would fully support impeachment to remove this dangerously rogue PotUS.

Trump is parroting Putin.

He is.  You could substitute "Ukraine" for "Greenland", or do the opposite, in any of their speeches and it would be the same.

I would fully support impeachment to remove this dangerously rogue PotUS.

Sane people do.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) told CNN host Anderson Cooper on Monday that he believed President Donald Trump is literally “insane.”

Asked on   Anderson Cooper 360   whether there was any hope for European leaders to “de-escalate” and “reason with the president” over his repeated   threats   to annex Greenland, Gallego said, “No, and I’ve been very clear. He is a madman. He is insane. He’s only thinking about himself.”

“You really think he’s insane?” pressed Cooper.

“Yes! I’m sorry, where are we at this moment where we don’t understand what’s happening in this country?” Gallego responded. “The man is threatening war against a NATO ally and we’re all thinking this is rational. Let’s accept what’s happening here. He is not rational right now. He is destroying our world reputation, potentially our economic opportunity, economic mighty power around the world because he is being petty.”

He argued, “None of this is rational. Everyone needs to stop pretending this is rational.”

Reacting to Trump’s   remark   that he was no longer thinking “purely of peace,” Gallego added, “It concerns me a lot because the people that end up paying the price of when leaders don’t think about peace first are young men from Ohio, from New Mexico, from Arizona, from New York that end up going and fighting these dumb wars.”

“A leader that doesn’t think first about peace has never experienced war,” he concluded. “And it’s going to be a young woman or a young man that’s going to end up dying in Greenland because of a dumb man’s decision and a petty man’s decision to take care first of his ego instead of national security.”

We are at the stage of extreme Trump fatigue. He is saying things that would normally be unimaginable but today they have no effect. 

The internet and social media have made words almost meaningless. 

The ongoing lack of action by Congress is what is numbing everyone to this.

If Congress does not act, people tend to not think what they see is serious.   It is.  But they do not appreciate it ... thinking (incorrectly) that if this were really serious, Congress would act.

Or we are all just hysterical and making a mountain out of molehill.

I thought I would save someone the keystrokes it took to type that sentence

Merely by opening his sick mouth and claiming that the USA needs to take Greenland, Trump has further damaged the good will that the USA has spent decades developing.   

Thus far, he has squandered international political capital and has hindered/nullified the USA as the leader of the free world.

Just by his words alone during this last year.

Repairing the damage of Trump, even after one year, will likely take decades.

U.S. Image Declines in Many Nations Amid Low Confidence in Trump

I think Greenland would have been fine about the US building a bigger armed force there and also believe Greenland is part of NATO and I assume NATO would act in defense of an attack from China or Russia.

Yes we've had a military base there for quite a while:

Pituffik Space Base  formerly  Thule Air Base  is a United States Space Force base located on the northwest coast of Greenland in the Kingdom of Denmark under a defense agreement between Denmark and the United States.

As of 2025, about 150 United States service members are permanently stationed there, after the United States significantly reduced its presence from 6,000 personnel during the Cold War. ^{[ 5 ] [ 6 ]}

 Denmark was a founding member of NATO in 1949, and , as long as both Denmark and the United States remain NATO members.

Under the agreement, the Danish national flag must be flown at the base to recognize that the base is on Danish territory, but the United States is allowed to fly its own flag alongside the Danish flag on the facilities it operates.

Note: "The 1951 Greenland Defense Agreement has allowed the United States to operate the base under a NATO framework.

Under the agreement, the Danish national flag must be flown at the base to recognize that the base is on Danish territory, but the United States is allowed to fly its own flag alongside the Danish flag on the facilities it operates.

Sounds good to me.  I  think the size of the force needs to be negotiated but I would think that would not be an issue.  I wonder if China is watching this closely to see if they can use what we do as a way to justify taking Taiwan.

Except that isnt what Trump wants. He has specifically said that nothing less than US ownership of Greenland is acceptable. 

I wonder if China is watching this closely to see if they can use what we do as a way to justify taking Taiwan.

A rational comment that recognizes at least one of the problems created by Trump.

Trump   says alot of things

Unless he gets others to buy into it I would think the people around him would know there is no way for him to make that happen.

Ever notice that the people who claim that Trump lies all the time are also first in line to attack him based on something that he has said? 

Interesting defense of a lunatic.   

Why are you defending a lunatic? 

Trump says being snubbed by Nobel is the cause of why he wants Greenland.  Isnt that lunacy? 

I used to think it was funny, now I just expect it so much I just gloss over it.  Confirmation bias is strong in some.  

Trump says being snubbed by Nobel is the cause of why he wants Greenland.

It might be part of the justification of taking it but I don't believe it is the cause.  If it was he would be going after Norway.

Once again you twist what is posted to state I'm defending Trump. Nowhere in my comment did I defend ANYTHING he's doing. All I did was comment on the simple fact that there are several people who will constantly state that he lies all the fucking time and yet will take a comment he made as truthful in order to continue a rant against him. 

You want a defense of him for this statement? Then here it is. All he's done so far is state a desire or intention and send over a delegation to attempt to negotiate a deal that meets what the desire he has stated. The other side has said no deal, so he has continued to up the ante and try to continue making the deal by incentives as well as threats. You should read his book, The Art of the Deal. This follows his typical playbook as he considers himself a master at making a deal. 

Now that's not much of a defense as I'm really not defending what he's doing. I merely explained from another perspective on what I see happening. I don't agree with his statement that we need Greenland so I won't defend it as necessary to the continuation of the USA. I can understand how it would make things easier to expand the US military footprint there to aid in the defense, much like the Pacific territories (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa) as well as the Freely Associated States (Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshal Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) but we already have a military footprint in Greenland and we can always negotiate with Denmark and Nato to expand there. 

Ever notice that the people who claim that Trump lies all the time are also first in line to attack him based on something that he has said? 

Are constant lies damaging to the country, or just a source of humor to you? I dont have to believe or not believe Trumps constant garbage about the Nobel prize to see it is not good for the country. 

You should read his book, The Art of the Deal.

I dont give a fuck about a book he didnt even write.  His deals were largely corrupt. The president of the United States should not be a corrupt, mentally unstable "deal maker." 

but we already have a military footprint in Greenland and we can always negotiate with Denmark and Nato to expand there. 

Trump said, in a moment of self reflection, that "we" have to OWN Greenland because you dont feel like defending things you dont own. He says it is psychological.  But according to you he is just deal making.  We dont need or want deals like that. 

He is a blathering idiot that the other countries have to deal with.  In three years we will have another idiot that the other countries have to deal with.  

And the world spins round.

I have my opinion and you have yours. Tell you what, you don't like what is happening in Washington why don't you run for office. Or just keep digging in hopes that you find gold rather than pyrite.

Once again you twist what is posted to state I'm defending Trump.

There seem to be strict rules about being accused of supporting Trump.  If you are not condemning him with every waking breath then you support him.  I ignore the accusations also.

Greenland is a   semi-autonomous Danish territory   that’s strategically important militarily and contains vast mineral wealth. The U.S. already has a military base on the island, and officials there have said they’d accept an expanded military presence.

Asked by a reporter Friday why he hasn’t accepted that offer, Trump said, “When we own it, we defend it. You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it.”

Trump says US will 'do something on Greenland whether they like it or not'

onfirmation bias is strong in some.  

isn't it tho

All I did was comment on the simple fact that there are several people who will constantly state that he lies all the fucking time and yet will take a comment he made as truthful in order to continue a rant against him. 

This is yet another feeble tactic by Trump supporters.

They seem to somehow think that because Trump lies (constantly) that it is somehow inconsistent to criticize what he says.

Real simple, Snuffy.    We know Trump is a pathological liar.   Trouble is, he is the PotUS so when he speaks people listen.   When he threatens to take Greenland, for example, even though we know he is a lying sack of shit, we also know that he is capable of taking extraordinarily stupid actions (such as imposing tariffs).

Given there is no way to know what this madman might do, it makes perfect sense to criticize his stated intent regardless of whether one believes he will or can carry it out.

To wit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with recognizing the buffoon is a pathological liar and criticizing the irrational and irresponsible words and deeds of this lunatic.

Now that's not much of a defense as I'm really not defending what he's doing.

Good.   Then why do you defend him?   And how is it possible that you do not realize you are defending him by arguing against those who have justifiably criticized him?   Bizarre.

Ever notice that the people who claim that Trump lies all the time are also first in line to attack him based on something that he has said? 

No-- I haven't noticed that at all. 

(Perhaps some other people have, I dunno)

Ever notice that the people who claim that Trump lies all the time are also first in line to attack him based on something that he has said?

You don't see a problem with him saying "I want to take over Greenland because I didn't win the Nobel Prize" as a problem, even if he doesn't mean it?

Good grief.

They dont see it as a problem, its just Trump being Trump , which is the catchall defense for every idiotic thing he says. It doesnt seem to occur to them that the president of the United States should not be saying obviously idiotic things. 

I think many MAGAites would look you in the face and say "Well, she probably was asking for it" even if they walked in on Trump raping their grandmother. His just casual defiance for law and apparent imperial decree that we're just taking Greenland isn't a bug, it's a feature for his rabid followers. There is no bottom, nothing their dear Leader can do that they will not defend or downplay to insignificance. He's a 34 times convicted felon, an admitted sexual predator, an accused rapist, found liable for rape of E. Jean Carroll, cheated on all three of his wives, had his charity shut down and fined millions for fraud, his company was found guilty of tax fraud, his personal attorney was found guilty of paying off porn stars with campaign money, he's been accused of raping a 13 year old along with his convicted child rapist friend who he said "I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”. And that's just the icing on the frozen shit filled Trumpberg. Yet his sycophants gobble the melting diarrhea like it was mana from heaven. It's truly disturbing to watch.

Somehow, to some folks, being an asshole is its own defense.

I've never bought that excuse.

Sounds like you didn't understand what I said. The wording was clear. It's a simple equation to me. One can't say the person lies all the time and at the same time holding something that person says as truthful in order to bash him. It's hypocritical. 

Somehow, to some folks, being an asshole is its own defense.

And that is the problem.  Saying Trump is an asshole is an observation, not a defense.

I have never bought into the the excuses used to say someone supports Trump.

It's hypocritical. 

Also plays havoc with any perceived credibility

One can't say the person lies all the time and at the same time holding something that person says as truthful in order to bash him. It's hypocritical. 

No it is not hypocritical.

We know Trump is a pathological liar.   Trouble is, he is the PotUS so when he speaks, people listen.   When he threatens to take Greenland, for example, even though we know he is a lying sack of shit, we also know that he is capable of taking extraordinarily stupid actions (such as imposing tariffs).

Given there is no way to know what this madman might do, it makes perfect sense to criticize his stated intent regardless of whether one believes he will or can carry it out.

To wit, there is absolutely nothing wrong with recognizing the buffoon is a pathological liar and criticizing the irrational and irresponsible words and deeds of this lunatic.

So, what POTUS says doesn't matter.  Got it.

I hope the same standard applies to POTUSes from both sides of the aisle.

Once again you failed to understand what I posted. I wasn't talking about Trump, I was talking about the person(s) who state that Trump lies ALL THE FUCKING TIME while at the same time they cry about something that Trump said as if it is the truth. 

You want to focus on Trump but I'm not doing that. 

Hell, presidents for a very long time have all said stupid shit and their "side" has basically ignored it. I think it's better to pay attention to what they do rather than what they say.

I was talking about the person(s) who state that Trump lies ALL THE FUCKING TIME while at the same time they cry about something that Trump said as if it is the truth. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with recognizing Trump is a pathological liar and criticizing the irrational and irresponsible words and deeds of this lunatic.

I understand what you posted.  You're criticizing an entirely reasonable reaction by reasonable people.

You criticize the reasonable reaction instead of the irrational statements that lead to the reaction.

Because the person making irrational statements is Trump.

Your criticism of the reasonable is an indirect defense of the irrational.

And nobody is buying your claims to the contrary.

Got it. Can't reply to a post without turning to Trump as the bad guy. Guess we're done as we cannot have a conversation. Have a nice day.

Trump is the bad guy in this seed; he is the topic.   

I think we all recognize that defending Trump rationally is extremely difficult, but when Trump is the topic, criticism of his words and deeds are exactly what you should expect.

It is not the fault of the critic.

Bothsidesism is not applicable. 

One can't say the person lies all the time and at the same time holding something that person says as truthful in order to bash him.

Words have consequences. When Trump lies, his words have as much impact as when he tells the truth. Since he lies so often, listeners have no way, immediately, to know which it is. When he says he's going to seize Greenland - shortly after seizing the President of Venezuela - it would be very foolish to assume he's lying.

Holding Trump to what he says, truth or lies, is not hypocritical. Those words are his words, all of them. 

Surely we all know by now it isn't the need for the USA to own Greenland in order to defend it.  Hasn't Trump already proven with Venezuala it's really the minerals he wants to steal.

Yeah, yeah. Minerals and oil. 

But wait, they said the same thing about Iraq and we all know how much national treasure we got out of there. I think you all need a new line as the old one isn't really working out all that well for you.

Oh come on, Snuffy, I know you're a lot smarter than that.  Iraq is old news, and back then Iraq and Trump had nothing to do with each other.  The fact that there are lots of important minerals, oil and gas on Greenland is much more recently verified.

FACTBOX: Greenland's rich but largely untapped mineral resources

The autonomous territory of Denmark could be useful for the United States because of its strategic location and rich mineral  resources . A 2023 survey showed that 25 of 34 minerals deemed "critical raw materials" by the European Commission were found in Greenland. 

The extraction of oil and natural  gas  is banned in Greenland for  environmental  reasons, while development of its  mining  sector has been snarled in red tape and opposition from indigenous people.

LINK -> FACTBOX: Greenland's rich but largely untapped mineral resources

Drugs were not the real reason Trump wanted control of Venezuala and, already having a military base on Greenland which I'm sure Greenland would not oppose being expanded AND the defence of NATO anyway, and the fact that Greenland is being surrounded by Russia and China is proven bullshit, the REAL reason Trump wants America to OWN Greenland is so fucking OBVIOUS.

[✘]

Except that the left loudly spoke about how the entire reason behind the Gulf War was so that the USA could gain the oil in Iraq. Yet we didn't gain control of the oil in Iraq.

It's an old and tired line. Really doesn't matter how long ago the Iraq war was or that Trump was not involved in that war at all. If Venezuela was really about the oil & minerals, then why did we leave after grabbing Maduro? How much control do we really have down there as Maduro's VP has been set as the new president. Seems if we were really interested in controlling Venezuela we would have removed a lot more of their government and put up a puppet group to rule. But that wasn't done.

And now the same tired line is being used for Greenland. If it proves true then you can come back and say how you told me so. If it doesn't happen, then what? Personally I don't think Trump will gain control of Greenland. He's made offers to buy it and the citizens of Greenland have already told him no. If Trump were to order an invasion by military force, I really believe this would be looked at as an illegal order and the military would refuse to obey. All this posturing is Trump trying to prove he's still the best deal maker and in reality all he's doing is making it harder on the Republican party for the midterms. 

But you can believe what you want.

Sorry, someone must have fooled me when I read that Trump was trying to get America's major oil companies together to get the oil in Venezuala, and that the USA would sell it sharing the profits with the companies, Venezuala AND the USA.  And, out of curiosity as to why America is doing this, I just saw the news that a SEVENTH oil tanker connected wtih Venezuala has just been captured.  

And yes, Snuffy, I'll believe what I want, and I really don't care what you want to believe, whether or not it is logical or true or not.  Just stay safe and well.  

But wait, they said the same thing about Iraq.

I was following it closely and I never heard that.

There was a lot of talk about Iraq having WMDs-- that was all over the news!

(Does anyone here remember that?)

Except that the left loudly spoke about how the entire reason behind the Gulf War was so that the USA could gain the oil in Iraq. Yet we didn't gain control of the oil in Iraq.

• Halliburton   (specifically its former subsidiary   Kellogg Brown and Root , or KBR) was a major beneficiary, receiving an estimated   $39.5 billion   in federal contracts related to the war. These contracts were for services like providing food and housing for troops, base construction, and fuel delivery, operating on a cost-plus basis that guaranteed a profit.
• Other U.S. and foreign companies also secured business, with the top 10 contractors receiving at least   $72 billion   combined in U.S. government spending related to the war effort.  

• Following the invasion and the end of Iraq's oil nationalization policy, significant business opportunities for Western oil companies, including American firms like   Exxon Mobil , arose to exploit Iraqi oil fields.
• However, volatility and security challenges in Iraq meant that these companies faced difficulties, and Chinese companies ultimately became the largest foreign investors in the post-Saddam oil boom in Iraq.
• Overall, while oil prices increased during the war, this also impacted the broader U.S. economy negatively through higher consumer prices at the pump. The war also led to increased U.S. government spending on private contractors, drawing scrutiny and debate over war profiteering.

When Republicans started the Iraq war based on lies it wasn't for the US Government to make money off the oil, it was all the oil corporations and oil logistics companies that raked in the cash. It's the same thing now, Trump will make sure both Venezuela and Greenland get raped by corporations and he'll make sure to get his cut as well. It's truly sad that some folk are so fucking oblivious to this that they continue to root for an actual criminal in the oval office.

I agree. We have one Space Force base (station?) there. Why not build it up to a multi-service facility? Then negotiate on building the Dome over it

Why not?  Because with the world's mightiest military it's easier and faster to conquer than to negotiate.  

What next for trump?

He is far enough along in his senility for that to be a real quote.  No sarcasm intended.