To the editor: As a born-and-raised Dane, I discover Jonah Goldberg’s opinion piece on President-elect Donald Trump’s want to personal Greenland quite foolish.
Positive, it could be good for the U.S. to personal Greenland, simply as it could be good for Denmark to personal Florida or the higher components of Southern California — say, San Diego. These could be well-located for the Danes, as our climate leaves a bit to be desired.
Sure, Greenland’s location is strategically essential. However as part of Denmark, Greenland has all the time been an in depth ally of the U.S. and a participant within the North Atlantic Treaty Group, or NATO. Threatening to take over Greenland is past ludicrous and will spur European members to depart NATO and type their very own alliance. This might be a severe blow to U.S. affect on this planet.
By no means thoughts that China and Russia would be at liberty to annex all of Ukraine and Taiwan; in spite of everything, they contemplate these locations strategically essential. The U.S. may mount no severe objections, because it has proven itself to be keen to do such issues.
If the Greenlanders declare independence — as they’re speaking about — then that’s as much as them. However because the prime minister of Greenland has stated, they wish to be Greenlanders, not People.
Jens Thiberg, Chicago
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To the editor: Whereas Goldberg offered a case based mostly on nationwide safety and pure assets for the USA to “purchase” Greenland, he blithely missed an important a part of the equation: the Greenlanders themselves.
Trendy civilized nations don’t invade, purchase or in any other case annex one other nation with out the consent of the folks residing in that nation. To take action would violate essentially the most fundamental of human rights, that of self-determination.
So except Greenlanders specific a want to surrender their free public healthcare to turn into a part of the approaching debacle that’s the USA, it’s absurd to even speak about buying Greenland.
Leslie Stem, Gardena
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To the editor: In Goldberg’s current piece on the USA’ potential acquisition of Greenland, he referenced an earlier Trump suggestion of buying and selling Puerto Rico for it.
I’ve a maybe higher suggestion: California.
Give it some thought. Such a commerce would take away a persistent thorn from Trump’s aspect and supply Californians with a authorities that’s extra in tune with their visions on healthcare, schooling and the atmosphere. Win win?
Steven Hamstrom, Mission Viejo
