Danes' satirical move: "Let's buy California" gains support
World media outlets are reporting on new aspects of the debate surrounding the future of Greenland. The Associated Press reports on the Danish initiative "Let's Buy California from Donald Trump," which has already garnered over 200,000 signatures. Meanwhile, The Washington Times cites statements from American congressmen who are seriously discussing Donald Trump's proposal.
According to the AP, the Danish initiative to raise money to buy California from the United States had satirical intentions but was very well received. Within a few days, the idea of raising $1 trillion through a public collection to purchase the American state gained support from over 200,000 people.
The petition's authors emphasized that Denmark needs "more sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates." "Well, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality," wrote the initiators of "Let's Buy California from Donald Trump." As part of this initiative, it is proposed, among other things, to rename Disneyland as "Hans Christian Andersenland" and to add Viking helmets to Mickey Mouse's head.
The Danish initiative is a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposals regarding the United States taking control of Greenland.
Meanwhile, The Washington Times reports in its Thursday edition that Democratic Party lawmakers remain "deeply skeptical" about this issue. The newspaper quotes, among others, Steny Hoyer from Maryland, who called the idea an "absurd." On the other hand, as noted by the WT, a bill proposal is ready to change the island's name from Greenland, meaning "Green Land," to "Red, White, and Blueland," in reference to the colors of the U.S. flag.
Crucial importance for U.S. security
During Wednesday's meeting of the U.S. Senate's commerce, science, and transportation committee, Chairman Ted Cruz expressed the opinion that Washington and Copenhagen can no longer postpone the debate about the island's future.
"Greenland sits directly on the shortest flight path for intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) traveling from Russia and the Middle East to the U.S., making its positioning crucial to our security," Cruz noted. He added that the location of the island is "crucial to our security," and its acquisition "is about diplomacy and shared interests, the same way that we acquired the territories that make us the nation we are."
"This is about shared interests, and the potential benefits for all sides are enormous," Senator Cruz said.
Currently, the island has the status of an autonomous territory dependent on Denmark. Recently, the debate over the future of Greenland has been fueled by speculations about its potential independence, which are related to elections scheduled for March 11 in the local parliament. Denmark has controlled Greenland since 1814.
