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#51

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Syt - January 06, 2026, 05:30:03 PM

This is similar to the seizure of Maduro (and the bombing of Venezuelan ships as well) as the administration has only provided the barest of reasons why this had to be done (and, at least in part consequently, support for Maduro's seizure is only about 40%, about half of what it was for Noriega's seizure.)  In this case the US is supposed to need Greenland for security reasons, but what those reasons are has not (as far as I know) been laid out (and certainly not to the point that it would justify military action).  Trump seems to think that he doesn't need to build public support either because he thinks the public always supports him or because he simply doesn't care.

To quote the senator of Ghorman: "They have no shame, do they? They don't even bother to lie badly anymore. I suppose that's the final humiliation."

#52

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by mongers - January 06, 2026, 05:21:41 PM

Over the next year the US will abduct every Venezuelan, before panicking over the massive immigration from South America and deporting all of them back to Venezuela to start the process over again.

 

#53

Off the Record / Re: What are you listening to?

Last post by Savonarola - January 06, 2026, 05:06:57 PM

SNF also features Yvonne Ellimon singing "If I can't have you, I don't want nobody baby." 

Yes, that song was written by the BeeGees, as was "More than a Woman" (performed by Tavares, although on the extended version the BeeGees also sing a version.)

She also played Mary Magdelene in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Yes, but I don't think it's entirely fair to hold that against her.  Dana Gillespie played Mary Magdalen in JCSS as well, sometimes you just have to do things to pay the bills.


 

My bunkie has been trying to get me to KC and the Sunshine Band.  That was a whole lot of funk for a white boy, but did he have to write the same song three times?

Pretty much, Boogie Shoes still fits in well on the album, though.

#54

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Josquius - January 06, 2026, 05:06:38 PM

With Maduro they basically avoided what could have been good explanations and instead went all in for nonsense.
It's straight from the Putin playbook. Say something so obviously nonsense it serves as a show of strength and a challenge to see if anyone dares point out you're talking shit.

#55

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Duque de Bragança - January 06, 2026, 05:03:58 PM

https://x.com/Charlie_Hebdo_/status/2008235550797373566/photo/1

From Charlie Hebdo.

Cartoon about Mélenchon.

#56

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Savonarola - January 06, 2026, 05:00:08 PM

What proportion of the GOP would turn against trump, you think? Would any MAGA types do it? After all commie Europeans are killing brave US soldier trying to liberate the poor Greenlanders.

The government is not even bothering to build that narrative.

This is similar to the seizure of Maduro (and the bombing of Venezuelan ships as well) as the administration has only provided the barest of reasons why this had to be done (and, at least in part consequently, support for Maduro's seizure is only about 40%, about half of what it was for Noriega's seizure.)  In this case the US is supposed to need Greenland for security reasons, but what those reasons are has not (as far as I know) been laid out (and certainly not to the point that it would justify military action).  Trump seems to think that he doesn't need to build public support either because he thinks the public always supports him or because he simply doesn't care.

[say stupid shit about it]

#57

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by grumbler - January 06, 2026, 04:55:20 PM

With nothing but respect for our American posters, based on how they rally around the flag when any one of us non-Americans dare critising say stupid shit about it, I think if European troops kill attacking American ones, US public opinion will rally against Europeans and NATO, NOT against Trump.

FTFY.  US posters here have consistently criticized US action where warranted, but also pushed back when non-Americans (and Americans) say dumb things (like your post).

#58

Off the Record / Re: Trump's Venezuela Vendetta

Last post by Sheilbh - January 06, 2026, 04:46:56 PM

Ah... so you think, potentially, that the VP's statements about "Maduro still being the president" may be about managing the transition adroitly rather than rejecting Turmp's terms?

That could very well be true, but I feel like Trump is going to randomly let the cat out of the bag relatively soon if that's the case.

Yeah. Basically I think there are two countries involved with their own politics and elites etc to manage.

Even if the US have been cultivating people within the regime (which it sounds like they have), that won't be an overnight change. Especially not if the people with guns in the presidential palace are being provided by a hostile state and have just lost 30 comrades.

In terms of what next I think it's very unlikely we'll see US troops on the ground. Which I think means probably operating within the current regime. If that's the case then I think it could be anything from basically an internal power-player leveraging US anger against Maduro to grab him (while also giving them a fantastic bloody shirt to wave), in which case the US got played, to a transition to a still corrupt, still autocratic regime open to US business. If there are forces in the regime basically willing to align more with what rump wants then I think there'll be a lot of internal forces to neutralise/align, get your own people in place (especially in security positions) etc.

I think it's too soon to tell but in terms of the "what next" the stories about a lot of very high level contacts with the regime and a general lack of interest in the opposition, I think that's at least the US strategy.

[and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.]

#59

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by Tonitrus - January 06, 2026, 04:44:38 PM

Should be able to win in court:

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.

We have a poor record with treaties though...just ask the Sioux.

And that part always struck me as odd...could we just engage in a treaty that contradicts/abrogates the Constitution with just a simple Senate ratification?

#60

Off the Record / Re: US - Greenland Crisis Thre...

Last post by grumbler - January 06, 2026, 04:43:42 PM

I guess they'd take over the airports and control people coming and going using civilian airlines? Maybe?

That worked in the American Revolution (sez Donny).