Christmas in America - Presents We Did Not Know We Needed

 I meant to write this several days ago, but the energy and time went missing.

For some reason only known to his cross-wired brain, Donald J. Trump still wants Greenland.

Trump again suggests US should own and control Greenland

An absolute necessity? Like affordable housing for Americans, or better healthcare? Really? 

Is he looking to when America bought Alaska as when America was Great? I guess he never got the message that we cannot buy other people. Or could it be he thinks America was great when people could be bought and sold? Well, that does explain a lot.

He also wants back the Panama Canal, even though we gave it up more than 40 years ago. I know no one other than the man who actually failed at the casino business would think this was a good business deal. Trump had to have slept through his classes at Wharton Business School.

Trump threatens to take over Panama Canal

However, The New Republic's Panama’s President Trashes Trump’s “Nonsense” Lies gives us what we lack in the Greenland deal - a rational explanation.

Why Trump is choosing to attack Panama right now isn’t clear, although it could have something to do with the outstanding tax evasion case the president-elect faces in the country. It stems from 2019, when the owners of a Panama City hotel tower that was previously managed and operated under the Trump brand accused the Trump Organization of pocketing money meant to pay taxes. According to a lawsuit, Trump’s companies simply kept the money, “intentionally evading taxes” and leaving the new owner liable for millions.

And the locals do not seem keen on the idea, either:

‘That will never happen’: Locals react to Trump suggesting US retake Panama Canal 

“We’re Not for Sale”: Greenlandic Member of Danish Parliament Responds to Trump’s Vow to Buy Island

I suppose Theodore Roosevelt is now a RINO, since he believed in carrying a big stick and speaking softly. What we get now is carrying a small stick and speaking loudly is a manly way of doing business. 

Imperialist Fantasy: Historian Greg Grandin on Trump Threat to Retake Panama Canal, Invade Mexico

Also, things have changed down south since TR engineered a revolution in Panama, so he could build the canal.

The Canal is off the table: Latin America closes ranks with Panama in face of Trump’s threats

And then there is Canada:

Trump: Canada becoming 51st state ‘great idea’

An idea that has never worked out well for the United States: Movements for the annexation of Canada to the United States

Meanwhile, people are still dying in Gaza and Ukraine, and Syria is going in who-knows-what direction while Donald J. Trump strokes himself with fantasies of conquest.

sch 12/27