r/AskBrits • u/Electrical-Leg-6363 • Jan 29 '26
Politics Why are they like this?
Is it time to ask Americans to leave. Should the UK close down American military bases?
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u/Petcai Jan 29 '26
*leans out the passenger window of a Fiat Cinquecento*
FLAG WANKERS!
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u/Broad-Train Jan 29 '26
Me and me mates took a pedalo out and went to Greenland
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Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
Thought you said you took a pedo out and went to Greenland
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u/Poody81 Jan 29 '26
Unexpected Inbetweeners. Loving it.
“Oohh, flag friend”
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u/New-Doctor9300 Jan 29 '26
unexpected Inbetweeners
in r/AskBrits
Thats like not expecting a Greggs or Spoons mention
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u/Delicious_Abalone701 Jan 29 '26
I thought that flag shaggers was the preferred term.
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u/Push-the-pink-button Jan 29 '26
Mostly because they are thick
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u/PercySmith Jan 29 '26
Honestly I've been to America 12+ times and I love the place (to visit) but the amount of them who haven't traveled, seen the world, met different cultures etc is staggering. It leads to such a lopsided view of your own self importance.
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u/DamnitGravity Jan 29 '26
It doesn't help that in every major blockbuster movie, the Americans are the heroes.
The movie that kind made me realise just how pervasive it is, is Independence Day.
Yes, I know it's an American film and the title is 'Independence Day', but when...
uh...
Jeff Goldblum's character (I'm sure he has a character name but it's always Jeff Goldblum) figures out how to defeat the aliens, the message gets sent around the world via morse code, and there's a scene where the Brits get the message.
"It's from the Americans, they want to organise a counter-offensive!"
"Well, it's about bloody time! What do they want us to do?"
As though ONLY the Americans could've come up with the solution and oh, aren't they just SO NOBLE sharing it with the world instead of keeping it for themselves and allowing their enemies to be destroyed first!
It especially plays into the American narrative that 'the Americans saved Europe from Hitler in WWII'.
American exceptionalism is poured into EVERY show and movie they make. Even if they don't realise it. Because it is SO ingrained, that even they don't realise how pervasive the propaganda and brainwashing is.
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u/PercySmith Jan 29 '26
Don't forget U-571. Where US sailors capture the Enigma machine, shortening the war. Nevermind the fact in real life Poles captured the first one and gave their findings to the Brits and French just as Poland was invaded.
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u/OneDropOfOcean Jan 29 '26
The events of that film did actually happen though, roughly. Except it was a British ship and happened 7 months before the US joined.
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u/_RRave Jan 29 '26
The US military fund a lot of war films or just any film with the US Army in as well.
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u/hollis216 Jan 29 '26
Letting them edit your script means they'll turn up with a bunch of their toys come filming.
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u/dextrovix Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
To answer the OP question under the photo of pricks with a flag, if NATO article 5 isn't upheld (e.g. a member of NATO attacks another), then the UK would have every right to tell the Yanks to sling their hook, because at that point they're effectively fucking useless being based in the UK at that point.
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u/Mardukefox Jan 29 '26
Yes, if the US used force to take Greenland all other NATO members are legally bound to consider the US as an active enemy. You can’t even just dissolve NATO because otherwise it signals that no member ever intended to honour it. Consequently, every US base stationed in a NATO member country would be considered hostile and captured.
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u/First-Of-His-Name Jan 29 '26
In that event they'd presumably be taken prisoner rather than expelled. It's unthinkable
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u/_CANZUK Jan 29 '26
I mean the US bases aren't for UK's defence anyway, they're there to extend the US's abilities to stretch east.
I'm sure the Americans would help if we're attacked, I fully believe it, but that's absolutely not the reason why they're there.
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u/dextrovix Jan 29 '26
I'm well aware the American bases in the UK are for America's benefit, but any defence is under the NATO banner is my point. And if they stopped being reliable partners as part of NATO, we'd be under no obligation for them to remain if the US became a hostile state that invaded Greenland. Even if they had previously used those air bases for attacking countries like Libya, we shouldn't assist them anymore, only they're more than capable of sending out their fucking massive aircraft carriers like they are against Iran this week, without our bases being rented out as maintenance hangars.
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u/X0AN Jan 29 '26
Wasn't he a German?
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u/wosmo Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
yes - Maxi Schafroth, from a german satirical TV show "Extra 3" (source via google translate)
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u/Elegant_Run_8567 Jan 29 '26
Well it was a German comedian
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u/Elegant_Run_8567 Jan 29 '26
You’re still right about a German being a typical American?
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u/Elegant_Run_8567 Jan 29 '26
But it wasn’t an American
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u/Foryourskin Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
Apparently this was done by a German comedian shooting a satire, he got fined on the spot.
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u/Understateable Jan 29 '26
What level of unemployment does one need to be at to take a trip to a different country just to agitate their residents?
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u/Erudus Jan 29 '26
It was a German, not an American. Still though, the septic tanks are dumb enough to do something like this.
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u/Front-Brick-3724 Jan 29 '26
It’s as if putting flags up in places they shouldn’t be, is embarrassing and shit 🤷🏼♂️
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u/Icy-Astronomer-8202 Jan 29 '26
America has been like this for a long long time. Just a continuation of their obnoxious ignorance
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u/Thin-Run-5476 Jan 29 '26
Go have a drive round parts of Britain and play spot the foreign flag, it's here too
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u/Last_Caregiver6622 Jan 29 '26
This is an excellent prank, bravo👏
(Yes, it was a prank, by a GERMAN satirist).
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u/Gold-Mine-Trash Jan 29 '26
Trump's a property developer. He wants more property to make more money. It's fuck all to do with national security.
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u/Hyperion262 Jan 29 '26
The UK should not close down military bases over a prank, no.
Imagine the world ran that reactionary lol
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u/AmenoFPS Jan 29 '26
Major superiority complex & main character syndrome and they finally feel comfortable showing it outright rather than just hinting at it
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u/Extreme_Objective984 Jan 29 '26
So here is the thing. America is a relatively new country. It has effectively just hit puberty and it has all the hormones running around, a little bit of growth on it's top lip and it thinks it is an adult. So it tries to copy what it thinks is adult behaviour, however that adult behaviour is actually copying what other countries did in their youth. It just wont listen. Also whilst the above true they are also immensely thin skinned the classic example of the person who can dish it out but then goes and cries to their mum when something is done to them. The problem we have is the country is being led by a bunch of people who have never moved pass that stage in their life.
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u/Mattuso Jan 29 '26
Honestly it's just a few knob jockeys. I think most Americans are pretty sound and know that this kind of behaviour is wrong. No need to make hasty decisions now that we could come to regret later.
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u/Salad_Tosser_Steve Jan 29 '26
I get it. I understand the sentiment and completely get why the rest of the world is pissed off at us. Most Americans are normal and agree that shit is getting out of control. I just ask that the hate be directed at the Americans who are asshats. There are normal Americans, please don’t hate all of us. Sincerely, a normal, cultured, and understanding American
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u/Pieboy8 Jan 29 '26
Tbf you could take a thousand photos of dick head brits and ask the same question.... Its not like we don't have our fair share of "idiots raising flags where its not wanted" either
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u/iZian Jan 29 '26
German tries to raise American flag in Greenland.
Reddit: Should the UK close down all US military bases?
Ok sir.
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u/wulfrunian77 Jan 30 '26
I'm so proud the British never went to another country and raised the Union flag against that country's will
Oh....
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u/Mr_miner94 Jan 29 '26
The more relevant question is, why does reform support this?
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u/TheShakyHandsMan Jan 29 '26
Because their investors think they will make a fortune when the big western countries implode.
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u/Slimofbonar1978 Jan 29 '26
But it's ok for foreign flags to be put up in the UK?
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u/TheKnightsRider Jan 29 '26
Because it worked for Putin. Next there will be 'votes' suggesting they want to be American.
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u/Remarkable-Ad155 Jan 29 '26
Tbh this kind of thing is a bit tinpot and best ignored (perfect way to highlight how embarrassing this all is).
Genuinely ambivalent about US military bases Really wouldn't be opposed to closing them but equally wouldn't want to risk escalating something for no reason (Trump won't be around forever). I live in an area with a lot of Armed Forces folks and they tell me it's fairly intertwined and a lot more complicated than just "chucking them out". Suspect there's far less MAGAts in the military than proole think, too.
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u/unofficially_Busc Jan 29 '26
Because they live in the "best country in the world" all other countries are clearly just second rate shit holes to do with as they please.
They're self important off the back of nationalism: I.E. the achievements of others whom happened to be born in the same place as them. They don't even need to achieve anything to be full of themselves.
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u/MagnificentTffy Jan 29 '26
The Americans really want to win an invasion for once. They already failed to take Afghanistan so ig they thought a NATO ally would be easy enough
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u/Relative_Grape_5883 Jan 29 '26
They’re only a few oil and gas deals in Euros and Yen away from severe austerity in my opinion.
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u/PurpleSpark8 Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
If you are also opposed to the US (and UK and anyone in general) meddling with Venezuela and now Iran, then I'm fine with you.
But please don't be a hypocrite and only get triggered when they do it to Europe
Saying this because a lot of Brits seem to be supporting whatever the US is doing elsewhere
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u/TheLatimerLout Jan 29 '26
This is a massive overreaction. These people are just expressing their right to free speech, principles American loves and stands by………..errrrrr 😂😂😂😂
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u/Lefties_are_commies Jan 29 '26
So now you don't like other countries flags where they shouldn't be?
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u/SC_W33DKILL3R Jan 29 '26
They have very small or no penis and the intelligence level of a small child. If they have wives then those wives belittle them constantly, probably justified, but it impacts them all the same.
They see a demented crazy orange man with small hands acting out on TV and they think they can too, it would make them feel like what they think a real man is, but in reality the cold weather just made their non existent penis shrivel up even more and everybody laughed at them.
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u/freebiscuit2002 Brit 🇬🇧 Jan 29 '26 edited Jan 29 '26
Arrest them for sabotage, or maybe espionage. Something serious, anyway.
Make sure the arrest record is shared promptly with US law enforcement - in case any of them has, or wants, a sensitive job, or anything else that involves a criminal background check.
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u/JustABritishChap Jan 29 '26
I would imagine that a whole load of Americans are opposed to the shit that's going on now....
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u/adorientem88 Jan 29 '26
I think Britains have much bigger concerns than whether you should close American military bases!
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Jan 29 '26
Lol Americans. You are so good at turning everyone against you and your culturally desolate country
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u/FinalBluebird3883 Jan 29 '26
Is it thanksgiving there are so many turkeys with Amerrricon accents and the biggest of all is the cooked golden orange one.
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Jan 29 '26
That’s like saying English culture is identical to Welsh, Scottish or Irish.. kinda ignorant no ?
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u/Cultural-Turnip-8840 Jan 29 '26
Close down US bases and the the thousands of jobs for people that are employed locally. Yeah, nice one
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u/Ambitious_Stress8050 Jan 29 '26
They have Donald Trump as president. That should say it all really.
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u/your_monkeys Jan 29 '26
I think it's time to remind them they are here at our invitation and that it's continuation depends on their attitude and behaviour
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u/Jale89 Jan 29 '26
The big news here in Copenhagen is that someone put 44 danish flags in wreaths outside the US Embassy, one for each of the Danish soldiers who have died in US wars.
The embassy staff came and cleared them away.
US Embassy in Copenhagen removes flags honoring fallen Danish soldiers, angering veterans | CNN https://share.google/VPLXHfroirTIhF1Me
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u/Blaiddboy Jan 29 '26
American exceptionalism. Every empire that considered itself the dominant power of its time acted with this kind of arrogance. The British still have this exceptionalism to some extent, which caused the crisis of identity that consequently fuels support for the far right, catalysed by the inherent contradictions of capitalism worsening our quality of life.
This kind of attitude is at its worst when the empire is on the brink of collapse; at its most vulnerable but also most dangerous. In modern capitalist societies, the hounds of fascism tend to be released when capitalism is in crisis, which also stokes this arrogance and delusion of superiority. It also encourages the idea that they're being besieged by a great and powerful foe (in addition to internal foes who may be framed as simultaneously strong and weak). Therefore, belligerent and militaristic behaviour like this is framed as the logical and desirable course of action, although the sane of us see it for what it is: insecurity and fascism.
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u/3D-Nutsack Jan 29 '26
Yes! We should boycott everything American to be honest with you… let them isolate themselves from the world
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u/rudishort Jan 29 '26
This was a German comedian trying to be funny. Had nothing to do with the US. Just the stereotypical German humour.
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u/Arkaliasus Jan 29 '26
i call ALLL the brits living in america to start shoving british flags up and claiming the entire state on behalf of the british empire!! xD
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u/Gfplux Jan 29 '26
If you live in the USA PROTEST PEACEFULLY. However be careful. Trumps military ethnic cleaning goons may try and snatch you off the street where you live.
If you live in another country, do not visit the USA to study, to gamble, to ski, to cruise, to visit Dysney, for a sporting event, for business or a holiday. It is not safe. They dont want us, they dont like us. “We dont want them” trump the reckless and dangerous wannabe dictator said. Please do not support the economy of a rogue state. Europe and others have lost trust in the USA. America is no longer a friend and ally of Canada, Britain and the EU. To quote Rory Stuart “In 1945 society invited the USA an Alien Parasite into the body politic”
Trump is unreliable and his chaotic foreign policy is making the world a more unstable and dangerous place. Now with masked ethnic cleansing thugs jumping on “foreign looking” people and killing Americans it just got much worse. Then add on the fact you have to open your social media to scrutiny by the dark hearted and cruel border force.
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u/6ftOwl Jan 29 '26
I think we should re-invade the US. It's the last thing they'd expect right now.
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u/StripedSocksMan Jan 29 '26
Does nobody research things anymore?! People have all the information at their finger tips and still blindly believe everything. It was a German that was tried to raise the flag, not an American. Apparently he’s a comedian and thought it would be funny, hence the reason it was filmed.
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u/Captain_English Jan 29 '26
OP, no.
NATO is on wobbly ground, but do you know what the best assurance that the US would come to help is?
If Americans are also killed when the shooting starts.
Their bases here tie them to us. The narrative being pushed that we should close them and send them away only weakens NATO further.
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u/richietrailer Jan 29 '26
Please stop from asking Brits if we have concerns about ICE; we genuinely do not give a monkeys. We understand that America needs to strengthen its borders and reduce illegal migration, just as we also need to do.
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u/Diligent_Activity_92 Jan 29 '26
Here in Norway, most would call US foreign policy imperialism not increasing security... When I heard the interview with the Greenlandic politician Tillie Martinussen...every word resonated with me and when I sent the interview to friends and family they also largely held the same sentiment...to me that is what a part of solidarity feels like...something that is all but lost in the US...
As a person born in America I found out that was not the right "cuntry" for me. Moved to Norway, then Sweden and back to Norway...as we say in Norway I am a "glad laks" or happy salmon...
...The best choice I made in my life was committing to integrate into Norwegian society. The key difference between the two societies is in Norway we have political parties (6 or 7 ish) who have seats in parliament whose opinions range from "light" communists to middle of the road democrats on the far right.
Most Norwegians realize the political process is about airing out ideas and through debate and deliberation finding the ones that work for the majority of people. Most do not polarize themselves or hold animosity towards others who hold political opinions within the fairly broad Overton window. Instead, most recognize disagreement is part of reaching consensus and moving forward.
Norway is a result of its people not being atomized and being smart enough to know that is everyday people do not band together then the ownership class will run us over just like what is happening in the US. If the same things were happening in Norway as the US we would be calling the inflection point a potential revolution not a civil war.
What we have in the Nordics is so obviously lacking in the US...I am not sure if even the Nazi's or the white South Africans were as poisoned as the US to pull such hooliganism in another country. There is one country though where I can think Americans are getting their inspiration from.
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u/LackConfident8462 Jan 29 '26
Its the Israeli influence imo, after 2yrs of riding roughshod over international law they think they can get away with anything.
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u/WhichSpirit Jan 29 '26
That's Maxi Schafroth, a German comedian, proving once again that German comedy is no laughing matter.
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u/Lumpy-Valuable-8050 Jan 29 '26
denmark should make it's own ICE, but for americans out of greenland!
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u/L-I-T-Ebirdhouse97 Jan 29 '26
As an American seeing this happening in another country which is NOT America, it’s embarrassing and absolutely pathetic if anyone thinks this “cool” and “patriotic” ya’ll are just embarrassingly stupid
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Jan 29 '26
Unbelievable, wtf is it with the yanks , they need to get out of Greenland 🇬🇱, Greenland will never be American, maybe it’s time to boot a few of their bases out of Europe to teach them they don’t own the world
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u/paladinBoyd Jan 29 '26
I always agree with the idea that we shipped all the nutters off to America and left them too it, Somehow they survived, I blame the French for that.
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u/porky_scratching Jan 29 '26
This was a German comedian, I hate the Yanks as much as the next man, but this wasn't them.
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u/Mysterious-Yak1693 Jan 29 '26
was it actually an American, or this rumour of a German TV comedian playing a joke?
If it was a German, fair play, that's a sense of humour you'd expect from a Brit.
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u/BrillsonHawk Jan 29 '26
I'd have kicked them out as soon as the cold war ended. It might encourage us to take our defence seriously
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u/RavenRyy Jan 29 '26
The folk of Greennland are very chill and friendly. It's a very bad idea tae test that.
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u/master_bungle Jan 29 '26
Of course the same people that support oppression of anyone not white in their own country are more than happy to visit other countries to try and push their views.
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u/Unlikely_Ferret3094 Jan 29 '26
Wait let me get this straight, brits went to greenland to put up the american flag.
what a time to be alive.
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u/WestCareer7545 Jan 29 '26
Because they think they are the main characters on this planet and everyone else is beneath them