Tag: europe

Trumps Lust for Greenland

lazaruscarpenterauthor

Former and future President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, birthed in 2019. His motivations are due to various geopolitical, economic, and cultural aspects of Greenland as true today, if not more so than six years ago. What follows may be argued to be a fair analysis. However, I cannot help thinking that ‘global domination’ is his goal, and the recent autocratic threats by Trump are somewhat worrying for everybody. If he succeeds on his bid for Greenland, it would bring the end of NATO and US involvement in action against the climate crisis, and goodness knows what domino reactions on the economy, trade and world peace. This recent tirade from the incoming POTUS follows announced intentions for similar threatening actions in Canada and elsewhere. Is there no end to this man’s delusions?

Such actions for POTUS are that Greenland’s location is significant for military and strategic purposes, as it sits between North America and Europe. Control over Greenland could enhance U.S. Military presence in the Arctic region. Greenland is rich in natural resources, including minerals and potential oil reserves. Acquiring these resources could provide economic benefits and boost energy independence for the U.S. Greenland’s ice sheets are crucial for understanding climate change. Increased U.S. presence could enhance research opportunities and collaboration regarding environmental issues. A successful negotiation could strengthen U.S. relationships with Denmark and other Arctic nations, promoting cooperative governance in the region. Investment in Greenland could lead to economic development and infrastructure improvements, benefiting both the U.S. and the residents of Greenland.

However, Greenlandic people may view the idea of selling their land as colonialism or imperialism. This could lead to significant backlash and resentment towards the U.S. The proposal was greeted with scepticism and rejection by the Danish government, making it politically challenging and potentially damaging to U.S.-Denmark relations. Increased U.S. presence and resource extraction could lead to environmental degradation, threatening the unique ecosystems of Greenland. The logistics and costs associated with acquiring and maintaining Greenland could be substantial, raising questions about the feasibility of such a venture. The move has been viewed as aggressive by some nations, particularly those with interests in the Arctic, potentially escalating tensions in the region.

So, while there are potential strategic and economic advantages to Trump’s idea of U.S. control over Greenland, there are significant cultural, political, and environmental disadvantages. I am horrified by his rhetoric and not alone in feeling so. Of course, there could be an even wider agenda, especially related to oil and mineral exploitation. I feel a much deeper and darker agenda and I cannot help thinking POTUS and Elon Musk are plotting and scheming. What do you think?

‘Walls Have Ears’- Craig y Nos Castle

lazaruscarpenterauthor

Introduction

In December of 2022, I had a dream to bring alive the story of Craig y Nos Castle,
to relate the history, its life and times but in that of a novel format. Then, the idea came to write the story from the ‘first person’ perspective as an observer of the comings and
goings of life in this Gothic mansion. What better, thought me, than to be a lump of rock
in the foundations mined from the Cribarth, overlooking Cae-Brynmelyn-Bach opposite
Pentrecribarth farm? Deep in the foundations I would be aware of everything that
happened through vibrations emanating within the walls. Thus, the title was born, ‘Walls
Have Ears’.
Craig y Nos Castle has a long history of paranormal occurrences. As a ‘trance
psychic channel’ I felt an opportunity presented itself to incorporate the words and stories of the spirits still present, combined with tales gained through actual historical facts and interviews with people who had family and work connections with the castle through the years. Thus my research began both with those alive, and those long gone to the world of spirit.

Abstract

I know not how long I have lain upon the Cribarth, here so high on this
craggy ridge amidst passing clouds looking down to the valley below. Back in the
mists of time, volcanoes roared, earthquakes cracked mountains, ice thawed, and beds
of limestone and Twrch sandstone were laid down in sedimentary layers in tropical
seas near the equator some 350 million years ago. They arrived where they are
today by continental drift, and since then, here is where I have been, and much has
passed me by. Many have trod over me through millennia, ancient Celts, Druids,
invaders from Rome and England. But I am a rock, and I remember everything
passing through time as only a rock can.
Staring down the valley below, I see a tall man whom I know to be Captain Rice
Davies Powell, distinguished, suited and whiskered, leaning on an ebony walking
cane with a hand grip of gold. He stands on a field I know as Cae-Brynmelyn-Bach
opposite Pentrecribarth farm. It is late in the Autumn of 1843, leaves falling and
floating through the air, blown by easterly winds gather beneath stone walls and
footings covering ground as a carpet of bronze.
Captain Rice Davies Powell shielded his eyes with a gloved hand, the noonday
autumnal sun momentarily blinding more than ambition. His companion was a much smaller yet rotund man in his fifties, with bushy dark hair swept back over a checkedcoat collar. He stood with a sketchpad in one hand and charcoal in the other. Thomas H Wyatt was an architect of some renown, and being far from his offices in Great Russell
Street, London, he stood looking at the empty field of Cae-Brynmelyn-Bach. A tall,

stooped, thin man with wispy, greying hair stood at Thomas Wyatt’s shoulder. His
partner, David Brandon, accompanied him travelling from their offices by rail to
Swansea and then coach and four to Pentrecribarth for a planning meeting with
Captain Powell. Both were well-known architects at this time, responsible for building numerous Gothic-style churches, public buildings and private mansions.