Tag: greenland

Who needs enemies?

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When you have “friends” like America?

The Danish government has ordered public officials across Greenland and Denmark to deactivate Bluetooth on both professional and personal devices, citing increasing concerns about foreign surveillance capabilities. The move affects civil servants, police officers, and military personnel operating in national and territorial institutions.

Though the Danish government did not link its Bluetooth directive to Trump’s statement, the timing has drawn attention. Greenland’s geographic position makes it critical for NATO operations and Arctic resource planning, adding strategic pressure to protect communications infrastructure within Danish jurisdiction.

I’m going to be honest here, I didn’t realise that Bluetooth – ironically named after a Danish King who united the many tribes of the country during his reign – was that hackable. The only issues that I’ve ever (knowingly) had, was a bit of annoying interference on the way to my Sony speaker.

But apparently, it’s a thing:

A related article from Radar.dk points to a security flaw involving Fast Pair, a proprietary feature developed by Google that streamlines Bluetooth device pairing. Unlike standard Bluetooth protocols, Fast Pair establishes connections with minimal user interaction, which has raised concern about silent pairing and unauthorized device access.

One comment cited in Radar.dk describes how certain devices can be turned into covert listening tools. Specifically, a vulnerability in the Airoha Bluetooth audio SDK was identified as allowing Bluetooth audio devices to pair without user approval. These exploits highlight a broader risk: even inactive or unpaired devices can be accessed if firmware is outdated or unsecured.

We must presume that the Danish authorities knew about this potential vulnerability before this last week. And it’s interesting that until the whole Greenland thing came up, they apparently had no issue with anyone potentially listening in on their state workers. Because there was probably very little of interest being said. As I pointed out when the whole Covid “passport” thing was suggested: Don’t try to fool yourself: you’re simply not important enough for the government (or anyone else) to be interested in you.

But apart from that, this also suggests that the Danish authorities are therefore now talking – sensitively – about the threat that America poses. Otherwise, why would they have any issue with the Yanks listening in?

But will it really make any difference anyway?

The Bluetooth ban has also reignited scrutiny of European dependence on U.S.-made technology. Though Denmark has not commented on specific hardware or software vendors, public reactions on Radar.dk questioned why national agencies continue to rely heavily on platforms developed by Apple, Google, and other non-EU companies.

And they all run their servers and devices on Chinese-based electronics. And so the circle goes. So maybe it’s all completely pointless and everyone should be playing open handed here. After all, it does seem that everyone already has the means to know what everyone else is saying and doing.

Airpods or not.

Let’s not forget…

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All the calls for Canada as the 51st State, the actions of the state-sponsored militias running around Minnesota (and beyond), the rambling speech mixing up Greenland and Iceland, and the persisting sabre-rattling about the alleged necessity of the annexation of the former “for security reasons“, are merely a smokescreen to try to make us forget about… well…

…you know what.

And since we’re on that subject, let me remind you of an old Russian joke that seems to have resurfaced recently.
I can’t imagine why.

Every morning, a guy stops at the same newsagent and picks up the newspaper, looks at the front page, and then puts the paper back down without buying it.

One day the vendor asks what he’s doing.

The man tells him that he’s looking for an obituary.

The vendor says “Those are at the back of the paper, Comrade.”

The man replies, “Not the one I’m looking for.”

It’s really just who goes first: him or the planet.

Interview/Photos

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Yeah. Dull title. But some of these images are incredible. It’s Dutch ‘tog Albert Dros being interviewed for the ‘creativity and culture’ site MyModernMet.com, all about his love for Greenland (which doesn’t belong to anyone orange, remember).

And while Albert waxes lyrical about the landscapes and the ‘eternal inspiration’ he finds in Greenland, it’s the photos that help you to understand exactly how beautiful the place is.

But as we know, there’s a whole lot more to these images than just turning up to somewhere beautiful and pressing a shutter button, it takes planning to make something so simple work so well:

Our photography workshops have something unique: our sailboats with red sails. They were introduced by a friend of mine, Daniel Kordan, many, many years ago. He came up with the idea of using red sails in contrast with the blue icebergs, an art concept that we now still use with great success. And no wonder, the photos are always spectacular.
We use our sailboats as scale elements for the icebergs. With the sailboat, you can really see how massive these icebergs are. Of course, I encourage everyone to not only photograph our red sailboats. Look at the spectacular beauty around, massive icebergs, but also closer details, the sled dogs, the atmosphere, the towns… I teach people to make a photo story with impact—the same as I do.

Dros’ ability and “his love of landscape photography and knack for visual storytelling” shines through in the article and on his social media, which I encourage you to visit.

I’ve never really considered Greenland as a destination, but it is apparently becoming more and more popular with tourists. Which is ok, as long as it is controlled. Because the beauty lies in the unspoiled wilderness, and we know that can be ruined rapidly by people trying to make a quick buck.

But let’s not let the ubiquitous downside detract from some absolutely stunning images, and the words of a guy who is clearly so passionate to share his knowledge and talent with others.

I’m going to have to get my hat out

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It was back in March that I told you that I wanted a MAGA hat. And I immediately also told you that it wasn’t that sort of MAGA hat that I wanted. Because no-one in their right mind wants to be associated with the Orange Shitler and his cult members.

I wanted to get this MAGA hat, designed by Greenland activist Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen:

I’m not a hugely political person, but long story short, I went and got that MAGA hat made, complete with Greenland flag and MAGA-style font.

Yes, seriously. Here it is on the bar.

But it seemed like rubbish timing, because rather soon after that, all the furore around Greenland thankfully died down and then disappeared completely.

Until now.

Yes. That wholly unwanted, wholly unwarranted US attention is back:

Denmark’s foreign minister has summoned the top US diplomat in Copenhagen, following a report that American citizens have been conducting covert operations in Greenland.
Denmark’s public broadcaster DR quoted sources as saying the aim was to infiltrate Greenland’s society and promote its secession from Denmark to the US, although it was unable to clarify who the men were working for.
Danish intelligence warned Greenland was being targeted by “various kinds of influence campaigns”.

That sounds like an approach that Donald might have learned from Vladimir.

Colour me shocked.

Danish Radio’s report on Wednesday gave details of a visit by one American to Greenland’s capital Nuuk, saying he was seeking to compile a list of Greenlanders who backed US attempts to take over the island. The aim would be to try to recruit them for a secession movement.

Given the strength of feeling during JD Vance’s curtailed visit back in March, it’s unlikely that the list would be very long. But that also means that it might not take much time to draw up.

No wonder the Danish Foreign Minister wants to nip this in the bud.

The only good things that can come out of this are a) further international disgust at the US and the Mango Mussolini’s accelerating imperialist policies, and b) the revived relevance of my MAGA hat.

Looks like I’m going to be sporting my red headgear once more, raising awareness of the issues faced by our neighbours in the top left corner of the Atlantic Ocean.

MAGAA: Make America Go Away. Again.

I want a MAGA hat*

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* Careful now!


After yesterday’s post, that title may come as a surprise to most all of you.

So let me immediately unsurprise you by saying that No. It’s not one of those MAGA hats.

It’s one of these MAGA hats:

(B)eagle-eyed readers will note the Greenland flag on the side of the cap, and yes, this was designed by Greenland activist Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen, who – with the continued bizarre sabre-rattling interest from the US in the mineral-rich, independently-run Danish territory – said:

Sisimiuni innuttaasoqatinnut innersuut: Vancep nuliata tikeraarnera qujangeqqusaarneruvoq. Qungujukkussigit qungujullusiluunniit assileqatigigussigit nunarsuarmi tamat paasitissuasi USA nuannaralugu peqataaffigerusullugulu. Innersuukkusunnarpoq soqutigineqassanngittut, akerliussutsimik takutitserujussuaqqammerpungut tamanna attallungu soqutiginaveersaarniartingit.

Damn straight, Aannguaq.

He’s basically reminding the people of Greenland to stand together as the latest provocative visit from the Second Lady, Usha Vance, and her group of officials to the territory goes ahead:

Vance’s wife’s visit is a charm offensive. If you smile at them or take a selfie with them, you are sending a message to the world that you love the USA and want to be part of it. 

And while this is all about Greenland, how many people worldwide would love a hat like this? Not just to show solidarity with the potentially threatened nation, but also because America Going Away would just be a really great thing to happen. Even more so after the last 10 weeks (and yes, that’s all it has been).

I don’t think that we in SA will be high on the list to get stock of these items. Geography alone puts us behind a lot of other places. But maybe there’s a tribute cap to be made at a local cap embroiderers.

Because I love the sentiment.