# The "Gulf of America"? Wth? Can you just change the name of a body of water? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683 "2025-01-07T18:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/101 "2025-01-09T21:31:11Z")
Wins the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/102 "2025-01-09T22:04:34Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > > [@bump](#): > > > > Well, you can certainly ask, but I suspect Denmark’s price will be too high. And the US Treasury would pay, I assume. And by extension, we all will. > > See, that’s kind of my take on it. Things like this have happened before, like with the Louisiana Purchase, and Alaska, so it’s not unheard of to just offer to buy a chunk of land and transfer its sovereignty to another country. > > … The difference between now (21th century) and then (19th century) being that the selling parties of the Louisiana Purchase, and Alaska, considered the inhabitants of the territories in question to be people of no account - a very few _subjects_, and otherwise mere _indigenes_. No question about their having agency in what country had souvereignty over where they lived. Nowadays deals over souvereignty are only that straightforward if the land in question is uninhabited. Denmark cannot sell Greenland because it is not Denmark‘s to sell. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/103 "2025-01-10T11:14:48Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > I imagine someone told him that because of conditions in the future (but _did not_ say climate change) Greenland is going to be ripe for exploitation and making lots and lots of money. Of course, he wants in on that. This is a great idea! The non-Maga press should run with this, in a big bold font Whenever the issue arises, run the story with the headline: “Trump’s purchase of Greenland continues. Liberal Experts say GLOBAL WARMING will reveal mineral wealth” Trumpy heads will explode. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/104 "2025-01-10T11:27:49Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Coincidentally, Lego bricks are also known to emergency-care staff as causing 30% of foot injuries among parents with small children. LOL! When I worked with a pro wrestling promotion, one of our heels had a sure-fire remedy against the face: sprinkle Lego blocks in the ring. Worked best when the face was barefooted. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@CaptainE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainE)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/105 "2025-01-10T12:10:06Z")
The Weather Channel does not name storms. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/106 "2025-01-10T12:12:08Z")
Yes, they [do](https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2024-10-11-winter-storm-names-the-weather-channel-2024-2025) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/107 "2025-01-10T12:39:39Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Nowadays deals over souvereignty are only that straightforward if the land in question is uninhabited. Denmark cannot sell Greenland because it is not Denmark‘s to sell. True, but Greenland currently has a government that advocated independence from Denmark, and may hold a referendum on the issue at the next parliamentary election. That doesn’t mean the US can just take over Greenland, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/108 "2025-01-10T13:04:57Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@penultima\_thule](#): > > > > Ah well, scratch an American and you’ll usually find a hegemonist. > > Oh yes indeed, “America bad”! Such insight. Incoming leader of the United States, elected by the people of the Unitef States, has announced that he wants to: 1. Change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America; 2. Buy Greenland; 3. Use economic pressure to force the annexation of Canada; 4. Impose tariffs on Mexico until the Mexican government implements policies he demands; 5. Retake the Panama Canal, in violation of treaties between the US and Panama. Sounds pretty US-hegemony to me, from my position north of the 49th. ---
**Author:** ![survinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/109 "2025-01-10T13:54:58Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Incoming leader of the United States, elected by the people of the Unitef States, has announced that he wants to: > > 1. Change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America; > 2. Buy Greenland; > 3. Use economic pressure to force the annexation of Canada; > 4. Impose tariffs on Mexico until the Mexican government implements policies he demands; > 5. Retake the Panama Canal, in violation of treaties between the US and Panama. > > Sounds pretty US-hegemony to me, from my position north of the 49th. It’s fascism. Fascists are nationalist by nature, and one of the plays in the playbook is territorial expansion. Of the above 5, the least damaging is renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. If that was the extent of what he wanted to accomplish, the world would breathe a sigh of relief. I would note that #2-5 are all part of his signaling to Putin that he’s OK with Russian agression against Ukraine. I don’t think he’d do or threaten all of that without having that signal to Putin in the back of his mind. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/110 "2025-01-10T18:23:16Z")
Back to renaming. My toilet is now referred to as the “Trumplet”. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/111 "2025-01-10T21:17:14Z")
We could just name the Gulf of Mexico after Trump, but “Bay of Pigs” is already taken. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/112 "2025-01-10T21:29:23Z")
Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/113 "2025-01-11T02:22:11Z")
Don’t say he never stood up to Trump: [Gov. Abbott proposes ‘Gulf of Texas’ as alternative to Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ rename](https://kfdm.com/news/nation-world/gov-abbott-proposes-gulf-of-texas-as-alternative-to-trumps-gulf-of-america-rename-austin-president-elect-mexico-world-map) Seen as trial balloon, the Gulf of America is, as of today, failing. But I still think it would be politically brilliant for DJT to push it, and he may. From my link: > [@](#): > > Even if the U.S. were to enact domestic changes, other countries would not be bound to adopt the new name, and international recognition would require extensive updates to maps, documents, and diplomatic agreements. This totally misses the point, which is to heighten nationalist resentments. Continuing renaming refusals and inconsistencies would send the message that Trump is for America, and the others are for Mexico. That’s why [Schumer wisely isn’t totally against it.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/chuck-schumer-says-democrats-support-183328777.html) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/114 "2025-01-11T02:36:35Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > That’s why [Schumer wisely isn’t totally against it.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/chuck-schumer-says-democrats-support-183328777.html) Schumer is offering something stupid and meaningless in exchange for something important. So, I get it. But it’s still a stupid thing designed to appeal to stupid voters. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@CaptainE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainE)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/115 "2025-01-11T04:05:10Z")
You are correct. I was thinking WMO larger scale ones. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/116 "2025-01-11T04:45:53Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Schumer is offering something stupid and meaningless in exchange for something important. And he’s going to get neither, because he clearly learned nothing from the way McConnell completely controlled the Senate for 16 years regardless of who was in the majority. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/117 "2025-01-11T05:17:01Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And he’s going to get neither, because he clearly learned nothing from the way McConnell completely controlled the Senate for 16 years regardless of who was in the majority. Not sure what you mean; what does Mitch McConnell have to do with it? Schumer / Dems can either have a hissy fit over this ridiculous idea or he can try to make some use of it. Not to mention the plausible deniability. “We were ready to get on board but clearly renaming a body of water is more important than helping the American people”. Not saying it will have any results but what we’ve been doing hasn’t either. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/118 "2025-01-11T05:43:55Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Not sure what you mean; what does Mitch McConnell have to do with it? McConnell committed the Republicans to opposing Obama on everything and it resulted in them gaining full control of the government. Schumer should be doing the same instead of dignifying Trump’s insane ideas. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/119 "2025-01-11T09:35:50Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > > [@penultima\_thule](#): > > > > Ah well, scratch an American and you’ll usually find a hegemonist. > > Oh yes indeed, “America bad”! Such insight. Well if somebody was to run a poll, methinks the proportion of 'merkins who’d respond to the question “Would you support the idea of Canada becoming a state of the U.S.A.” with “Yeah, that’s a good idea worth pursuing” would be substantially higher than the proportion who voted for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2025, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683/120 "2025-01-11T09:50:55Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > idea of Canada becoming a state of the U.S.A.” with “Yeah, that’s a good idea worth pursuing” I just had a good idea!!! Let’s invade Canada and make it the 51st state, while keeping its health care system. Then suddenly the magats wont be afraid of “socialist” health care. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gulf-of-america-wth-can-you-just-change-the-name-of-a-body-of-water/1012683.md?page=7)