It Was Twenty Years Ago Today

One of the most significant things we've learned in the past twenty years as the archives have opened is just how many in the West wanted Communism to putter on. Either because they thought its collapse would under socialism and socialist movements in the West or due to their fear of an uncertain future. This trepidation runs the the gamut of the political spectrum.

Reagan's best line of his Presidency:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK30k2WTxY0&feat...

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

The two best movies I've seen on the GDR are "Der Tunnel" and "The Lives of Others."

The most dramatic escape IMHO happened not long before that vile wall fell; the two brothers who flew in with ultralights and sprung their third brother (this had been a progression - the first brother had escaped by swimming to freedom, he then got his second brother out and then finally the third brother).

Night Crossing (1981). "Two men want to escape from East Germany (under Communist rule) but they will only go if they can take their families with them. Based on a true story."

And in a lighter vein, Good Bye Lenin! (2003).

And yes, the balloon crossing story is awe inspiring.

East/West is a great anti-Communist movie.

Since those who tore down the wall got by with a little help from their friends it sure made a difference to the typical day in the life of Berliners.

At least for a while it was getting better all the time, let's hope recent events are just a dip in the trendline.

You don't know how lucky you are, boy...

It is good to be back home, but I hardly know the place.

I'll unpack tomorrow...

Hear hear!!

Best. Beatles-Related. Blog Post Title. Ever.

Agreed. First prize.

I was living in Germany when the wall came down and visited East Berlin two months later. I wrote my own thoughts down here:

http://togetrichisglorious.blogspot.com/2009/11...