In my note to the kids this morning I made the comments that follow and thought they might be of interest to other readers of this blog.  Here they are.

The news this week has reported on the anniversary of the assault on and collapse of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago.  This brought to mind our visit to Germany in July of 1990.  I remember well that our host, Hans, asked if I wanted to take family to Berlin.  I declined with some regret expressing concern at taking my young family across the terrible border.  Hans understood, but he told me that the guards had gone away.  I asked him if he had imagined that such a thing could happen.  He said that as a German he had hoped that some day it would, but he thought not in his lifetime.  How this world can surprise us!

Growing up through the Cold War, I saw the division of Germany as marking a contrast between dictatorship and freedom.  In Florida schools provided a mandatory course on “Communism versus Americanism.”  Although it had some merit, it was stark and more than a bit silly.  The wall in Berlin was more stark and all too real. 

I remember its erection and then the regular reports of those shot for attempting to cross it.  In college a German reader gave a different much more German perspective.  The wall was erected it seemed to prevent incursions, disruptions, and corruption from the West.  The government of the German Democratic Republic made this very clear.  No rational person would want to leave the workers paradise. 

West Germans jokingly referred to this government as “the so-called German Democratic Republic.  In East Germany the German love of regimen was used to maintain the illusion that communism created an ideal and prosperous existence.  One in five citizens was recruited to maintain control.  Still, it finally failed.  Some blame the triumvirate of Reagan, Thatcher, and John Paul.  Many internal voices, especially those of Polish unionists,  bravely shouted out that the emperor had no clothes and demanded change.  Perhaps more significantly, even the wives of the state police had to wait in line for such luxuries as bread.  A whirlwind grew.

But hard structures can withstand a strong wind, and the dictatorship of the proletariat was a hard wall.  When the Berlin Wall fell, the impossible had happened.  Young men and women and others too went at that damned wall with small hammers.  When it “fell” the world saw that hope was not futile. 

Twenty-five years later, we have a different world.  It is perhaps better, but certainly not all happy, safe, and secure.   Efficient communism continues threateningly in North Korea and Cuba.  An article this morning speaks of Cuba contracting out slave doctors to bring in cash.  The “Human Rights Commission” closes its eyes to such shenanigans. 

The lure and fascination of socialism always threatens.  In Latin America people know that government jobs are better, so why not have twice as many government workers as are needed?  Or why not have everyone work for the government and everyone will be rich.  Brazil just re-elected a socialist.  Argentina too repeatedly reinstates “populists” who confiscate all savings about once a decade.  Evita is still celebrated in song!

Even here there is a popular discussion of “a problem of inequality.”  Is it any surprise that the economy stagnates when society makes it harder and harder to make and keep money? 

On top of putting up with economists who believe that “inflation is good” we face a new and potent fight on free speech.  A representative of that radical right wing organization, the American Civil Liberties Union, was recently called racist for “using the N word” and arguing that words should not be forbidden because “people may be sensitive to (them).”   Worse, we have government officials who endeavor to prohibit political blogs (by putting some dollar value on them and so calling them political contributions which “should” be limited).  I heard some politician say that he did not want to limit speech, only political speech.  He complained that political contributions give a small voice a megaphone.  How that would have warmed the heart of Joe Stalin!  We may allow someone to speak as long as no one can hear it!

Freedom is precious.  Let us celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall as a reminder that freedom can triumph in the face of evil.  Let us remember too that tanks roll across the Ukraine and dictatorships continue to flourish and enslave.  Sadly and hopefully, it may always be so.  Don't imagine that institutions protect people.  It takes common and extraordinary people to provide and protect useful institutions.  Let us remember and praise the people who made Mr. Gorbachev "tear down that wall!"