I lived in Berlin from the ages of six to twelve … no, actually, I grew up in Berlin. My father moved the family to Berlin a few weeks after the conclusion of the Berlin Airlift in 1949 until 1956. Dad worked as Religious Affairs Advisor to the U.S. Commission, liaising with the churches in East Germany and addressing their needs. At the same time, he would gather strategic information which, upon debrief, he would report to the U.S. Commission, a sort of double agent you might call him.
Then, for three years, he was named Senior Representative for the Lurtheran World Federation, a refugee relief organization, attending the needs of those people fleeing into Berlin from East Germany as well as from other Soviet satellite countries. For his service during this period of the post-WWII reconstruction of Germany, he was awarded the Order of Merit by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, the highest honor given an ordinary citizen.
By the time our family finally returned to South Dakota in 1956, approximately 7,000 people a week were fleeing into Berlin, escaping the oppressive policies of the Soviet regime and the East German Stassi. Keep in mind, these people had already experienced the same during Hitler’s NAZI regime. Finally, in 1961, the situation got so bad that to curtail the flow of refugees (immigrants), the Soviets built a WALL which was guarded by military troops and their dogs. The order was to shoot on sight anyone trying to flee. Still, the people came any way they could. Walls don’t stop the will of the people.
Finally, when sanity began to return and the Soviets realized that their WALL wasn’t working, President Reagan called on Gorbachev, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that WALL!” and, by God, he did in 1989.
So … President Drumpf … sir. What makes you think that a WALL will solve anything? Walls don’t work, you idiot! Even the Chinese realized that. Why can’t you?
—David Soul
Due to abusive comments (obviously all from Trump supporters), I’ve decided to turn off any more replies to my thoughts above. I haven’t got time for that kind of shit.
It’s the same with the FEMA camps. They aren’t for taking in foreigners but on day the Citizens of the good ole USA when thepeopke wont bow down to the Government. They will be the USA concentration camps. No body is safe anywhere until they issue out our Congress and get a new Congress and Government that’s not evil and crooked and controls the president and anyone they vote in. I think they should be massively screened and have no contractions to anyone who has served in the offices.
Their all evil with no regard for us as a people. Gun control has nothing to do with guns it’s the insanity of people. People are more mentally weird now days then it was when I grew up in the 60-70’s people can’t even function or deal with life and they are on all sorts of meds for crap we never heard of in our time.
Ridiculous.
Thank you for writing this. It reminded me of my dad’s work with the Lutherans screen refugess after WWII. I bet my father, Rev. Henry M. Schumann, knew your father. I know your family name is Solberg. My mom worked for the Board of Higher Education when your dad was president of Suomi College. Small world. Walls don’t work!!
Thank-you for sharing this. It’s the absolute truth!! I don’t understand how so many people can believe his lies. He’s nothing but a grifter and he is taking advantage of our country. It’s so sad. My heart breaks for the country I love. 😕
Walls don’t work!!
I agree 100% but unfortunately congress does not have back bone to stop Trump and whatever Trump wants Trump gets — heaven help America !!!!!!!
David, Thank You for speaking out against a wall no one in there right mind would seek. For years, Republicans have used FEAR to control the people of the United States. I have written letters to the editors of our local paper and have received thanks from free thinkers and vitriol from Trump’s sheep. I have been told to keep my mouth shut at family gatherings and have lost a friend of 50 years for speaking out. I am disheartened by the easy way hate and fear have overtaken a third of our population. The end of this propaganda-based presidency is coming to a final close, but not without suffering and loss. The children separated from their parents and lost to our chaotic system can not be fixed. I cry every day. You are a righteous man and we love you for it! Marianne
Hi David,
I read your comment with interest. I live in Arizona where there are thousands of illegals entering. Now we have murder, rape, theft, robbery, sniper killings, wrong way drivers. etc., on an average day in this state commited by the illegals. These illegals have no moral compass or care about what is right. People are afraid. People are buying guns to protect themselves. So, what are we American citizens supposed to do? There has got to be a solution to this invasion of America. What would you do if you were President of the United States? What do you think would work that would help?
I’m sorry someone has been feeding you propaganda and scaring you. Illegal immigration has actually been going down; it’s at its lowest in last 10 years. Immigrants are not anymore dangerous than any other sociopath that our county has raised. You are being fed communist propaganda and are not watching the real news. Do not fear. Fear has no purose other than to freeze your logical brain. All thruout history Amercans have feared the immigrant unjustly. Its plain prejudice.
A comment on my comment. Our daughter is a sergeant in the police department. She says the media doesn’t let you know half of what is going on.
Very interesting article, Mr. Soul. I agree with this AZ person, however. Mr. Soul, as a huge fan of yours, I’d like to ask a question: Your article is well taken and has valid points, but didn’t state your answer to our problem. If not a wall, what do you think will keep illegal infiltrators out and make them go through the proper channels? How about solutions vs. slanders? Thanks.
David, je vous remercie d’avoir le courage de dire tout haut ce que beaucoup de gens pensent tout bas. En effet les murs ne servent qu’à attiser la haine entre les peuples. Je ne suis pas américaine mais française mais votre président me fait peur. Aucun mur n’empêchera un être humain chercher le meilleur pour lui et sa famille. Je n’ai pas connu la guerre mais en Europe, le mur de Berlin était une honte et j’étais devant ma TV lorsqu’il est tombé, enfin. Vous avez raison, les murs ne fonctionnent pas. Merci
Translation: David, thank you for having the courage to say aloud what many people think in a whisper. In fact, the walls serve only to stir up hatred between peoples. I am not American but French, but your president scares me. No wall will stop a human looking for the best for himself and his family. I did not know the war, but in Europe, the Berlin Wall was a shame and I was in front of my TV when it fell, finally. You’re right, the walls do not work. Thank you.
From one of Norwegian Lutheran heritage to another, What amazing experiences you have had with your admirable parents. One question I have is this: has anyone done research on the history of – and difference – between walls intended to keep people OUT, and those intended to keep people IN?
Thank you.
HS
The Berlin wall was meant to keep people in not out – guarded by the Russians and the German Defense force/Army escaping was a deadly undertaking, yes I said ESCAPING. My wife is from the former East Germany (REISA) and got to leave when the wall came down in November 1989. She was I think 14 then and it was in big part taken down by Reagan a Republican. They loved him for that, and the strong speech urging the wall’s destruction. Remember the “tear down that wall” speech in 1987. The wall on the border needs to be there and they certainly work. It’s not propaganda as one other attempted to blindly state – I’m in the military (Army, 18 years) as is my naturalized US Citizen wife (doing her part for this country) and we’ve been there to the border twice. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with coming into the US legally. David loved your work in S&H, however, I completely disagree with you on this.