Archive for the ‘Walled In Berlin’ Category

Donald Trump doesn’t trump in New Zealand

Monday, May 6th, 2019

Donald Trump personifies everything the rest of the world despises about America: Casual racism, crass materialism, relentless self-aggrandizement, vulgarity on an epic scale. The fact that so many Republicans are comfortable with the thought of this monumentally unqualified man in the Oval Office shows how warped the Party has become.

— Paul Thomas

The New Zealand Herald

 

Donald Trump personifies everything the rest of the world despises about America: Casual racism, crass materialism, relentless self-aggrandizement, vulgarity on an epic scale.

Donald Trump personifies everything the rest of the world despises about America: Casual racism, crass materialism, relentless self-aggrandizement, vulgarity on an epic scale.

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

Wernher von Braun – the Real Rocket Man

Monday, April 29th, 2019

 

Donald Trump has called North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un “Little Rocket Man”. However, the real Rocket Man was Wernher von Braun (1912–1977). Having been one Germany’s most important rocket developers, von Braun was put to work in the U.S. rocket development program in the aftermath of World War II.

Wernher von Braun – Early Years

Von Braun came from an affluent upper-class family. Although interested in astronomy and space since youth, Wernher von Braun did not do well in school. As a matter of fact, physics and mathematics were his least favorite subjects. But by the time he was thirteen and got his hands on a copy of Die Rakete zu den Planetenraeumen – “The Rocket to Interplanetary Space” by a Hermann Oberth, he changed his attitude in a flash. He found the book so interesting that he decided to conquer math and quickly made it to the top of his class. While studying at the Berlin Institute of Technology, von Braun joined the German Society for Space Travel. In 1932, he graduated with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering and entered the University of Berlin. There, he went to work for the German Army to develop ballistic missiles together with Walter R. Dornberger. In 1934, he received a Ph.D. in physics.

Wernher von Braun During the Nazi Years

By 1934, Wernher von Braun’s group had successfully launched two rockets that rose vertically to more than 1.5 miles. Adolph Hitler was in power by then and anxious to advance German rocket development. When the test facilities near Berlin became too small, a larger one was built in Peenemuende on the Baltic Sea. Dornberger became the new facility’s military commander, von Braun its technical director. By 1944, the level of technology of the rockets and missiles being tested at Peenemuende was years ahead of that in other countries. The team developed the long-range ballistic missile A-4 (later called V-2) and the supersonic anti-aircraft missile “Wasserfall.”

How Wernher von Braun Came to the United States

At the end of World War II, Great Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union scooped up top German researchers as part of Operation Paperclip . Wernher von Braun, his younger brother Magnus, Dornberger and the rest of the German V-2 rocket team surrendered to U.S. troops along with blueprints and test vehicles. Thereafter, the U.S. government installed 1,600 top German scientist, engineers and technicians at Fort Bliss, Texas. Most of these scientists had been former members – some even former leaders – of the Nazi Party. That made Wernher von Braun a controversial figure. His Nazi war efforts make him a villain; his efforts of getting man to the moon a hero.

Wernher von Braun was one of the most important German rocket developers. Following WWII, he was put to work in the U.S. rocket development program. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Wernher von Braun was one of the most important German rocket developers. Following WWII, he was put to work in the U.S. rocket development program. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Wernher von Braun Propels Americans to the Moon

For the next fifteen years, von Braun worked with the U.S. Army in the development of ballistic missiles. In 1950, his team was moved to the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama to build the Jupiter ballistic missile. In 1960, the center transferred from the Army to the newly established NASA. Von Braun became the director of the Marshall Space Flight Center. The V–2 rocket remained the forerunner of those used in space exploration programs in the United States and the Soviet Union. The Saturn V rocket, which eventually supported the Apollo space program and human exploration of the moon, was also the brainchild of Wernher von Braun’s rocket team.

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Berlin mourns loss of advertising columns

Monday, April 15th, 2019

Berlin’s 2,500 outdoor advertising columns, called Litfass Saeulen after their inventor, are slated for the “Litfass Saeulen cemetery” by the end of June 2019. Berliners mourn a long tradition. Just like the city’s old street lights and water pumps, these old-time publicizing columns are a part of Berlin history. They have promoted movies, plays, concerts and other events. Only 50 of Berlin’s current Litfass Saeulen will remain because they are protected under Germany’s cultural preservation law.

Outdoor Advertising Column (Litfass Saeule) in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Outdoor Advertising Column (Litfass Saeule) in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2015. www.walled-in-berlin.com

History of Berlin’s Advertising Columns

In the mid-1800s, Berliners routinely hung notices on walls, doors, fences and trees, making the city look untidy. The Berlin printer and publisher Ernst Theodor Amandus Litfass had a solution: Why not erect columns throughout the city to which residents can attach their notices and messages? He approached the police president with his idea and eventually received permission to erect the first 100 outdoor advertising columns. That was in 1854. His columns were a huge success and Litfass added many more over the course of the centuries, becoming a rich man in the process.

 Why Berlin’s Advertising Columns Must Now Go

Recently, the city of Berlin modified its method of allocating marketing and advertising rights for public spaces. For many years, Wall GmbH held those rights, and in return, operated Berlin’s public toilets and fountains. As of this year, the city is selling the advertising rights for public spaces and will finance public toilets and fountains from the advertising revenues.

ILG Aussenwerbung GmbH wins the bidding process

In the recent bidding process for outdoor advertising on Litfass Saeulen, Wall GmbH drew the short straw. ILG-Aussenwerbung GmbH won the lottery. https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/article216787283/In-Berlin-beginnt-jetzt-der-grosse-Abriss-der-Litfasssaeulen.htmln Berlin beginnt jetzt der große Abriss der Litfaßsäulen Because the two companies could not agree on how many existing advertising columns could or should be maintained, all of them will be scrapped (save the 50 protected ones). The new operator expects to install up 1,500 new columns this year and to add an additional 1,000 over the course of the next three to five years. Removal, by the way, will run several million Euros because some of the existing pillars contain asbestos.

Good-Bye to Berlin’s Advertising Columns

Advertising on the existing advertising columns ceased already several weeks ago. While Wall GmbH is busy ripping them out like dead tree stumps, the temporarily remaining pillars await their fate dressed only in plain red, blue or yellow paper. They look like headstones in a cemetery because mourning Berliners have scribbled their good-byes on the bright paper.

 

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Secret of being well-liked

Monday, April 8th, 2019

The secret of being well-liked:

Ask for nothing,

Laugh at yourself,

Listen with interest,

Rarely complain,

Inspire others,

Teach,

Give.

The secret of being well-liked is: Ask for nothing, Laugh at yourself, Listen with interest, Rarely complain, Inspire others, Teach, Give. www.walled-in-berlin.com

The secret of being well-liked is: Ask for nothing, Laugh at yourself, Listen with interest, Rarely complain, Inspire others, Teach, Give. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Alternative Facts Clearly Explained

Monday, April 1st, 2019

Alternative Facts” was a catchphrase used by U.S. Counselor to the President, Kellyanne Conway, during a Meet the Press interview on 22 January 2017. When questioned why White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, inflated the attendance numbers of Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States, she defended him by claiming that Spicer had alternative facts.

Since then, the current administration has provided us with many alternative facts. If you still wonder how to explain them, consider this simple and easy to understand explanation from the field of nutrition:

 

The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

The Germans drank a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

 

Alternative Fact

Eat and drank what you like. Learn a foreign language! Speaking English is what kills you. If you learn German, for instance, you might be able to land a job with the German Coastguard and perform as well as this new hire did. Click to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMUsVcYhERY/

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Fair Treatment because you are good

Thursday, March 28th, 2019

Expecting fair treatment in this world because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian.

— Anonymous

Expecting fair treatment in this world because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Expecting fair treatment in this world because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Role of German President vs. German Chancellor

Monday, March 25th, 2019

Although a largely unfamiliar face outside of the country, Frank-Walter Steinmeier is actually Germany’s head of state. He was elected in 2017 and is serving a five-year term. Much better known at home and abroad is Angela Merkel, the current Chancellor of Germany. She is serving her fourth term. Mrs. Merkel was elected in 2005 and will retire from politics at the end of her term in 2021. So, why is she better known? What are the roles of the German Chancellor versus the German President? Simply put, their relationship is similar to that between the British Queen and the British Prime Minister. While the roles of the German President and the British Queen are primarily ceremonial, the German Chancellor and the British Prime Minister are the effective leaders of their respective countries.

What is the role of the German President?

The President of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundespraesident der Bundesrepublik Deutschland), is essentially a ceremonial head of state who represents the country at expositions, sports and art events, dedications, parades and prominent funerals. He performs ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings and ship christenings. And he represents the country in International matters. He signs into law the bills that the coalition government has drafted, and he appoints the cabinet minister the chancellor wants. But he has no real power to exercise political authority in the day-to-day activities of the government. To ensure that the president is not provided with greater authority than the chancellor, he is not elected directly by the people, but by the Federal Assembly.

Roman Herzog (President of Germany from 1994 to 1999) once put it this way: “Because I, as president, have almost no decision-making power, it isn’t even possible to hold me accountable if someone translates proposals I make into law. On the other hand, when something I propose is not done, I can always point out that it would have been better if they had listened to me.” http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/unfiltered-democracy-why-germany-should-get-rid-of-the-presidency-a-809677.html

 

The first official residence of the German President is the Bellevue Palace in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2016. www.walled-in-berlin.com

The first official residence of the German President is the Bellevue Palace in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2016. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

What is the role of the German Chancellor?

The German Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) is the de facto chief executive of country and the true head of the government. The Chancellor is elected by parliament once the President has made his proposal. He or she also determines who serves on the Cabinet, determines the number of cabinet ministers and dictates their duties. The German Chancellor is responsible for all government policies.

 

The official residence of the German Chancellor is the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt) in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2016. www.walled-in-berlin.com

The official residence of the German Chancellor is the Federal Chancellery (Bundeskanzleramt) in Berlin. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 2016. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Basing our opinions on evidence

Thursday, March 21st, 2019

Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether it is true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that’s out there.

— Barack Obama

Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether it is true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that’s out there. Barack Obama. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Increasingly, we become so secure in our bubbles that we accept only information, whether it is true or not, that fits our opinions, instead of basing our opinions on the evidence that’s out there. Barack Obama. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

 

Forced Adoptions in Former East Germany

Monday, March 18th, 2019

During the 1970s and 1980s, Germany remained split into East and West. During that period, as many as 2,000 East German children fell victim to politically motivated forced adoptions. The state took minor children of politically undesirable parents and placed them permanently with regime-compliant families. Most of these children were of elementary school age; some were newborns, taken from their mothers in the hospital. In case of the latter, parents were told that their babies had died shortly after birth. Not until after the collapse of East Germany in 1989 did many of these forced adoption cases come to light.

About 2,000 children in former East Germany fell victim to politically motivated forced adoptions. www.walled-in-berlin.com

About 2,000 children in former East Germany fell victim to politically motivated forced adoptions. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Parental “Crimes” and Forced Adoptions

In socialist East Germany, the state expected parents to teach their offspring the principles of communism and the importance of loyalty to the state. To properly instill those values in their children, parents had to be dedicated to the system. If parents spoke out against the regime, or worse, attempted to escape to the West, the state deemed them unqualified to raise children. In that case, authorities withdrew parenting rights and permanently placed the children with approved families.

There were other, far more obscure, reasons that could result in a politically motivated forced adoptions. The Spiegel Online International Newsletter reports several such cases. In one instance, the state put the children of a single mother up for adoption. Out of work, she had chosen to stay home to care for her children rather than continue to work outside the home, as required by East Germany’s compulsory labor laws. When the mother rejected placing her children in the state’s child care, authorities initiated forced adoption. The state told another mother that she would not be allowed to raise two children because her apartment was too small (a larger apartment was not available) and permanently placed one of the children with a regime-approved family.

Responsibility for Forced Adoption

Forced Adoptions were the responsibility of the East German Ministry of Education. Margot Honecker headed the Ministry of Education from 1963 to 1989. She was the wife of former East German head of state, Erich Honecker. Mrs. Honecker, whose agency created the forced adoption policies, allegedly also enforced them. However, allegations were never proven. Following German reunification in 1990, Mrs. Honecker left Germany and moved to Chile where she lived in exile for the rest of her life, collecting a German state pension. She was never charged and died in 2016.

Thirty Years Later

Thirty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, many families, separated by forced adoptions, are still in search of each other. Reunions are difficult because adoption records are often hard to trace or are missing altogether. On top of that, unified Germany’s Child Protective Services cannot release names and addresses for 50 years because of data protection laws. In the meantime, some victims have formed their own search organizations and websites to help children and parents reconnect. So far, at least 600 families have been reunited.

Reunions of Forced Adoption Victims

Unfortunately, not all reunions of forced adoption victims have ended happily. Many of the children were never told that they were adopted. Others had long forgotten what their natural parents looked like because photographs were confiscated at the time of adoption. When a natural parent knocked on the door, the children – by now adults – were often unprepared to handle the revelation and cut all contact with natural and adoptive parents. While expectations run high, reality often proves disappointing. Grief and sorrow remain.

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.

Key to your true potential

Thursday, March 14th, 2019

Only you hold the key to your true potential.

— Anonymous

Only you hold the key to your true potential. www.walled-in-berlin.com

Only you hold the key to your true potential. www.walled-in-berlin.com

 

For a sneak peek at the first 20+ pages of my memoir, Walled-In: A West Berlin Girl’s Journey to Freedom, click “Download a free excerpt” on my home page and feel free to follow my blog about anything German: historic or current events, people, places or food.

Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.