Stasi Ordered to Shoot First

Many fear a 'Cold War Disneyland': Der Spiegel

(NEWSER) - Today marks the 50th anniversary of the start of construction on the Berlin Wall, prompting Der Spiegel to assess how Germany is handling its Cold War legacy. Answer: With kitsch, and lots of it. Entrepreneurs have found ways to capitalize, primarily in irreverent ways. They're trying everything from guided tours in junky East German cars, to cheesy checkpoint reenactments, to dressing in costume (think Darth Vader or Mickey Mouse) and posing for photographs, a la Hollywood Boulevard. In short, Berlin and what remains of its wall are in danger of becoming a "Cold War Disneyland," writes Frank Hornig. More»

(NEWSER) - After many years of indifference, Berliners have started getting serious about saving what's left of the most famous symbol of the Cold War, Der Spiegel reports. When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, locals viewed it as merely an unfortunate reminder of a bad past and little thought was given to preservation. Researchers believe more pieces of the wall are now overseas than still in Berlin. More»

Victims' relatives slam 'tasteless' border guard game

(NEWSER) - Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of German reunification—and the German people are none too pleased with a video game that was set to launch that day. In 1,378—named for the length of the wall, in kilometers—players can assume the role of border guards and shoot or capture people trying to escape East Germany over the Berlin Wall. Politicians and survivors' groups say the game is "macabre and scandalous" but creator Jens Stober says it is meant to be educational. More»

Dominoes, fireworks, music help mark 20 years

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of foam dominoes will fall today in Berlin, symbolizing the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has called Nov. 9, 1989, "the happiest day in recent German history," will lead the festivities. The guest list includes Hillary Clinton, Nicolas Sarkozy, Gordon Brown, and Lech Walesa. A concert at the landmark Brandenburg Gate and a fireworks display will end the celebration. More»

(NEWSER) - Skipping the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall is a bad choice by President Obama, Rick Richman writes, for several reasons:

• It’s a snub of a personal invitation from German Chancellor Angela Merkel—a key ally and one going all out for the festivities.
• It’s a chance for Obama to give credit to Presidents Kennedy and Reagan for their role in winning the Cold War—credit he forgot during a campaign speech in Berlin.