One of the more obscene things that I have seen in my lifetime was the wall that separated East and West Germany. I am not talking just about the wall in Berlin, but the border swath cut clear across Germany. Over hills, through forests, and beautiful farmland was this street-wide, cleared strip of land, sprinkled with formidable watch-towers, barbed wire and the frightening, oppressive border sign: HALT! HIER GRENZE! Stop, here is the border, the barrier, the frontier. Even on the freedom side of that warning sign, one would still experience shivers of fear as well as anger. One could not help but think of all the misery, sorrow, pain, and tears this barrier caused for countless people.

I remember with what anxiety we crossed that border. Passports were taken, forms filled out, car and l…