Twenty years ago today: The Berlin Wall falls
posted at 10:55 am on November 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Twenty years ago today, the most reviled symbol of Communist oppression got torn down by both the people it oppressed and the people it was intended to intimidate as the era of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe came to an abrupt and obvious end. Cheering throngs filled the streets as the Berlin Wall fell, with East Germany’s soldiers reduced to the role of spectators as their state, for all intents and purposes, ceased to exist entirely. It was easily the climax of decades of Cold War — and a moment of undeniable victory for the US and Western Europe:
One of the most impassioned speeches by an American President helped accelerate the collapse two years earlier:
“Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Ronald Reagan understood the symbolic power — and the symbolic shame — of the Berlin Wall. He also understood well the reason why Gorbachev didn’t dare tear down the Berlin Wall. It was the only thing keeping Western Europe from overwhelming the Soviet Union’s European dominance. But the speech by Reagan exposed Gorbachev’s hypocrisy on glasnost and perestroika and offering a new openness to the West. The Soviets could not offer openness to the West while maintaining its prison-camp status for the millions of people stuck behind that wall and the Iron Curtain in general.
One might think that the anniversary of such a victory, won in large part by the US, would be a celebration in which an American head of state would like to participate. Unfortunately, Barack Obama couldn’t be bothered to fly to Germany a day before he travels to Asia:
Der Spiegel reported three weeks ago that “Barack is too busy”, as I noted at the time:
Germany is going to have to wait longer than expected for US President Barack Obama’s first official visit. Citing government sources in Berlin, Reuters reported on Friday that Obama will not attend the anniversary festivities marking two decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The event will take place on Nov. 9 — just two days before Obama embarks on a long-planned trip to Asia on Nov. 11.
According to the German television channel n-tv, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will stand in for the president. It is considered unlikely that her husband, the former President Bill Clinton, will accompany her.
Well, where’s the Vice President? Should he not stand in for Obama on this auspicious occasion to help celebrate the victory over tyranny in a war waged over several decades? Apparently not. Joe Biden will attend a fundraiser in Detroit rather than celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Disgraceful.
Update: Reason TV remembers the victims of communism:
Blowback
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Maybe we should have kept the collectivism contained behind that wall.
forest on November 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM
All the more disgraceful when one realizes that this White House knew full well the symbolism of this particular snub.
myrenovations on November 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM
If they’re not going to give Chicago anything, why should Obama be bothered with it?
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Fast forward to 2009:
“Mr. Obama, tear up this Health Care Bill!”
UltimateBob on November 9, 2009 at 10:59 AM
+1
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM
So far, I have been able to predict accurately about 90% of President Obama’s foreign policy. It’s easy: all I do is ask myself what I would do as President, and then confidently predict that Obama would do the opposite.
jwolf on November 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Like you expected better form BO. He’s probably geiving that he has to recreate
CommunisimSocialism on his own.A Socialist’s work is never done; and hardly ever appreciated.
SayNo2-O on November 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM
If Obama can’t make it about him, he doesn’t want anything to do with it.
Dark Star on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Nice writeup, Ed. Reagan’s quote used to be my ringtone, and was one of the first sentences my son spoke. These are dark times, but remembering occasions like this provides some hope.
mikeyboss on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Leftists don’t like freedom. We again see this demonstrated by Obama and company today.
WannabeAnglican on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Hopefully Hillary just stands there and doesn’t make any speeches.
journeyintothewhirlwind on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Mr. Gorbachev, get that strawberry off your head!
abobo on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
and our president celebrates our victory over communism by passing an over reaching quasi-communist bill.
cold war? what cold war?
Victory? Obama says, ‘what Democrat won the cold war’? It was a republican? then we must not celebrate as Americans.’
Obama knows that Republicans aren’t real Americans so it can’t be hailed as an American triumph. America must be chastised at all costs.
/s
ThackerAgency on November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Of course Obama won’t show up for this. He believes that we were on the wrong side of history with regards to the Berlin Wall.
mizflame98 on November 9, 2009 at 11:02 AM
There was a time when the US stood for freedom and against tyranny.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on November 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM
We got a Red in the White House and I am not talking about Anita Dunn’s tongue.
nyx on November 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Its all about the BO, dontchaknow. But darn, I bet MO is upset because she won’t be able to plan a shopping spree in Berlin.
jbh45 on November 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Reagan would be weeping at how badly his legacy has been squandered by subsequent stewards- none the more than the current filthy lying coward in the White House.
highhopes on November 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Nobama can’t commemorate this event? No problem. Sarah Palin has it covered. Besides, the only people who care about the Wall falling are folks like us, the teabag, anti-government extremests. For a liberal degenerate like Zero, this is a sad anniversary, it’s not worth his time. Golf, anyone?
joejm65 on November 9, 2009 at 11:04 AM
darkstar
exactly, the Berliners already served their purpose at his big speech
today is also the Anniversary of Krystallnacht, say a prayer
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I can go if it makes me win an election and it’s about ME but you don’t really think I give about your little country now did you?
/sarc
Sultry Beauty on November 9, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Thanks. I just thought one symbol of communistic oppression deserved comparison to another.
UltimateBob on November 9, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I am blasting the Scorpions Winds of Change in honor of Berlin
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I thought you were talking about BO the Dog’s private parts. Oops!
SayNo2-O on November 9, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Fill in missing word with word of your choosing.
Sultry Beauty on November 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Zero wont go to Ft Hood or Berlin. He’ll go to Asia to do what.
How sad for our nation. :(
Brat4life on November 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM
It just blows my mind that we couldn’t keep Teh One in town when he was flying around the world at the drop of a hat, but when we actually want the guy to at least “play leader” in Berlin and at Ft. Hood, he has more important things to do in DC.
Scott P on November 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Nine words express perfectly Obama’s foreign policy:
Undermine our allies, embolden our enemies, diminish our country.
Another reason he isn’t going is because it isn’t about HIM.
Eichendorff on November 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Gorbachev has some interesting ideas about this event and global warming:
http://tinyurl.com/yhe8f6n
Diane on November 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
IMHO Hillary “Reset” Clinton is a much safer choice than Joe “Loose Cannon” Biden. Of course the President himself should attend, but we lost that battle long ago (probably a year ago).
jwolf on November 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
What a great day that was! Who would have believed we could fall so far so fast?
flyfisher on November 9, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Obama:”What’s in it for me?”
Caper29 on November 9, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Obamao is a discraceful, lying, treasonous, rat bastard. He makes me physically ill just to hear his stupid voice and watch his mannerisms anymore.
You stupid, moronic libratd idiots who fell for this guy’s bullsh*t make me sick too.
I don’t even care if you finally come to the realization that maybe it was the wrong decision to believe him. If you were too stupid to see this trainwreck coming down the track at least a year before the 2008 elections, you deserve everything you’re getting and more.
Flyboy on November 9, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Obamoron is working out the plans to build a wall around Chicago.
txdoc on November 9, 2009 at 11:11 AM
A new wall needs to be built, and fast……..around Washington, DC
PatriotRider on November 9, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Obama makes some really, really odd decisions on protocol.
AnninCA on November 9, 2009 at 11:12 AM
One can surmise that someone, somewhere—-is enjoying a waffle…..
ted c on November 9, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Wow, that was pretty dramatic. To actually see and feel again when America had a real leader. I really miss that feeling.
Jeff from WI on November 9, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Don’t hold back what you really want to say.
Mark Boabaca on November 9, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Does anyone remember Dear Liar ever talking about freedom and liberty? Anyone? Bueller?
The thug-SEIU head gets to meet with The Whine 22 times, while a general in charge of a war, with a plan for winning that war, gets one 20 minute meeting. I do question Zero’s patriotism.
rbj on November 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Oh, come on. History only began in November, 2008. /s
BowHuntingTexas on November 9, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Nov 11th, hmm that day means something too. Wait, it’s on the tip of my tongue. Dang it.
Oh well better off having him in Asia then you know maybe visiting the troops at Ft Hood or something.
Dang, wish I could remember what is happening on the 11th…..
Just A Grunt on November 9, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I’ll reverse my opinion on human cloning if it means we can bring Reagan back. What a great man.
ErinF on November 9, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Song of the Day:
The Call, Walls Came Down
WashJeff on November 9, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I don’t know…the crowd doesn’t look very diverse so I don’t see any value here, but present day standards.
On the bright side, our Army is diverse. Just ask General George Casey.
CarolynM on November 9, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Eh. Par for the course for Obama.
uknowmorethanme on November 9, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Aaaand if he went you would be complaining about how he should be focusing on the future, not the past, or not trying to take credit for Reagan’s accomplishments, or whatever.
Who cares. The Berlin Wall fell, and that’s a wonderful thing, but it’s mostly wonderful for Germany and the Eastern Europeans that were oppressed by Communism. The world is a better place without the Soviet Union. But we don’t need Obama or Biden to be there to celebrate it.
Plus, isn’t one of the Clintons going? Isn’t that, like, a thousand times more exciting than having Joe Friggin’ Biden anyway?
Proud Rino on November 9, 2009 at 11:17 AM
We watched Reagan’s speech on the Berlin Wall in my College Republicans meeting last week. Obama will never be 1/32 of the man that Reagan was.
KrazyKewl on November 9, 2009 at 11:18 AM
That’s because 20 years ago while we freedom lovers in the west were cheering the destruction of the wall the “won” was crying in his beer over the fall of his beloved communists.
chemman on November 9, 2009 at 11:18 AM
A huge percentage of libtard got suckered by white guilt. “He’s black, we have to support him!”
It’s the same kind of “diversity” thinking that lets people like Hasan slip through the cracks and kill people.
Idiots.
Daggett on November 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM
You’ve summed it up perfectly
Jeff from WI on November 9, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Actually it would be correct not to be there, but of course with Obama its for all the wrong reasons.
While watching the media writtering on about it talking about freedom and liberty and all that, I note that on 1st December 2009 the Lisbon Treaty will be in place, which for many of us is the end of liberty and freedom, they will chose a President, shall I repeat that CHOOSE, the people who make law are not voted into office, they are appointed, and while the wall may have come down, a new one is now in place in Europe.
Many of you fail to see it, thinking that Europe becoming a single state is a good thing, can you imagine your Federal government run by people appointed by the state governors, well that is the EU system. So for me the fall of the Berlin wall is meaningless…, it is old history something that once was, means nothing to me!
TrueBrit on November 9, 2009 at 11:21 AM
There have been some great moments in history. I weep that my children will probably not see the greatness of the USA, which I have experienced.
PappaMac on November 9, 2009 at 11:21 AM
“Disgraceful,” not “discraceful.” If you get physically ill just to hear someone speak, you might need medication.
You know what? I think using terms like ‘libtard’ (I’m assuming that’s what you were trying to spell) is stupid and moronic. People have a right to vote for whomever they please – if Obama was that terrible, then shame on you and all your friends for not doing a good enough job convincing people like me that McCain was better.
You’re getting it too, Flyboy. For better or for worse, you’re getting it too.
Proud Rino on November 9, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Bullsh!t. Other world leaders are going to be there. It is a seminal moment in world history and should be celebrated. Don’t create strawman arguments.
The fall of the Berlin Wall is a wonderful thing for humanity. It shows that people do want freedom and liberty rather than an oppressive state. It’s a pity that we have a president who doesn’t believe in freedom and liberty.
rbj on November 9, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Then: Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.
Now: Mr. Gorbachev, let me be clear. We apologize that this wall had to come down. What can we do to make it up to you?
NebCon on November 9, 2009 at 11:23 AM
no surprise really, it’s dark day for progressives. nothing to celebrate here. most likely a day of mourning. If there was any way Maobama could work in some bashing of or apologies for of the US into a speech for this occasion he’s have been there in a flash. Alas, since the US will surely be recognized as having stood tall for freedom of the oppressed, there is really no need for BO to be involved. you know, since our new foreign policy is that we’re no better than anyone else.
exceller on November 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM
That’s why liberals are big supporters of Alan Keyes, Michael Steele, and JC Watts.
What? The same kind of thinking that got Obama elected President (“I think Obama will be a better president than McCain”) is what caused Hasan to slip through the cracks? Elaborate on that, please.
Proud Rino on November 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Today is a great Day of Mourning for President Obama and the Communist Movement
jp on November 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM
The country is being run by idiots who would have happily protested Reagan’s speech in Berlin.
jhffmn on November 9, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Out with the marxists.
Petraeus for President.
BottomLine5 on November 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM
HRC made a point to go after the Taliban in her comments and said we must go after them over the walls. I love that woman.
You know TOTUS didnt get to review that speech
She is trying to rally NATO as Obamas dithering has Gordon Brown talking about how Karzai must stop corruption to send in more British troops, NATO is weakening as Obama takes forever:
Telegraph:
“Our history did not end the night the wall came down,” Mrs Clinton told current and former European and US political heavyweights on the eve of the 20th anniversary of an event that symbolised the end of the Cold War. “It began anew,” she said in a keynote speech hosted by the Atlantic Alliance.
“To expand freedom to more people, we cannot accept that freedom does not belong to all people. We cannot allow oppression defined and justified by religion or tribe to replace that of (communist) ideology,” she said.
The chief US diplomat recalled how German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during a visit to Washington last week, spoke of the walls of the last century and “the less visible but equally daunting walls” of today.
“These are walls between the present and the future, walls between modernity and nihilistic attitudes, walls that divide our common heart, that deny progress and opportunity to the many who yearn for both,” Mrs Clinton said.
She highlighted the moment that Chancellor Merkel will on Monday walk through the heart of once-divided Berlin as a moment that “should be a call to action, not just a commemoration of past actions.
“That call should spur us to continue our co-operation and to look for new ways that we can meet the challenges that freedom faces now,” Mrs Clinton said.
“We owe it to ourselves and to those who yearn for the same freedoms that are enjoyed and even taken for granted in Berlin today,” she added.
“And we need to form an even stronger partnership to bring down the walls of the 21st century and to confront those who hide behind them: the suicide bombers, those who murder and maim girls whose only wish is to go to school,” she said.
“In place of these new walls, we must renew the trans-Atlantic alliance as a cornerstone of a global architecture of co-operation,” Clinton said.
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Why celebrate the commemoration of an event that symbolizes the failure and downfall of a form of government and economic system that you seek each day to emulate.
TXUS on November 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM
He needs to put it around D.C., so they can keep the hoi poi out. Wouldn’t want us to finally descend on D.C. with real tar, feathers and rails.
IMHO it will take a few real tar and featherings to finally get their attention. N
chemman on November 9, 2009 at 11:25 AM
HRC:
“And we need to form an even stronger partnership to bring down the walls of the 21st century and to confront those who hide behind them: the suicide bombers, those who murder and maim girls whose only wish is to go to school,” she said.
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:26 AM
The Berlin Wall was taken down, and the USSR’s empire soon collapsed, thereby ending what was by far the most likely prospective cause of WW3 for a 40 year period. But, in your words, “Who cares.” Thank you for confirming your ignorance.
jwolf on November 9, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Linky getting stuck in filter
trying again
telegraph
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:26 AM
No one here fell for it. I was already beyond stuffed on sh!t burgers and couldn’t take another one. Heal thyself!!
abobo on November 9, 2009 at 11:27 AM
oops sorry for double post
my Clinton love runneth over
Proud RINO if you dont stop I will have to call myself Proud DINO
I will be a Velociraptor
the Mama Raptor
I am bitter hear me roar
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
if you’ve ever wondered what happened to communism after the fall of the Soviet Union . . . well, you need not look beyond 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the congressional office buildings in Washington D.C.
rplat on November 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Good speech by Hillary. Thanks.
AnninCA on November 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
and she was talking to the political leadership NOT the people
this was to rally them to FIGHT
now if only Obama would listen
ginaswo on November 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM
My son is a junior in HS and is actually being taught that this was a bad thing. Supposedly, it caused an end to the paradise that people lived under with Soviet rule, and are pining to have return.
Hening on November 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM
A milestone anniversary of one of freedom’s greatest accomplishments, and The One sends Hillary.
Disgrace.
JetBoy on November 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Later today, Obama will announce a plan to re-build the wall.
Ok, not really. Maybe that’ll be in 2011.
How quickly Europeans forget the truth of tyranny. They’re replacing the Soviet empire with an EU empire and ceding more and more control to it. More and more, they’re willing to give government control over their lives.
Of course, many of them are making the choices in their twilight years. They figure they’ll cash in on the benefits before they’ve paid in too much. It’s future generations that will be hurt the most.
hawksruleva on November 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Not just “would have” — many of them did. Every single speech and act by Reagan was bitterly opposed by the leftwingers.
jwolf on November 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM
To paraphrase the FLOTUS
“For the first time in my adult life I am ashamed of my country.”
Thank you, Mr. President.
skatz51 on November 9, 2009 at 11:30 AM
“I was only 29 at the time, and was not involved. Besides, I gave a Major Speech in Berlin during my Historic Campaign. That should be enough for them.”
– Barack AboutMe
starboardhelm on November 9, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Shades of air-brushed history.
Count to 10 on November 9, 2009 at 11:31 AM
How is this more important than the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street, again?
At least Google Germany put an image up.
YYZ on November 9, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Pretty soon these bastards are going to need that wall…
For self-protection.
TXUS on November 9, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Unless they live in Iraq. Or Afghanistan. Or Saudi Arabia. You know, those folks just don’t understand the concept of freedom enough to vote for it. That’s the Democrat position, isn’t it?
hawksruleva on November 9, 2009 at 11:32 AM
And your son is still in that school.
chemman on November 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Thank goodness for Sarah Palin. At least she can take a few minutes to commemorate a victory for the free people of the world against tyranny:
It’s nice to have at least one leader I can respect.
powerpro on November 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Bar none, the absolute highlight of my career…tumultuous week…a lot of nerves on edge as the DDR regime fell apart, despite Honnecker’s attempts to rally the faithful. Problem being, there were no longer any “faithful” amongst the SED. Even the STASI folks were looking for a way out. Egon Krenz, the last leader of the DDR, couldn’t even get his own people to show up for work.
20 years later, it all seems so remote, so much in the past.
But, the very principles that led to the collapse are still alive, but unfortunately seem to be faltering here in the US and in too many places across the world.
Obama not there? Well, never expected him to attend. It wouldn’t have been about Him.
coldwarrior on November 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM
They dont want to give Reagan credit.
the_nile on November 9, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Ed can you add this as a update. Thanks.
Clyde5445 on November 9, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Personally, I’m really glad that Obama did NOT go to Berlin in any way.
I think I’ve have simply snapped if I had heard Obama apologize for the U.S. winning the Cold War on the anniversary of the wall falling.
Jason Coleman on November 9, 2009 at 11:35 AM
I weep for several reasons.
SouthernGent on November 9, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Give the man a break, the day ain’t over yet…..he’s still got time to give a shout-out.
Jerome Horwitz on November 9, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I miss Reagan.
upinak on November 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
hey ed: how about attempting to write a coherent post on the the fall of the berlin wall without excoriating obama who is only tangentially relevant to the story? you’re diminishing the significance of the event with this stupid partisan chafing and childish ronaldus magnus hagiography.
sesquipedalian on November 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
I do sometimes wonder if she writes all of the stuff that comes from her. But at this point I’d be happy with a mouthpiece that said and did what I wanted.
hawksruleva on November 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Good point CW.
chemman on November 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Merkel ought to invote George H.W. Bush.
Akzed on November 9, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Beat me to it.
Ed,
If you want you can delete my post.
Clyde5445 on November 9, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Obama diminishes the event by not bothering to show up or comment on it. Freedom is apparently a distraction from the important business of voting for government health care.
hawksruleva on November 9, 2009 at 11:38 AM
sesquipedalian on November 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Hey troll, please insert your foot into your mouth and smash your keyboard with the other one.
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/11/09/twenty-years-ago-today-the-berlin-wall-falls/
Jason Coleman on November 9, 2009 at 11:39 AM
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