Only Yesterday: Remembering East Germany
GUEST COLUMN
“You want to search my box of Pampers?” I exclaimed.
I couldn’t believe I’d heard the border guard at Checkpoint Charlie correctly. And why was she eying me so suspiciously?
Yet, of course, in April 1988 it was East German security policy to examine all incoming vehicles in the search for drugs, books, tapes — anything that might corrupt or contaminate the East German citizenry.
The guard removed the Pampers box from my car and examined it with a mechanical device. She then selected one of several bags in my trunk to inspect, plus the glove compartment in the car, before she felt satisfied I was not transporting any illegal material into East Berlin.
You May Also Enjoy
If some animals gain souls and immortality through their masters' immortality, what of the good dog, loved and loving, of a master bound for the "other place"?
Advocates of the American death penalty must stop hiding behind the Bible, or rather behind those three verses they quote out of context.
On its face, the debate seems insignificant to the point of banality: Can a lie be morally justified? Yet, the matter cuts to the heart of our moral heritage.