So I'm listening to "
The World" on NPR and the reporter, Mathew Bell, relates the following from Berlin:
"This is another important spot in the history of U.S.-German friendship, the Brandenburg Gate. It's a stone's throw from where president Ronald Reagan inspired many Berliners in 1987. That's when he told Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev to 'tear down the Wall' that divided East and West Berlin. But many here feel less affection for President Bush." (The World, 2/22/05, 10:52).
I don't know about Bell, but I was actually there and Reagan's visit was looked on as nothing but an empty political gesture that closed down the entire city -- and Kreuzberg in particular -- precipitating the usual counter-demonstration.
There's only one visit by an American President that had an historic effect and that was the visit by Kennedy in 1962. I can understand the urge to carve Reagan's face on Mount Rushmore but the historical truth is, his visit in 1987 had no more impact -- and earned no more "affection" -- than Jimmy Carter's visit in 1978.