Well, Dontcryforme,

A united Germany in the Communist bloc, or a united Germany in the western bloc? Which would you have preferred, rather than a divided Germany?

I think neither would have allowed the peace we have "enjoyed". I have heard it said, and tend to agree, that the divided Germany was the best of many evils.

Although I clearly remember huddling under tables during air-raid warnings, as a 10 year old, in Canada of all places, during the Cuban missle crisis, and East-West Berlin in the papers almost every day, no, I never had the priviledge of visiting that divided city, to see and feel for myself what it must have been like. I am completely sure that you are right about the recovery time into the mid-60s.

My ex Mother in law though, did have the pleasure of living under nazi domination, and subsequent starvation in Amsterdam. I listened with great interest to those tales.

Don't for one minute believe that all North Americans display the stereotypical ignorance of the American tourist that is so popularly held throughout the world. Your first-hand experience would no doubt give you a strong perspective on conditions and sentiments, not so reliably reported in the media, but I and many other North Americans have friends, relatives, business associates, etc living throughout Europe, or have served militarily, and or lived there. There is no lack of first-hand information available to anyone who seeks it.

What a coincidence, as after I wrote my last message, I turned on the TV to a very interesting episode of "The World at War", dealing with the conclusion and immediate aftermath of WWII in Europe. Some very interesting interviews with civilian Berliners, as well as diplomats who partook in the Yalta and Potsdam conferences on European division.

So, I look forward to everyone's comments on this subject, but here I will cease, as for me its time to get back to ECU mode.

Bye-bye for now all.

N