What the Berlin Wall Represents

In response to Jacob Heilbrunn’s August 12 opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times entitled, “Berlin Wall: A blessing in disguise,” I submitted the following letter to the editor, which was published on Tuesday:

I am appalled by Heilbrunn’s characterization of the Berlin Wall as a “blessing in disguise.” I wonder if the estimated 169 (and very likely many more) East Germans killed while trying to flee their prison of a country would agree.

Luke Pelican

Alexandria, Va.