Visited the German Resistance Memorial and attended a talk by Dr. Ekkehard Lausa. We were in the courtyard where Colonel Count Claus von Stauffenberg was executed for his part in Operation Valkyrie. It is amazing how brave the German people of the resistance were because it in most instances resulted in death. To gain access to Hitler would have been very difficult and yet throughout the war various plans were formulated. Operation Valkyrie took place on July 20, 1944. More peole were killed in the war after this date than before so although the war ended approximately one year later if the plan had been successful it would have saved many lives. The bottom line is that you must protect against the rise of totalitarianism and the sacrifice o human rights in the name of naitonal security.

We also visited the federal building again today and this time we received a briefing by one of the top advisors to Germany on the United Nations and Global Issues. The talk focused mainly on the future and responsibility of this organization. Although there are many regional and economic issues that affect Germany they believe that it must be a concerted effort by the United Nations to address Climate Change, Economics Development, and Human Rights. The UN has global membership of 192 countries. Much of the talk focused on the reform of the Security Council.

We visited the Holocaust Museum in Berlin...very sobering. It is almost too overwhelming to watch more presentations on this topic. Each day we receive additional information over the holocaust. Although it is certainly one of the greatest tragedies in Germany I think you would be surprised at how many monuments there are to the holocaust and how often they speak against the issues that led to the Holocaust. It is somewhat surprising...although it was horrific and you would not want to ever repeat such an event...they spend a great deal of time in public and in school teaching about this time period and it molds much of their current policy - especially on immigration - even today. We spoke to an advisor on immigration also. They have many of the same issues that the US faces. What to do with people who do not speak the native language and how to assimilate them into society. I was surprised however when we visited a trade school and they indicated that immigrant students attended the school...these were 3rd generation Turkish people who live in the country. I can't imagine referring to a 3rd generation American as an immigrant. Although I know we do other things that probably seem as odd.

We also visited Check Point Charlie, the Berlin Wall, the Reichstag, the Allied Museum, the Brandenburg Gate, and walked past the US Embassy. We were notified that there is a high alert due to the elections by Al-Quaida. After staying here in Germany for only a week I can say with absolute honesty that although we worry an attack some you come to realize that bowing to a tyrant is the last thing you should do. How can you be in the land that teaches against the likes of Hitler and avoid any activity because of Osama Bin Laden? The answer is...we won't.