It's been a while since the Berlin Wall came down. Israel has been building their fence for a few years. President Bush recently approved the plan to build a fence along part of the border with Mexico. And the other day Saudi Arabia announced it's plans to build a fence along it's border with Iraq.
Visible from space, the Great Wall of China was built millennia ago. About 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) long, scholars say it was built for protection against invaders.
- To keep people out.
In Britain, the Romans built what is known as Hadrian's wall. 177 kilometers (73 miles) long, ranging from 11 to 20 feet in height. It was meant to demarcate the frontier border of the Roman Empire. It also kept 2 warring tribes from uniting their efforts against the Romans.
- To keep people separate.
The 27 mile long Berlin Wall was built to keep people from leaving the Soviet sector of Berlin.
- To keep people in.
In places, the Separation Wall being built by Israel is 25 feet high, twice as high as the Berlin Wall, although in most places it is fencing. The currently approved sections total 670 kilometers, about 417 miles, in length. It's stated purpose is to keep Palestinian terrorists out of Israel. Yet, considering that it often crosses the border into Palestine, and not anywhere is being built inside of Israeli territory, one must wonder. Try building your fence on your neighbor's property and see what happens!
- To take over land.
The American fence is planned to be 700 miles long although the Mexican border is closer to 2,000 miles long. Although the plan has been approved, much of the border consists of challenging terrain, so it may be impossible to build the fence in some areas.
- Political gesture.
Saudi Arabia plans to build a 900 kilometer (560 miles) fence in the desert on it's border with Iraq. Iraq says it will keep terrorists from coming into Iraq from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia says it will keep terrorists (and refugees) from Iraq from entering Saudi Arabia.
- To keep people from crossing.
Saudi Arabia also wants to secure it's border with Yemen. England has built walls in Northern Ireland. India in border areas with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Turkey on it's border with Syria. The E.U. wants to keep immigrants out. Cyprus is divided by a barrier. In Africa, Morocco has built a landmine filled barrier.
So what do all of these have in common? They are all attempts to control people. But as the saying goes, "A fence keeps cows in and honest people out". Even the best efforts to control will only deter or hinder. Despite the cost in time, energy, and expense, they are also the "easy" way to solve difficult problems and questionable practices.
