I know about these opinions, especially since I’m living in the East. Also I genuinely respect them. But of course there are reasons for this: The people who wouldn’t voice that opinion have been long gone. Either fled before 89 or moved to Western Germany in the years after, as millions of young Eastern Germans have done. And those who stayed were most likely those living on the countryside where influence of the government was smaller and the oppression less notable. But of course the GDR was not hell on earth and some people had the chance to enjoy life every now and then.

Still… Even if not many were shot: Many more were interrogated and tortured in Stasi jail. And knowing that anyone, even your closest relatives, could be spying on you… Just because you didn’t conform to the reason of state. That must’ve been horrible. It’s not like people fled the country without reason.