An imagined dialogue between a citizen (C) and a president (P).

C – What is the purpose of the wall, sir? Is it to keep people out?

P – Damn right it is!

C – And to keep people in, sir.

P – What’s that?

C – On our side of the wall, sir.

P – What do you mean?

C – Well, sir, there are folks on both sides of the wall. Those on the outside can’t get in and those of us on the inside can’t get out.

P – Technically speaking, you’re not wrong. We’re talking different wall concepts here.

C – Sir?

P – I’m talking about a boundary line. A barrier people can’t cross.

C – For those on the outside, sir?

P – That’s them.

C – But …..

P – And so those on the inside are protected. It’s called security.

C – Protected from people on the outside, sir?

P – That’s right.

C – So the people on the inside are safe, sir’

P – You’re getting it. So people on the inside are safe. Simple, right?

C – I have a question, Mr President, if I may.

P – Shoot.

C – It’s regarding the people on the inside. I get that the people on the outside are bad and need to be kept from reaching us.

P – You betcha! Bad ombres, the lot of them.

C – But what the people on the inside? The protected ones.

P – What about them?

C – Where do they go?

P – I don’t follow.

C – Well, now the wall is built. They can’t go beyond this boundary. This barrier.

P – Well, why the hell would they even want to? There are bad people on the outside.

C – Yes, sir, I understand that. But isn’t it the case that the wall limits where the people on the inside can go?

P – Well, they are staying right here if that’s what you mean.

C – They have no choice, sir.

P – Choice?

C – Well, even if they wanted to travel, now that the wall has been built, they can’t really.

P – Why would they want to?

C – So, the wall is to keep the bad people out and the good people in.

P – I suppose you could see it that way but I prefer to see it as a protection not a restriction.

C – And what is the difference between the two, sir?

P – I’m not equipped with that information right now. You’ll have to speak to our chief of security. He’ll explain.

C – Thank you, Mr President. I’ll do that.