journal features

"great husband" part two

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Tokyo, 2009.12.20

So I'm a great husband again.

Mari went to a year-end drinks party with a number of other local mothers. The thing was put together by Mari's friend Motoko-san, who despite having a decidedly funky style is also a great organizer. Mari wasn't sitting with her friend at the event, but was meeting new people.

Naturally, the conversation went to family matters, and Mari got a taste of what it's like for the other mothers. By and large, they have husbands who:

refuse to help with the children

don't do any chores

stay away from the home whenever possible

So by contrast with fellows who stay out of the home for 19 hours a day, seven days a week, I come out looking okay. Or as Mari put it, "You're a great husband. I didn't know."

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering