journal features

an old friend on the train

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2011.01.10

On Friday I had a happy chance meeting with a friend on the train. I boarded an early train and there he was.

Rod and I worked together* from 1998 to 2000**, and we saw each other occasionally whenever I was living in the city over the next five years. It was fun to catch up.

Then this morning something odd happened. We met again, on my usual morning train. I'm going to suggest that we meet up as a regular thing while I'm still staying in Oakville and taking the train.

* (for the same boss with whom I'm currently working, as it turns out)

** (or as it was then known, 19100)

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