Monday, 7. October 2002 6:10
Bush’s Tragedy
President George W. Bush is visiting an elementary school and visits one of
the 4th grade classes. They are in the middle of a discussion related to
words and their meanings. The teacher asks the President if he would like
to lead the class in the discussion of the word, “tragedy.” So our
illustrious leader asks the class for an example of a “tragedy.” One
little boy stands up and offers, “If my best friend, who lives next door, is
playing in the street and a car comes along and runs him over, that
would be a tragedy.” “No,” says Bush, “that would be an accident.”
A little girl raises her hand: “If a school bus carrying 50 children
drove off a cliff, killing everyone involved, that would be a tragedy.”
“I’m afraid not,” explains the President. “That’s what we would call a
GREAT LOSS.”
The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. President Bush
searches the room. “Isn’t there someone here who can give me a! n example of a
tragedy?”
Finally, way in the back of the room, Johnny raises his hand. In a
quiet voice he says, “If Air Force One, carrying President & Mrs. Bush, was
struck by a missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.
“Fantastic,” exclaims Bush, “that’s right. And can you tell me WHY that
would be a tragedy?”
“Well,” Johnny said, “Because it wouldn’t be an accident, and it sure
as hell wouldn’t be a great loss.”