> President Bush was visiting a primary school and he visited one of the
> classes. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and > their meanings. The teacher asked the President if he would like to lead > the discussion on the word "tragedy". So the illustrious leader asked the > class for an example of a "tragedy". > > One little boy stood up and offered: "If my best friend, who lives on a > farm, is playing in the field and a tractor runs over him and kills him, > that would be a tragedy." > > "No," said Bush, "that would be an accident." > > A little girl raised her hand: "If a school bus carrying 50 children drove > over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy." > > "I'm afraid not," explained the president. "That's what we would call a > great loss." > > The room went silent. No other children volunteered. Bush searched the
> room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?" > > Finally at the back of the room a small boy (Lil Johnny) raised his hand. > In a quiet voice he said: "If Air Force One carrying you and Mrs. Bush was > struck by a "friendly fire" missile and blown to smithereens, that would > be a tragedy." > > Fantastic!" exclaimed Bush. "That's right. And can you tell me why that > would be tragedy?" > > "Well," says Lil Johnny, "It has to be a tragedy, because it sure as hell > wouldn't be a great loss and it probably wouldn't be an accident either."
I heard this same joke with The Clintons as the punchline about 6 months ago...its funny how both partisan versions are floating around out there...just goes to show how universally beloved that politicians are.
