President Bush is visiting an elementary school and drops in on the 4th
>>grade class. The class is 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 Bush asks the class for an example of a "tragedy." 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 "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a
>>tragedy?"
>>
>>Finally, way in the back of the room, Lil' Johnny raises his hand. In a
>>quiet voice he says, "If Air Force One, carrying you & 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," said Lil' Johnny, "because it wouldn't be an accident, and it
>>sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss."