Definition of 'Tragedy'

[scruffy]

Definition of \'Tragedy\'

President George W. Bush is visiting an elementary school today and he
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 the president 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 an example of a
tragedy?"

Finally, way in the back of the room, a boy named Johnny raises his hand. In
a quiet voice he says, "If Air Force One, carrying you and Mrs. Bush, was
struck by a missile and blown up to smithereens, that would be a tragedy.

"Correct" exclaims Bush, "that's right. And can you tell me WHY that would
be a tragedy?"

"Well," Lil' Johnny said, "because, like you just told us, it wouldn't be an
accident, and it sure as hell wouldn't be a great loss."

 

[kubmech]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

OWCH!!!

 

[Bird]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Scruffy, you know how those stories get confused going from one person to another. That was Bill Clinton instead of Bush (and I know it had to be since I heard it several years ago before anyone outside Texas ever heard of Bush)./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

 

[scruffy]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Bird, You're probably dead on the money! Does sorta fit Ol' Bill better don't it. Course, my family is all dead and dieing, so they aint all that swift on keeping up to date on mail and all. Let alone their politics, and politicians!

 

[Bird]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

<font color=blue>family is all dead and dieing</font color=blue>

Ain't it the truth! I'm afraid I've reached that age, too. Friends, family, former co-workers dying off faster than I can keep track of. And as Mark Twain supposedly once said about all the great authors being dead, "And I'm not feeling too well myself."/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif In fact, I've put a "For Sale" sign in my front yard, thinking it may be about time to make some changes.

Bird

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Wow! The foul mouths on the public education 4th graders these days. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[jimmoore]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Pitbull, you should hear the things I hear and see on the school bus! Last year I was slowing to make a right turn and a beer truck was right on my bumper, I thought he was going to rear end me. Then I looked in my center mirror and a 6th grade girl was standing against the back door with her blouse pulled up under her arms showing the truck driver her nubbins! I told her mother about it and her mother just shrugged as if no big deal.

jim

 

[ERNIEB]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Jim, Your timing on this story is remarkable,at least to me. Friday I had a haul off job at a ranch near San Marcos TX. The gate we had to use is on a county road near where the road crosses the San Marcos river. There is a place where people can pull off the road, and enter the river. I was to meet the crew with the skid loader there, as they had the key to the gate.
When I arrived, there was evidently a father with two girls ages of about 10 and 13. The girls were playing in the river wearing only panties, while the father was nonchalantly fishing a little down stream. There isn't much traffic on this road, but there is some. I was there about 15 minutes and maybe 6 cars drove past. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I had to wonder about the father. What was this guy thinking? I found it disturbing, and then I read your post. Shame on these parents. And I use the word parent loosely.

Ernie

 

[jimmoore]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

Earnie, this girls mother was quite a rounder in her day too! I had to deal with her many times when I was on the P.D. Oh joy! School starts tomorrow, back at it again for the next 9 months. haha.

jim

 

[JonE]

Re: Definition of \'Tragedy\'

As far as I can tell, funerals are the only time we have a family reunion!/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif