George W. Bush was visiting an elementary school, and the 4th grade class he sat through began a discussion related to words and their meanings.
The teacher asked the President if he would like to lead the class in a discussion of the word 'tragedy'. So, George W. asked the class for an example of a tragedy.
One boy stood up and said,
"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," said Bush.
"That would be an accident."
A girl raised her hand and said,
"If a school bus carrying 50 children drove off a cliff, killing everyone on board, that would be a tragedy."
"I'm afraid not," the President said.
"That's what we would call a Great Loss."
The room went silent. No other children volunteered. President Bush searched the room and asked,
"Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally, way in the back of the room, Johnny raised his hand, and in a quiet voice, he said,
"If Air Force One, carrying Mr. and Mrs. Bush, was struck by a missile and blown up to smithereens, THAT would be a tragedy."
"That's right! And can you tell me WHY that would be a tragedy?" asked the President.
"Well," Johnny said.
"Because it wouldn't be an accident and it sure as hell wouldn't be a Great Loss..."