The Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton,
while visiting a primary school class, found
themselves in the middle of a discussion related to words
and their meanings.
The teacher asked both men if they would like
to lead the discussion of the word "tragedy". So the
illustrious Rev Jackson asks 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 runaway tractor comes along and knocks
him dead, that would be a tragedy."
No," says the Great Jesse Jackson, "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," explains the exalted Reverend
Al.
"That's what we would call a great loss. "
The room goes silent. No other children volunteered.
Reverend Al searches the room. "Isn't there
someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?"
Finally at the back of the room little Johnny
raises his hand. In a stern voice he says: "If a
plane carrying the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton
were struck by a missile and blown to smithereens
that would be a tragedy."
Fantastic!" exclaims Jackson and Sharpton,
"That's right. And can you tell me why that would be a
tragedy?"
"Well," says little Johnny, "because it sure
as hell wouldn't be a great loss, and it probably
wouldn't be an accident either.
