[a joke I received by e-mail today]

It is the night after the state of the union speech. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed a resolution amounting to no confidence in the war plans of the president. George W. Bush is tossing restlessly in his White House bed, where suddenly he sees the ghost of George Washington appear.

Bush says to him, “George, I need some help, I feel so hopeless and everyone hates me. What’s the best thing I can do to help the country?”

“Don’t be led by dishonest people. Set a strong, honest and honorable example, just as I did, There is always hope for change,” Washington advises, and then fades away.

An hour later, Bush is astir again, and sees the ghost of Thomas Jefferson moving through the darkened bedroom. Bush calls out, “Tom, please! What is the best thing I can do to help the country?”

“Show respect for the constitution. There is always hope, ” Jefferson advises, and fades from sight.

Sleep is still not possible for Bush. He awakens to see the ghost of FDR hovering over his bed. Bush whispers, “Franklin, What is the best thing I can do to help the country?”

“Forget your rich friends and start helping the less fortunate, just as I did. There is always hope.” FDR then fades into a mist.

Bush still isn’t sleeping well, worrying about his dropping numbers, when he sees a fourth figure moving in the shadows. It is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. Bush pleads, “Abe, what is the best thing I can do right now to help the people of the United States?”

Lincoln replies, “Go see a play.”