The nineteenth century English politician Benjamin Disraeli, was once asked what was the difference between a calamity and a misfortune? He replied in reference to his political rival: "It would be a calamity if Gladstone fell into the Thames; it would be a misfortune if he was pulled out." In future years, historians will have a plentiful choice of terms for the current Irish generation of political and business leaders who doomed the Celtic Tiger. Given the huge avoidable damage caused by being so unprepared for a global recession, the guilty political leaders in particular, continue do what they know best - - pass the buck. In contrast with the plight of many of the victims of their reckless mismanagement, they will continue to be among the winners in the money economy and live in clover at public expense.