The Power of Laughter

by John Williams

Picture this. You're standing around the water cooler at the office, sharing comments about last nights favorite sitcom. Here comes "Joe the Jerk," the buffoon of the office staff. He butts in with, "have you heard the latest about the farmers daughter?" He launches into his latest off color joke completing ignoring the gender or makeup of his audience. When he finally finishes, an uncomfortable silence falls across the group. Moments later one or two people may offer a half hearted...