Crawford Teen Learns Power Of Social Media With Tweet About George W

CRAWFORD, TX -- A high school senior learned a lesson in the power of social media after a tweet about getting a $40 tip at the coffee shop where she works from former President George W. Bush went viral.

"Bush did 911, but he did me a solid and left me a hella tip," the teenager tweeted her friends, her post accompanied by a picture of her with W. and the former First Lady. Bush and his wife visited the Crawford Coffee Station over the Easter weekend.

"I just had a few friends on Twitter," Leisa Smith said in disbelief over the ensuing uproar. She said she meant it only as an acerbic joke intended for limited viewing among her friends. "I was just sending it to friends."

Instead, it was seen by hundreds of thousands of people across the globe, some of them replying angrily, reports KWTX-TV.

The situation yielded a headache for Will Stephens, the owner of the establishment.

"I arrived at work yesterday and my wife was so upset, she said people were threatening to boycott and picket the shop,” Stephens said.

For the record, Smith does not believe Bush had advance knowledge or orchestrated the 911 tragedy in any way to justify entering into a war with Iraq as some of the more outlandish conspiracy theorists have long held.

“I think President Bush had nothing to do with 9/11,” the teenager said. “I think he’s a fantastic person.”

Contrite, she said she's learned her lesson and will be more mindful of what she posts in the future. She's eager to put the incident behind her.

For his part, Stephens opted not to fire the teenager. For one, she's a youngster; plus, she feels bad enough already.

"Well, yes it upset me that she made those comments and you know it was disrespectful to the people of 911, but she didn't think of it that way,” he said. "She's just a kid. I can't fire her for making a mistake."

He hopes to make it up to the former president -- if he ever steps foot in the place again, that is.

“My deal is if the president gets to see this he is more than welcome to come in our café anytime he wants to and the next hamburger and onion rings are on me," Stephens said.