Embarrassed by the length of previous years' vacations, and the tragedies that have unfolded while the president enjoys clearing some brush, Bush will take an abbreviated August vacation this year, spending only 10 days at his Crawford retreat. The break began last night.

As Nico noted, the president's British counterpart is taking a different approach.

Tony Blair today decided to delay his summer holiday for a few days to help secure a United Nations resolution that would call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Israel-Lebanon conflict. [...]

No 10 said the prime minister, who had been expected to leave today, believed the next few days were "crucial" in the efforts to agree a United Nations security council resolution on a ceasefire.

Did I mention that Bush broke the record for most time off for a two-term president -- with three years to spare?

--Guest Post by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report