Catholic Vacation Edict vs. Protestant Work Ethic

It's late August, and things are slow. Even the Pope is on vacation.

During his traditional weekly appearance to bless the faithful, Benedict quoted from writings of St. Bernard in the 12th century meant for the popes of his time on the subject of overwork.

Benedict quoted the saint as advising pontiffs to "watch out for the dangers of an excessive activity, whatever … the job that you hold, because many jobs often lead to the 'hardening of the heart,' as well as 'suffering of the spirit, loss of intelligence.'"

But Americans strike a blow for the Protestant work ethic: According to a very disapproving article in the Guardian "40% of workers questioned at the start of the summer said they had no plans to take any holiday at all for the next six months, more than at any time since the late 1970s."

Newsweek's Michael Hirsh says it's too dangerous for Bush to take a vacation right now. But others ask if it's more dangerous for him not to.