In case there was any doubting George W. Bush's streak of cruelty, he can now lay claim to sickening small children. An invited guest speaker at a Boy Scout Jamboree, Bush stiffed the waiting crowd of hopeful Scouts:

On Wednesday, scouting enthusiasts waited hours in the heat for Bush, who later canceled his appearance because of threatening storms. Scouts began collapsing from high humidity and temperatures in the high 90s. More than 300 people were treated for heat-related illnesses.

Having experienced heat exhaustion myself, I can relate; it's an incredibly unpleasant feeling, all that constant nausea, inability to cool down, dizziness, etc. But hey - it's for the President. Bush finally showed up on Sunday, once the organizers had figured out how to supply water to the kids.

In a eulogy to 4 scout leaders "who were electrocuted in front of several Scouts" by a tent pole, Bush said "As scout leaders, they devoted themselves to helping young men develop the character and skills they need to realize their dreams." Presumably this includes watching people burn to death, and getting sick in hot climates, because you were ordered to. He's starting that army training young, then.