Moving the Goal Post

One reoccurring theme of Atrios's blog is how the goalpost of the Iraq war is continually being moved forward in time. Idiot columnist Thomas Friedman has used the six month term so many times since the beginning of the war Atrios coined the term "Friedman Unit" to signify 6 months. The term has since been widely used in the blogisphere. {just Google "Friedman Unit" and you will see how widespread it is.}

Lately Atrios has been posting quotes from months past promising by now things would be better or we are outta there. Here is an example he posted today:

Time to Leave

US News, Jan. 30:

Even Republicans supporting President Bush's new Iraq strategy have been saying this is the last chance for the Iraqi government, and there may be an underlying message for the President there as well. US News Political Bulletin hears from GOP strategists with close ties to Capitol Hill that the President and his senior aides are too optimistic about keeping GOP congressional support for the Iraq war over the long term. One senior Republican adviser says Bush has "until April or May" to improve things in Iraq. If he cannot, he could face a GOP rebellion that could result in reductions in spending for the conflict and legislation to start bringing the troops home.

Everyday he finds multiple examples. Unfortunately he's not going to run out of material anytime soon.