What does progress look like?

Two takes:

1. Oliver Willis traces the citations of "progress in Iraq" over the last four years, despite, you know, any evidence of improvement there. But here comes another corner! sigh.
   (via XOverboard)
   
   
2. An article at Slate looks at this most recent that Iraq has met half of its 18 benchmarks, showing how little it took to get a "thumbs-up" (and yet how few benchmarks met even that low bar)...
   (via Talking Points Memo)

Boy, our leaders sure inspire confidence!!

Update: well this is sure to help! Iraqi parliament will take the month of August off to escape the heat...