Good morning Real Titan :-) The way I see it...
If one wants to win the argument, concentrate on re-framing the discussion...
If one needs to win the argument, concentrate on un-dressing the opponent...
In the case of time-frame-- IMO this is equivalent to "are we there yet?"
And ultimately, at least for the length of the contract, there is a desire to maintain a Pollyanna-ish sparkle :-(
(for the sake of the averages ;-) )