nomorehope
05-12 03:44 PM
Mine was filed in august 2007. It took 45 days for it to get audited and it has ever since been in process, that is close to 7 months after audit response.
hope for the best
hope for the best
wallpaper Black Ops Characters. lack
Blog Feeds
04-27 11:00 AM
From the Miami Herald: Huge surges among Hispanic populations in the Deep South could mean a political sea change over the next two decades, as immigrants become naturalized and they and their American-born children register to vote, political and demographics experts say. The states with some of the largest percentages in Hispanic population growth make up a large swath of the Southeast: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, according to an analysis of the most recent census figures by the Pew Hispanic Center. In all those Republican-dominated states, the percentage of Hispanics nearly doubled. Given the...
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/04/pew-hispanic-voters-will-turn-south-purple.html)
More... (http://blogs.ilw.com/gregsiskind/2011/04/pew-hispanic-voters-will-turn-south-purple.html)
Blog Feeds
01-07 08:10 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianHoQtEkU8iJq6Prb3ISHn3AF7K0R5VhR9qnO7yrHiL-il1oCpRoV_2gzPew1bvojeENUCdAR-TjcUSXu-Cs__RMbmgYoULjT5uF7Hlw4704rChMywfGKwGyYsHAEb0sOetSCPfv7gYq_/s320/NILC_logo_subpage.gif (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianHoQtEkU8iJq6Prb3ISHn3AF7K0R5VhR9qnO7yrHiL-il1oCpRoV_2gzPew1bvojeENUCdAR-TjcUSXu-Cs__RMbmgYoULjT5uF7Hlw4704rChMywfGKwGyYsHAEb0sOetSCPfv7gYq_/s1600-h/NILC_logo_subpage.gif)
I blogged about Affidavits of Support here (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/03/faqs-on-affidavit-of-support.html) last year, and that blog post has received far more comments so far than any other post. I cannot answer specific questions via the blog , so I hope that last year's FAQs are a help. I recently found another great FAQ publication here (http://www.nilc.org/ce/nilc/sponsoredimms&bens-na-2009-08.pdf), from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). The NILC article links to other useful resources from the government and from NILC itself. I hope you find this as informative as I did.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-1413344651087124473?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-on-affidavits-of-support.html)
I blogged about Affidavits of Support here (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/03/faqs-on-affidavit-of-support.html) last year, and that blog post has received far more comments so far than any other post. I cannot answer specific questions via the blog , so I hope that last year's FAQs are a help. I recently found another great FAQ publication here (http://www.nilc.org/ce/nilc/sponsoredimms&bens-na-2009-08.pdf), from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). The NILC article links to other useful resources from the government and from NILC itself. I hope you find this as informative as I did.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-1413344651087124473?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-on-affidavits-of-support.html)
2011 A STAR WARS CHARACTER
newyorker123
08-26 08:25 AM
I applied EAD for me and my wife, yesterday.
When I check for the case status, it shows my wife EAD application as I131(advance parole) document.
XXXXXXXXXXXX Y N 08/26/2010 I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT
I have complete I765 application with receipt still I guess I need to call them.
Is anyone in the similar scenarios?
When I check for the case status, it shows my wife EAD application as I131(advance parole) document.
XXXXXXXXXXXX Y N 08/26/2010 I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT
I have complete I765 application with receipt still I guess I need to call them.
Is anyone in the similar scenarios?
more...
theshiningsun
11-03 08:39 PM
hi attorneys,
i am currently on H-1B with employer A. i hv a job offer from employer B which is a mgr role based outside USA.
i know that if i work for 1+ yr with employer B outside USA then i can come back to USA on L1-A visa.
my question is - during this 1 yr period, can i work for employer B in USA on H-1B?
thx in advance,
i am currently on H-1B with employer A. i hv a job offer from employer B which is a mgr role based outside USA.
i know that if i work for 1+ yr with employer B outside USA then i can come back to USA on L1-A visa.
my question is - during this 1 yr period, can i work for employer B in USA on H-1B?
thx in advance,
MYGC2008
02-22 02:46 PM
Hello,
Please let me know if anybody is travelling from BLR(Bangalore) to BOS (Boston) by British Airways on Mar 1 2011.
Because my mother-in-law is visiting US and she is travelling alone. If some travel companion is there it will be helpful as she does't speak english.
Thanks in advance.
Please let me know if anybody is travelling from BLR(Bangalore) to BOS (Boston) by British Airways on Mar 1 2011.
Because my mother-in-law is visiting US and she is travelling alone. If some travel companion is there it will be helpful as she does't speak english.
Thanks in advance.
more...
rajeshkrv
02-17 02:45 PM
thanks satish. that was informative
2010 STAR WARS: EPISODE I-VI
needhelp!
03-25 04:12 PM
Hey folks who signed up for advocacy days: I am so proud of you! You signed up for the good of all of us. I heard some of you are not confirming your participation. This cannot be an option at this point!
After all the effort IV has put in in securing the appointments, I, V, We all are counting on you. You had the best intentions when you signed up and we appreciate that, now we need you to finish grad school without being a drop out.
Many hundreds of hours have gone into organizing this event and not having folks at a meeting that has been confirmed is bad PR for IV and disappointing, sad and frustrating for the people who have been working tirelessly. Can't have it, can't tolerate it. You guys must follow through on your commitment!!!!
PM me if you have some pressing issue and maybe we can muster up some help to pull you through..
After all the effort IV has put in in securing the appointments, I, V, We all are counting on you. You had the best intentions when you signed up and we appreciate that, now we need you to finish grad school without being a drop out.
Many hundreds of hours have gone into organizing this event and not having folks at a meeting that has been confirmed is bad PR for IV and disappointing, sad and frustrating for the people who have been working tirelessly. Can't have it, can't tolerate it. You guys must follow through on your commitment!!!!
PM me if you have some pressing issue and maybe we can muster up some help to pull you through..
more...
kshitijnt
07-09 01:25 PM
Please advice when to file AC21
1) prior to joining new company
OR
2) Soon after joinng the new company?
Thanks in advance!
If you have resigned from your present job and the employer will cancel I140 or H1. file ASAP
1) prior to joining new company
OR
2) Soon after joinng the new company?
Thanks in advance!
If you have resigned from your present job and the employer will cancel I140 or H1. file ASAP
hair Star Wars IV A New Hope.
neeidd
10-14 11:46 AM
Hi All,
I am purchasing tickets to INDIA in an hour. Haven't thought about this much until one of my friends asked me this. My priority date is March 2005. I am planning to travel to INDIA using AP in December last week and come back in first week of Feb 2010. IF my GC gets approved during my stay in INDIA, would it a problem while coming back or if an RFE is issued, would it be a problem.
Please advice
Thanks
I am purchasing tickets to INDIA in an hour. Haven't thought about this much until one of my friends asked me this. My priority date is March 2005. I am planning to travel to INDIA using AP in December last week and come back in first week of Feb 2010. IF my GC gets approved during my stay in INDIA, would it a problem while coming back or if an RFE is issued, would it be a problem.
Please advice
Thanks
more...
dealsnet
04-15 04:11 PM
She come her on H4, because her husband is here. She can come here again on H4, if H1 is denied. Why she is staying in India, if her family is here ?
What is the reason for denial ?.
If it is because of education, chances are less to get approval again.
Otherwise try another company.
What is the reason for denial ?.
If it is because of education, chances are less to get approval again.
Otherwise try another company.
hot from Star Wars: A New Hope
sanju_dba
11-18 02:50 PM
Hi All,
My agent says interest earned over the period is taxfree in otherwords, the maturity amount is all taxfree
Did anyone signed up and got your medicals done here?
Also I see this on their website....
Life Insurance Corporation of India (http://www.licindia.in/nri_centre.htm)
NON-RESIDENT INDIAN:
A non-resident Indian is a citizen of India temporarily residing in the country of his/her present residence and holding a valid passport issued by the Government of India.
NRI should not be a green card holder. He/She should not have applied for or planning to apply in the near future for acquiring citizenship of his /her present country of residence or any other country.
I am >35 so need medical exams done and attested by a MD Doctor. I and My agent has no clue where to get it done. Doctors here charge for those test and not sure if they would attest those papers.
My agent says interest earned over the period is taxfree in otherwords, the maturity amount is all taxfree
Did anyone signed up and got your medicals done here?
Also I see this on their website....
Life Insurance Corporation of India (http://www.licindia.in/nri_centre.htm)
NON-RESIDENT INDIAN:
A non-resident Indian is a citizen of India temporarily residing in the country of his/her present residence and holding a valid passport issued by the Government of India.
NRI should not be a green card holder. He/She should not have applied for or planning to apply in the near future for acquiring citizenship of his /her present country of residence or any other country.
I am >35 so need medical exams done and attested by a MD Doctor. I and My agent has no clue where to get it done. Doctors here charge for those test and not sure if they would attest those papers.
more...
house quot;Star Wars: A New Hopequot;
ksribhas
09-17 01:49 PM
Hello,
These are my details :
I-140 -> Jul 07
I -485 -> Aug 07
I -140 Denied in may 08. There was no appeal no MTR
I-485 shows pending
New I 140 was filed in Jun 08, we got receipt information.
On that A# is same as the A# issued for I-485
Questions:
a) Is my I-485 still valid?
b) Is it tied to new I-140 we filed?
c) Can I renew my EAD and AP if I 485 is valid?
d) How to check all the 3 above?
These are my details :
I-140 -> Jul 07
I -485 -> Aug 07
I -140 Denied in may 08. There was no appeal no MTR
I-485 shows pending
New I 140 was filed in Jun 08, we got receipt information.
On that A# is same as the A# issued for I-485
Questions:
a) Is my I-485 still valid?
b) Is it tied to new I-140 we filed?
c) Can I renew my EAD and AP if I 485 is valid?
d) How to check all the 3 above?
tattoo character in Star Wars:
yaseen82
03-17 08:23 AM
Hi Experts,
My wife is on H4 visa and has started her MS in CS in Jan. She applied for her change of status to F1 visa on 15 th feb. As of today (17th March), her approval notice hasnt come and her H4 is expiring on 31st March. I am not even able to follow her case online on USCIS coz her return recipt number is not updated at all. This is quite common I have heard.
My question is, should we also apply for her H4 extension before 31st of this month so that in case her approval for F1 does not come before her H4 expires and in worst case it gets rejects, she still wont be out of status coz her H4 renewal application is in place or am i just being too paranoid and should just wait for her F1 to come??
Thanks.
My wife is on H4 visa and has started her MS in CS in Jan. She applied for her change of status to F1 visa on 15 th feb. As of today (17th March), her approval notice hasnt come and her H4 is expiring on 31st March. I am not even able to follow her case online on USCIS coz her return recipt number is not updated at all. This is quite common I have heard.
My question is, should we also apply for her H4 extension before 31st of this month so that in case her approval for F1 does not come before her H4 expires and in worst case it gets rejects, she still wont be out of status coz her H4 renewal application is in place or am i just being too paranoid and should just wait for her F1 to come??
Thanks.
more...
pictures Star Wars Episode IV: A New
cr125rider
04-24 10:36 PM
Original, I like.
dresses Series: Star Wars Episode 4: A
Macaca
08-15 07:28 PM
Honest and Open Thievery (http://www.reason.com/news/show/121947.html) The limits of Congress's ethics reforms By Jacob Sullum, August 15, 2007
In a letter posted at Congress.org, a constituent praises Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) for his "brilliant intellect." As evidence, Mitchell's admirer cites the congressman's vote for the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
The margin by which the act passed�411 to 8 in the House, 83 to 14 in the Senate�takes some of the shine off Mitchell's brilliance. Still, he's probably smart enough to realize what his colleagues evidently understand: Congress's new honesty and openness are not what they're cracked up to be.
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires that special appropriations added by individual legislators be listed in an online database at least 48 hours before they come to a vote. Critics such as Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) complained bitterly about a loophole: Congressional leaders can certify that a bill contains no earmarks, and there's no way to challenge that determination.
A deeper problem is that publicity does not deter wasteful, parochial spending that legislators want to publicize. Consider what happened last month when Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) challenged a $100,000 appropriation for a prison museum near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The earmark's sponsor, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), defended the honor of Leavenworth County, bragging that "we probably have more prisons...than any other county in the United States." She indignantly added that "the local residents are proud of their heritage and rightly so," since Leavenworth has hosted the likes of George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Nazi spy Fritz Duquesne.
The House approved Boyda's earmark by a vote of 317 to 112. Later she told The New York Times, "Democracy is a contact sport, and I'm not going to be shy about asking for money for my community."
So far this year the Democratic House has approved spending bills that include some 6,500 earmarks, not quite keeping pace with the Republicans' record of nearly 16,000 in 2005 but more than twice the whole-year total of a decade ago. Far from shaming legislators into fiscal restraint, the Times reports, "the new transparency has raised the value of earmarks as a measure of members' clout" and "intensified competition for projects by letting each member see exactly how many everyone else is receiving."
Congressional shamelessness likewise may undermine the goals of the new Senate ban on anonymous holds. A hold occurs when a senator refuses to let a bill or nomination proceed by unanimous consent, thereby requiring the measure's supporters to muster 60 votes to allow consideration of the measure.
Holds obviously can be used for purposes that offend supporters of limited government�to extort pork, for example, or obstruct fiscal reform. But any tool that blocks legislation is apt to do more good than harm. Notably, the hold's defenders include fiscal conservatives such as Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) as well as big spenders such as Robert Byrd (D-W.V.).
Still, it's hard to find fault with the new requirement that senators publicly identify themselves and state their reasons when they block legislation. We just shouldn't expect too much as a result of this openness. As with earmarks, legislators don't try to hide their actions when they're proud of them, even if they shouldn't be. Interestingly, no one put a secret hold on the secret hold ban.
Transparency may also prove overrated as a way of preventing lobbyists from influencing legislators by arranging campaign contributions. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires public disclosure of "bundles" totaling $15,000 or more in a six-month period. Like the new attention to earmarks, highlighting these donations may simply spur competition, as K Street's denizens strive to keep up with their neighbors.
Although honesty and openness are surely preferable to dishonesty and secrecy (in politics, at least), they're not an adequate solution to a government that does too much and is therefore a magnet for people seeking gifts and favors. If a pickpocket becomes a mugger, he becomes more open and honest, but that doesn't make him more admirable.
In a letter posted at Congress.org, a constituent praises Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-Ariz.) for his "brilliant intellect." As evidence, Mitchell's admirer cites the congressman's vote for the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007.
The margin by which the act passed�411 to 8 in the House, 83 to 14 in the Senate�takes some of the shine off Mitchell's brilliance. Still, he's probably smart enough to realize what his colleagues evidently understand: Congress's new honesty and openness are not what they're cracked up to be.
The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires that special appropriations added by individual legislators be listed in an online database at least 48 hours before they come to a vote. Critics such as Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) complained bitterly about a loophole: Congressional leaders can certify that a bill contains no earmarks, and there's no way to challenge that determination.
A deeper problem is that publicity does not deter wasteful, parochial spending that legislators want to publicize. Consider what happened last month when Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) challenged a $100,000 appropriation for a prison museum near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The earmark's sponsor, Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), defended the honor of Leavenworth County, bragging that "we probably have more prisons...than any other county in the United States." She indignantly added that "the local residents are proud of their heritage and rightly so," since Leavenworth has hosted the likes of George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Nazi spy Fritz Duquesne.
The House approved Boyda's earmark by a vote of 317 to 112. Later she told The New York Times, "Democracy is a contact sport, and I'm not going to be shy about asking for money for my community."
So far this year the Democratic House has approved spending bills that include some 6,500 earmarks, not quite keeping pace with the Republicans' record of nearly 16,000 in 2005 but more than twice the whole-year total of a decade ago. Far from shaming legislators into fiscal restraint, the Times reports, "the new transparency has raised the value of earmarks as a measure of members' clout" and "intensified competition for projects by letting each member see exactly how many everyone else is receiving."
Congressional shamelessness likewise may undermine the goals of the new Senate ban on anonymous holds. A hold occurs when a senator refuses to let a bill or nomination proceed by unanimous consent, thereby requiring the measure's supporters to muster 60 votes to allow consideration of the measure.
Holds obviously can be used for purposes that offend supporters of limited government�to extort pork, for example, or obstruct fiscal reform. But any tool that blocks legislation is apt to do more good than harm. Notably, the hold's defenders include fiscal conservatives such as Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) as well as big spenders such as Robert Byrd (D-W.V.).
Still, it's hard to find fault with the new requirement that senators publicly identify themselves and state their reasons when they block legislation. We just shouldn't expect too much as a result of this openness. As with earmarks, legislators don't try to hide their actions when they're proud of them, even if they shouldn't be. Interestingly, no one put a secret hold on the secret hold ban.
Transparency may also prove overrated as a way of preventing lobbyists from influencing legislators by arranging campaign contributions. The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act requires public disclosure of "bundles" totaling $15,000 or more in a six-month period. Like the new attention to earmarks, highlighting these donations may simply spur competition, as K Street's denizens strive to keep up with their neighbors.
Although honesty and openness are surely preferable to dishonesty and secrecy (in politics, at least), they're not an adequate solution to a government that does too much and is therefore a magnet for people seeking gifts and favors. If a pickpocket becomes a mugger, he becomes more open and honest, but that doesn't make him more admirable.
more...
makeup Star Wars: A New Hope Limited
hr_aries
04-12 08:32 PM
I have a pending I- 485 in EB2 and My spouse has a pending 485 in EB3 since 2007. We both are using EAD and on AOS. We got married recently, and my PD became current now.
What is the best way to make use of this situation and add my spouse to my pending 485?
Do we have to file another fresh I - 485 or is there a way to link his EB3 485 application with mine?
If I have to file a new 485, what are the documents needed apart from Marriage certificate, Since my spouse is already on EAD and working, Do I still have to send affidavit of support, my pay slips, w2, EVL etc.? Do we have to send medicals again? Kindly clarify my questions. Help is appreciated.
Thanks!
What is the best way to make use of this situation and add my spouse to my pending 485?
Do we have to file another fresh I - 485 or is there a way to link his EB3 485 application with mine?
If I have to file a new 485, what are the documents needed apart from Marriage certificate, Since my spouse is already on EAD and working, Do I still have to send affidavit of support, my pay slips, w2, EVL etc.? Do we have to send medicals again? Kindly clarify my questions. Help is appreciated.
Thanks!
girlfriend Star Wars Cantina Drawing Ryan
Blog Feeds
01-09 02:20 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianHoQtEkU8iJq6Prb3ISHn3AF7K0R5VhR9qnO7yrHiL-il1oCpRoV_2gzPew1bvojeENUCdAR-TjcUSXu-Cs__RMbmgYoULjT5uF7Hlw4704rChMywfGKwGyYsHAEb0sOetSCPfv7gYq_/s320/NILC_logo_subpage.gif (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianHoQtEkU8iJq6Prb3ISHn3AF7K0R5VhR9qnO7yrHiL-il1oCpRoV_2gzPew1bvojeENUCdAR-TjcUSXu-Cs__RMbmgYoULjT5uF7Hlw4704rChMywfGKwGyYsHAEb0sOetSCPfv7gYq_/s1600-h/NILC_logo_subpage.gif)
I blogged about Affidavits of Support here (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/03/faqs-on-affidavit-of-support.html) last year, and that blog post has received far more comments so far than any other post. I cannot answer specific questions via the blog , so I hope that last year's FAQs are a help. I recently found another great FAQ publication here (http://www.nilc.org/ce/nilc/sponsoredimms&bens-na-2009-08.pdf), from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). The NILC article links to other useful resources from the government and from NILC itself. I hope you find this as informative as I did.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-1413344651087124473?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-on-affidavits-of-support.html)
I blogged about Affidavits of Support here (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2009/03/faqs-on-affidavit-of-support.html) last year, and that blog post has received far more comments so far than any other post. I cannot answer specific questions via the blog , so I hope that last year's FAQs are a help. I recently found another great FAQ publication here (http://www.nilc.org/ce/nilc/sponsoredimms&bens-na-2009-08.pdf), from the National Immigration Law Center (NILC). The NILC article links to other useful resources from the government and from NILC itself. I hope you find this as informative as I did.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2893395975825897727-1413344651087124473?l=martinvisalaw.blogspot.com
More... (http://martinvisalaw.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-on-affidavits-of-support.html)
hairstyles Star Wars:
hmehta
05-21 09:07 AM
Correct me if I am wrong, but there are no ammendments which address the EB based retrogession.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_109_2.htm
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_109_2.htm
rph20
07-17 08:24 PM
Hi,
Currently I am on H1B visa.I will file my 485 as secondary applicant.What are my options in case If I have to leave my job and my 485 is still not approved.
Do I need to file H4 (Since 485 is still not approved) ?
Thanks in advance.
Currently I am on H1B visa.I will file my 485 as secondary applicant.What are my options in case If I have to leave my job and my 485 is still not approved.
Do I need to file H4 (Since 485 is still not approved) ?
Thanks in advance.
Macaca
02-19 01:35 PM
Some paras from Almost Everyone Lies, Often Seeing It as a Kindness (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/18/AR2007021800915.html).
The perjury trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby goes to the jury this week. The case speaks to several issues -- how the Bush administration deals with critics of the war in Iraq, and the games that Washington's reporters and politicians play with each other. As far as the jury is concerned, however, the case is about only one thing: lying.
One particularly well-qualified witness on this subject was not called by either the prosecution or the defense, so today we cross-examine Robert Feldman ourselves. Feldman is a social psychologist at the University of Massachusetts who studies lying in everyday life, and his findings are just the kind of thing that Libby's lawyers could have pounced on.
Feldman's experiments show that stern-faced judicial proceedings about perjury are as remote from the realities of human behavior as President Bush is from the Nobel Peace Prize. For one thing, lying plays a more complex role in human relationships than the black-and-white legal view recognizes. It is also so commonplace in everyday life that putting people on trial for lying is somewhat like putting them on trial for breathing.
Experiments have found that ordinary people tell about two lies every 10 minutes, with some people getting in as many as a dozen falsehoods in that period. More interestingly -- and Libby might see this as the silver lining if he is found guilty -- Feldman also found that liars tend to be more popular than honest people. (Ever notice how popular politicians somehow change their minds on controversial issues such as the war in Iraq at the exact moment that public opinion on those issues changes?)
The perjury trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby goes to the jury this week. The case speaks to several issues -- how the Bush administration deals with critics of the war in Iraq, and the games that Washington's reporters and politicians play with each other. As far as the jury is concerned, however, the case is about only one thing: lying.
One particularly well-qualified witness on this subject was not called by either the prosecution or the defense, so today we cross-examine Robert Feldman ourselves. Feldman is a social psychologist at the University of Massachusetts who studies lying in everyday life, and his findings are just the kind of thing that Libby's lawyers could have pounced on.
Feldman's experiments show that stern-faced judicial proceedings about perjury are as remote from the realities of human behavior as President Bush is from the Nobel Peace Prize. For one thing, lying plays a more complex role in human relationships than the black-and-white legal view recognizes. It is also so commonplace in everyday life that putting people on trial for lying is somewhat like putting them on trial for breathing.
Experiments have found that ordinary people tell about two lies every 10 minutes, with some people getting in as many as a dozen falsehoods in that period. More interestingly -- and Libby might see this as the silver lining if he is found guilty -- Feldman also found that liars tend to be more popular than honest people. (Ever notice how popular politicians somehow change their minds on controversial issues such as the war in Iraq at the exact moment that public opinion on those issues changes?)
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