IllinoisDave

Congrats!

Yeah. That's a good point. I'm wondering who's attention you bring it to and how. Maybe you'll find out at your appt. Good luck.

Congrats on the GCs.

So if I read this right, once you've been in FBI namecheck for 180 days, your application is automatically granted?

. . . and we did it so well, they bought the company (at least the PC division) Long live Lenovo!

Interesting thoughts Jay. I agree, most Americans are more comfortable battling China with IBMs rather than ICBMs. I'm of the mind that the Chinese gov't and the people no longer see us with the same animosity they once did either. But if someone was caught in China doing what those folks were doing here? I don't know. Would we even hear about it? Would the general public in China? If they did, I'm sure it would be in a much more negative light than their spies were here. And I agree, because of the comparative lack of information, Chinese people may be less informed, but they are far from stupid.

I think you're right Dennis. I'm sure NBC won't be spending a lot of time talking about Tibet or nail houses. Whether they should be or not is probably a topic for a whole other thread. I'm looking forward to the feel good, up-close-and-personal stories about China, the people and the culture much more so than most of the events frankly.

I agree Griz. I'm sure we have just as many folks in China trying to do some of the same things. B) We're focusing on China's role here because we're all concerned about how people here will view China because of this story piled on top of all the recent ones about Chinese imports etc.

I guess that was my point in my first post (albeit less than eloquently stated). Is there some long term subtle programming of American thought going on? If so, how does the tone and content of mainstream news contribute to it? Taking the position that it's a part of an agenda or even a propaganda campaign is extreme and I'm not saying that's my viewpoint. However, raising the question, proposing a healthy skepticism, and initiating an interesting conversation with some controversial remarks can't be completely wrong. We are talking about the specific topic of the portrayal of China and its people in America. However, there is a plethora of other topics in which the American mindset is equally distorted and arrogant. How did this happen? I was speaking in more of an historical context. For example the old Charlie Chan movies and other sterotypical portrayals of Chinese/Asians in tv and movies. That along with our history of conflict with China/Russia during The Cold War. The history books are full of references to "Red China" followed by the litany of conflicts between our two countries. The former is/was a product of ignorance and lack of real contact for decades leading up to,say the 1990s. And the latter is/was just a reflection of whatever conflict was going on at the time. Was the media/press a part of that agenda or propaganda campaign? Sure, just as it is in today's political climate. But I think that old "Red Commie China" meme has been greatly reduced in the last 10 or 15 years or so as China has started to open up. IMHO I don't think people in this country (at least the even semi-informed ones) or the media still see China in the same negative light that we once did. Nor do I see the media in any kind of subtle or overt campaign to portray China as The Big Red Beast that they were once considered to be. Are there still people out there who will see the spy stories and start to squawk about "Those Commie Bastards"? No doubt. I just don't see the type of subtle programming by the media that you allude to happening in this day and age. I guess that was my point. And you're right, raising the question, proposing a healthy skepticism and initiating an interesting conversation is never a bad thing. B) It can be quite a bit of fun. As for the "plethora of other topics in which the American mindset is equally distorted and arrogant" and how it happened? I'll leave that one alone thank you.

I agree Richard. I too get very defensive when it comes to all things China. I think when we see things in the news about China we bring along a lot of negative baggage that's been built up over the years from everything from history books to the way Chinese have been potrayed in the various media,including tv and movies. We've (Americans in general this is) been programmed to believe that China is the big bad Commie on the other side of the world and that Chinese people all walk behind water buffalo and run in front of rickshaws. Those are the images we've been subjected to all our lives. Now that we here at Candle know differently from our first-hand experiences, it's easy to read the enmity you speak of into every news story we see that involves anything remotely negative about China. I'm sure I've been just as guilty as anyone from time to time of seeing China through those tinted glasses you mentioned.

Dave, not what I heard about you when in Shenzhen!!! I guess I should've given that guy a little bigger "tip" to keep that quiet.

Sorry Richard but I don't think it's fair or accurate to blame this on the press. The Justice Department called news conferences and sent out press releases to announce these cases. Is the press just supposed to ignore them? Are they supposed to ignore the cases of dangerous/toxic products that happen to be made in China? In the last couple of few weeks the weather crisis in China has received quite a bit of press coverage here, most, if not all, sympathetic to the plight of the Chinese people. Last week the Chinese New Year was played up quite a bit I thought. Some in the press can be accused of a lot of things; from over-reporting the exploits of certain celebrities named Britney or Paris, to dwelling on style over substance in the presidential races. But to say that the news is trying to sway public opinion against China? What would be their motive for that? I'm more concerned about the average less-than-enlightened Joe Blow who sees the news and leaps to the conslusion that The Red Commies from China are trying to slowly poison us or are getting ready to invade Seattle next week.

Gino, I'd keep calling back until I got someone who didn't wake up with a corn cob stuck up their A*S. Ya never know.

I NEVER had any sense I was being watched other than the usual "looks" westerners sometimes get from the locals.

All we needed was a cert. copy of the marriage license and her old SS card. They're idiots. But then that's been documented here before. B) Is there another SSA office near you? Even a smaller one? We went to a smaller one than the one we got the original card at. No problems.

>..... Refer to: GUZ Speaks Forum Where exactly is the GUZ Speaks forum? Sounds like it is an interactive session with the reps from the embassy. It's a sub-forum at the top of the "Consulate Process: P-3 ~ Interview" forum, the one you're in now. Look at the top of the main page. It's not interactive in the sense that you can have a back and forth discussion with the GUZ staff member assigned for that month, but you can have non-case specific questions answered.

Yeah, I saw this. It makes me sad to see these stories. It'll only potray all of China in a bad light. And with all of the 'quality' issues that have recently circulated, China doesnt need another bad mark against it. Exactly. Too many Joe and Jane Lunchbuckets will paint all Chinese and all of China with another bad brush.

Glad to hear you got it. For us it was about 65 days from filing to getting it in the mail.

Yeah, I saw this. It makes me sad to see these stories. It'll only potray all of China in a bad light.

Not sure if this is redundant to Stats thread or not. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/27280.html

Very nice pics. There was a parade in Chinatown here in Chicago yesterday as well. But since the temperature was about 75 degrees lower than your parade, not nearly as many people made it.

Nice post Larry. I didn't think of it in your "James Bond" thread so I'll mention it here. Aside from the obvious, I think the biggest shame in what happened to you was that you were cheated out of the incredibly wonderful experience that China can be. I really hope you'll give some consideration to returning someday, even if it's just as a tourist. Or maybe with your yet-to-be-met future wife. Go back and visit Shanghai or Beijing or Xian or Chengdu or all of the above. See The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Ming tombs. Go to Nanjing Road in Shanghai as well as some of the off-the-beaten-path streets to sample some of the delicious food, in the restaurants and on the street. China has so much to offer as all here can attest to. I really feel for you that you missed out of the good parts. Best of luck.

Congrats on tomorrow.

That's a whole different forum tsap.

My wife wasn't specifically asked to show three years of tax records. The VO just said: "Can I see your taxes?", and she gave him what she had, which happened to be the recommended three years worth. I don't know if that helps you. As for your other question, the only thing I can think of is to take copies of your pay stubs for the year up to the date of the inteview, assuming the interview is before you get your W2s. You'll also be taking the employer letter stating what your salary is and that you're employed as of the date of the interview. If that amount is over the required minimum then I guess it will depend on how closely the VO wants to scrutinize the past three years. I"m sure others will have a much more specific/informed opinion.