WBB-EF  +  530937 Sun, 22 Jun 08 12:53 PM What does "lies before us" mean?  I can't get this sentence.  Thanks for your help. Context: Reporter  - And may be the governor.  I understand Burrows' attorneys are going to request a stay. Pope  - I  wish them the best of luck. Reporter  - Does that mean you believe he's innocent? Pope  - It means... I believe in the process, but I, I don't relish the prospect of taking another man's life.  Whether it's just or not, there's no joy that lies before us today. ... WBB-EF Joined on Tue, Apr 15 2008 Seoul Junior Member 76

	Philip  +  530979 Sun, 22 Jun 08 02:40 PM There's no joy in store for us today; We aren't going to find anything happy today; Things are looking bad, not good; Looks like the guy is going to be executed. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,733 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

	WBB-EF  +  531272 Mon, 23 Jun 08 07:37 AM Philip “There's no joy in store for us today; We aren't going to find anything happy today; Things are looking bad, not good; Looks like the guy is going to be executed. ” Thanks, Philip, I get it. And here's another question, I hope you could take a look for me, thank you. I can't get the word, officially, in this context, does it mean: According to a set of laws.? Nick  - Look, if Terrence Steadman is still alive, Lyle, then it can't be Terrence Steadman buried in the ground. Lyle  - Yeah, but a secret informant claims that Steadman is still alive?  I don't know, Nick, it all sounds pretty far-fetched. Nick  - You're his clerk, just get us on the docket. Lyle  - Nick, you're asking him to commit political suicide by granting a stay of execution to Illinois' most notorious death row inmate. Veronica   - Officially, all we're asking is for an exhumation order.  If he grants it, he can order a stay until the tests are come in. Lyle   - An exhumation order?  Oh, that's better digging up the vice president's brother. No way. WBB-EF

	Philip  +  531439 Mon, 23 Jun 08 03:12 PM Officially = by the laws But the result will be something else that we really want. Officially, we ask for the exhumation.  What we want is more time (stay of execution). Philip

	CalifJim  +  532135 Wed, 25 Jun 08 03:13 AM General remark: Does it seem plausible that someone who doesn't know what "lies before us" means would know what the idiom "to be in store" means? CJ    CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,389 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche Idioms