Originally Posted by
sbrower
Before you try to play word games it would be helpful if you checked a dictionary. I correctly used the word "effect" as in "cause [making up facts] and effect [applicability of statute]." But don't feel badly - your mistake of confusing the words "effect" and "affect" is a common one according to Wikipedia.
Actually, effect is a noun in the phrase "cause and effect" while you are using it as a verb.
effect
–noun
1. something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence: Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
The verb usage requires an object:
–verb (used with object)
10. to produce as an effect; bring about; accomplish; make happen: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
Despite your 28 years as an attorney (pretty passive aggressive in dropping that part in, btw), you managed to use the word wrong. No big deal.