Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm

Most Americans have not had the pleasure of laying their eyes on the US Immigration and Citizen Services ' I-485 application. In this form, people who are applying to be a permanent resident are asked a range of "interesting" questions. Here's a taste:

Have you ever engaged in, conspired to engage in, or do you intend to engage in, or have you ever solicited membership or funds for, or have you through any means ever assisted or provided any type of material support to any person or organization that has ever engaged or conspired to engage in sabotage, kidnapping, political assassination, hijacking, or any other form of terrorist activity?

Have you ever engaged in genocide, or otherwise ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the killing of any person because of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, or political opinion?

Do you intend to engage in the US in
a) Espionage?
b) Any activity a purpose of which is opposition to, or the control or overthrow of, the Government of the United States, by force, violence, or other unlawful means?

Do you plan to practice polygamy in the United States?

Within the past ten years have you been a prostitute or procured anyone for prostitution, or intend to engage in such activities in the future?

Some lawyer somewhere probably got big bucks to come up with these questions! The thought of answering "YES" just for kicks did cross my mind. But spending the rest of my life behind bars would have been too high a price to pay for curiosity.

Here's a question that may be added to the list in the unlikely instance of a McCain-Palin win - Do you harbor or intend to spread liberal or socialist values?