a big, fat "NO!"

As a result of recent changes to travel visa requirements of the United States (read my rant here), we have begun the process of applying for a B-2 visa. We have both now completed our Electronic Visa Application Forms; accordingly I'd like to share some of the ridiculous questions included in said application:

* Do you seek to engage in espionage, sabotage, export control violations, or any other illegal activity while in the United States?

* Do you seek to engage in terrorist activities while in the United States?

* Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted or otherwise participated in genocide?

* Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted or otherwise participated in torture?

* Have you ever ordered, incited, committed, assisted or otherwise participated in extrajudicial killings or political killings?

Etc, etc.

Of course I answered a big, fat "NO!" to these questions, but, seriously, wouldn't everyone answer "no"? If a person has committed, say, genocide, is it likely that honesty is in their moral code? Further, that a "yes" answer to any of these questions would likely result in a rejected application seems a reasonable and simple conclusion to draw... It just seems silly is all, not the activities in question, but the questions themselves.

I'm not gonna get over this US visa situation anytime soon. Just warnin'.

Shan