Moral turpitude is a legal concept in the United States that refers to "conduct that is considered contrary to community standards of justice, honesty, or good morals".[1]
It is of great importance for immigration purposes, as only those offenses which are defined as involving moral turpitude are considered bars to immigration into the U.S.
There's a quite list of crimes of moral turpitude over on wikipedia, as per above link.
Thank God there's nothing about crimes against nature involving parsnips or we'd be in BIG trouble.
ReplyDeleteWell ... I wouldn't be so fast to assume that there is no crimes against nature involving parsnips.
ReplyDeleteI could see the possibility of parsnip battery in the crime of 'assault' as per the list.
Theft and carrying a concealed weapon also offer possibilities if one was creative in their choice of weapon, or simply wanted to lift the neighbour's fabulous parsnips.
See ... this is why I don't want to sign a waiver on entering the country, I fear how individual interpretations could be made on past behaviours and our mocking of the parsnip did get out into the blogosphere via Manic. Who knows who read it.
Moral Turpitude eh ...
Thought I was homefree till I read about acts of evil intent and malicious destruction of property--think that would be the lawn job we did in high school, and once I spilled a beer on a customer when I waitressed. A regular Bonnie and Clyde here...
ReplyDeletePS. Many blessings for the holidays and a very happy new year:>)
ReplyDeleteSeems I know all the best people, Ms Distracted by Shiny Objects (aka Bonnie).
ReplyDeleteAnd all the very very best for your 2009 :)
I wonder if a coffee addiction counts as moral perpitude....
ReplyDelete;^)
I suspect it could be the case if they wanted an excuse for refusing you entry after you sign that waiver of your right to defend yourself against scurrilous and false charges ... Gary.
ReplyDeleteI love scurrilous and false charges. They enhance my reputation, which is far too wholesome and suburban for a woman my age.
ReplyDeleteI'm Not Ready to Make Nice.
I would advice all US readers to check out the US patriot act, as introduced by the Bush administration, and still fully operational:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act
My brother recently returned from the US on a professional trip (had his laptop searched/almost confiscated and was treated like trash):
he called (his angry words)
US immigration
"a bunch of retarded fascists"
Although Belgian immigration is notably sloppy with paperwork
(don't have to tell you Di),
Brussels airport welcomes tourists with open arms,
whereas US airport immigration has become a true nightmare.
I don't mind the humour of it in theory, V but I suspect the reality of the nice folk at the airport choosing me ... the kiwi, as a person of interest would just simply destroy me. Remember I'm looking at having more than a few Middle East stamps in my passport over the months ahead.
ReplyDeleteSorry to read of your brother's experience, Peter. Hmmm coffee this week, we could try, couldn't we?