Here's another classic headline. It says "Opstelten: Limit citizens' privacy for more security." Opstelten is the mayor of Rotterdam and he wants additional powers in order to be able to deal with various problems such as tackling serial troublemakers. He wants the government to link all of its databases, more scope for video cameras in public places, the authority to shut down bars, coffeeshops and brothels if they cause ongoing problems.

It's a wishlist for more government power. The notion that the state can shut down establishments it does not like is disturbing. If such places are breaking the law, they should be shut down. But the way this has been phrased gives the impression that the mayor would have considerable discretion over who is to be shut down. That's simply pre-programming future abuses of power.

The scary thing is, these kinds of measures probably will be popular, much like the searches in Amsterdam.