No Longer Liberal: Amsterdam

B

Byrdie714

New Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
8,889
Reaction score
0
Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – Amsterdam unveiled plans Saturday to close brothels, sex shops and marijuana cafes in its ancient city center as part of a major effort to drive organized crime out of the tourist haven.

The city is targeting businesses that "generate criminality," including gambling parlors, and the so-called "coffee shops" where marijuana is sold openly. Also targeted are peep shows, massage parlors and souvenir shops used by drug dealers for money-laundering.

"I think that the new reality will be more in line with our image as a tolerant and crazy place, rather than a free zone for criminals" said Lodewijk Asscher, a city council member and one of the main proponents of the plan.

The news comes just one day after Amsterdam's mayor said he would search for loopholes in new rules laid down by the national government that would close marijuana cafes near schools citywide. The measures announced Saturday would affect about 36 coffee shops in the center itself — a little less than 20 percent of the city total.

Asscher underlined that the city center will remain true to its freewheeling reputation.

"It'll be a place with 200 windows (for prostitutes) and 30 coffee shops, which you can't find anywhere else in the world — very exciting, but also with cultural attractions," he said. "And you won't have to be embarrassed to say you came."

Under the plan announced Saturday, Amsterdam will spend euro30 million to euro40 million ($38 million to $51 million) to bring hotels, restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to the center. It will also build new underground parking areas.

Amsterdam already had plans to close many brothels and some coffee shops, but plans announced Saturday go further.

Asscher said the city would reshape the area, using zoning rules, buying out businesses and offering assistance to upgrade stores. The city has shut brothels and sex clubs in the past by relying on a law allowing the closure of businesses with bookkeeping irregularities.

Prostitution will be allowed only in two areas in the district — notably De Wallen ("The Walls"), a web of streets and alleys around the city's medieval retaining dam walls. The area has been a center of prostitution since before the city's golden shipping age in the 1600s.

Prostitution was legalized in the Netherlands in 2000, formalizing a long-standing tolerance policy.

Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but prosecutors won't press charges for possession of small amounts. Coffee shops are able to sell it openly.
Click to expand...

Amsterdam to close many brothels, marijuana cafes - Yahoo! News

If you been curious about Amsterdam, better go now before it's too late!
 
Not surprised, I'm happy with life in America.
 
Foxrac said:
They have big issue in Amsterdam, many people abuse their rights on drug.
Click to expand...

I just don't understand why would they take something seriously that are nothing worst than the legal cigarette and alcohol... *shook my head*...
 
wow. thanks for the heads up.. hate that everything have to change each years.
 
Drugs is so legal in europe now, I think A'dam will have to ban drugs and sex to keep attract tourist that want to experience something different...
 
But Amsterdam is the rave capitol of the world - that's where all the best parties are!
 
Underground parking lots? Isn't A'dam very low ground? They're only closing down 20 percent of the coffee shops because they were located near schools. Seems trivial to me.
 
Even if they shut down the coffee shops that openly sell marijuana near schools, the people will just conduct their business elsewhere as the police won't bother with anyone that is carrying only a small amount of weed.
 
The reason they are instituting these new restrictions is to stop the money laudering that goes on in these businesses, not because of the marijuana or the prostitution.

But, the fact is that money laundering can occur with any business. Look at the U.S.
 
Jillio, how prevalent do you think money laundering is here in the States? What are the mechanics of money laundering? How is is done, do you know? I have some idea but mostly I go to/cater to places where they tell me, "No tickee, no shirtee." :lol:
 
Tousi said:
Jillio, how prevalent do you think money laundering is here in the States? What are the mechanics of money laundering? How is is done, do you know? I have some idea but mostly I go to/cater to places where they tell me, "No tickee, no shirtee." :lol:
Click to expand...

LOL!

Some will say that money laundering is quite prevalent in the U.S., given the organized crime activity here. I know the basics...money that is gained through illegal activity is funneled through a legitimate business venture. An example would be money made through the importation of illegal drugs being funneled through a legitimate restaurant, making it appear that the money was obtained through sales at the restaurant. I'd say that the practice is more prevalent than most of us would care to believe.

For money laundering on a larger scale, you might find this link interesting.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/2007-03-19-money-launder-usat_N.htm
 
The typical political scheme is "In the name of CHILDREN" is being employed. If this was a rational decision, why must invoke "IN THE NAME OF THE CHILDRENS"?

Sounds like a political approach to a problem . . . and we all know how that will turn out.
 
Back
Top