possible new dutch coaliton announce new plans

[SGawain235]

You can enjoy most of the art in Amsterdam in one short trip quite easily, where as Paris or Rome it would take many months to see and absorb it all.
As far as actual collections of art go, you really can not do better than New York City.
So that leaves culture , right now Amsterdam is sitting pretty because it is UNIQUE in that regard ie. pot and prostitution.
Take that away and its just another European city with a history and a littering problem, sorry but those are a dime a dozen.

Umm..I would like to add a point as someone who lives near it. As it stands Philadelphia, which is about 100 miles away from NYC, is about to house one of the most spectacular art collections in the world permanently, the Barnes Foundation collection. This collection is over 8,000 pieces, has such luminaries as Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse, and just 800 of those pieces are valued at approximately $25 billion USD.

That will be up and running by the beginning of next year. I think that it should be noted that even if the current statistics show that more people go for non-weed activities, it should be pointed out that there are forces aligning to make those forces very, very compeditive.

I mean, I've been thinking of doing a stay cation just to re-charge and I'd be able to get some of the best art and culture in the world within a block of where I am now. stay cation where I can relax, go to great museums, and smoke weed. And the only people who would benefit economoically would be the people immediately in my areal It wiouldn't be like when I fly to Amsterdam where I have a large jet to pay for, new lodgings, new food, learning the new culture and way of doing thingsl

Or you can just hop a train/car, chat with friends on the way, toke in the parking lot and appreciate some of the best pieces i the worldl

And this is all without even getting into the Cloisters in NYC, MoMa, the various indie interesting galleries, the of, off off, offf ooofff shows(comemorated in the FringeNYC? The New York International Fringe Festival )

My point is this. Just where I am now there are a lot of artistic and fascenating things going on many of which, now that I'm thinking about it, I should really fucking get on board of these things.

Be that as it may, the point is still valid. Amsterdam's attempts at new and interesting art is kinda sad even if you compare them to a relative newcomer, Iceland.

[wietroker]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

[HasAnyoneSeenMyPipe]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

+1, nail on the head mate, nail on the head.

[TwoCanucks]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

+1, nail on the head mate, nail on the head.

Yup yup... Amsterdam is a brand as much as a city, just like NYC and Paris and London. Without the coffee shop scene and the red light district, Amsterdam loses its' "brand" uniqueness.

That said -- we absolutely love the city... but sadly, chances of going back without the coffee shop scene are probably nil though.

[doobydave]

Hasjdreamer wrote

Amsterdam without herb and prostis is just, well... Belgium

PMSL

[Kingdoc]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

Amen! thou amsterdam is a wonderfull city thats not enough alone to keep people going back & back.

[SGawain235]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

Which is why I, for one, am glad that I put in the huge amount of effort to make it there last April.

But I won't lie, I hope it doesn't go "up in smoke" before April so I can go without an ash cloud on my back.

[Kingdoc]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

Which is why I, for one, am glad that I put in the huge amount of effort to make it there last April.

But I won't lie, I hope it doesn't go "up in smoke" before April so I can go without an ash cloud on my back.

it should be ok! but on the other hand i would still go,You could still get from somewhere,See things/go places & just smoke at night in your hotel! but then again you will just be like being at home?,KD.

[Kingdoc]

Boner, with all due respect... how many non-pot smoking, non-prosti shagging tourists visit Amsterdam more than just once, and for more than a couple of days or so?

Look at ANY European tour guide - 1 or 2 days in Amsterdam with 3-4 in Paris etc. Amsterdam without herb and prostis is just, well... Belgium? Even they have more castles.

Hey, when the wife and I fist came to A'dam back in the '90's we came for the weed and sexual atmosphere and fell in love with the whole town. I used to say it was the society that ALLOWED the coffeeshops to exist that we are smitten with, not just the coffeeshops themselves. Look, Vancouver/Oakland/LA etc. ALL have crazy weed scenes, but none of them were "Amsterdam". Now, what, even "Amsterdam" won't be "Amsterdam" anymore?

I agree, with ANY luck Amsterdam will remain an island of tolerance in a country gone MAD. We've been to A'dam 10 times and really haven't ventured too far out of town and with good reason; we've noticed a vibe change as close as Haarlem where we had our first rude encounter while buying fries from a street vendor who didn't seem to appreciate our lack of Dutch lingual skills!

Of course, as it's been said, we have BIGGER concerns than our beloved coffeeshops closing (I know, I know)... THE NETHERLANDS IS TURNING INTO A NAZI STATE!!! I'm beside myself that a country that once prided itself on "tolerance" is ready to turn its back on members of their own society based on where they were born or what their religion is?

Really, REALLY???

I mean, I see more burqa clad women in the greater Boston area than in Amsterdam; in fact, I feel a wee bit guilty because I love to scope out the rather attractive Moroccan women when on vacation. We've all been to the Moroccan owned shops, right? They're often the friendliest with quality product, cheap prices and some killer mint tea! I'm sorry but I believe that the reason people relocate to the Netherlands (or the US, UK etc) is because the WANT to be there. Welcome people into your society and they will eventually want to share in the best things that society has to offer - you see the young Moroccan kids hanging 'round town and NONE of the teenage girls are dressed conservatively. They're flirting with the Moroccan boys who are dressed in an urban hip hop style, just like teens from any urban area in virtually any western country.

If you've read any of my posts before you know my wife and I have had plans to relocate over to A'dam; I've been offered the transfer at my job and have even met with the office in Amsterdam but, truthfully, I have NO intention of moving over until the political climate evens out a bit. I don't want to be where, as a "foreigner", I'm not entirely welcome. And this comes from blonde-haired, blue-eyed westerner that passes for Dutch easily.

Sorry, I'm not sure what I was trying to get at - I just needed to vent. I'm pissed, I'm sad, I'm sick to my stomach! We have booked our apartment for December (arriving Sunday morning, December 5th until Sunday the 12th) and I imagine things will be a bit clearer by then (for better or worst).

In the meanwhile, I've been chatting online with my buddy over in the 'dam (he's a budtender) and nothing's been mentioned either way so apparently it's not as big a deal from their perspective as it is from ours.

We'll see, we'll see!

-HD

What gets me is this "drug tourist" jibe,I mean we could all stay where we are & just smoke up anyways if we were all that hardcore about it! no need to travel,Most arnt hardcore! they hold good jobs + like to travel & meet people,Most people i know go for the holiday & to get away from it all! would people go to a place during the winter so near to x-mas just for the smoke alone? i dont,People go shopping & stuff,Its like the pefect storm during the wintertime for people like me! ie a holiday/meets/culture & all that in one! & yea the coffeeshops also,If weed was the be all & end all for me i wouldnt be able to afford amsterdam in the 1st place,Oh & while we are on the subject of money i think the coffeeshops do contribute to the greater amsterdam economy! ie via income taxes to centraal govt & business rates to the city.

[neovdr]

Please consider this as well. It will take considerable man power to enforce a "ban" on tourists. However they are also poised to make cutbacks which kinda interferes with that. Don't get too worked up about something in a coalition agreement. Remember the ban on mushrooms took a year to implement and only happened because somebody lost his life.

Also the thing about Amsterdam is that you don't come for the art/museums alone or the coffeeshops alone. Its the mix of all those things that gives Amsterdam it's flavour. Take one ingredient out and you end up with something far worse than Belgium.

[Kingdoc]

Please consider this as well. It will take considerable man power to enforce a "ban" on tourists. However they are also poised to make cutbacks which kinda interferes with that. Don't get too worked up about something in a coalition agreement. Remember the ban on mushrooms took a year to implement and only happened because somebody lost his life.

Also the thing about Amsterdam is that you don't come for the art/museums alone or the coffeeshops alone. Its the mix of all those things that gives Amsterdam it's flavour. Take one ingredient out and you end up with something far worse than Belgium.

Yea the culture/vibe is great in amsterdam! especialy at night,People from all over the world .

[Chrisuperfly]

As some people intimate, you take the weed and hookers (these are going already) out of Amsterdam and what are you left with?

A city that has no more attraction to the world tourist than Brussels. Amsterdam will disappear off many lists of "cities you must see in your lifetime".

It won't have a patch anymore on other places like London, Paris and New York.

I hope the Dutch soon realise this.

+1, nail on the head mate, nail on the head.

I agree as well.

[HasAnyoneSeenMyPipe]

Boner, with all due respect... how many non-pot smoking, non-prosti shagging tourists visit Amsterdam more than just once, and for more than a couple of days or so?

Look at ANY European tour guide - 1 or 2 days in Amsterdam with 3-4 in Paris etc. Amsterdam without herb and prostis is just, well... Belgium? Even they have more castles.

Hey, when the wife and I fist came to A'dam back in the '90's we came for the weed and sexual atmosphere and fell in love with the whole town. I used to say it was the society that ALLOWED the coffeeshops to exist that we are smitten with, not just the coffeeshops themselves. Look, Vancouver/Oakland/LA etc. ALL have crazy weed scenes, but none of them were "Amsterdam". Now, what, even "Amsterdam" won't be "Amsterdam" anymore?

I agree, with ANY luck Amsterdam will remain an island of tolerance in a country gone MAD. We've been to A'dam 10 times and really haven't ventured too far out of town and with good reason; we've noticed a vibe change as close as Haarlem where we had our first rude encounter while buying fries from a street vendor who didn't seem to appreciate our lack of Dutch lingual skills!

Of course, as it's been said, we have BIGGER concerns than our beloved coffeeshops closing (I know, I know)... THE NETHERLANDS IS TURNING INTO A NAZI STATE!!! I'm beside myself that a country that once prided itself on "tolerance" is ready to turn its back on members of their own society based on where they were born or what their religion is?

Really, REALLY???

I mean, I see more burqa clad women in the greater Boston area than in Amsterdam; in fact, I feel a wee bit guilty because I love to scope out the rather attractive Moroccan women when on vacation. We've all been to the Moroccan owned shops, right? They're often the friendliest with quality product, cheap prices and some killer mint tea! I'm sorry but I believe that the reason people relocate to the Netherlands (or the US, UK etc) is because the WANT to be there. Welcome people into your society and they will eventually want to share in the best things that society has to offer - you see the young Moroccan kids hanging 'round town and NONE of the teenage girls are dressed conservatively. They're flirting with the Moroccan boys who are dressed in an urban hip hop style, just like teens from any urban area in virtually any western country.

If you've read any of my posts before you know my wife and I have had plans to relocate over to A'dam; I've been offered the transfer at my job and have even met with the office in Amsterdam but, truthfully, I have NO intention of moving over until the political climate evens out a bit. I don't want to be where, as a "foreigner", I'm not entirely welcome. And this comes from blonde-haired, blue-eyed westerner that passes for Dutch easily.

Sorry, I'm not sure what I was trying to get at - I just needed to vent. I'm pissed, I'm sad, I'm sick to my stomach! We have booked our apartment for December (arriving Sunday morning, December 5th until Sunday the 12th) and I imagine things will be a bit clearer by then (for better or worst).

In the meanwhile, I've been chatting online with my buddy over in the 'dam (he's a budtender) and nothing's been mentioned either way so apparently it's not as big a deal from their perspective as it is from ours.

We'll see, we'll see!

-HD

What gets me is this "drug tourist" jibe,I mean we could all stay where we are & just smoke up anyways if we were all that hardcore about it! no need to travel,Most arnt hardcore! they hold good jobs + like to travel & meet people,Most people i know go for the holiday & to get away from it all! would people go to a place during the winter so near to x-mas just for the smoke alone? i dont,People go shopping & stuff,Its like the pefect storm during the wintertime for people like me! ie a holiday/meets/culture & all that in one! & yea the coffeeshops also,If weed was the be all & end all for me i wouldnt be able to afford amsterdam in the 1st place,Oh & while we are on the subject of money i think the coffeeshops do contribute to the greater amsterdam economy! ie via income taxes to centraal govt & business rates to the city.

Yeah the drug tourist label fucks me right off as well mate, I have a wife and have always been in employment, a lot better than a lot of the wasters in the town I live in. what about the people who go on holidays for the piss ups? what are they?

[Dave near London]

Apparently - the new government is in place !

(wait and see)

[DC]

In ref to the coffeeshop laws.
I think a lot of people are speculating from a 'drug' tourists point of view rather than a non smoking Dutch voting majority. Looked at from their perspective, it's a good idea. The Netherlands loses it's 'shady' image while still allowing residents to smoke, culls loads of it's 'weaker' and less 'honest' businesses and most of it's ex-pat horeca community fuk off somewhere else. If we say 25% of tourists that come here are so called 'drug' tourists, that still leaves 75% worth of tourists that generally don't pay most of their holiday money into a black market industry when they get here. I think they'll survive just fine on that, I'm guessing the folks that live in boring? Brussels do. It might hit them hard to start with, but when the dust settles the strong will still be there and life will go on. They'll only be reducing the 'guestimate' tax on coffeeshops, not stopping it. Ack well, nothing lasts forever.

In ref to the monumental swing to the right going on.
That's just fucked up.