Wake up call

A propos crime (see the previous post), this is a must read. I often find it grating when Andrew Sullivan manages to tie in the gay marriage debate to just about any subject under the sun but in this case I find he is spot on: nothing less than vigorous protest and outrage will do. Not directed at the crimes and criminals themselves (who are beyond contempt), but at the people in the three branches of government, who are vested with the power - and responsibility - to protect the citizenry and uphold the principles stated in the Constitution.

And it is not just a question of technical powers, but also of image and morale. I have the impression that if the facts were reported in the media without the usual sugarcoating the people here in Europe wouldn't be so accomodating. Recently I was telling a well-informed Dutch friend of mine about this (scroll down for the whole article) fantastic episode and he was impressed, but surprised, because he had never heard of it.