Trimming even the silliest of these measures (such as those preventing public photography of children) risks the wrath of the same tabloids who also fulminate about red tape.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Sierra, whose children are 9 and 11, had left for Istanbul on Jan. 7 to explore her photography hobby.

WSJ: Turkish police seek clues in NYC woman's death

Ms. Sierra, whose children are 9 and 11, had left for Istanbul on Jan. 7 to explore her photography hobby and made side trips to Amsterdam and Munich.

WSJ: Body of Vacationing New York Woman Found in Turkey