Last night, Berkeley had its first electric storm of autumn; the city became a new city, fragrant of wet metal and soaked bark.

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Another sort of storm occurred yesterday. Banners cried End Terrorism and Pro America, Pro Peace, while pro-war/against terrorism/demonstrators verbally clashed with anti-war demonstrators.

Shouts of USA, USA, USA (as if that invocation was enough) and counter-chants were soon drowned out by canned music--Neil Diamond�s �America�, Frank Sinatra�s �New York, New York�, �Star-Spangled Banner�, whatever, I suppose, seemed to suit the purposes of the pro-war/against terrorism/demonstrators.

Soon, unfolded a spectacle, nothing more, a mob of pushing bodies, unclear voices and slogans tossed without effect, all fury and no distinct sound.