And yet more good news... the anti-war march from Boston Common yesterday went off without a hitch -- 25,000 people by police estimates, 50,000 by the organizers, and absolutely no arrests. It was, all things considered, quite a show, featuring dozens of puppets (some quite elaborate), two or three percussion ensembles, several large traveling murals (including a replica of Guernica), six uniformed delegates from the IngSoc party, and a brass band.

A good time was had by all -- regrettably to little effect, though, as the mayor had done all he could in advance to paint the demonstrators as irresponsible thugs.

Hang on to your seats folks; from here it goes downhill in a hurry.