We went away that weekend, camping off the grid. The next day people were all over the place. Of course we had no idea of what happened. It didn’t matter that it was on all the channels, something about United Workers and students demonstrating in a couple of western states. They had gathered in Portland in order to march downtown. Their leader was ranting about establishing justice, when a counter demonstrator using a bullhorn taunted: “Hope you got insurance since you ain’t got any domestic tranquility at home.”

The police intelligence was poor and they didn’t provide for the size of the crowd. Both sides converged on the commons a block after the march started. The police had no defense and failed to promote the sides keeping apart. In general the police are successful but this time when the right starting shouting “Warfare over Welfare,” fists waved and the lines charged.

Secure lines couldn’t be established. The Chief of Police gave his blessings to use fire hoses. All hell broke loose. Later the Mayor said he was not of liberty to comment. A spokesperson on the left claimed that “we had to march for ourselves and our posterity.”

A reporter had asked, “Do you think this disaster was ordained and…”

But before he could finish his question, someone threw a ACLU pamphlet at him, shouting, “It’s all here in this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Two hours later the National Guard had to establish order.