The Kooks in Berkeley Submit Themselves to UN Authority

From the land where meaningless gestures are a daily occurrence:

Berkeley became the first city in the United States, and possibly the world, to agree to international human rights treaties on Tuesday night, after the City Council approved a measure usually reserved for countries.

After a brief but spirited debate, the City Council voted unanimously to allow unpaid interns to report to the United Nations on how, or whether, Berkeley complies with treaties on civil liberties, racial discrimination and torture.

The council also agreed to take the first step in raising parking revenue by voting unanimously to add 420 meters and increase the parking meter rate 25 cents an hour, to $1.50.

But the decision to comply with the U.N. treaties generated the most energetic response from council members and the public.

"This is extremely important," said Councilman Max Anderson, who represents south Berkeley. "This is the way Berkeley should be talking. This should be an inspiration to other communities."

Actually, the parking meter increase is going to have more effect on the world than Berkeley's obsequious pledge to the UN.