THE Berkeley City Council's clumsy attempt to banish Marine Corps recruiters from the city is the dumb mistake that just keeps on giving.

First, the council drew national condemnation for approving a resolution to send a letter to the Marine Corps, saying that its recruiters were unwelcome in the city and that if the recruiters didn't leave town they would be viewed as "uninvited" and "unwelcome invaders."

As a result, Berkeley became the butt of jokes in the local and national media. Hawks in Sacramento and Congress made empty threats to pull state and federal funds.

Stung by the terrible publicity and ensuing fallout, most of the Berkeley City Council members saw the error of their ways — except for two stubborn holdouts.

Thus the council quickly introduced a new resolution rescinding the previous inflammatory language, which passed 7-2.

On Tuesday, in anticipation of that vote, thousands of protesters converged on the city. Police had to be called out to prevent anti- and pro-war demonstrators from going at it.

There were several arrests. Extra police officers had to stand guard over the council chambers, which was packed with anti- and pro-war demonstrators.

It turns out that the total tab for police overtime and other costs for the massive all-day protest outside City Hall and the shenanigans inside the chambers was $93,500. That's right.

All because of a silly, symbolic vote by a council with a long history of attempting to pursue its own foreign policy.