The Thursday Daily Cal, which means Opinion. Roundup time.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Hands down, Chancellor Berdahl. In its entirety:

Theft of publications or any interference with the access of individuals or groups to freedom of expression is unconscionable behavior ("Copies of California Patriot Stolen; Publication Staff Allegedly Harassed," Feb. 27). Such actions are completely antithetical to the values that form the foundation of our democracy, and such actions are particularly egregious in an educational setting. Over the past few years, there have been several instances of this behavior. These acts diminish our community. Despite heightened attention by the campus police and the Office of Student Life, we have not yet been able to identify the perpetrators. We will continue to do our utmost to identify those responsible, and we will bring criminal and student charges to bear on those individuals.

As usual, it's a bit dry, but there's a couple of decisive breaks from his past responses.

1. It makes reference to past attacks, drawing clear parallels. Before, every paper-stealing or book burning was taken on its own terms, with the ideologies involved being ignored and no blame being placed. But this ties all the attacks together as one giant community-dimishing whole.

2. It vows to bring in those responsible in the strongest terms. 'Perpetrators' and declarations to bring criminal charges? Unusual.

I could say that my previous calls for a harsh anti-Berdahl letter now look completely unwarranted.. but that wouldn't be Kevin!

Instead, I think it seems obvious that Berdahl read Calstuff and, fearing its calls for his head on a stick, decided to come down hard on criminals! Calstuff gets results!Email This Post!