The mayor made his own bed

Re “Questions persist over mayor’s affair,” Aug. 4

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa needs to understand one thing: Mr. Mayor, you made decisions that have put you in an uncomfortable place. You decided to have an affair. You decided to throw your marriage away. You chose to have an affair with a news celebrity. You got yourself into this mess. You ought to take the questions from reporters for as long as this scandal takes to burn itself out. Instead, you scurry like a rat after a press conference, and your Los Angeles Port Police physically manhandle reporters who dare follow you. Now you have to deal with another unflattering news item. You chose your new life, Mr. Mayor. It is of your making. Enjoy.

Doug Hayes

Sierra Madre

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Re “Newscaster suspended over affair,” Aug. 3

Because of the scandal over his affair with Telemundo newscaster Mirthala Salinas, Villaraigosa was unable to lobby in Sacramento to restore cuts to transit funds. He had to cancel an appearance with the leaders of the Los Angeles Unified School District because, let’s face it, that’s a hell of a moral image he’s projecting for our public school students. And now his need for protection from the media may have induced a port policeman to commit battery on a reporter covering the mayor. Perhaps not just Salinas should be suspended without pay. Perhaps the city Ethics Commission should suspend the mayor for a couple of months without pay because, up until now, he hasn’t seemed to get it.

Mitch Paradise

Los Angeles

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Re “Politics and pitfalls,” editorial, Aug. 5

While insinuating Villaraigosa is a slob with the insult “focus and attention to detail have never been his long suits,” it seems the media can only focus on one detail of his life -- his girlfriend. I choose to measure Villaraigosa’s worthiness as mayor by looking at his accomplishments. In contrast to former Mayor James K. Hahn, the shadow mayor, Villaraigosa is trying to improve the quality of life for Angelenos. The Times sneers at him by illogically equating his project to fix potholes with neglecting the gang problem. Maybe The Times should practice what it preaches and pay more attention to the details of the truth.

Ann Sellery

Gardena