Re "Valley talks LAUSD reform" (Aug. 4):

Pardon my skepticism toward the mayor taking over LAUSD, but wasn't that Antonio Villaraigosa I saw in those Yes on 82 ads? Proposition 82 was a bit of "Feel good about voting for it; never mind the consequences" would-be legislation that never should have been on the ballot. Not only ill-conceived, but corruptly so, it was presented as "For the Children" when it was plainly an attack on them and the principles they should be learning.

Is the mayor stupid? Does he think we are? Insulting our intelligence is an interesting way to promote education reform. But then it's not about education. Or the children. It is about money and power.

- Edward Bowers