What the mayor might say...

Jon Regardie at the Downtown News imagines an address by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in advance of this week's trip to Israel. Selected quips:

Many people have asked why I am visiting Israel. First and foremost, I feel it is important to establish ties with the Jewish state. And understand, Los Angeles, that when I say Jewish state, I am referring not just to Israel, but also to California....

This is an important journey for me and for our entire community. This will establish both trade and symbolic ties between Los Angeles, the city of the 21st century, and Jerusalem, the city of the first century. Average them out and you have the city of the 11th century.

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The focus on security is especially important, and its lessons for Los Angeles are extensive. As such, I assure you that by the time our delegation returns, we will be able to protect Los Angeles from Palestinian rocket attacks.

I have not made the decision to travel to Israel lightly. Indeed, there are many places I could go for my summer vacation, all of them packed with symbolic intent, all of them tied to substantial voting blocs in the city and state.

But Los Angeles, none of them will have as far-reaching and message-sending an impact as will this trip to Israel. For by establishing relationships with Jewish leaders in Israel, I will also strengthen ties with Jewish leaders in Los Angeles, many of whom stood behind me when I ran for mayor, and who will not forget, in voice or donation, that I have traveled to the Holy Land.