Los Angeles is known world-wide for its traffic problems. We recently got through the complete closure of the 405 freeway so an overpass could be torn down. The media called that closure Carmageddon and that story was broadcast around the world. It was anticipated there would be complete gridlock in the City of Los Angeles if drivers didn’t stay away from the 405 Freeway. Surprisingly, the citizens of Los Angeles heeded the warning and Carmageddon was averted.
But maybe that’s because Angelenos remembered another traffic snafu last year, when the President of the United States came to town for fund-raising events. Without much fanfare, the roadways were shut down on the west side of Los Angeles and people were literally stuck for HOURS on the road in total gridlock. Drivers were mad and they had good reason to be.
So, flash forward to a few months ago when the president visited the L.A. area again. This time, there was a plan in place. Instead of closing down miles and miles of streets, the president took a helicopter, as much as he could, so the hundreds of thousands of commuters who travel our streets daily wouldn’t be as inconvenienced. For the most part, that plan worked. The event was covered heavily by the media, but it was almost a ‘non-event’.
But that leads me to today. Once again, at five o’clock in the evening – RUSH HOUR – the president is coming to town for fund-raising purposes. And for some reason it has been decided to close down the streets in L.A… again. In fact, some of the streets were closed ten hours prior to the president’s arrival.
At least one school is letting students out at noon so parents can come get their children. Some businesses aren’t even opening for business. Many employees I’ve seen interviewed are going home early or not even going to work at all.
And here’s what I don’t understand. I’ve lived and worked in Los Angeles all my life. I don’t EVER remember this much disruption when other presidents would visit our fair city. Why is that? What’s changed? And why must these events be planned for workdays during rush hour? Why not coordinate the fund-raising events for the weekend when workday traffic isn’t a factor?
Now, it’s entirely possible the president WILL take a helicopter to his various venues and the street closures are options so anyone who may want to harm the president isn’t sure what mode of transportation he’ll be taking. I get that, but then why close off the streets so early?
Either way…the president may be collecting funds for his campaign, but he may be burning his bridges (pun intended) with the voters – and drivers – of Los Angeles.
Until next time,
KMA367
As for the timing, rush hour…it’s a six hour flight from the East Coast, so anything prior to noon would require an overnight flight, or a sleep over. Since this trip is at taxpayer expense, (read that- you and me), I hope he heads home as quickly as possible.
Regarding the street closures – I don’t have a clue. He visits NYC on a regular basis and they shut the streets down as he travels them, not before. I guess Angelenos aren’t as dignitary savvy as New Yorkers.
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Welcome back!
I’m thinking he they should have arranged the fund raisers for the weekend. Or have his arrival mid-day or something.
I’m not sure why they don’t do the same thing here (close the streets as he travels). Then they would have the flexibility to alter their plans relatively quickly.
No, we probably aren’t, but when it comes to actors and rock stars…
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I agree. I think the weekend would have been much better.
Hi Janie!
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You’d think it would have been better for the organizers and fundraisers as well. But then maybe the rich don’t worry about weekends etc.
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The world stops when the POTUS is in the vicinity, didn’t you know that?
Some years back my family was camping out in the relative wilderness of the Sierras. George H.W. came out to dedicate a tree or something. We were out on a tiny road about 40 minutes from the nearest town, trying to make an ice run into town, and were stopped by roadblocks & Secret Service. (Didn’t know what the “thing” was at the time, and I totally freaked out, thinking there was some crazy ax murderer loose in the area or something, and here I’d left my child & his buddy back at camp in the care of my sister.)
At our campsite area, there *might* have been two other families – there were another 4-5 campsites along this dead-end road. Call it 2 dozen families, tops. H.W. was coming in via helicopter to the farthest end of this dead-end road, about 15 miles deeper in, but they still didn’t want to let us make our ice run and go back to the campsite. Eventually, after much conferencing back & forth on the walkie-talkies, they decided my bro-in-law and I were not cleverly disguised presidential assassins after all and let us get our ice AND return to the campsite.
I’ve also experienced delays & interference with George W., too. Don’t recall Clinton being a PIB in the same way, but I’m sure he was. All presidents are, when they go anywhere – we’re just more cognizant of it when they interfere with US in some way.
It all boils down to the fact that politicians, whoever they are, don’t really care on bit about the people–except when it comes time to vote. They haven’t got sense enough to realize that something like this can influence who you vote for. Good thought provoking post, Kathy.
I did some running around yesterday and today, Kathy, with no problems relating to the Prez. However, the realtor helping some family members who are looking for a place to live in this area refused to take them around yesterday so my husband did–and a street they were on closed down right behind them! It’s annoying, but having some notice is better than getting stuck.
Kathy, a picture’s worth a thousand words. When I saw that picture of Jesus wrapping His arms around that police officer. Same gave all is right. My deepest condolences and thanks to the officers who every day of their life leave their homes wondering if they’ll be coming home again, or if something beyond their control will change their life forever. Great, important blog.