Dumb but fun: L.A. freaks out over monster traffic jam caused by Obama’s motorcade
posted at 4:12 pm on August 17, 2010 by Allahpundit
Alternate headline: “Obama inventing entirely new ways to alienate Americans.” I glanced at the L.A. Now headline about the traffic clusterfark this morning and didn’t give it a second thought, figuring that “presidential motorcade causes traffic jam” is too lame to blog even on a slow summer news day. But then I saw the Wrap’s post demanding an apology, and then the Times followed up with a story about commuters demanding an honest-to-goodness investigation into what happened, and suddenly I realized — we’ve got dumb/fun content gold here.
I only wish I had time to work up a photoshop for the occasion. Thank heavens for Slublog!
The massive traffic jam that resulted from President Obama’s motorcade and speech Monday night in Hancock Park is prompting calls for an investigation from some residents, who say they were caught in traffic for hours…
“What has occurred is way beyond reasonable and can only be described as negligent,” L.A. resident Kevin McCarthy said in an e-mail to The Times.
“If it isn’t my story, currently evolving, of beginning my 1 mile journey home at 5pm and at 7:50pm now being 3 miles from home with no viable idea of how to get closer, it should be about the two sirens-wailing ambulances I have witnessed stuck in this unnecessary gridlock.”…One man, who did not want to give his name, said it had taken his wife four hours to drive home from Brentwood. Another man trying to walk west on 6th Street to his office shouted at the officers blocking his way and told them he wished he had voted for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Obama’s opponent in the 2008 presidential race.
Click over to JWF’s post and scroll down for a selection of comically overwrought comments left at the Times by enraged Angelenos. (“That’s it, I’m done. I even voted for him, but now I’m convinced that I’ll vote for anyone but him in the next election.”) I assume that at least a few were left by conservative infiltrators just having fun with this story, much like the people at Amazon who leave comments on the “Three Wolf Moon” page about how their new t-shirt saved their life, but either way, it’s pure reading enjoyment. From the Wrap’s post:
I am coming to you live from the center of the worst traffic jam I have ever seen in my life. I’ve been trapped here for over three hours because President Obama and a group of Hollywood insiders are having a fancy fundraiser…
If the President was unable to get to John Wells’ house without causing this level of disruption, then perhaps he should have done his fundraising somewhere else — like somewhere accessible by helicopter. Going through this gridlock is extra-painful because I know it is due to partisan fundraising rather than state business.
I don’t know who specifically was responsible for the mess — LADOT, the LAPD or the Secret Service, but I know that it was inexcusable.
Memo from Obama to Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman: You’re welcome. And the worst part? The One didn’t even get to meet Barbra at his fundraiser. Exit question: Surely the GOP wouldn’t circulate news video of the traffic jam just to tweak him a little. Would they?
Update: Oops — a reader points out that the video below appears to come from Seattle, not L.A. Sorry for the (GOP’s) error. But in case you needed a visual aid for the idea of Angelenos simmering with anger at being forced to a full stop on the freeway, you’re covered.
Blowback
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Most of the dumba$$es caught in the traffic jam voted for the POS–they got what they(and the rest of us)are paying for.Thanks a lot Libidiots.
DDT on August 17, 2010 at 5:27 PM
I’ve long held the opinion that the President and Vice President should never visit LA or NYC due to the economic impact cause by their presence.. (Marine One notwithstanding) I’ve been in both cities when Bubba or Dubya were around, and its not pretty…
phreshone on August 17, 2010 at 5:28 PM
I wonder how many white Jewish lawyers were in those idling cars. The kind who like to file nuisance lawsuits, and who are well-educated enough not to back down in the face of a defensive police chief or a supercilious Secret Service agent.
NahnCee on August 17, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Our ex-Chief of Police has shut down downtown LA traffic several times to accommodate Mexican protestors. Thousands of people swarming through the streets on a Friday night at rush hour waving their red white and green flags, and *all* the streets are shut down to car traffic to accommodate them. No cops directing traffic but lots of cops along their walking route(s) protecting their illegal asses and assisting them on their merry way, and making sure all streets that can take you away from downtown are blocked off.
Of course, that might have been at the Mayor’s edict, too. I wonder if Villaraigosa was at Obama’s soiree last night.
NahnCee on August 17, 2010 at 5:32 PM
I live in West LA, and today’s traffic was bad beyond compare. I have a short commute, 5 minutes by Google’s measure, and it took me 45 minutes to get to work today. It usually takes 10. This was not while Obama was driving down the street mind you, he was already at LAX, 10 miles in the opposite direction. Having lived here my whole life, I’ve seen a few motorcades. Maybe I missed it, but until Obama, I don’t remember street closures, only that you’d be sitting at an intersection, then a police motorcycle would pull in front of you, then the motorcade would pass, and he’d drive off. You were only stopped for about 2 minutes tops. This time around, things didn’t make sense. A guy goes out for a jog, and the cops let him go west on Wilshire, but won’t let him go east. Where’s the logic?
Or consider the case of my coworker, who had to walk 2 miles to catch her bus, becuase the busses stopped running down Wilshire due to the closure.
For people who don’t know LA, yes the traffic’s bad, but bearable. At rush hour on the west side, all streets are at capacity. All major streets, all side streets, all freeways. You accept it and you trudge home. When you close a major artery, the traffic literally has no where to go. You can go through a whole light cycle at an intersection, and the only cars going through are the ones who chose to turn around.
dcman98 on August 17, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Tony Villa was there
macncheez on August 17, 2010 at 5:34 PM
This is the same wizard of smart that took a 6 mile helicopter trip in DC August 7th “to avoid midday traffic”.
-
http://www.examiner.com/dupage-county-conservative-in-chicago/obama-uses-marine-one-helicopter-for-6-mile-trip
diogenes on August 17, 2010 at 5:36 PM
O/T: Blago found guilty on ONE count of lieing to the feds….m’kay….what about the other 23?
sicoit on August 17, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Stopping I5 is like cutting the state’s femoral artery. MADNESS! (Sounds about right for this administration though.)
NTWR on August 17, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Now Seattle is all a-Twitter after F-15′s summoned to protect his air space cause sonic booms. Shut down 911 lines.
Who will you annoy next, B.O.?
jennifernaz on August 17, 2010 at 5:45 PM
All it took to turn the independents and weakneed liberals was a traffic jam? In California? Home of the 4 lane parking lot?
BobMbx on August 17, 2010 at 5:45 PM
OMG, they were flying around at sonic speed?? Even Clinton didn’t pull that crap. This is just great. So funny. Implode, Child King, IMPLODE already!
NTWR on August 17, 2010 at 5:47 PM
As a long-time resident of Southern California I have two comments:
1. All of the nasty, critical statements about people who live here are well deserved: Keep socking it to us.
2. Before yesterday there still were some Obama bumper stickers around: Their numbers may drop off today.
GaltBlvnAtty on August 17, 2010 at 5:55 PM
AlGore did the same thing in NJ, during the 2000 campaign. Closed the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway at evening drive time when he landed AirFart 2 at EWR for a fundraiser a Bon Jovi’s place in Red Bank.
“Hey peasants… FU”.
bloviator on August 17, 2010 at 5:59 PM
It was because of us angry, bigoted, gun-wavin’ teabaggin’ rednecks dontchaknow …all 20 of us ; )
The Ugly American on August 17, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Ah, but Clinton did get a haircut at LAX, shutting down half the airport.
year_of_the_dingo on August 17, 2010 at 6:14 PM
Pretty much the same gridlock he’s brought to the entire US economy.
Robert17 on August 17, 2010 at 6:14 PM
In Seattle, a small float plane violated the restricted airspace and two jet fighters went supersonic to investigate. The sonic booms caused a lot of consternation in the region – probably because the heavily liberal region doesn’t recognize the sound of freedom.
All of this time lost, businesses closed, angst and grief is part of the general public’s donation to the re-election campaign of a democrat senator.
SouthernRoots on August 17, 2010 at 6:15 PM
The traffic light change we’ve been waiting for!
chickasaw42 on August 17, 2010 at 6:19 PM
Is this the same “Cousin Eddie” that took the wife and kids on a sight seeing tour/picture taking excusion of New York City in Air Force WON at 500 feet scareing the bejesus out of the natives!
Smooth move Pinnochio definetly NOT a real boy just a puppet!
dhunter on August 17, 2010 at 6:24 PM
The peasants are revolting.
Buy Danish on August 17, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Do they shut down the number of streets and close up traffic and larger geographic area depending upon the risk? I sure don’t remember this kind of overcontrol with W, wonder what has changed? Also, didn’t they shut down an entire beach in Florida a couple days ago when Obummer was in the water and likewise in Spain when Michelle Antoinette wanted to walk on the sand? Let them eat cake! Storm the Bastille!!! We must vote him out and get our WH back.
highninside on August 17, 2010 at 6:38 PM
..point taken, AP, but this is getting to be a habit with this gang that can’t seem to shoot straight..
The War Planner on August 17, 2010 at 6:39 PM
..cleaning the toilets, probably.
The War Planner on August 17, 2010 at 6:52 PM
Good heavens! I read that link. I guess Obama owns the skies too, huh?
Alana on August 17, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Dumb but fun:
L.A’sMinnesota freaks out over monster traffic jam caused byObama’Farve’s motorcadechickasaw42 on August 17, 2010 at 7:53 PM
People claiming to have voted for McCain will start to rival those claiming to have been at Woodstock.
Jeff2161 on August 17, 2010 at 8:00 PM
I got delayed an hour here in Phx last year when he came for a long weekend at a ritzy 5 star resort up in Parasite Valley. I was first in line to make a left turn and get away from the mess, (his route would turn right at that intersection). The police would not even let me walk half a block to watch his motorcade turn the corner. Never had trouble with any other visit by a president. I wasted an hour and nearly missed a tee time!!
jbinnout on August 17, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Ask yourself this! WWCED…. What would Cousin Eddie DO?
Take his clan on a sightseeing tour of NYC in his shiny new plane at 500 feet scaring the crap out of the locals? Clueless!
Dig up the Whitehouse lawn to plant a vegtable garden?
Tiresome!
Give the Queen of England a big ol slap on the back and an IPOD of his speeches? Gack!
Give the British Prime Minister a set of DVD movie classics that don’t play on his DVD player? Ignorant!
Jump in an electric car, buckle up, get a chic in the other side in case it gets away, drive four feet, get out and declare “that was smooth”! Stupid is as stupid says!
Send your Sec. Of State to Russia with a “Sleezy” button? Sleezy
Bow to the Maypor of Miami, the Emperor of Japan, the King of Saud, the mailman, the paperboy, and the guy who walks your dog? Little man!
Fly your dog on vacation on its’ own plane?
Take more vacations on the taxpayer dime in one summer than you have ever paid for youself? Grifter!
Walk the Dali lama out the back door past the garbage cans? Classless!
Leave the Isreali Prime Minister alone in the Whitehouse while he dines with his family telling him to work on an answer? Classless and Clueless!
Eat Steak while tying up half of LA for four hours ensuring kids are stuck at sitters, people miss their appointments, folks can’t walk the streets, businesses are without customers or help, costing the LAPD and LADOT hundreds of thousands if not millions! Inconsiderate narcissistic punk!
I’m not sure even “Cousin Eddie” would be this bad I may owe Eddie an apology!
dhunter on August 17, 2010 at 8:02 PM
Bammie probably ordered the sonic booms to announce his presence. An updated version of the royal hornblowers of old.
slickwillie2001 on August 17, 2010 at 8:34 PM
This does not look good for Madam Boxer. Obama might as well hand that $1 million check to her; she’s gonna have to spend some major cash to calm the commuters. LOL!
TN Mom on August 17, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Winnah!!!!!
TN Mom on August 17, 2010 at 9:32 PM
Sounds to me like a clear cut winner for the Obamateurism of the Year!
jackal40 on August 17, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Y’know, it occurs to me that Hairplugs may be telling the truth.
What this clearly is, is a ‘way overzealous attempt to make sure the area doesn’t present a danger; what used to be, and maybe still is, called “sanitizing”. Some level of that is probably necessary — the days when the President could stroll across to the Hay-Adams for dinner, nodding at pedestrians on the way, are long gone — but shutting down most of LA? Gedouddahere.
But suppose you were the Secret Service, and you didn’t like the windy mofo. You’re honorable; you took the job, you swore to protect him, and you sure aren’t going to just cap him in the Rose Garden one morning. Besides, it would really reduce your retirement benefits. What to do?
A Study in Still Life. You can break any system; just turn the handle the way it goes, only more so. Overdo it, with maximum obstreperousness. Shut the place down. Anything that moves is a potential threat; send the LAPD to shake down that kid walking the dog, RIGHT NOW. Ambulance, Hell, how do we know it’s not a fertilizer bomb? Out of the truck and keep your hands where we can see ‘em, nagoes. Oh, s*t, is that a bomb strapped to her belly? Check it out… oops, sorry, ma’am, just doin’ our jobs… And the principal might never know, and if he does find out he’s likely to think it’s appropriate — can’t be too careful about those reich-wingers, you know.
Public opinion is made of a lot of things. What’s the Presidential security like on Martha’s Vineyard?
Regards,
Ric
warlocketx on August 17, 2010 at 10:32 PM
My family and I are in Los Angeles on vacation. Daughter and I headed over to the mall in Century City for what we expected to be a leisurely afternoon of shopping. We were caught in the massive traffic jam and it took us two and a half hours to circumnavigate the mall only to find that right turns onto Santa Monica Blvd. (the way “home”) were prohibited as the road was closed to eastbound traffic. After another 45 minute detour on Pico, we were finally able to turn off towards Westwood via a residential street that led us to Wilshire an additional hour later and allowed us to head east.
We witnessed at least 3 fender benders caused by the standstill bumper-to-bumper traffic congestion and several abandoned vehicles.
It was simply dreadful and we were lucky in that we didn’t have the additional stress of needing to be somewhere at or by a specific time.
We made the best of it and caught up on a lot.
When I later learned that thousands of Los Angelenos were subjected to that hellish nightmare for a Democratic fundraiser, I was enraged but sadly not surprised.
jix on August 18, 2010 at 5:51 AM
No, it was Barbra who didn’t get to meet the One.
Wonder how many libtards got all wee weed up sitting in their cars.
Kissmygrits on August 18, 2010 at 9:33 AM
I don’t how many got wee weed up but I bet some went wee wee!
dhunter on August 18, 2010 at 10:30 AM
This level of security must be in response to all the chatter the secret service is picking up.
If I had a dime every time I have heard the phrase “someone is lucky I don’t have a terminal illness”
It is scary.
esnap on August 18, 2010 at 11:48 AM
President Palin is going to raise havoc with the Float Plane tarffic at Lake Hood when she flies home to Alaska.
No way around it, except maybe she’ll get rid of some of the TFR nonesense.
Jimmy Doolittle on August 18, 2010 at 3:45 PM
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