If you were foolish enough to hit the road on the Westside Monday (or unaware of the presidential activity), you probably cursed the name Barack Obama.
The president visited Los Angeles this week for a fundraiser. The city streets were practically at a standstill due to traffic forming behind his Monday evening ride from the Beverly Hilton to Hancock Park. Granted, he was considerate enough to take a helicopter to the airport the next day.
But that didn't stop The Times from mining plenty of negative reactions for stories on Obama's L.A. visit. That article drew still more anger contained within the 287 comments.
Kelly C: I think we need a REAL president, not someone is tooling about everywhere, with his wife is travelling too much as well!
EmilyInLA: I am just sick of these corrupt elitist multi-millionaire politicians. All they do is go to parties and then stand up and make hypocritical calls for sacrifice on our part.
TiffanyScarvey: It took me 2.5 hours to make my 15 minute trip home. I was LIVID! Now I'm over it. It just seems like closing major streets down in LA at evening rush hour was a VERY poor choice.
Rwebbsight: Give The Prez a break on this. It's only one commute time home he inconvenienced. Being the President of the US is by definition an inconvenience.
Melinla: If Obama and his administration can't successfully coordinate traffic in LA with local officials I doubt his ability to coordinate the removal of thousands of US troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
-- Mark Milian
twitter.com/markmilian
Photo: President Obama leaves Air Force One upon his arrival at Los Angeles International Airport. Credit: Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images