Canada royal tour: Prince William and Kate welcomed

[vienna]

I do sympathise and understand the dynamics involved but I suspect they were invited over

Yes, they were...by the very same politicos and celebs who are drooling over the arrival. Most people in Los Angeles wouldn't mind the visits of dignitaries if only the logistics were handled better. During a recent visit by Obama, he was transported by motorcade across the city, during rush hour, on a peak working day causing a nightmare of traffic problems. The problems could have been avoided if he had helicoptered to the venues rather than been motorcaded. The local coservative/right-wing radio and TV personalities predictably railed at Obama claiming an abuse of power and/or privilege; however, I recall the same situations occuring everytime Reagan motocaded through Los Angeles during and after his presidency. In addition to the occasional visits by VIPs, Los Angeles drivers and other citizens have to put up with street closures due to filming and other events. I live in Hollywood and increasingly streets are closed off for film premieres and private social events to which the public is not even invited. The only people benefiting directly seem to be the celebs, politicos, and the organizers of the events...

I do want to point out one event in Los Angeles which the royals will attend that does have a positive benefit. They will be attending a job fair held for unemployed veterans. Their announced attendance has dragged out of the corporate woodwork all manner of employers who are participating in hopes of meeting the royals. At least the vets will be given an opportunity they might not have gotten otherwise...