What defines a "local" and does it really matter?

So for those of you who don't know, all hell's broken loose in the Bikes on the Road thread. It totally got off subject to Locals v. Non-locals.

Please verfiy this for me:

1. How long do you have to live somewhere to be a local?
2. Do all locals feel hostility towards tourists?
3. Does anyone else think that it really doesn't matter?

It's just gotten a little crazy in that thread and I honestly want to know why it matters so much. I get joking around about the toursits, the snowbirds, ect., but come on. It's a tourist driven city. Let's be honest, it drives the economy.

Not trying to start an argument, but would love to hear thoughts. The way I see it, if you live somewhere, you're local to that area. I get being "old school" (like the Steele's are old school), and reminising about when the area wasn't developed, but other than that it doesn't make sense to fight over it.

Am I wrong? I have been before.;-)