Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 25, 2009

NOTE: The change on the Hill became quite noticeable in 2008 and this year became a near Tsunami. Reading these will help you see what I have seen. The staffers have come a long, long way since 2005.

Staffer of the year 2009: In the first minute of a presentation to the staffer of an Oklahoma Republican he stopped me to say he was a Ron Paul type Libertarian and agreed with the COP position. “Now here is how you craft the bill so Republicans can sign on to it.” He added. I began writing what he said & even more as he told me how to sell the bill using a line of reasoning based on the 9th and 10th Amendments. *

 This type of conversation with Republican staffers was duplicated another 8 times this year. The tipping point in nigh.*

 Staffer of the year 2008: Early this year a Senate staffer called and told me of a bill he was worried about. He explained what the bill would do. ‘What do you think, Howard? Should the Senator oppose this bill?’ Instinctively, I knew this was bad legislation, however I needed articulation.* I quickly called my mentor who gave me chapter and verse why one should oppose the bill. I called back the staffer, (& may I say sounding quite intelligent), I gave him 5 talking points why to advise the Senator to oppose the bill. He forwarded my talking points to members of the judiciary who thanked him for his articulation on the bill.

The bill, sponsored by a Democrat, died without a hearing. Developing relationships since 2005 is beginning pay off.

 Staffer of the year 2007:  And I quote him “Hypothetically speaking, if drugs were legalized and distributed by clinics, it’s likely that health insurers are going to demand notification when their beneficiaries access those drugs. That means those beneficiaries bills will go way up or they’ll lose coverage all together. This would likely cause another black market to be established, because folks won’t want to lose their health insurance. What do you do about that?

And to be honest, though we didn’t get into it, my personal belief is that you should just keep killing every drug dealer arrested. Eventually you’re going to run out. I’m not sure we can make a real dent in the problem under our current justice system that allows people to deal drugs with little penalty.”

 Note: I did answer all his concerns but he was NOT listening.

Staffer of the year 2006: A few minutes into a meeting with a staffer, she declared that, because drug use would skyrocket with legalization, it was a no-go idea. I pointed out that Holland’s marijuana use had dropped to half of America’s after 30 years of legalization. “That’s because they all went onto to use hard drugs!” she replied, tartly.* It took all my 18 years of police-learned discipline not to burst out laughing. 3 minutes later she stated, “So, you want to sell heroin to 10 year olds!” I replied no, give heroin roughly with the same regulations and controls as whiskey. About 1 staffer in 25 reacts to my visit like this one. These people are very comfortable in their dogma* based on ignorance……

BTW, her Republican boss is on the House Judiciary Committee near the top of the seniority. No doubt her boss has the same information/attitude base as the aide. Now you have a better idea why things are so messed up.

 Staffer of the year 2005: A Congressional staffer had a new one. His reason for opposing ending prohibition? ‘If we legalize marijuana, eventually the growers will want to receive a subsidy to grow it, the same as farmers receive subsidies to grow tobacco, rice, sugar etc. It will just mean one more expense for the federal government.’ Most of you don’t know it but I do have a poker face. I coolly replied, “Well, this is the first day of my second rodeo. Call me naïve but I have faith that the US Congress will never subsidize cannabis farmers.” The staffer remained unconvinced. I went on to another meeting, chuckling* all the way down the hall of the Rayburn Building.

** 9th and 10th amendments = ein Staat (Bayern Z.B) soll das Vorrecht haben ihre eigene Vorschrifte zu schreiben, nicht die Bundesriegierung in Berlin.

 • Nigh = soon, bald, jetzt

 • Articulation = erklären

 • Tartly = scharf

 • Dogma = gleich

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, Wishing you and yours all the best in 2010. 

Howard

  Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC 817-975-1110 Cell

 howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772 Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

What I would rather be doing in retirement: time w/ my horse: 2003 en route from Georgia to Oregon – 6 months in the saddle.

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 18, 2009

Overview: This was an extra, extraordinary week on my DC journey to repeal federal prohibition. I have to believe, you tell me, that after some 40 months on the Hill and in Washington in general, my fruit tree has begun to yield a serious crop.

Am I properly dressed?: MPP’s Marsha Wallen hit a home run with this Christmas card.

Picture a Santa with a little boy on his knee. While holding a gun to Santa’s head the boy tells Santa what he wants for Christmas: “All I want is more marijuana prohibition. It is good for business.” The little boys t-shirt says: ‘Mexican Drug Cartels.’

I took her idea and added on the inside of the card:

“Thank you for all your support in 2009

Feliz Navidad

The Association of Mexican Drug Cartels
my new employer – they pay much better
best – Howard”

I cranked out* 540 copies and hand delivered them to the staffers with whom I have a relationship on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday between presentations to Senate staffers, I delivered the first 100. On Thursday I dressed in jeans and COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT – ASK ME WHY t-shirt to deliver the House’s 435. NOTE: had I played mailman in my coat & tie, I would have been in a sweat all day. In a senior Dem office they were having a Christmas party. They loved the shirt and one young staffer insisted on being photographed with me, DESPITE the warning from colleagues that it might end up on YouTube.

An hour later I had finished my lunch and about to start the Longworth building, when a gentleman rich in melanin* walked up to me, said he liked the shirt and began a two minute chat. I recognized him as Congressman Hank Johnson of Georgia** to whom I had addressed a question 16 months ago at a CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) conference. Mr. Johnson & I had a very serious chat about drug policy & agreed on all points regarding drugs should be a medical not criminal problem. I promised to drop off a summary of the Swiss program (after I had informed him of going to a heroin clinic in Switzerland on my honeymoon last year — & of the Swiss offer to send a 3 person team to Congress to explain their program, if Congress would request it). BTW, Congressman Johnson serves on the House judiciary committee.

**NOTE: in a departure from normal protocol, I have mentioned the Member’s name. This only because some 100 saw us in the cafeteria.

After we departed, I was completely flabbergasted* that a Congressman would take the initiative to start a conversation with me in the T-shirt!!! (see bottom of letter) What the heck is going on? Should I wear it more often, perhaps over a shirt and tie? I am wondering.

The next day I dropped off a Misty story to the staffer who had her foto taken. She had expressed a great interest in our horse ride. She handed me her business card upon leaving. She is the chief of staff – easily the youngest I have ever met. Again I was flabbergasted.

Force Multiplier: Besides the Congress, MPP gave me a 100 cards to drop off to those who attend the Grover Norquist brunch. There I met a new reporter for the Washington Examiner, a daily with 300,000 circulation. I gave her a copy of the MPP card and she really liked it. The cartoon ran in the paper later in the week. Since everyone loves cartoons, I am confident that many of the 300,000 read the card & got the message.

Mr. Steele, I presume: About a month ago I made the acquaintance of a man at the Grover Brunch who is a member of the Republican National Committee. He agrees with the COP position, BTW. This week he invited me to a lunch gathering at the Republican National Committee HQ. He directed me to the head of the Republican Party, Michael Steele and introduced us. Mr. Steele & I had a 45 second, serious conversation about the failure of drug prohibition, my police voice in opposition & the need to legalize/regulate.

I have been in the same room as Mr. Steele a half dozen times this year. From now on, when he sees the cowboy hat, he will like most of the others, have this train of thought – cowboy, retired cop, legalize drugs. Small steps, maybe a medium step.

Understanding the adversary: * My very last presentation of the year was with the chief legal advisor to Senator Grassley whose infamous amendment I described a few weeks ago (a prohibition on discussing prohibition of drugs). We had an excellent 45 minute chat & l learned of the Senator’s reasons for opposing the Webb Initiative. This information is being sent to Mr. Webb’s office & others in drug reform. BTW: just before the meeting, I chanced to chat for 3 minutes with Mr. Webb’s point man on S-714. He was eager to learn of why Grassley is in opposition.

End of the year request for support: COPs has given the IRS the form 1023, applying for non-profit status. We have raised 9,000 so far which exceeds the budget of 5,000 for expenses. We are building a fund to provide me with a salary. Since its inception* in August, 231 presentations have been made to Hill Staffers and other VIPs in DC. The money invested the past 3 years by a good woman in New Mexico and the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation brought me and COPs to this point. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to COPs and help bring this mess to an end. Via this newsletter, you know exactly where the money goes & the service delivered.

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Wishing for you and yours the Merriest Christmas & best of the holiday season.

Howard

*cranked out = habe produziert
*melanin = er war schwarzer
*flabbergasted = ich war platt, umhauen, verblüffen
*inception = Anfang
*adversary = Feinde

Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member
PO Box 772
Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 11, 2009

Straw or Beaver:* As I said a short while ago, they keep the temperature high in the Congressional buildings near 72 (22C). This morning while I was preparing four snake oil kits (info I give each staffer), I tried to decide whether to wear the summer straw hat for more comfort or the winter beaver hat which looks better and is more appropriate. Since there was two inches of the snow on the ground and the temp below freezing, I put the beaver hat on my head.

After finishing my yearly meeting (an excellent 20 minute chat) with the Senate Majority Leader’s chief counsel in the Capitol itself, those in the elevator said there was room for one more. I spied a Senator and boldly stepped. The Senator read outloud my name plate, “ C O P. What’s that? You a cop?” “Retired detective,” I replied & added “Citizens Opposing Prohibition. I am the police voice on the Hill in opposition –said slightly louder and then a short pause –to our failed war on drugs.”

He stuck out his hand and said, “ Bob Corker.” From Tennessee I replied. At that instant the gentleman in the back I did not recognize stuck out his hand saying, “John Thune.” South Dakota I replied and ‘it is an honor.’ No time for even a 10 second pitch. The elevator door opened and we all went our separate ways. So glad I wore the winter hat.

Tipping Point Coming?: Also this week a tourist in the elevator asked about my name plate. I gave my 15 second elevator speech. He left saying, ‘Good luck with your struggle.’ When people ask about the meaning of COP, 4 in 5 will express support for our position. Senator Corker and Thune did not give me the cold shoulder*, rather they introduced themselves shaking my hand. Change is in the air?

Health care commands attention: Only 13 presentations this week. Everyone is pitching in to help Senators with the health care debate. I am grateful for the time they do give me.

*beaver = Biber
*cold shoulder = unhöflich jemand zu sein – unbeachtet lassen

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 per year. Keep a police presence on the Hill in opposition to prohibition policy. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Howard

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 4, 2009

Frustrations: As you can imagine, I have heard 1001 times the past three years that a staffer’s boss (the Member) may agree with repealing at least marijuana prohibition but such a vote remains “too risky.” I burn a lot of mental energy when I do NOT scream, “tell the Senator to do what is right and best for his state & country.” AKA* find some courage.

As one Senate staffer said today, ‘your issue is gaining ground, especially marijuana.’ This beats where we were just a year or two ago.

Hi, I am the Senator’s Chief Legal Counsel: The past 3 years with this very senior Dem office who has a place on the Senate’s Crime and Drugs subcommittee, I had met with a legislative aide. Today I graduated to a direct 30 minute conversation with his chief counsel & two of his aides. I had never met with three staffers at once before. Small steps.

Webb bill update:  Yesterday I attended the ‘mark up’ for the bill. This is when the Senators vote to move a bill out of the original sub-committee. For the fourth time they ran out of time before it came up. Stay tuned. On a positive note in my meeting above, the chief counsel said his side was very united against the Grassley Amendment (which would prohibit a discussion on drug prohibition). He stated with great certainty that Grassley would fail. Cross your fingers/hold your thumbs.

*AKA = also known as

Stories from the week of November 27, 2009

Howard on the Hill

Stories from the week of November 27, 2009

 Access to Power without Money 101:  Which is better?  When a lobbyist pays 1000 + dollars to go to a fundraiser which gives him about 2 minutes with a  Senator?  Or when a trusted staffer takes your message to the boss for free (well, nearly free)?  This from a staffer I spoke to last week.  “Mr. Wooldridge, thank you for offering your additional assistance.  Please be assured I will relay your ideas and information to Senator XXXXX.  Feel free to contact me at any time.

 Thank you,

 Daniel XXXXXX” 

The cool thing about meeting these very sharp young staffers is they process the information as it tumbles* out of my mouth.  They grasp the concepts, even though very few have heard the COP line of thinking (public safety is the task of law enforcement, not personal safety is one example).   They are ‘flipped’* on the spot. 

People are hungry for information:  This incident happened several weeks ago.   I was going to all 100 offices of the Senate to verify the legislative aide who handles judiciary.   Since they keep the buildings at 72 degrees (22C), I begin to sweat when I walk.  That fact plus I love to wear my t-shirt — I wore it all day in the Senate going office to office.

 After finishing one office I stopped to collect my notes and see where I had to go next.  After 30 seconds a young staffer approached me and asked if I were handing out information to answer the question (COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS – Ask Me Why).. I replied no but I had a 30 second version.  Sure, he responded.  We ended up chatting for two minutes, leaving with the COP business card and a request he read our Vision Statement. 

 Personal Note:  these newsletters serve several purposes.  First they help me understand what I did this week.  They help me see the issue evolve in the corridors of power and then adjust my tactics to reflect a new reality.   Secondly they provide you a glimpse into the most important ‘sandbox’ in the world and thus help you understand what is needed to change policy.  Third, this is my personal diary.   As you know, I write the Good, Bad and Ugly of what goes on.  If I seem to be bragging about my ability, my accomplishments, I am not.  I need to know & appreciate those events where I made a personal difference.   My work is all in the trenches.  This is like riding a horse 23 miles per day (39/km), moving across North America.  Reaching the opposite ocean seems impossible at this speed.  So, to keep my spirits up, I write what put a big smile on my face that week. 

And this Modern Prohibition will one day be in the history books, just as one day Misty and I splashed down in the Pacific Ocean in Oregon.  Count on it.

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 per year.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. 

 Howard

 *tumbles out of the mouth = wenn man spricht

*flipped = überzeugt, zu etwas bekehren