Posted July 12th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of July 5, 2019
Impress, Persuade: The criminal justice adviser to an Arkansas Senate office noticed my name plate and the German flag…We spoke auf Deutsch the next 20 minutes before he made sure I spoke English too. For whatever reason, I held his attention for nearly an hour of chat. All good.
Worth looking back: about eight years ago I had an existential crisis regarding my career on Capitol Hill as an advocate and lobbyist. I seriously considered quitting. It seemed to me that I was ineffective and not moving the issue forward. Fortunately, my mentor Eric Sterling, and I had a long talk about my activities on the Hill and what they meant. He assured me that my Yeoman’s work was having an impact.
I looked it up in the dictionary when I came home – what was Yeoman’s work? A few weeks later ending a presentation to a Senate staffer, he commented that I was doing Yeoman’s work. And I have never looked back since then. And again this week, I made a full presentation to an Idaho office staffer who started four years ago as a receptionist and remembered me coming in with information about the drug war. And now he advises the senator on criminal justice matters. Thanks to all of you who kept the faith and encouraged me. We are close to changing the USA policy.
This week’s stats:
3194 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 10 this week in the Senate
COP stats since inception: August 2009
309 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week.
368 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
00 Meetings – Grover Norquist
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
.
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted June 30th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of June 28, 2019
The Buckle, The Shirt, The Hat: it seemed like every other office someone mentioned my ‘uniform.’ Saw me in the shirt at CPAC, what is the buckle about, nice hat! Over and over. As you know, being remembered is the Gold Standard for a lobbyist. And they do remember.
Not for nothin: I had a solid chat with a presidential advisor attached to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). No disagreement that for 1.2 trillion tax dollars, the nation’s Return on Investment was, Not Much. It always floats my boat to meet a WH staffer.
Toe to Toe: Making the rounds in a House building, the Communications Director approached and simply said, “love the shirt.” (it was my fun Friday, where I wear my heroin shirt). He was all on board to legalize all drugs. After 10 minutes he introduced me to the Chief of Staff (also an MD) to the R office from a Great Plains state. He and I went 20 minutes toe to toe, he defending the war on drugs and me on the other side…I asked him 4-5 times to name one advantage of the policy and he always deflected, never even trying to answer it…it was fun.
This week’s stats:
3184 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
309 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week. Cwoman Ilhan Omar(D-MN)
368 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week White House economics advisor
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
.
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted June 25th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the weeks of June 14 & 21, 2019
Week of the 14th was a vacation week.
This comment from a lobbyist I ran into this week by chance.
That’s where I ran into you for the first time at the NRA Convention in Indianapolis 5 years ago……You seemed like a bizarre aberration in that crowd. I had to stop you and have a chat. We got to know each others point of views and it all made sense. Keep up the good work Howard.
This week’s stats:
3172 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 09 this week
308 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week. Cman McGovern (D-MA)
367 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week Candidate for legislature in Pennsylvania.
01 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
.
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted June 6th, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of June 7, 2019
Outlook for 2019-2020: Not encouraging. I had a 30 minute chat with the aide to Senator Gardner (R-CO) who authored the STATES Act (S-1023) = the clean, simple 10th Amendment bill to end federal prohibition of marijuana. It will take a small miracle to attach it to must pass legislation. Know any prayers? Regardless, I will be in the hallways of Congress moving the issue, one centimeter at a time.
Keeps me going: I met with a Midwest Senate office. The mid-level staffer explained as we shook hands that he remembered me from years ago. He started as a receptionist in a House office. He said, he looked forward to me dropping off materials for his criminal justice colleague. He always read the info, before passing it on. It was such a pleasure to have this chance to sit down with me for half an hour.
Touched, I was.
Gas & Oil Conference??!!: Professional friends have invited me to this classy conference (12 embassies were represented) the past four years. Probably they like my hat in the fotos? Plus, I do impress, when I use my four languages. Anyway, one attendee complained about a lack of oil field workers due to a conviction on a drug charge. I explained this could be cured by adopting the Portugal decrim approach.
This week’s stats:
3163 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 02 this week
366 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week German Ambassador
01 Meetings – 2 Day International Gas & Oil Conference
COP stats since inception: August 2009
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
.
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted June 2nd, 2019 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Take my breath away: The ‘bicycle’ lady (brings a mini, fold-up bike on the train) and I have been taking the same train for 10 years now. We always just exchange hellos. After, “How is it going?” she replied not good….her 25 y/o son in Arizona had been physically arrested for four(4) grams of marijuana. Multiple problems with bail, phone calls, finding a lawyer. Her pain was a Tsunami in volume and after I sat down, I couldn’t shake it. A few minutes later the tears came down both cheeks for several minutes. I am becoming an old softie….I am helping her, mostly letting her vent.
At Grover’s meeting I had a good chat with my White House contact.
During the four (4) day Memorial week, I had 16 planned, 30-minute meetings with Senate staffers. It is a morale booster to put in a solid, productive week.
Shaking my head: After my presentation to a Plains State R office chief legal counsel, I asked for questions, comments. ‘ I am the father to three (3) boys and I don’t want them to have any contact with drugs. I can’t support your ideas.’ OMG. I expect that emotional commentary from regular citizens but not from a CLC for a US Senator. IMO and experience, no oratory, no stats, no documentation will ever knock him off his desire for no drugs near his boys, and thus no changes to the drug war.
This week’s stats:
3161 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 16 this week
365 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week upper level White House staffer
02 Meetings – Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
307 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week Senator Klobachar (D-MN)
85 Radio Interviews.. 0 this week
164 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week
102 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
.
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
43 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
