COP on the Hill: Stories from the week February 15, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week February 15, 2013

Just like Ron Paul:  This week I was able to ask two offices if their co-sponsorship of the Federal Repeal of Marijuana Act of 2011 had been a campaign issue last fall and had their support hurt them.  Both said no & no.  Both Members won by large margins.

Ron Paul would win his elections by numbers like 75/25.  Now other parts of the country are also treating a federal repeal position as a low political risk, no-brainer.

Working conditions:  Leaving the Longworth bldg close to 5:00 this week, one of the Capitol Police called out, “Good night sheriff.”   As I walked the ¾ mile (1.1KM) to the train station, I reflected on the officer’s greeting.  When I first started in the fall of 2005, the atmosphere of my working day was tense on a regular basis.  Republican aides were often hostile, demeaning outright rude.

Now I encounter hostility maybe once a month and the vast majority of aides from both parties are openly friendly and want to help me succeed.  I have had chats with many of the officers, they read my jacket and they whisper their support.   From my house and back to my front door averages an 11 hour day and is no picnic.  The wind at my back and the change in staff attitude sure makes the day go faster though.

COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 1087 Presentations to Congressional staffers..9 this week
• 30 Appearances on major TV networks (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine this week
• 44 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..  this week
• 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) =  this week
• 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
• 25 Radio Interviews..  this week
• 34 brief chats with Members of Congress
• 31 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
• 11 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
• Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders.   Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
• Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.   Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition.  COP provides that voice.   If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution…  Go to:

• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717