COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of April 17, 2015

Stories from the week of April 17, 2015

Part-time allies: Senator Grassley (R-IA) is a super drug warrior since ever and will die believing in drug prohibition. He demonstrated this week the wisdom of being on good terms with all offices. He ripped into the head of the police union (FOP – my old union) for its defense of CAF – civil asset forfeiture. Most Senators said serious changes needed to be made, due to the abuses by the police and prosecutors. I was there and it felt good to see/hear the dialog. On this day Senator Grassley was my political friend.

The Chief Legal Counsel to one Senator said hello and we chatted. I was pleased he remembered me. I recalled the face but not the office (everyone should wear a name plate like I do).

Boring and necessary: I spent two days delivering 2015 updates to the Senate offices and updating my info about each office. They were my first days in the Senate this year. I wore my COP shirt and not only does that make for a fun day, I had the distinct feeling it was a positive way to dress.   The reactions from staff were (like the House) overwhelming positive, i.e. smiles, thumbs up, ‘like the shirt,’ etc. Fire chiefs were all over the place (their national lobby day)…two asked why and one gave me a heartfelt “Good luck.”

Are you crazy?: One Senate staffer was perhaps too bold. He was escorting 3 very expensive suits thru the door to the back conference rooms, when he said, “I like your shirt.” I replied, thanks & I have free samples in my brief case. He replied, “Can you come back at 5?” I was astounded he would be that open, contemptuous of the law in front of two colleagues and three lobbyists.  I hope/trust he still has a job.

I mumbled something about the samples would all be gone by 5 o’clock, as he and the other 3 disappeared thru the door.

My comment/pitch to the offices: ‘Hi. I represent police officers who think it is nonsense to chase a green plant. Who is the LA (legis. Asst) who handles judiciary, crime, chasing a green plant type issues?’ Suffice to say that the question made close to a majority of the staffers have a small or larger grin.

1799 Presentations to Congressional staffers..    03 this week

04 meetings this week    (Grassley hearing on CAF = Civil Asset Forfeiture)

COP stats since inception: August 2009

62 brief chats with Members of Congress..   this week

143 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     this week (delegates to UN meeting)

57 Radio Interviews..  this week

38 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week

22 major conferences attended..   (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review,  etc)    0 this week

87 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    0 this week

38 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC)…0 this week (BBC)

12 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress..  0  this week

81 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $80,000).. 0 this week

*   2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position

Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders.   Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”

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