COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of August 22 & 29, 2014

Stories from the week of August 22 & 29, 2014

Frodo Redux – The Table of Power: COP just finished its fifth year and I was reflecting on what to include in the annual report. About six months ago at Grover’s meeting I sat in a chair at ‘The Big Table.’(17 chairs) Nobody asked me to leave. I sat there the next week and ever since.

This seat-at-the-table gives our message stature and strength. Small step.

Axis of Change: I met with Senator Booker’s (D-NJ) this week and in combo last week’s meeting with Senator Paul’s office, we are laying the groundwork for substantive change in several areas of criminal justice/drug prohibition. NOTE: Booker & Paul are buddies.

Inquiring minds want to know: Going thru security at the House office bldg, the officer & I say hello all the time. This week he wanted to know more about DC’s new decrim law & Colorado (he is going there on vacation, hmmm). Twenty minutes later I began my day. 50 or so mostly staffers saw us chatting….good association.

Travel: Next week I am attending a 3 day drug conference for all of Latin America in San Jose, Costa Rica. About 300 will attend plus reps from the United Nations. The flight, hotel and conference fees cost $1,000 and I believe it will be time/money well spent. Yes, I am studying my Spanish extra hard and given its proximity to the hell in Central America caused by the cartels, I will take my own advice of ‘cuidado.’ (be careful). I WON’T be wearing my t-shirt.

This week’s raw data:

1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 12 this week

Two meetings

•   COP stats since inception: August 2009

54 brief chats with Members of Congress..   00 this week

89 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.     0 this week

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

48 Radio Interviews..  00 this week

• 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..    this week
• 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
• 18 major conferences attended..  this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions.  etc)    this week
• 26 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week

79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 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.”
• Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.   All contributions are tax-deductible.  30 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 prohibition.  COP provides that voice.    …  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