COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of January 18, 2019

Stories from the week of January 18, 2019

Fun story of the week: Going door to door in the House, a Texas Republican, Cman Williams, was approaching me in the hallway. We had had breakfast together about a year ago and I had the chance to introduce myself and my politics.

I said, “Mornin Congressman.” He muttered something, then I heard ‘liberal Texas cowboys’ and then more mutter. I was thrilled that he remembered me AND also my point of view!! I guess I made an impression.

Rebuttal: one of my two principal sources of news for my job is The Crime Report (Marijuana Moment is the other)…just before 2019 they published a piece on why LE needs a roadside tester for marijuana enforcement, hinting that without such a device, DUIM was nearly impossible to enforce. The author was never a cop.

I complained and the editors invited me write a rebuttal and voilà. About a 4 minute read: https://thecrimereport.org/2019/01/17/marijuana-and-driving-a-cops-perspective/ There is NO substitute for hands-on experience.

Marijuana and Driving: A Cop’s Perspective
Do we need roadside tests for marijuana? A veteran detective argues that experienced police can easily identify motorists intoxicated by non-alcoholic substances without special equipment—and get them off the road. The Crime Report

That was nice: I was making first contact with a new office from Illinois, when a senior staffer grabbed my attention to say, ‘I’ve been here six years and you are the hardest working lobbyist I know.” I thanked her and feeling a bit taken aback, I finished my task and went on to the next office.

This week’s stats:

285 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 04 this week Jahana Hayes. D-CT, Donna Shalala D-FL, Roger Williams R-TX , Grijalva D-AZ

2996 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 28 this week

359 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 01 this week TN state senator Brian Kelsey (super chat)

2 Meetings – meetings, hearings, etc.

On Friday I wore my new heroin shirt for the first time to Congress (note: I never wear it , when the Congress is in session): foto in separate email, I hope…or its on my FB page.

COP stats since inception: August 2009

85 Radio Interviews.

154 interviews and reports in minor media = 0 this week.

99 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 18 This week (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}

30 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 -ALEC
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