Cop on the Hill: Stories from the week of July 19 and 26, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of July 19 and 26, 2013

 Ms. Wyoming:  Four staff aides were in the elevator as I entered.  One asked about the ‘Long Rider’ buckle.  I replied you earn it when you ride your horse across America.  And what was I doing in the Senate, she asked. I gave her the 30 second elevator pitch.

An hour later I was eating and we made eye contact as she was leaving. “Ms. Wyoming” I called out (and as a 5-10 blond she could easily have been Ms. Wyoming).  “Let me tell you about having a “calvary division” to help in your next campaign.  We chatted the maximum two minutes, as I showed her the foto which propelled Misty and me onto national Fox news last fall in Colorado.  Networking, being memorable and passing out business cards is an important, secondary task.

Don’t need no stinkin weed to get high:  Wrapping up an excellent first meeting with the chief legal counsel of a House Member, she asked if Neill Franklin (Exec. Director of LEAP) and I could meet with the Congressman in September.  That is now in the works.

Later that day I was pleased that Senator Leahy office had me meet with two of his JD legislative aides.  They said the Senator is committed to holding hearings on marijuana.  I pro-offered they should request Neill Franklin to testify.  As I explained, Howard was a mutt compared to Neill being a show dog with a pedigree.  Sadly, neither had ever heard of LEAP. I explained LEAP to them.   I will be dropping off Neill’s CV and keep his name in front of them.  .  Senator Leahy is the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Leaving their offices, I was nearly euphoric from my part in moving this horrible policy into the history books.  Just felt damn good to contribute.

**** On vacation next week.  Karen and I are taking the bike to Maine to see our grandson and Karen’s brother.

This week’s stats:

• 1297 Presentations to Congressional staffers..17  this week
• 58 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc..02  this week
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COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 34 Appearances on major TV networks..this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine… this week
• 72 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
• 31 Radio Interviews.. this week
• 37 brief chats with Members of Congress..this week
• 40 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.  this week
• 13 major conferences attended..  this week (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, 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.  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.   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