Your Voice in the United States Congress

Nurse Karen happier:  This week I only dealt with emails, leaving the house only for therapy and to attend Grover’s brunch.  Today- Friday I had planned on going to the House, but decided to spend the afternoon with Misty for the first time in a month.  Even riding bareback, I did not fall.  However, next time I will wear my bicycle helmet.

When Zogby speaks, people listen:   At Grover’s brunch we were addressed by John  Zogby of polling fame. He asked likely voters in a Republican primary (nationwide) various questions.   I found this question extremely interesting:

1. “America is the most powerful nation in the world not only because of its strong military but because of the personal freedom it represents.  America must intervene in the affairs of the world whenever its interests are challenged.”

1. “America is in a new global era and cannot afford to spread its resources too thin.  It must rely on strong alliances with other nations and take care of domestic priorities first.”

Statement A:   48%

Statement B:  47%

Not sure: 5%

In my humble opinion this issue will be THE issue splitting Republicans like none other since abortion.  And the Ron Paul view (B) is gaining in popularity, especially with young Republicans.  CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) should provide some fireworks in two weeks. .. Can’t wait.

No opinion yet:  After three months of missing each other at Grover’s, I had a chance to speak to David Keene (President of the NRA – National Rifle Association).  On the question of NRA members losing their Second Amendment right to buy and possess firearms AND ammunition due to being a medical marijuana patient, the NRA is still discussing the topic and has not yet reached a decision.  This week I booked my motel for the NRA convention in April in St. Louis.

When you have no money:  In order to speak to a Member in a straight-forward situation, House Members ask/demand about a $1000 per minute, Senators 2,000.  Thus COP must use surrogates* = talk to the staff of Members, convince them to speak to the Member, give them COP talking points, etc..as expressed in this note.

*surrogate = Ersatzperson

Howard,

 Thank you for coming to our office and sharing your valuable perspective as a former police officer.  I will share your thoughts with Senator XXXXXX.  Thanks as well for your offer to volunteer. (My note—in reference to helping with any event where the Senator needs someone who speaks four languages)

Sincerely,

Bill 

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

253 presentations to Congressional staffers:   0 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  0 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to:

www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Nurse Karen is not happy/Howard back in the saddle:   I did return to the Senate this week, taking advantage of their last week of recess.  Not so good, I had an excellent response from staffers (21 total) wanting to meet, including 7 my first day back.  It was a bit much, as I did 5 back to back before lunch.  Karen was ready to have me committed/restrained for my own good.  I DID push myself too much.

I survived the day and the week without any real problems or hurting my brain.  My speech stayed solid for every chat and it was important that I regain my confidence.  For all reasons it was nice & important for one staffer to come over to my table during lunch, give me a hug and said how much she was looking forward to our follow-up chat later in the week.  (she did not know I had run out of free samples?)

Transition:  As you know, staffers come and go.  As I updated my notes on each office, it was painful to know some with whom I had had such a good relationship had moved on.  Craig was one such that I met in 2007, my first full year.. we had great chats, he was with me on marijuana, he had written a paper in college on decrim/legalize.   Last year he did ask his Democratic Senator/boss to sponsor a companion bill to the Frank/Paul bill to repeal federal prohibition.  Like the other 8 staffers who asked, the Senator said no.  One Republican staffer this week described her frustration, when she asked her Senator last year for a companion bill and was rejected. 

Personal/health:  All good.  My speech is 97% of normal, walking/balance are 95%, left side fine motor control is up to about 90% (right side at 100% & I am right handed).  Started driving 10 days after the stroke.  As I said, all memories, including my languages were never affected.  Spoke French for an hour on Saturday.  Lucky boy I am.

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

253 presentations to Congressional staffers:   21 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  0 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to:

www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Year in review:  My meat and potatoes = presentations numbered 393 for the calendar year, mostly in the House.  Only 7 offices have never heard of COP..all freshmen.  As you know, some staffers have refused to see me, no matter how many times I ask for a few minutes. 

I have worked hard on asking aides to bring HR 2306 – the repeal marijuana bill – to their Member with a positive recommendation on at least policy grounds/reasons.  Twenty (20) have signed on with a couple of others saying they would vote YES, if it came to a vote.  Solid progress and I will build on that.

The NRA & LULAC (National Rifle Association & League of United Latino American Citizens) conventions were ground-breaking for drug reform & successful.  I will attend them again in 2012.  The NRA happens in just 4 months & I will be there.

COP membership:   Thank you for being a member of COP and donating to its efforts.  If you haven’t joined yet, know that your membership is tax-deductible, even as it keeps the only full-time voice in the halls of Congress pushing for a repeal of drug prohibition. 

Concerns:   Several of you over the months have expressed a concern that COP might be endangering its 501 C 3 status, due to my efforts to push for 2306.  I thank you for the feedback and concern. 

Based on a seminar I attended at DPA 2009 and the latest IRS bulletin (July 20, 2011), COP may spend an insignificant amount of its budget lobbying.  The good news/bad news is that I am a volunteer drawing no salary, just expenses.   COP produces no literature which talks about 2306, buys no expensive dinners for Congressmen (LOL), etc.  I do buy train and metro tickets, a four dollar lunch in the Longworth café, etc.  COP expenses per year are running roughly $6,000.   COP status as a 501 C 3 is solid.

Just to be double safe, I do track all the time I spend on 2306 in my Outlook.  It amounts to an average of 1-2 hours a week.  In a 30 minute chat with a staffer I spend only 2-3 minutes talking about 2306.   The rest of the time is on drug prohibition in general from heroin back to MJ…just like when I started back in 2005.

Scratch it off my ‘Bucket list’: On Tuesday night Life threw me a curve ball (stroke) and I spent my first nights in a hospital since birth.  Good news is all my memories, languages, etc are intact….just my speech, balance and sense of taste were affected.  A week later I am off the walker and cane and my speech is 95% normal..  I will be out of action till late in January. 

2012:  I will change significantly my routine in 2012.  I still have 73 offices in the Senate to visit & 134 in the House.   I will do more targeted communications to aides/offices to push them for a public position on prohibition.  The goal is to add as many supporters to repeal as possible in this Congress…to build on that progress for the next one in January 2013.

I will be spending two months in Colorado in the fall to push their legalize/regulate/tax marijuana ballot initiative.  Naturally Misty is part of that plan.

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

232 presentations to Congressional staffers:   0 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  1 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to:

www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Writing as a retired detective, BAYANET is a horrific waste of tax dollars, both federal “free” money and Michigan residents’.  We taxpayers must pay the $30,000 per year to lock up those arrested by my colleagues.  The feds are $15 trillion in the red, in case anybody cares.

After 40 years of Drug War and a trillion tax dollars spent, drugs are cheaper, stronger and readily available to Michigan residents young and old.  We know that every drug dealer arrested is quickly replaced.

Due to my experience as a street cop, these illegal drugs, even marijuana, are too dangerous to leave in the control of criminals and teens.  They should be brought under the control of Lansing, like we do with alcohol and tobacco products.

Howard Wooldridge

LeRoy

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Beat the dead horse:   The House went home on Tuesday night after not passing a bill to extend a few things.  Everyone has left town, many of the office closed completely till the New Year.  I managed 3 presentations.  

If I had a dollar for everyone who asked, “Why is marijuana still illegal?”  I could fund COP for the next 20 years.   Now I simply respond, what can you really expect our Congress to accomplish?  The Dead Horse is Old Nellie and I am just trying to get her to do one simple thing, repeal drug prohibition. 

Beating her with words or a stick will accomplish little.   The Congress is beyond shame.  Thus, my little pet project, www.wearethecartels.com to embarrass the Congress and other politicians has been put in mothballs.

From the archives of Stories, my two most favorite during the past 5 years:

Capitol Newsletter:  December 30, 2005 (very first newsletter)

Funny Story of the Week:  Meeting with a Congressional staffer on Tuesday, I came to realize I was not in Kansas anymore.  This man was sympathetic with LEAP’s position but he said I just did not understand how Washington works.  “It is all about pork.” He said.  “Take your idea of treatment instead of jail.  How does that help my district?  You need to propose that the federal government build a regional treatment center in our district.  That would definitely help you get such a bill passed.   Your ideas would lay off thousands of high-paying, federal prison guard jobs.  You have to replace those lost federal paychecks with other paychecks or you won’t go anywhere in this town.”   After leaving, I lost it and just started laughing.  I am so naïve but this cowboy is learning the ropes.

Capitol Newsletter:   January 6, 2006

FUN STORY OF THE WEEK:  As many of you know, I have been working on ending drug prohibition for 8 years and with over 14,000 persons asking me why, I thought I had heard all the reasons why not.  A Congressional staffer had a new one.  His reason for opposing ending prohibition?  ‘If we legalize marijuana, eventually the growers will want to receive a subsidy to grow it, the same as farmers receive subsidies to grow tobacco, rice, sugar etc.  It will just mean one more expense for the federal government.’  Most of you don’t know it but I do have a poker face.  I coolly replied, “Well, this is the first day of second rodeo.  Call me naïve but I have faith that the US Congress will never subsidize cannabis farmers.”  The staffer remained unconvinced.  I went onto another meeting, chuckling all the way down the hall of the Rayburn Building.

note: here rodeo = job as educator/lobbyist 

 Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

232 presentations to Congressional staffers:   03 this week

5 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:  1 this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to:

www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

 COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

 COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Shake hands with four Members, chat with one:   Congressman Session (R-TX) asked about the LONG RIDER belt buckle.  With two other Members I shook hands & kept going and with one from Georgia we had a 90 second chat on the issue, as I walked him to the elevator.   Another day at the salt mines, it was.

 Meanwhile I made 14 presentations this week.  Especially important was with a legislative director who blocked out 45 minutes for our conversation.   He wanted and received chapter and verse on how to sell HR 2306 (Repeal MJ prohibition) to his boss and voters.   Another LD that I met again (three times over four years)  likes 2306 and will go to bat for it as soon as the budget crisis has a lull.  Small steps.

 I was struck this week by how many aides had never heard of the Frank/Paul to repeal.   And that reinforces how important it is to meet with all 535 offices, not just our friends.  BTW, we are up to 20 co-sponsors.  My goal is 40 by this time next year.

 Snooze – you lose:  I called the NRA this week (National Rifle Association) to reserve a booth for their April national conference in St. Louis.  Oops.  They rented that last 10 feet two weeks after their show in Pittsburg closed this past May.   Damn!  I will put COP money down for 2013, as soon as I arrive in St. Louis on April 12.

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

229 presentations to Congressional staffers:   14 this week

5 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

10 (Member of Congress) contacts:  1 this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to:

 www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

 COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

 If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

 COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Your Voice in the United States Congress

 Small Steps:  I attended the monthly breakfast of the Leadership Institute (trains young Republicans) (www.leadershipinstitute.org) on Wednesday.   In the elevator as I was leaving a woman my age said, “I like your jacket.”  I thanked her.  She went, “No, really I love your jacket.  Tell me who you are.”  We had an excellent 5 minute chat.   She is a declared candidate for the Republican Party for a Congressional district in northern Virginia.

 ­I want to convince my boss:  Today I had a 50 minute meeting with the legislative director of a Democratic House member.  The LD is completely on board with the COP point of view.  He wanted talking points to convince the Congressman to sign onto HR 2306, the repeal of Marijuana prohibition bill.  Small steps & I will let you know either way.

 Horrific fotos:  I will NOT use the 4 head shot in any correspondence.  I received excellent feedback from several of you and staffers.    I AM going to use the first foto to demonstrate the silliness of grown men chasing a green plant.

 3 one hour radio shows this week chewed up a bunch of my time this week.  All good.

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

215 presentations to Congressional staffers:   05 this week

5 Letter to the Editor:  1 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:    3 this week

9 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Your Voice in the United States Congress

What makes the difference?: During my chat with Molly she said her boss is on our side and might even co-sponsor the repeal of marijuana bill.  However, she informed me that no one in her district had sent a letter/email this year in regards to marijuana prohibition.  The boss would not stick his neck out, if his constituents did not care enough to write.

Shake them up or alienate them?  At the very bottom are two fotos I am contemplating using for my follow-up thank you note with staffers I meet.  The past 6 years I have used a foto of Misty and me en route from LA to NYC = warm and fuzzy.  Asking 5 aides on Friday, the vote was 3 to 2 in favor of using the fotos.  WARNING:  the very bottom foto is real.  It is 4 heads placed on the rear window sill of a car.  I value your opinion.  Please share.

Personal Note:  I took some time out on Black Friday to protest the war in Afghanistan (not wearing my COP t-shirt).  The local, daily paper was kind enough to put a large foto of us on the front page…  along with a nice article which mentioned my work in DC. 

First for everything:  In the past six years I was never too sick to work…until this week.  I ‘called-in-sick’ the first four days.  By Friday I was feeling okay enough to have 7 meetings with staffers.   All better now. 

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

208 presentations to Congressional staffers:   07 this week

4 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

4 radio shows:   this week

9 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

Because we marijuana prohibition in the United States:

In Mexico, Guatemala & Honduras – they  have this –

Your Voice in the United States Congress

As seen on 60 Minutes:   The URL to view the 16 minute segment:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57327816/the-pledge-grover-norquists-hold-on-the-gop/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Click on ‘Watch the Segment’

­Don’t talk to strangers:  Visiting the Newseum on Sunday, the place had lots of young people, including those from a private high school.  In groups of 3 & 4 about 25 had asked me why cops say legalize pot.  With teens I always include the proviso that pot, like all drugs, can be dangerous, it has ruined lives by addiction and that is why it should be given the same respect and laws as beer.

As I was chatting with a group of four students, one of the chaperones came up and scolded me for talking to the 16 year olds without a teacher being present.  It went downhill from there, as she had the teens move away from me.  She admonished the teens for talking to me and finished by saying, “You shouldn’t being talking to strangers!”  

In a 6 story shrine to the first amendment and free speech teens who wanted to learn something were being told not to.  Oh well.  I figured by Monday morning the whole school will have known about the confrontation and COP, as I had already passed out 7-8 business cards.

Personal:  Karen and I hope you have many blessings to celebrate this Thanksgiving.  We do.

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

201 presentations to Congressional staffers:   14 this week

4 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

4 radio shows:   this week

9 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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…  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

As seen on 60 Minutes:  Two months ago CBS reporter Steve Kroft came to the Grover Norquist by-invitation-only brunch I attend every Wednesday morning.  It was cool to have a five minute chat with Steve before he and the cameraman began taping.  

On November 20^th the piece aired and the hat and I made it into a few seconds of air time = always a hoot to be on TV.  Importantly, as was said, the Grover brunch “is the Grand Central Station of the conservative movement.”   Having a seat at this gathering is in some ways as important as all the rest of my work combined.  In the past 2 ½ years I have had chats with nearly all the regulars (100 of the 150 each week).  The vast majority of them have whispered their support for the COP position.  I work hard to encourage them to raise their voice above that whisper.

To view the segment, go to: 

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57327816/the-pledge-grover-norquists-hold-on-the-gop/?tag=contentMain;contentBody

click on ‘Watch the Program’ 

Why good legislation fails:   A trusted Congressional staffer shared this with me, regarding his boss’ NO vote on legislation.  “What makes it a win for me?”  ‘It’ being the bill and ‘me’ equals him personally, not his state, not our country but him personally (as the staffer elaborated on the statement). 

In the same conversation another staffer said, “I don’t like hearing these outrageous lies.”  This after a Member from his own party spoke on the floor attacking a good bill,  by lying about what was in the bill.  That, boys and girls, is why Congress is so dysfunctional and its approval rating hovers at 10% 

CATO event:   About 200 attended an all-day conference on ‘The Global Failure of the War on Drugs.’  I made some new contacts and learned how rapidly and wide-spread the anti-prohibition forces are becoming in South and Central America.   I am still puzzled why CATO and others continue framing the issue as ending the Drug War, as if that is the solution to the problem, i.e.  The Europeans have no drug war but they sure have drug prohibition.

Ethel Rowland, a fierce anti-prohibition Floridian, attended the meeting with me.  She was a guest at our house and we rode the train together to downtown DC.  She wore a cape which she made from two LEAP shirts, so the COPS SAY LEGALIZE DRUGS – ASK ME WHY was seen in the front and back.  We had a half-dozen or so people ask us why en route to the CATO event.  = Fun

Stats for COP’s third year, started on August 1, 2011:

187 presentations to Congressional staffers:   7 this week

4 Letter to the Editor:   this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

4 radio shows:   this week

9 (Member of Congress) contacts:   1 this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International, Congressional Black Caucus annual

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…  Go to: www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to: 

COP

POB 2902

Washington, DC  20013

If you have questions or comments, please send an email to: howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

COP total stats in first two years:  August 1, 2009 thru July 31, 2011)

 649 Presentations to Congressional staffers

22 Appearances on major TV networks

10 published interviews in newspapers

12 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc

57 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $56,000)

19 brief chats with Members of Congress

13 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.

6 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.