Stories from the week of August 24, 2012

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of August 24, 2012

Having an impact:   I received these this week.  I have to hide the identities.  The document in question is at the bottom.  These types of requests reinforce my belief that COP is making a difference.  It ain’t fancy or flashy but I believe it is the work in the trenches that sets up a foto op/success picture later.

Good Morning Howard,

You stopped by the office the other day for your annual visit to discuss drug policy. Can you please forward me an electronic version of all of the factsheets you gave me?

Specifically, the handout entitled “2012 Updates: re: Drug Prohibition/War on Drugs. 

Thank you,

Linda Jones

Legislative Director/Chief Counsel

Congresswoman xxxxxxxxx (WY-18)

xxxx Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Subject: RE: Modern Federal Prohibition – R (read time: 1 minute)

It was a pleasure meeting with you.

I passed along your information to John M, Sr. Legislative Assistant, in our office.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! Take care.

Best,

KS

Executive Assistant/Scheduler

Office of Congressman XXXX (WY-05)

XXXX Rayburn HOB | Washington, D.C. 20515

Have invitation, will travel:  Grover Norquist is having his Wednesday brunch in Tampa next week and I was invited.  It will be a large affair, as all the 48 state meeting of the ‘center-right’ movement are also coming to this 3 hour affair.  Already 3 governors will be addressing us and the VIPs of the party will be there to pay homage to Grover and the powerful ‘Taxpayer Pledge.’ 

I will stay with a COP supporter to keep expenses down.  The chance to mingle with VIPs from all over the country makes the modest travel expenses worthwhile.  And the breakfast and meeting are free!

Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:

49 Presentations to Congressional staffers: 16 this week

2 Radio interviews:  1 this week

1 Blog, cable TV, minor media events:  this week

2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended:  this week

Total stats for COP in first 3 years:

944 Presentations to Congressional staffers

• 26 Appearances on major TV networks
• 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
• 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
• 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
• 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
• 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
• 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
• 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, 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.   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: 
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 2902
• Washington, DC  20013

2012 Updates re: Drug Prohibition/War on Drugs

1. China & others will loan us 6 billion of the 15 billion spent on prohibition by Congress in FY 2013.  Return on that investment after a trillion dollars?  Drugs are cheaper, stronger, and readily available to anyone in the USA per federal reports.

1. National Review endorses the repeal of federal prohibition of marijuana: HR 2306

1. DOJ reported in Sept. 2011 that 1000 Mexican Drug Gangs operate in American cities. DEA chief of global operations – David Gaddis – reported in October 2010 the gangs are the #1 organized crime threat to the country.  In 2010 the DOJ reported that the availability of all drugs except cocaine increased.

1. The Heritage Foundation in the fall of 2010 called for the elimination of the Drug Czar’s Office (ONDCP) and the Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act (DFSCA) as part of its plan to eliminate unneeded or wasteful government programs.   Savings: 300 million.

1. Grover Norquist, a former drug czar and other prominent conservatives launched RightOnCrime.com to inject conservative values into spending on criminal justice issues.

1. 56% in 2012 Rasmussen poll said marijuana should be legal; 40% oppose. Majority support was in the West, East and Midwest.  Over 50% of the young, Dems and independents support legalization.

1. In 2011 Kentucky dramatically cut drug law sentences in order not to build in prisons.  This is occurring in many other states in 2012, notably Georgia.

1. Exact figures on the extent of the cuts are hard to come by, but the American Bar Association says most states cut court funding 10 percent to 15 percent in the past three years. At least 26 states delayed filling open judgeships, while courts in 14 states were forced to lay off staff.  Associated Press/MSNBC

1. In 2010 Afghanistan became world leader in export of hashish – helping fund the Taliban war machine.  Experts state 50% + of the Taliban operating budge depends on drug trade profits.

1. In 2012 Pat Roberson, noted evangelist and leader of the 700 Club called for marijuana to be legalized like alcohol, in order to stop destroying so many young lives.

1. In 2011 the DEA reports that drugs are still “readily available to America’s youth.”

1.  Michigan lost nearly 15 percent of its civilian and officer law enforcement employees combined from 2001 through 2010…over 3,000 officers gone. Other states report significant reductions in force.  The Thin Blue line is thinner.  Where should we focus dwindling resources?