Stories from the week of October 14, 2011

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of October 14, 2011

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Turning a frown* upside down:  I was not in my most positive mood on Friday, as I rode the train in the rain to DC…then

• The sun came out & walking to the station, I heard someone yell, “Hey you forgot your hat!”  Walking back to the train another passenger also said I forgot my hat.  Nice having others notice my state of undress.
• In the Longworth café reading the paper before my 10 AM start time,  I woman stepped up and asked, “Can I take you picture?”    She got both my COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT jacket (draped*over a chair) & my hat and buckle in the foto.   Her American friend (she was from Russia) joined us and we had a great 10 minute chat.
• Mike, a legislative director I have known for 4 years happened to be in the reception area of the office when I came in.  “Howard.  Always good to see you.”  We had an excellent 10 minute chat on the issue.  He said he quietly pushes the COP position in the building.   That was THE highlight of my day.
• As I have reported in the past, Congressmen don’t mind if you walk them to an elevator or from an elevator to their office.  This day I caught a New York Congressman leaving his office who is a co-sponsor of HR 2306, the repeal prohibition bill.  I had about 80 seconds to thank him for his courage and other chit chat.* 
• Returning to that office, I had an excellent 8 minutes with his Chief of Staff.   I told him about LEAP’s new executive director, Neill Franklin and how effective Neill would be with VIPs.
• My last presentation was to an older (40)  staffer from a western state whose chief objection to HR 2306 was the morality issue of a nation going to hell, if it allowed legal consumption of marijuana.    Always good to respond with.. the immorality of teens having a job option which gets them shot.  The aide was not impressed but it was a great way for me to end a near perfect day and a good week.

Friday’s workday reminded me of police work.  Whether stopping seven cars for traffic violations, or meeting seven staffers from Congressional offices, you never quite know what to expect…kind of like a box of chocolates.

Wind under my wings:   Today marks four years since Karen and I said, “I do.”  She keeps me balanced and focused on the job at hand.  Lucky boy, I am.

*frown – Stirnrunzeln

*draped = zu drapiern

* chit chat = zu plaudern

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

150 presentations to Congressional staffers:   6 this week

3 Letter to the Editor:  1 this week

1 Television appearance:  this week

2 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc)

2 radio shows:  this week

8 (Member of Congress) contacts:   1 this week

1 Major conference attended (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.