Stories from the week of October 30, 2009

 Howard on the Hill

Stories from the week of October 30, 2009

I don’t know my audience any more:      On Monday in New York City Karen and I were part of the 300 person audience for the taping of the Daily Show with John Stewart.  We were wearing our legalize t-shirts and sure enough the warm-up comic noticed and that resulted in a 90 second conversation with all 300 listening.  

When John came out for the pre-show question and answer time, I was the first called upon.  I asked a question if the Nobel Committee had given President Obama the peace prize in order to influence future American foreign policy decisions.  John’s reaction was WTF!!!!*   After responding, he slowly read outloud  my ‘legalize drugs’ shirt and asked me why.  We had an excellent 45 second conversation.  Two of his staff asked for my business card and I gave it to two others.  Whatever happens, it was a hoot.*

When he started the show, he stated, “I don’t know my audience any more.” 

Breaking Bread:   While visiting Niagara Falls (Karen for the first time), John Gayder, one of LEAP’s Founding Five and current serving police officer, treated us to dinner and a good chat.   John left the Board of Directors this past January for personal reasons.  He is missed on all levels.

A day later we treated Epping, New Hampshire – 11 year veteran police officer Brad Jardis to lunch.  Since appearing in the state’s largest newspaper this past spring, he has been harassed and bullied by command, no doubt to pressure him into quitting.  This man’s quiet strength is an inspiration to me and all of our profession.  His chief just suspended him for 10 days…time to figure out what to do next.

It is marijuana policy stupid!!  Last fall Eric Sterling, my mentor and President of Criminal Justice Policy Foundation (www.cjpf.org) wrote a memo to all in reform urging a focus on marijuana prohibition.  It occurred to me only this month that I am no longer bound by LEAP’s directive to ask for a bill to repeal all drug prohibition at one time.  Thus, I am following Eric’s advice.  While COPs keeps an eye to the eventual repeal of all federal drug prohibition, going forward into 2010, I will focus like a laser on marijuana.  I have changed my foto on all emails (see below) to reflect that.

*WTF = What the Fu..!!! = was für eine Frage ist das!!!                                                                           

*hoot = hat Spaß gemacht

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 per year.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow. 

Thank you,

Howard

Make checks payable to:

Citizens Opposing Prohibition Inc

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org