Stories from the week of September 16, 2011

COP on the Hill

 Your Voice in the United States Congress

 I represent the MDCA:  Tipping my hat to 20 year running NORML leader Rick Day for the genesis* of my new effort this week, I visited all 435 House offices this week.  Taking up all day Tuesday and Thursday, I announced myself thusly: “Hi.  I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel Association (said slowly and a bit louder, when others were in the reception area of an office). Has your office taken a position on 2306, the repeal of marijuana prohibition? (9 of 10 times the response was I don’t know) I continued, “Here is a fact sheet (far bottom) to give to your judiciary LA {legislative assistant}.  We hope your office will stand with us, the Cartels, in opposing the legalization of marijuana.  Pot is much, much too dangerous to legalize.”  A solid 250 visitors and fellow lobbyists heard my pitch, half the time their chats stopped, when they heard “I represent the MX Drug Cartels.”

Two staffers asked if I were serious. I responded, ‘my clients have killed 40,000 people in Mexico and legalization would hurt their business.   They and I are serious.’  Both visibly recoiled** and fell silent. NOTE:  I did not take pleasure in making them uncomfortable.  But I wanted staffers to accept me being a lobbyist for the cartels.

A staffer and former county prosecutor got right in my face, demanding if I were serious representing the cartels that he had prosecuted in Florida.  I did not miss a beat.  We had a terse, one minute chat.  The cartels feel threatened by legalization and I was hired to look out for their interests.   Especially since it was a Republican office, I put extra emphasis in asking that the Congressman stand with the cartels in opposing this legalization effort.

On the other hand, three staffers whose Member has co-sponsored  the 2306 repeal bill thought my efforts effective in framing the issue and its allies.  One promised to show the handout to the Congressman.

Karen feels I am risking the Cartels hurting me, as I pretend to represent them.   I feel the risk is low and acceptable.

Mixing with powerful people:  At Grover’s Brunch this week six Republicans seeking the party nomination spoke to us.  One was from a western state running for the US Senate and I thought he would be excellent.  As the meeting broke up, I introduced myself.  I urged him to use ‘horsepower’ to get elected, showing him the Reason magazine centerfold of Misty and me in California + another foto where we made the front page of a California paper.  He was intrigued and asked a few questions, then asking for my business card. (I had never even mentioned my politics).  Upon reading my business card, he said softly he agreed with my position.  (below my name the card says: ‘Police voice on Capitol Hill in opposition to Drug Prohibition’)  I was so taken aback by his words, I needed a second to catch my breath before saying, ‘we want to protect children better by not wasting time on Willie Nelson and Charlie Sheen.’  He thanked me for my efforts and wished me luck.   He is the second R candidate for the US Senate in three months who whispered he agrees with the COP position.

*Rick and I had a chat 10 years ago, he believing that the drug gangs were buying influence in Congress.

**recoiled = zurückschrecken

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

139 presentations to Congressional staffers:  14 this week

2 Letter to the Editor: 1 this week

2 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc)

4 (Member of Congress) contacts:   3 this week

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 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717

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.

Attn: Judiciary LA

The Mexican Drug Cartel Association

urges you to vote NO on HR 2306 – Do NOT repeal Marijuana Prohibition

Why?  – Marijuana Prohibition generates high-paying and exciting jobs for 900,000 American teens who would otherwise be unemployed.

Why? – MJ Prohibition provides jobs for 10,000 well-paid state prison guards and even more local jail personnel.

Why? – MJ Prohibition generates employment for tens of thousands of Mexicans who might otherwise come to the USA for looking for job.

Why? – We, the Cartels, earn 10 billion from marijuana sales, helping the Mexican economy.

For more information contact the representative for the Cartel Association:  Howard J. Wooldridge @ 817-975-1110