Posted November 10th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
Like Old Times:
Halfway through my burrito at Chipotle, the phone rang with a message of “Potential Spam.” I picked up anyway and it turned out to be the chief legal counsel to a senior Illinois congressman whom I had met multiple times before. “Sure, I have a minute.” 30 minutes later, after a half dozen probing questions, I returned to indulge in my weekly, Mexican food fix. The overwhelmingly number of staffers are expressing a much greater level of interest in going decrim, then I imagined. Thank goodness for microwaves!! I hate cold burritos.
Best question of the week: Staffer: “Since the police arrested 1.4 million last year for simple possession and you want to make this a medical issue, do we have 1.4 million beds to help them with treatment?” “No.” I responded. I described how the vast majority of the arrests were folks who do drugs occasionally are the ones caught. Moreover, out-patient treatment is often effective at a very minimal cost, especially versus treatment in jail or simple jail time.
Racial justice\injustice: My most important argument when making a presentation to a legislative assistant is the need to improve police/community relations. This is more obvious in the year of George Floyd and other horrific murders against people of color. The cheerful news is that in the 45 or so presentations that I have made since Labor Day, the overwhelming majority of legislative assistance, both Republican and Democrat, acknowledge the need to improve our police community relations.
Activity this week:
3373 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 16 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
a
Posted October 23rd, 2020 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
A note from a staffer from Indiana I talked with this week:
‘I’m so glad that we had a chance to talk and reconnect yesterday. You’ve been incredibly helpful since we’ve worked together over a decade. Your insights are always helpful, and these follow-up emails are exactly what I need to better help my boss on these issues.’
Nice Surprise:
At the end of our phone chat, the LA – legislative aide asked if I had attended a NORML event a couple of years ago. “Yes.” Did you wear a message on your shirt? “yes.” And a cowboy hat? “Guilty” ….she said we had a chat in the elevator at that event. Wow! I wish I had such a good memory!
Unusual call: A 32 y/o long-term heroin addict, living in the UK, called and thanked me for my comments in the Reason Magazine recently. We had a 20-minute chat, at the end of which he asked if I had heard of LEAP. “I’m one of the Founding Five.” I replied and he was dumbfounded. He urged me to keep up the good work and I assured him I would.
Activity this week:
3375 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 18 these 2 weeks
02 meetings attended (Grover Norquist’)
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted October 11th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
My presentation to Majority Leader McConnell’s chief legal counsel and her assistant went well. I laid out our efforts in 2021 to go “Portugal” and who might support it on the R side. This was a heads up and a courtesy to their office and position of authority.
Since stories are few and far between these days, I will put in one per week from long ago.
Stories from the week of October 2, 2009
So easy, anyone could do it: On Friday I had a fairly average day of six presentations. One 30 minute chat was with the legislative director of a major, Republican office set the tone for the day. Right from the start, he said he agreed with the COP position. We agreed that marijuana was a no-brainer to start the changes. We spent the bulk of the time brain-storming on how to persuade Members to vote for change. ( wasted money was the consensus for R Members)
NOTE: the previous aide for this Member on the issue was an absolutely intractable, mean and nasty person. This made the meeting all the sweeter.
Ughh: The Senate criminal justice aides became pre-occupied/busy, since Trump nominated Barrett to SCOTUS…So I am switching to the House next week.
Activity this week – October 2 & 9, 2020:
3357 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 05 this week
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at 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 $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted October 11th, 2020 by hiwayhowie
Note: As you might imagine, working by phone means few colorful stories, etc. I had an excellent 20 minutes in Spanish with Senator Harris’ assistant. I am encouraged by her enthusiasm.
Activity this week:
3352 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 08 this week
1 hearing by zoom from Olympia, Washington Public Safety Committee by invitation from the Comm. Chairman
COP stats since inception: August 2009
205 interviews and reports in minor media
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at 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 $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
Posted September 21st, 2020 by hiwayhowie
Back in the Saddle: This week I made two presentations to Senate offices via phone. Feels good to do something, cause Good Trouble. Per the Senate staffers, the last six months were exclusive Covid 19…no oxygen for any other issues. That has changed this month. So, I am making contact the only way available: phone, Zoom, etc. I have several more meetings booked, including one with the Criminal Justice aide to Senator Harris on Thursday.
Long fly ball to Right Field: My project to have a House Member introduce clean legislation to De-crim simple possession of all drugs (like Portugal did in 2001), failed in August. The Member sent the proposed legislation to the Drug Policy Alliance for review and comment. They rejected the concept of a simple bill and successfully convinced the Member to introduce a complex bill with many facets of social justice. So, the Portugal approach became a small part of a bill which has zero chance to pass the Senate. Worse, I expect little to no press coverage.
Personal: My response to the CV was to spend 2-3 hours a day on my bicycle to bring my lungs and heart to peak condition, in case Mr. Virus knocked on my door. Straight Up: I was scared and remain very concerned. The first three months I was making a steady 140 miles a week. I am down to 80-100 miles per week and given my age, I am quite careful re: masks, distance, etc. I hope and trust this note finds you in good health, if not spirits.
Fall Campaigns: There are 5 States with marijuana ballot issues. All are expected to pass relatively easily. Thus, I will stay put and focus on Congress. Missy, my new horse, is making steady progress and she will be ready for campaigns in 2022.
PS: I am deeply touched by the many of you who continued your financial support. It is always a confirmation that COP is doing something worthwhile. Thank you for keeping the faith.
Activity this week:
3344 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 02 this week
205 interviews and reports in minor media = 01 about a month ago. http://theleafonline.com/c/lifestyle/2020/09/video-becker-2020/
I come in for 3 minutes at about minute 48.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
90 Radio Interviews… 0 this week
327 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0 this week
397 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.: 0 this week –
107 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week
44 published interviews/foto in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 0 this week
Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribute, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
31 major conferences attended – (UN drug conference, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Weekly attendance at Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 150 conservative leaders. Named the “Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement.”
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
84 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $83,000) 0 this week
* Consider being a member of COP at $40.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 40 dollars buys all the copy paper COP uses in one year. Law Enforcement’s voice in opposition to current policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal drug prohibition. COP provides that voice. www.citizensopposingprohibition.org
