Posted December 18th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Scope of the Problem/Issue: Even my world was a bit rocked this week..Back to back presentations where the first aide had lost 8 high school and university friends (all from relapse) and the next aide had lost 7…it took my breath away. As you know, relapse is a major problem and nobody but nobody (besides COP) is asking the Congress to research a path to help these addicts.
Belt Buckle Scores Big Win: I was gathering the last of the names of health policy advisors, when I entered the Member’s office.. an aide said the Christmas festivities had just begun and offered me a beer and Wisconsin cheese…I hesitated before saying yes…he and I had a good chat on health policy, the Member and I met, along with his neighbor from Idaho…the party was in the conference room and I was invited to join.
An aide asked about the belt buckle. I explained the Long Ride. Since a Member was from Idaho, I took the opportunity to praise his state; in two weeks to cross southern Idaho in August and 104 temperatures, someone took us into 12 of 14 nights…then someone insisted on knowing the worst state…I hesitated, not wanting to insult Kansas…they insisted so, I revealed in the 24 days of travel in KS, we only received shelter 3.
Then someone asked my mission. The Members and staff gave me 5 minutes to make a mini-presentation. I finished my beer, thanked them for the hospitality and wished them all a very Merry Christmas.
Note: this is the last Newsletter of 2023.
This Week:
5079 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 14 this week
384 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02this week: Grothman (R-WI), Fulcher (R-ID)
453 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 01 this week… R Candidate for US Senate.
Meetings: 02 Grover Norquist & Latino evening rally event in VA
COP stats since inception: August 2009
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
98 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria), LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Media: Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)
To send a check:
COP
POB 543
Buckeystown, MD 21717
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of December 15, 2023
Scope of the Problem/Issue: Even my world was rocked a bit this week..Back to back presentations where the first aide had lost 8 high school and university friends (all from relapse) and the next aide had lost 7…it took my breath away. As you know, relapse is a major problem and nobody but nobody (besides COP) is asking the Congress to research a path to help these addicts.
Belt Buckle Scores Big Win: I was gathering the last of the names of health policy advisors, when I entered the Member’s office.. and aide said the Christmas festivities had just begun and offered me a beer and Wisconsin cheese…I hesitated before saying yes…he and I had a good chat on health policy, the Member and I met, along with his neighbor from Idaho…the party was in the conference room and I was invited to join.
An aide asked about the belt buckle. I explained the Long Ride. Since a Member was from Idaho, I took the opportunity to praise his state; in two weeks to cross southern Idaho in August and 104 temperatures, someone took us into 12 of 14 nights…then someone insisted on knowing the worst state…I hesitated, not wanting to insult Kansas…they insisted so, I revealed in the 24 days of travel in KS, we only received shelter 3.
Then someone asked about my mission. The Members and staff gave me 5 minutes to make a mini-presentation. I finished my beer, thanked them for the hospitality and wished them all a very Merry Christmas. FWIW…5 minutes of having an exclusive time with a Member normally costs a lobbyist/advocate 10K.
Note: this is the final Newsletter of 2023…wishing you and yours the best of the Season, cowboy
This Week:
5079 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 14 this week
384 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 this week: Grothman (R-WI), Fulcher (R-ID)
453 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 01 this week… R Candidate for US Senate.
Meetings: 02 Grover Norquist & Latino evening rally event in VA
Posted December 17th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
This week was centered on the annual, 2-day Energy Transition conference in DC (my Fourth). This one was not as productive as last year (spoke to 4 Members of Congress). I did enjoy the change of pace and had a long chat with the Norwegian ambassador on her countries’ drug policy and one of the presenters.
This Week:
5065 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 1 this week
382 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 01 this week: Ezell (R-MS)
452 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 01 this week… the ambassador from Norway.
COP stats since inception: August 2009
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
98 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria), LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Media: Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)
To send a check:
COP
POB 543
Buckeystown, MD 21717
Posted December 17th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Howard awarded a Purple Heart: The Congressman from Texas and I had a long, six-minute chat. The first 3 minutes were about drug policy-yeah..the last 3 were a speech about all the ills in the USA, how close to destruction we are, etc…this is when I began to bite my lip, so when he said at the end that only Trump can fix it, only by drawing blood was I able not to respond to his tirade. I stayed on topic…. I hope I don’t earn another one!
The boy can make an entrance: I entered another Texas, Republican office looking to learn the name of the Health Policy Advisor. In the reception was the CMan Luttrell flanked by 4 assistants. The room stopped. After a few seconds Luttrell said, “You must be an important person!” Not missing a beat, I strode over, shook his hand and we had an excellent 7-minute chat about mostly drug policy. He did ask about the Long Rider buckle…that extended our chat by 2 minutes.
No. I did not say, “Yes, I am an important person!” LOL
Note: this X Navy Seal who earned the Navy Cross & Purple Heart is leading the fight in Congress to utilize hallucinogens for our vets suffering from mental health issues. I told him I will be his foot soldier on this, when a bill is introduced. At the moment he and others are arguing with the Veterans Admin. His paragraph of having the VA do the research was included in the Defense budget for this year and is now law.
Solid week: 12 meetings, six Members
This Week:
5064 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 12 this week
381 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 06 this week: Nehls (R-TX), Mooney (R-WV)
Quigley (D-IL), Luttrell (R-TX), Griffth (R-VA), Hank Johnson (D-GA…my fourth good chat),
Meetings: 01 Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
451 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 0 this week…
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
98 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria), LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Media: Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)
To send a check:
COP
POB 543
Buckeystown, MD 21717
Posted December 17th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Weekly Activities:
May I say something?: Unique to my some 6,000 presentations (5K for COP and 1000 for LEAP), was my experience this week. I barely covered my background and organization info, when she asked a question and another and another and another…28 minutes later, I had to leave for my next appointment and she let me have 30 seconds. Whew!!!
As you know, lobbyists/advocates are paid to run their mouth, not to listen for half an hour!
The questions were all excellent and criminal justice centered, FWIW.
Not for Nothin; Due to confidentially rules, I can not say what exactly was exchanged. However, I am very pleased that the last 14 years, I have been the ‘go to guy’ for drug policy info for Grover Norquist and his center-right friends. Grover is totally on board with legalize/regulate/slightly tax marijuana.
Solid week: 13 meetings, 15,300 steps in 2 days
This Week:
5052 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 13 this week
Meetings: 01 Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
375 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 0
451 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 0 this week…
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
98 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria), LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Media: Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)
To send a check:
COP
POB 543
Buckeystown, MD 21717
Posted December 17th, 2023 by hiwayhowie
Weekly Activities
Congressional Fight Club Caucus: No, I did not join.
She Understands and Supports Change: As I have said, every Assistant knows someone who has died of an overdose. Thus they are receptive to the concept of we failed their loved one and perhaps there is a better approach.
Brianna let me finish before revealing her mom is a heroin addict. Brianna in her early teens and siblings were removed from the home and mom lost custody. My words on paper can not convey the emotions boiling to the surface in this minute; hers and mine.
Becoming tired of the lies: Nearly every Republican “informs” us constantly that the only reason the fenty is crossing the border is Biden’s lax enforcement of illegals. This despite the published info that 86% of the arrests and suspected volume made by the border patrol are Americans in their own cars and trucks. Oh Vey!
Solid week: 19 meetings
This Week:
5039 Presentations to Congressional staffers… 19 this week
375 personal chats with a Member of Congress… 02 this week Dr and CMan Buchson(R-IN) and CMan Doggett (D-TX)
451 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, 01 this week… MS man running for US Senate
Meetings: 01 Grover Norquist
COP stats since inception: August 2009
109 Appearances/Interviews on major TV/Radio/Print media. 0 This week.
215 interviews and reports in minor media …0 this week –
98 Radio Interviews: 0 this week
33 major conferences attended – CPAC 2023, (3 UN drug conferences in Vienna, Austria), LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions., National Review, Republican Annual Retreat etc.) 0 this week
Media: Blaze TV {new, popular right-wing}, (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision, BBC, CNN, NPR, OAN, German, Swiss, French, Spanish TV and radio) Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Grand Rapids Press + 9 other MI papers. Chicago Tribune, Honolulu Star Advertiser {foto and caption}, Reason Magazine, Reuters
* Consider being a member of COP at $40 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 ( to donate by Internet)
To send a check:
COP
POB 543
Buckeystown, MD 21717
