Posted October 2nd, 2012 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of September 21 and 28, 2012
Keeping the issue in front of VIPs: The main event this week was the annual CBC ALC (Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference). I made dozens of solid contacts, one radio show, offers to bring me to Cincinnati and Houston to speak and most importantly this:
At the opening plenary –town hall – session which focused on the loss of voting rights due to Voter ID Laws, I was able to ask my question to the audience of about 1000, the panel which included 3 Congressmen and Nancy Pelosi who was waiting behind the curtain to surprise us. After introducing myself I asked, ‘With all due respect Reverend Sharpton, we have two wars going on in this country. You forgot about the War on Drugs. This Drug War or New Jim Crow has taken away of the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of black Americans whether they have ID or not. Why are you (the panel) not addressing this massive problem?’
I had a large segment of the audience clap and cheer my question. The panel agreed it was a problem. Later in the hallway 7-8 came up to me and thanked me for the question. Indeed, nobody this election season is addressing this massive, failed policy. I rubbed their nose in it, politely.
Chew on that MJ bone: At Grover’s bunch this week the chief assistant to a large 501c4 (political action committee) said good morning like he has the past 3 years. He initiated a chat on my issue saying, ‘I have thought some more about legalizing marijuana & I have decided it would be okay. Someone wants to smoke in their own home..I guess that would be okay. It is still not the moral thing to do but for adults it would be okay.’
I thanked him for his change in position. ….By presenting simple & cogent reasons to legalize/regulate I create a ‘bone’ that I hope people will chew on. ‘Mike’ chewed for 3 years before he finally reached the marrow and the heart of the anti-prohibition concept. Note that now a slight majority of the Grover brunch – The Grand Central Station of the Conservative Movement – take the COP position on at least marijuana in private. Small Steps.
Drug Crowd in Congress: I had a good chat with the Chief Legal Counsel to a VIP Member of the House Judiciary Comm. He explained his boss does support the marijuana repeal bill but would not publicly because of the ‘message’ it would send to other Members. I responded, “You mean the message of becoming part of the ‘drug crowd’ of the US Congress? “ Yes, he responded.
Note: this session a total of 21 United States Congressmen were part of the ‘drug crowd’ who had the courage to put their name next to the legislation. Another 145 or so voted to stop spending federal money on DEA drug raids in states with medical cannabis stores.. all total the House has about 170 Members in the ‘drug crowd.’’ My job next year (and yours) is to increase that number to 218.
I took as vacation time the week of September 28.
Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:
51 Presentations to Congressional staffers: 1 this week
4 Radio interviews: 1 this week
14 Blog, cable TV, minor media events: 1 this week
2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended: this week
1 chat with Congressman: 1 this week
10 Presentations to lesser VIPs: this week
Total stats for COP in first 3 years:
- 944 Presentations to Congressional staffers
- 26 Appearances on major TV networks
- 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
- 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
- 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
- 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
- 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
- Permanent invitation to 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 $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:
Posted October 2nd, 2012 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of September 14, 2012
Caravan for Peace: I brought my signs to a 100 person rally in downtown DC. I enjoyed the LEAP vehicle that LEAPer – former deputy Chief of Police of Los Angeles PD – Stephen Downing designed. I was able to do one radio program and a good chat with the DC bureau chief of Azteca America (TV), who said he would like to use me in the future. Made me recall the Spanish saying: de dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho (from the saying to the doing, there is a big distance)
I had half dozen excellent chats in Spanish with those who started the journey in Tijuana/San Diego. They seemed to believe if America stopped exporting weapons, the cartels would not be so much of a problem.
Tuesday I attended the quarterly ‘Justice Roundtable’ at the OSI. (4x/year reps from about 40 DC organizations come together to discuss events, strategies & the future)…..and Wednesday the Grover Norquist brunch. Past that was just more catching up from my trips to Tampa & Charlotte.
Small step: Comments on drug prohibition start at 54 minutes and last about 5 minutes. Worth your time. Experts state that this judge is considered a leader & legal scholar in the federal judiciary.
YouTube: Federal Judge Calls For Marijuana Legalization
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OehUOIH6QI
Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:
50 Presentations to Congressional staffers: this week
4 Radio interviews: 1 this week
14 Blog, cable TV, minor media events: 1 this week
2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended: this week
10 Presentations to lesser VIPs: this week
Total stats for COP in first 3 years:
944 Presentations to Congressional staffers
- 26 Appearances on major TV networks
- 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
- 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
- 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
- 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
- 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
- Permanent invitation to 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 $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:
Signs I displayed at the Caravan for Peace rally – foto above from John Stewart rally
Posted September 23rd, 2012 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of September 7, 2012
May I walk with you Governor?: Walking back to my car in order to take a well-deserved, late morning nap – X Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) was coming toward me on the same sidewalk. He replied I could walk with him for a minute. The gist* of our 2 minute chat was what I told all the commentators this week; namely the longest running war in our history was the 40 year, trillion dollar failure of the War on Drugs/Drug Prohibition(not the war in Afghanistan). Of course, I informed Rendell and the others about COP & LEAP and left them with my card.
NOTE: Fortune favors the bold..just walk up to a VIP and ask for a minute of their time.
*gist = im westentlichem
The Democratic Convention in Charlotte: As I said last week, Tampa was worth going but just barely. Thus I was in doubt about spending the time and money to drive to Charlotte. Luckily I asked several COP board members and they shouted “YES!!” go and do..
I was a spectator for 3 live shows of Joe in the Morning and the Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd. I positioned myself (by arriving at 0330) to make sure the guests of the show read the shirt. Joe honored COP by reading the shirt out loud to the 40 in line and finished by saying, “Yeah.” Another of his regular commentators read the shirt out loud inside the bar and finished by saying “I don’t have to ask. I already know why.”
On the Chuck Todd show I positioned myself behind him, so the camera picked up “COPS SAY – LEGALIZE” every time the camera showed Chuck. One of his camera crew came over to me before the show started to take my foto with his cell phone = he has my card for any possible future use….I was unable to grab two minutes with Chuck Todd. ..however I did grab 2 minutes with his producer (she was also a supervisor for Joe’s show) – we chatted and she has a card.
VIPs with whom I had my famous, two minute chats = your support in action:
X-Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania (now a frequent commentator for MSNBC)
Gov. Martin O’Malley (Dem – Maryland) and undeclared 2016 presidential candidate
Attorney General Harris (D- CA)
Attorney General Biden (D- DE)
State Rep from SC
Joe Scarborough – x Congressman from Florida and host of Joe in the Morning TV show
David Gregory – host Meet the Press
John Heilmann – commentator and regular of Joe in the Morning
Michael Steele – x LT. Gov of Maryland, x head of Republican National Comm. & now commentator
After my power naps on Wednesday and Thursday (in my car w/ AC running), I just stood on the sidewalk near the convention center 4 hours each day. This yielded 4 in camera interviews with non-major TV networks, 7 print/blog interviews + north of* a couple hundred fotos taken. The shirt sells itself. Maybe I should start charging a dollar per foto to help cover expenses?
*North of = mehr als
The trip resulted in one of, if not my most productive week in the past 6 years. Yes, I was dead-tired and my feet/legs ached from standing for 8 hours in my cowboy boots. Okay enough whining. I will recover…if slowly.
PS>. .arriving home late on Friday afternoon, I had 15 minutes before I did an hour on the radio station below.
Howard Wooldridge – Cannabis Nation Radio – Marijuana, Cannabis …
Howard Wooldridge, a retired police detective spends his time educating citizens about the failed war on drugs.
kcnrnetwork.com/howard-wooldridge
Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:
50 Presentations to Congressional staffers: this week
3 Radio interviews: 1 this week
13 Blog, cable TV, minor media events: 11 this week
2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended: this week
10 Presentations to lesser VIPs: 9 this week
Total stats for COP in first 3 years:
- 944 Presentations to Congressional staffers
- 26 Appearances on major TV networks
- 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
- 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
- 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
- 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
- 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
- Permanent invitation to 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 $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:
Posted September 22nd, 2012 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 31, 2012
The week was consumed by my excursion to Tampa. The Grover Norquist event was not as fruitful as I had hoped. I only made one good contact there. On the other hand, I do not discount the importance of being in the same room with the big dogs of the Republican Party of which there were about 200-225.
Thursday I had time to kill before my plane flight. I was up at 0420 to attend the TV show Joe in the Morning….with Joe Scarborough and crew. I arrived too late to go in immediately but finally got in at 0800 and was lucky to have a place directly behind the co-hosts+ 10 meters. That meant the shirt was readable to the TV audience. From 0900 to 1000 I attended the live broadcast with Chuck Todd of MSNBC. The shirt was on view often, as I positioned myself to be in his background. Moreover, the roving cameraman liked the shirt enough to request I reposition myself so it showed up better.
On the Hill for half a day on Friday, two staffers came up to me at lunch to say they had seen me on a program.
Without trying I had one interview & foto op with the Huffington Post…so, I am going to Charlotte in an attempt to make contact with media and whatever else I can do. Ever the optimist, I am.
Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:
50 Presentations to Congressional staffers: 1 this week
2 Radio interviews: this week
2 Blog, cable TV, minor media events: 1 this week
2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended: this week
1 Presentations to lesser VIPs: 1 this week
Total stats for COP in first 3 years:
944 Presentations to Congressional staffers
- 26 Appearances on major TV networks
- 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
- 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
- 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
- 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
- 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
- Permanent invitation to 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 $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:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
- POB 2902
- Washington, DC 20013
Posted August 27th, 2012 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of August 24, 2012
Having an impact: I received these this week. I have to hide the identities. The document in question is at the bottom. These types of requests reinforce my belief that COP is making a difference. It ain’t fancy or flashy but I believe it is the work in the trenches that sets up a foto op/success picture later.
Good Morning Howard,
You stopped by the office the other day for your annual visit to discuss drug policy. Can you please forward me an electronic version of all of the factsheets you gave me?
Specifically, the handout entitled “2012 Updates: re: Drug Prohibition/War on Drugs.
Thank you,
Linda Jones
Legislative Director/Chief Counsel
Congresswoman xxxxxxxxx (WY-18)
xxxx Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subject: RE: Modern Federal Prohibition – R (read time: 1 minute)
It was a pleasure meeting with you.
I passed along your information to John M, Sr. Legislative Assistant, in our office.
Enjoy the rest of your summer! Take care.
Best,
KS
Executive Assistant/Scheduler
Office of Congressman XXXX (WY-05)
XXXX Rayburn HOB | Washington, D.C. 20515
Have invitation, will travel: Grover Norquist is having his Wednesday brunch in Tampa next week and I was invited. It will be a large affair, as all the 48 state meeting of the ‘center-right’ movement are also coming to this 3 hour affair. Already 3 governors will be addressing us and the VIPs of the party will be there to pay homage to Grover and the powerful ‘Taxpayer Pledge.’
I will stay with a COP supporter to keep expenses down. The chance to mingle with VIPs from all over the country makes the modest travel expenses worthwhile. And the breakfast and meeting are free!
Fourth year stats for COP- August 1, 2012 thru July 31, 2013:
49 Presentations to Congressional staffers: 16 this week
2 Radio interviews: 1 this week
1 Blog, cable TV, minor media events: this week
2 seminar, hearing or briefing attended: this week
Total stats for COP in first 3 years:
944 Presentations to Congressional staffers
- 26 Appearances on major TV networks
- 14 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers
- 27 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, etc
- 66 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $65,000)
- 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
- 33 brief chats with Members of Congress
- 19 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, etc.
- 10 major conferences attended (CPAC, LULAC, NRA, etc)
- Permanent invitation to 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 $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:
2012 Updates re: Drug Prohibition/War on Drugs
- China & others will loan us 6 billion of the 15 billion spent on prohibition by Congress in FY 2013. Return on that investment after a trillion dollars? Drugs are cheaper, stronger, and readily available to anyone in the USA per federal reports.
- National Review endorses the repeal of federal prohibition of marijuana: HR 2306
- DOJ reported in Sept. 2011 that 1000 Mexican Drug Gangs operate in American cities. DEA chief of global operations – David Gaddis – reported in October 2010 the gangs are the #1 organized crime threat to the country. In 2010 the DOJ reported that the availability of all drugs except cocaine increased.
- The Heritage Foundation in the fall of 2010 called for the elimination of the Drug Czar’s Office (ONDCP) and the Drug-Free Schools & Communities Act (DFSCA) as part of its plan to eliminate unneeded or wasteful government programs. Savings: 300 million.
- Grover Norquist, a former drug czar and other prominent conservatives launched RightOnCrime.com to inject conservative values into spending on criminal justice issues.
- 56% in 2012 Rasmussen poll said marijuana should be legal; 40% oppose. Majority support was in the West, East and Midwest. Over 50% of the young, Dems and independents support legalization.
- In 2011 Kentucky dramatically cut drug law sentences in order not to build in prisons. This is occurring in many other states in 2012, notably Georgia.
- Exact figures on the extent of the cuts are hard to come by, but the American Bar Association says most states cut court funding 10 percent to 15 percent in the past three years. At least 26 states delayed filling open judgeships, while courts in 14 states were forced to lay off staff. Associated Press/MSNBC
- In 2010 Afghanistan became world leader in export of hashish – helping fund the Taliban war machine. Experts state 50% + of the Taliban operating budge depends on drug trade profits.
- In 2012 Pat Roberson, noted evangelist and leader of the 700 Club called for marijuana to be legalized like alcohol, in order to stop destroying so many young lives.
- In 2011 the DEA reports that drugs are still “readily available to America’s youth.”
- Michigan lost nearly 15 percent of its civilian and officer law enforcement employees combined from 2001 through 2010…over 3,000 officers gone. Other states report significant reductions in force. The Thin Blue line is thinner. Where should we focus dwindling resources?
