Cowboy Cop

Stories from the week of February 3, 2012

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

An evening to remember:  Karen and I attended a fund-raiser soirée for a Michigan Congressman on Tuesday.  The price was too low ($150) to pass up & the event was held at the home of Grover Norquist.  NOTE:  No COP funds were spent.  Four Congressmen and one US Senator made for a worthwhile experience.  Having Grover introduce me to two Congressmen was priceless.  Karen is becoming a tour de force all by herself.  You should have seen her work the crowd.

He said, she said:  At Grover’s this week the woman from Houston, Texas asked what I did in DC.  She did not like my answer.  We had a nice two minute chat on prohibition and teens.  As we broke off the chat, she ended by saying she liked my horse but not my politics.  The gentleman who sat between us and had followed the chat piped up* and stated he agreed with my position.  She stopped smiling.

Another slow week of no presentations (okay, one by phone), as I let my brain heal.  Next week is CPAC and I will arrive as rested and healed as possible.  I did send out notes to the seven (7) foreign correspondents in the DC area who have attended before.  I brushed up on my drug prohibition vocabulary in all my languages. 

*piped up = den Mund aufmachen

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

254 presentations to Congressional staffers:   1 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  0 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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 2902

Washington, DC  20013

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.

Stories from the week of January 27, 2012

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Nurse Karen happier:  This week I only dealt with emails, leaving the house only for therapy and to attend Grover’s brunch.  Today- Friday I had planned on going to the House, but decided to spend the afternoon with Misty for the first time in a month.  Even riding bareback, I did not fall.  However, next time I will wear my bicycle helmet.

When Zogby speaks, people listen:   At Grover’s brunch we were addressed by John  Zogby of polling fame. He asked likely voters in a Republican primary (nationwide) various questions.   I found this question extremely interesting:

1. “America is the most powerful nation in the world not only because of its strong military but because of the personal freedom it represents.  America must intervene in the affairs of the world whenever its interests are challenged.”

1. “America is in a new global era and cannot afford to spread its resources too thin.  It must rely on strong alliances with other nations and take care of domestic priorities first.”

Statement A:   48%

Statement B:  47%

Not sure: 5%

In my humble opinion this issue will be THE issue splitting Republicans like none other since abortion.  And the Ron Paul view (B) is gaining in popularity, especially with young Republicans.  CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) should provide some fireworks in two weeks. .. Can’t wait.

No opinion yet:  After three months of missing each other at Grover’s, I had a chance to speak to David Keene (President of the NRA – National Rifle Association).  On the question of NRA members losing their Second Amendment right to buy and possess firearms AND ammunition due to being a medical marijuana patient, the NRA is still discussing the topic and has not yet reached a decision.  This week I booked my motel for the NRA convention in April in St. Louis.

When you have no money:  In order to speak to a Member in a straight-forward situation, House Members ask/demand about a $1000 per minute, Senators 2,000.  Thus COP must use surrogates* = talk to the staff of Members, convince them to speak to the Member, give them COP talking points, etc..as expressed in this note.

*surrogate = Ersatzperson

Howard,

 Thank you for coming to our office and sharing your valuable perspective as a former police officer.  I will share your thoughts with Senator XXXXXX.  Thanks as well for your offer to volunteer. (My note—in reference to helping with any event where the Senator needs someone who speaks four languages)

Sincerely,

Bill 

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

253 presentations to Congressional staffers:   0 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  0 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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 2902

Washington, DC  20013

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.

Stories from the week of January 20, 2012

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Nurse Karen is not happy/Howard back in the saddle:   I did return to the Senate this week, taking advantage of their last week of recess.  Not so good, I had an excellent response from staffers (21 total) wanting to meet, including 7 my first day back.  It was a bit much, as I did 5 back to back before lunch.  Karen was ready to have me committed/restrained for my own good.  I DID push myself too much.

I survived the day and the week without any real problems or hurting my brain.  My speech stayed solid for every chat and it was important that I regain my confidence.  For all reasons it was nice & important for one staffer to come over to my table during lunch, give me a hug and said how much she was looking forward to our follow-up chat later in the week.  (she did not know I had run out of free samples?)

Transition:  As you know, staffers come and go.  As I updated my notes on each office, it was painful to know some with whom I had had such a good relationship had moved on.  Craig was one such that I met in 2007, my first full year.. we had great chats, he was with me on marijuana, he had written a paper in college on decrim/legalize.   Last year he did ask his Democratic Senator/boss to sponsor a companion bill to the Frank/Paul bill to repeal federal prohibition.  Like the other 8 staffers who asked, the Senator said no.  One Republican staffer this week described her frustration, when she asked her Senator last year for a companion bill and was rejected. 

Personal/health:  All good.  My speech is 97% of normal, walking/balance are 95%, left side fine motor control is up to about 90% (right side at 100% & I am right handed).  Started driving 10 days after the stroke.  As I said, all memories, including my languages were never affected.  Spoke French for an hour on Saturday.  Lucky boy I am.

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

253 presentations to Congressional staffers:   21 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  0 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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 2902

Washington, DC  20013

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.

Stories from the week of December 30, 2011

COP on the Hill

Your Voice in the United States Congress

Year in review:  My meat and potatoes = presentations numbered 393 for the calendar year, mostly in the House.  Only 7 offices have never heard of COP..all freshmen.  As you know, some staffers have refused to see me, no matter how many times I ask for a few minutes. 

I have worked hard on asking aides to bring HR 2306 – the repeal marijuana bill – to their Member with a positive recommendation on at least policy grounds/reasons.  Twenty (20) have signed on with a couple of others saying they would vote YES, if it came to a vote.  Solid progress and I will build on that.

The NRA & LULAC (National Rifle Association & League of United Latino American Citizens) conventions were ground-breaking for drug reform & successful.  I will attend them again in 2012.  The NRA happens in just 4 months & I will be there.

COP membership:   Thank you for being a member of COP and donating to its efforts.  If you haven’t joined yet, know that your membership is tax-deductible, even as it keeps the only full-time voice in the halls of Congress pushing for a repeal of drug prohibition. 

Concerns:   Several of you over the months have expressed a concern that COP might be endangering its 501 C 3 status, due to my efforts to push for 2306.  I thank you for the feedback and concern. 

Based on a seminar I attended at DPA 2009 and the latest IRS bulletin (July 20, 2011), COP may spend an insignificant amount of its budget lobbying.  The good news/bad news is that I am a volunteer drawing no salary, just expenses.   COP produces no literature which talks about 2306, buys no expensive dinners for Congressmen (LOL), etc.  I do buy train and metro tickets, a four dollar lunch in the Longworth café, etc.  COP expenses per year are running roughly $6,000.   COP status as a 501 C 3 is solid.

Just to be double safe, I do track all the time I spend on 2306 in my Outlook.  It amounts to an average of 1-2 hours a week.  In a 30 minute chat with a staffer I spend only 2-3 minutes talking about 2306.   The rest of the time is on drug prohibition in general from heroin back to MJ…just like when I started back in 2005.

Scratch it off my ‘Bucket list’: On Tuesday night Life threw me a curve ball (stroke) and I spent my first nights in a hospital since birth.  Good news is all my memories, languages, etc are intact….just my speech, balance and sense of taste were affected.  A week later I am off the walker and cane and my speech is 95% normal..  I will be out of action till late in January. 

2012:  I will change significantly my routine in 2012.  I still have 73 offices in the Senate to visit & 134 in the House.   I will do more targeted communications to aides/offices to push them for a public position on prohibition.  The goal is to add as many supporters to repeal as possible in this Congress…to build on that progress for the next one in January 2013.

I will be spending two months in Colorado in the fall to push their legalize/regulate/tax marijuana ballot initiative.  Naturally Misty is part of that plan.

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

232 presentations to Congressional staffers:   0 this week

6 Letter to the Editor:  1 this week

2 Television appearances (Univision):   this week

5 Other media (blogs, cable TV, etc):  this week

7 radio shows:     this week

11 (Member of Congress) contacts:   this week

Permanent invitation to Grover Norquist’s Wednesday brunch attended by 140 conservative VIPs.

2 Major conferences attended: Drug Policy Alliance International & the Congressional Black Caucus

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 2902

Washington, DC  20013

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.