COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

COPs on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 15, 2010

Slow Week on the Hill:  I have been working on the Senate  side for two months and have presented to 70 offices.  The last 30 are always the hardest, as the aides simply do not respond to my email requests for a meeting.  This week I only presented to four offices with four scheduled for next week.    It is a delicate balancing act between being a bit forceful without becoming annoying.   They rarely say no, rather they just ignore you, hoping you go away.

MPP celebrates:   Karen convinced me that my attendance at the MPP 15^th anniversary gala was necessary.   Yes it was 250 but sometimes you just have to spend the money.   Note to self…..always listen to Karen.    So I put on my tux and…….

In the happy hour room, I was near the entry door and thus able to have a five minute conversation with two term Governor Gary Johnson (R- NM) and his aide.  We talked about him running in 2012 on the R ticket and how Misty and I would organize an equestrian brigade to help.  Note:  I had met the Governor in the fall of 2008 in Santa Fe, NM when he invited me to lunch.

Next came Congressman Steve Cohen whom I had met in Nashville at a reception when he was still a state senator (thanks to my friend Paul Kuhn of Nashville for sneaking me into that reception).   The Congressman and I had an excellent chat.

Do I know you?:  When I  entered the dining room, I saw at my assigned table my old buddy, Jack Cole of LEAP,  already seated.  I just laughed internally, found a seat not too close and we both behaved ourselves. LOL

Let’s coordinate our efforts:  This week I contacted the lobbyists for DPA, MPP and NORML & asked them to come together on Friday.  The topic was how, what, when, where and who to introduce a simple bill in the House to repeal federal prohibition.  Six of us met for two hours at DPA HQ and hashed* things out.     As you know, COPs take a ‘marijuana first’ strategy in ending all prohibition. 

I am not at liberty to discuss details but it was a productive meeting that will bear fruit.  Stay tuned.

*Hashed things out = über alles diskutieren und erledigen

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, 

Howard

Detective/Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

COPs on the Hill – Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

COPs  on the Hill 

Stories from the week of January 8, 2010

 Faux pas or How reform wins?:   Last week I recognized a member of McConnell’s (R-KY & Minority Leader) staff who every week briefs those who attend Grover Norquist’s brunch.   Of course I could not think of her name as we approached each other near Union Station.  “Senate lady.  How you doing?”  I called out.   She did recognize at least the hat and responded.

At Grover’s this week she told the 120 folks about how she was hailed as the “Senate Lady” near Union Station and had hoped no one in ear shot had taken that to mean something X rated.   Everyone laughed.  As she moving forward to address the group, she spied me and I sheepishly raised my hand as the guilty one.  My face has not been that red since I rode Misty across the Utah desert.   Her name is Lanier & shall NOT forget it ever.   On the flip side,* she won’t forget me either. 

How do you measure success/progress?:   At a coffee shop near my home, ‘off-duty’ (LOL) & wearing my shirt, I became engaged in a chat.  The person asked how I measure progress.  I related this story as one method. 

Before meeting the Senate staffer from a western state, the receptionist and I engaged in a chat.  Her husband had retired as the commander of that state’s police.  “Not to butter your toast,*  but I must tell you that your state was the best at demonstrating hospitality to my horse and me.  It took 14 days to cross your state and 12 nights someone took us in.”

 I told her how I had ‘backed up’ a state trooper on a traffic stop in the middle of nowhere which her husband may have heard of. (how often does a guy on a horse stand by a traffic stop to make sure the officer is okay?)

 The next day I gave her the 12 pages out of Misty’s book which detailed the hospitality and adventures of riding thru her state (included two nasty dust storms).     Upon leaving, she stated I was an effective speaker for my issue and wished me good luck on my mission.  NOTE:  at that moment I wish I had been able to give her LEAP card to give to her husband but…..

 To the guy at the coffee shop, I summarized by saying.  One never knows when a contact like this bears fruit but statistically one knows that a certain percentage do. 

 *on the flip side  = on the other hand

*butter your toast* = schmeicheln

  Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year.  It is tax-deductible.  Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

  Thank you,

 Howard

 Officer Howard  Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC

817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772

Buckeystown, MD  21717-0772

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of January 1, 2010

Howard on the Hill

Stories from the week of January 1, 2010

Best moment in 2009:

When Congressman Johnson engaged me in conversation 2 weeks ago. This was only the second time in over three years that a Member asked for a chat.

Worst moment in 2009:

 The briefing in November I attended on the Webb Commission bill where we were informed that law enforcement was exerting great pressure to kill/make  useless – the Webb bill.

The stats of 2009:

Since August 1 and the launch of COPs:

225 presentations were made to Congressional Staffers and six VIPs.

 Four (4) radio interviews were done, along with two (2) TV interviews.

5 opeds published in on line blogs

24 Letters to the Editor published

COP Members have contributed 18,000 Dollars ( I am humbled and honored)

Total expenses for calendar 2009 were 4200 (1000 of which were fees to establish COPs w/ the government).

Strategy for 2010:

 Coordinate closely with MPP and DPA to see a bill introduced to repeal federal prohibition of cannabis and or repeal federal prohibition of the medical use of cannabis.

Past that, make presentations to 535 offices on the Hill, meet and chat with more VIPs and discover as many venues as possible for COP speakers to help at the local and state levels.

In late August I will take a leave of absence from COPs. I will take Misty to California via truck and trailer and spend 10 weeks there campaigning to pass their legalize/regulate/tax cannabis ballot issue.

Stay alert for any opportunity to move the issue.

Howard

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. It is tax-deductible. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you,

Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired) Drug Policy Specialist,

 COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC 817-975-1110 Cell

howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

 Citizens Opposing Prohibition 

PO Box 772 Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 25, 2009

NOTE: The change on the Hill became quite noticeable in 2008 and this year became a near Tsunami. Reading these will help you see what I have seen. The staffers have come a long, long way since 2005.

Staffer of the year 2009: In the first minute of a presentation to the staffer of an Oklahoma Republican he stopped me to say he was a Ron Paul type Libertarian and agreed with the COP position. “Now here is how you craft the bill so Republicans can sign on to it.” He added. I began writing what he said & even more as he told me how to sell the bill using a line of reasoning based on the 9th and 10th Amendments. *

 This type of conversation with Republican staffers was duplicated another 8 times this year. The tipping point in nigh.*

 Staffer of the year 2008: Early this year a Senate staffer called and told me of a bill he was worried about. He explained what the bill would do. ‘What do you think, Howard? Should the Senator oppose this bill?’ Instinctively, I knew this was bad legislation, however I needed articulation.* I quickly called my mentor who gave me chapter and verse why one should oppose the bill. I called back the staffer, (& may I say sounding quite intelligent), I gave him 5 talking points why to advise the Senator to oppose the bill. He forwarded my talking points to members of the judiciary who thanked him for his articulation on the bill.

The bill, sponsored by a Democrat, died without a hearing. Developing relationships since 2005 is beginning pay off.

 Staffer of the year 2007:  And I quote him “Hypothetically speaking, if drugs were legalized and distributed by clinics, it’s likely that health insurers are going to demand notification when their beneficiaries access those drugs. That means those beneficiaries bills will go way up or they’ll lose coverage all together. This would likely cause another black market to be established, because folks won’t want to lose their health insurance. What do you do about that?

And to be honest, though we didn’t get into it, my personal belief is that you should just keep killing every drug dealer arrested. Eventually you’re going to run out. I’m not sure we can make a real dent in the problem under our current justice system that allows people to deal drugs with little penalty.”

 Note: I did answer all his concerns but he was NOT listening.

Staffer of the year 2006: A few minutes into a meeting with a staffer, she declared that, because drug use would skyrocket with legalization, it was a no-go idea. I pointed out that Holland’s marijuana use had dropped to half of America’s after 30 years of legalization. “That’s because they all went onto to use hard drugs!” she replied, tartly.* It took all my 18 years of police-learned discipline not to burst out laughing. 3 minutes later she stated, “So, you want to sell heroin to 10 year olds!” I replied no, give heroin roughly with the same regulations and controls as whiskey. About 1 staffer in 25 reacts to my visit like this one. These people are very comfortable in their dogma* based on ignorance……

BTW, her Republican boss is on the House Judiciary Committee near the top of the seniority. No doubt her boss has the same information/attitude base as the aide. Now you have a better idea why things are so messed up.

 Staffer of the year 2005: A Congressional staffer had a new one. His reason for opposing ending prohibition? ‘If we legalize marijuana, eventually the growers will want to receive a subsidy to grow it, the same as farmers receive subsidies to grow tobacco, rice, sugar etc. It will just mean one more expense for the federal government.’ Most of you don’t know it but I do have a poker face. I coolly replied, “Well, this is the first day of my second rodeo. Call me naïve but I have faith that the US Congress will never subsidize cannabis farmers.” The staffer remained unconvinced. I went on to another meeting, chuckling* all the way down the hall of the Rayburn Building.

** 9th and 10th amendments = ein Staat (Bayern Z.B) soll das Vorrecht haben ihre eigene Vorschrifte zu schreiben, nicht die Bundesriegierung in Berlin.

 • Nigh = soon, bald, jetzt

 • Articulation = erklären

 • Tartly = scharf

 • Dogma = gleich

 Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Thank you, Wishing you and yours all the best in 2010. 

Howard

  Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)

Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org

Washington, DC 817-975-1110 Cell

 howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member

PO Box 772 Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

 Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

What I would rather be doing in retirement: time w/ my horse: 2003 en route from Georgia to Oregon – 6 months in the saddle.

Howard on the Hill: Stories from the week of December 18, 2009

Overview: This was an extra, extraordinary week on my DC journey to repeal federal prohibition. I have to believe, you tell me, that after some 40 months on the Hill and in Washington in general, my fruit tree has begun to yield a serious crop.

Am I properly dressed?: MPP’s Marsha Wallen hit a home run with this Christmas card.

Picture a Santa with a little boy on his knee. While holding a gun to Santa’s head the boy tells Santa what he wants for Christmas: “All I want is more marijuana prohibition. It is good for business.” The little boys t-shirt says: ‘Mexican Drug Cartels.’

I took her idea and added on the inside of the card:

“Thank you for all your support in 2009

Feliz Navidad

The Association of Mexican Drug Cartels
my new employer – they pay much better
best – Howard”

I cranked out* 540 copies and hand delivered them to the staffers with whom I have a relationship on Capitol Hill. On Wednesday between presentations to Senate staffers, I delivered the first 100. On Thursday I dressed in jeans and COPS SAY LEGALIZE POT – ASK ME WHY t-shirt to deliver the House’s 435. NOTE: had I played mailman in my coat & tie, I would have been in a sweat all day. In a senior Dem office they were having a Christmas party. They loved the shirt and one young staffer insisted on being photographed with me, DESPITE the warning from colleagues that it might end up on YouTube.

An hour later I had finished my lunch and about to start the Longworth building, when a gentleman rich in melanin* walked up to me, said he liked the shirt and began a two minute chat. I recognized him as Congressman Hank Johnson of Georgia** to whom I had addressed a question 16 months ago at a CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) conference. Mr. Johnson & I had a very serious chat about drug policy & agreed on all points regarding drugs should be a medical not criminal problem. I promised to drop off a summary of the Swiss program (after I had informed him of going to a heroin clinic in Switzerland on my honeymoon last year — & of the Swiss offer to send a 3 person team to Congress to explain their program, if Congress would request it). BTW, Congressman Johnson serves on the House judiciary committee.

**NOTE: in a departure from normal protocol, I have mentioned the Member’s name. This only because some 100 saw us in the cafeteria.

After we departed, I was completely flabbergasted* that a Congressman would take the initiative to start a conversation with me in the T-shirt!!! (see bottom of letter) What the heck is going on? Should I wear it more often, perhaps over a shirt and tie? I am wondering.

The next day I dropped off a Misty story to the staffer who had her foto taken. She had expressed a great interest in our horse ride. She handed me her business card upon leaving. She is the chief of staff – easily the youngest I have ever met. Again I was flabbergasted.

Force Multiplier: Besides the Congress, MPP gave me a 100 cards to drop off to those who attend the Grover Norquist brunch. There I met a new reporter for the Washington Examiner, a daily with 300,000 circulation. I gave her a copy of the MPP card and she really liked it. The cartoon ran in the paper later in the week. Since everyone loves cartoons, I am confident that many of the 300,000 read the card & got the message.

Mr. Steele, I presume: About a month ago I made the acquaintance of a man at the Grover Brunch who is a member of the Republican National Committee. He agrees with the COP position, BTW. This week he invited me to a lunch gathering at the Republican National Committee HQ. He directed me to the head of the Republican Party, Michael Steele and introduced us. Mr. Steele & I had a 45 second, serious conversation about the failure of drug prohibition, my police voice in opposition & the need to legalize/regulate.

I have been in the same room as Mr. Steele a half dozen times this year. From now on, when he sees the cowboy hat, he will like most of the others, have this train of thought – cowboy, retired cop, legalize drugs. Small steps, maybe a medium step.

Understanding the adversary: * My very last presentation of the year was with the chief legal advisor to Senator Grassley whose infamous amendment I described a few weeks ago (a prohibition on discussing prohibition of drugs). We had an excellent 45 minute chat & l learned of the Senator’s reasons for opposing the Webb Initiative. This information is being sent to Mr. Webb’s office & others in drug reform. BTW: just before the meeting, I chanced to chat for 3 minutes with Mr. Webb’s point man on S-714. He was eager to learn of why Grassley is in opposition.

End of the year request for support: COPs has given the IRS the form 1023, applying for non-profit status. We have raised 9,000 so far which exceeds the budget of 5,000 for expenses. We are building a fund to provide me with a salary. Since its inception* in August, 231 presentations have been made to Hill Staffers and other VIPs in DC. The money invested the past 3 years by a good woman in New Mexico and the Criminal Justice Policy Foundation brought me and COPs to this point. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to COPs and help bring this mess to an end. Via this newsletter, you know exactly where the money goes & the service delivered.

Consider being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. Add your voice to those who agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery & Jim Crow.

Wishing for you and yours the Merriest Christmas & best of the holiday season.

Howard

*cranked out = habe produziert
*melanin = er war schwarzer
*flabbergasted = ich war platt, umhauen, verblüffen
*inception = Anfang
*adversary = Feinde

Officer Howard Wooldridge (retired)
Drug Policy Specialist, COP – www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
Washington, DC
817-975-1110 Cell
howard@citizensopposingprohibition.org

Citizens Opposing Prohibition – Become a Member
PO Box 772
Buckeystown, MD 21717-0772

Modern Prohibition/The War on Drugs is the most destructive, dysfunctional & immoral domestic policy since slavery & Jim Crow.