Posted October 3rd, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of September 26 & October 3, 2014
We don’t use the ‘F’ word around here: a legislative aide attached to the Senate Foreign relations committee remembered me from a meeting at Brookings. We chatted. I mentioned the failure of policy in Latin America ( his specialty) and it is hurting & killing so many there. ‘I would not say a failure. The policy has some positives also. We don’t use the F word around here.’
I smiled knowingly and we finished a very positive chat = he agreed prohibition had to go.
What is the ????????? word for ‘bouncer’?: On the first I had a 90 minute planning meeting at a major, European embassy. My contact said two others might be there (I prepared materials for three). Five showed up and we spent the first hour in a round-house discussion on why we should abandon drug prohibition and legalize/regulate all drugs! It was my first rodeo – speaking their language– to articulate our position. I was thrilled.
Note: This nation is sending a three person delegation to Colorado in November on a fact-finding mission. Thanks in large part to my contact in CO: Brian Vicente and partner Christian Sederberg…. I –we- drug reform looked like a well-oiled machine. Brian & Christian have arranged for meetings with friendly state and local politicians & grow-ops and stores. I arranged to have a federal judge and district attorney ready to meet the delegation. Of course, the delegation will meet with the DEA field office, CO state police, etc.
*Bouncer – I was describing how the coffeehouses in Amsterdam don’t employ them, since MJ makes one non-aggressive.
I will let you know which nation after they finish the tour in November. I might be too cautious keeping this quiet but this effort may be my most important work in nine years on the Hill. This could change UNGASS in 2016 to go our way.
Sunshine state: I will be spending at least the last 14 days before the election in Florida on detached duty for LEAP. My Spanish is needed.
Note: my raw work these two weeks is below average due to spending many hours making sure I had all the drug reform words & arguments in one of my languages. It paid off.
This week’s raw data:
1685 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 07 this week
49 Radio Interviews.. 01 this week
3 meetings this week
· COP stats since inception: August 2009
101 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
- 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
- 19 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. … Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
Posted September 27th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of September 19, 2014
Road Trip: Monday and Tuesday were spent on Long Island, NY as we spent time to work up a game plan for Costa Rica to move in an anti-prohibition direction. A road map was generated and will put into action after approval of higher ups.
Get it in writing: I had a good chat with the three candidates for federal office that I met at a meeting this week. Looking at one’s website and position on issues, I had my doubts whether he would support our position in the House. So, I wrote him that direct question. He responded directly and firmly he would employ the 10 Amendment on marijuana policy. … I wished him well.
I am focusing on the Senate in September and October. We are asking our friends in Mr. Reid’s office to hold a vote on a Senator Paul amendment to deny federal money to enforce federal law in the 30+ states with some form of medical marijuana use.
This week’s raw data:
1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 11 +this week
101 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week
1 meeting this week
· COP stats since inception: August 2009
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
- 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
- 19 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week
48 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. … Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
Posted September 20th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of September 12, 2014
Big Boys now on our side: The Global Commission on Drug Policy published a 45 page booklet this week (URL below). The group includes the heavy weights like Kofi Annan, former head of the United Nations…Paul Volcker, former head of the Fed Reserve, etc.
This august body has recommended that all, ALL drugs should be regulated by the government in order to reduce the massive harms of the illicit market. They also recommend experiments with the sale of marijuana, coca leaf and some hallucinogens. IMHO this is earth-shattering news. Essentially this group has adopted the COP/LEAP position. We are no longer voices in the wilderness. Our message is now main stream. Take a moment to savor smell of change.
Surprise, Surprise, Surprise; Thursday morning was spent at a think tank: CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies). Frau Fontana, the Swiss health attaché whom I met a year ago, came over and we shared a cup of coffee. She next to me in the main hall and we continued our chat for five minutes, until the program began. Auf Deutsch naturally.
An hour later the gentleman directly behind asked a question to the panel. He was Richard Baum, the Drug Czar’s international point person. That he heard the cowboy, who before asking a question identified himself as a co-founder of LEAP, speaking fluent German, well probably didn’t hurt our credibility. I introduced myself later and we exchanged cards. I offered him and the President the resources to LEAP as their position evolves. NOTE: I am fully aware that the cowboy persona might lead someone to believe me to be eccentric – an odd duck (especially as I get older)…and thus be dismissed.
Gracias: As I was leaving the seminar, two gentlemen approached me and asked a question. I asked what their first language was. We chatted in Spanish the next 15 minutes. They were attached to the Uruguay embassy. I thanked them for the courage of their government to legalize/regulate marijuana.
Honored: Late this week I was asked by LEAP to be their liaison between LEAP and their new branch in Costa Rica. I accepted the position. I expect this position to take up 1-2 hours a week. What all this means will be worked out in the coming weeks and I will keep you appraised.
This week’s raw data:
98 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 07 this week
Two meetings this week
· COP stats since inception: August 2009
1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
- 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…this week
- 19 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine…this week
48 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. … Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
Global Commission on Drug Policy report:
http://www.gcdpsummary2014.com/#foreword-from-the-chair
Posted September 14th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of September 5, 2014
?You Howard Wooldridge? Maybe, who’s asking?: At the Newark airport waiting for my flight to Costa Rica, a young, off-duty NC cop Googled my shirt and figured out who I was. (he will be a detective someday). We had an excellent 45M chat.
Harley as a business expense?: The day after a two hour formal meeting with a member (Diputado) of the Costa Rican Congress, my new amigo approached me. We chatted for a bit about the politics (he had introduced a ground-breaking medical MJ and industrial hemp bill two weeks ago). Then we learned of our mutual love of traveling on our Harleys; he all over Central America and me North America…this helped seal our working relationship. He spoke not a word of English, so my Spanish was crucial.
Fifth Latin-American Conference on Drugs: The front line of the drug prohibition is Central America and I wanted to know how far along they were in wanting change/what could I do to move the change along. All to better prepare for the United Nations efforts in 15 & 16.
Sadly due to a visa issue, LEAP’s President Neill Franklin was missing his aide who was to handle all the Spanish. He asked me to fill in which I gladly did. His schedule was packed with high-level meetings, interviews and the opening of LEAP’s branch in Costa Rica.
The undercurrent of the conference (350 attended) and the meetings was an intense desire to change from the current prohibition approach. Relationships were established which will facilitate that change.
This week’s raw data:
91 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week
- 37 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)…01 this week
- 19 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) 01 this week
- 28 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… 02 this week
Two meetings
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. this week
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
48 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. … Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
Posted August 29th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of August 22 & 29, 2014
Frodo Redux – The Table of Power: COP just finished its fifth year and I was reflecting on what to include in the annual report. About six months ago at Grover’s meeting I sat in a chair at ‘The Big Table.’(17 chairs) Nobody asked me to leave. I sat there the next week and ever since.
This seat-at-the-table gives our message stature and strength. Small step.
Axis of Change: I met with Senator Booker’s (D-NJ) this week and in combo last week’s meeting with Senator Paul’s office, we are laying the groundwork for substantive change in several areas of criminal justice/drug prohibition. NOTE: Booker & Paul are buddies.
Inquiring minds want to know: Going thru security at the House office bldg, the officer & I say hello all the time. This week he wanted to know more about DC’s new decrim law & Colorado (he is going there on vacation, hmmm). Twenty minutes later I began my day. 50 or so mostly staffers saw us chatting….good association.
Travel: Next week I am attending a 3 day drug conference for all of Latin America in San Jose, Costa Rica. About 300 will attend plus reps from the United Nations. The flight, hotel and conference fees cost $1,000 and I believe it will be time/money well spent. Yes, I am studying my Spanish extra hard and given its proximity to the hell in Central America caused by the cartels, I will take my own advice of ‘cuidado.’ (be careful). I WON’T be wearing my t-shirt.
This week’s raw data:
1678 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 12 this week
Two meetings
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
54 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 00 this week
89 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 0 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 0 this week
48 Radio Interviews.. 00 this week
- 81 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. this week
- 36 Appearances on major TV networks..this week (Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)… this week
- 18 major conferences attended.. this week (United Nations drug conf, CPAC, LULAC, NRA, CBC, ASA, DPA, Dem & Repub. Presidential conventions. etc) this week
- 26 published interviews in major (daily) newspapers or magazine… this week
79 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $78,000).. 00 this week
* 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning Howard’s efforts & in support of COP position
- 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 $30.00 or more per year. All contributions are tax-deductible. 30 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 prohibition. COP provides that voice. … Go to: · www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
- Citizens Opposing Prohibition
POB 543
