Posted June 16th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of June 13, 2014
Someone has my back: At an international – leaning meeting this week the senior staffer to a House Member wanted ideas on what his boss could do to slow down, hurt the terrorists of the world. I immediately piped up that per the United Nations, the illegal drug trade is the number one source of money for terrorists around the globe.
The next person who was called on stated my observation was correct and added his own data on drug trade and terrorists. At a public meeting I am sure it is the first time someone backed my position on this aspect. Felt good…still does.
Not too loud: After I spoke in the reception area to the aide I had met before, I was leaving the Republican office, when the guy behind the desk said almost in a whisper,” Appreciate what you do.” I touched the brim of my hat in recognition and smiled going out the door. Little gestures like that confirm there is more and more light at the end of tunnel.
Personal pain equals political victory: the German word is ‘schadenfreude.’ As I was concluding a chat with an aide, the Member walked in. Per protocol, I stood up, as he walked over to shake my hand. Normally I just introduce myself and who I represent. Then the Member replies that the staffer will take care of me and give him/her a report later. Bye – bye.
This time I personally thanked him for his ‘yes’ vote to keep the DEA outside the states with medical marijuana. Seven (7) minutes later I learned in detail how his daughter & granddaughter had moved to Colorado in order to obtain the ‘Charlotte’s Web’ CBD medical marijuana which stops the epileptic seizures. On that basis he voted our way.
That his granddaughter and that family are suffering meant he voted to essentially legalize God’s medicine for the nation. Our side won the vote but what a cost! Schadenfreude is cruel.
1590 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 32 this week
10 Conversations (five minutes or longer) with Member of Congress.. 01 this week
84 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 03 this week
47 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 02 this week
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 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
* 78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. 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 June 9th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of June 7, 2014
Now what? Post vote strategy: I reached for the phone to pick the brain of Aaron Houston, former lobbyist for MPP. I have always considered him the man with the ‘savoir faire’ for our side in DC. His advice was simple and direct: focus on the 42 Republicans who voted our way last week and convince them to co-sponsor HR 1523 (the other 7 are already co-sponsors). So, in the coming weeks I will re-contact those offices with a special request to co-sponsor. NOTE: I should have the vote analysis from Dan Riffle of MPP by next week.
If you were naughty: As I made the rounds this week, I left each office with a message for the Member. If they voted for continuing the DEA medical marijuana raids I said this:
‘Please tell the Boss how disappointed hundreds of thousands of police officers are that he voted to have the DEA continue to chase patients, sick people and a green plant. We hope one day he will come to understand the value of the 10th AMENDMENT and respect the will of the voters in the 32 States that have medical marijuana.’ (I am throwing in the 10 States which have the new CBD laws for childhood epilepsy).
The dig & emphasis on the 10th is especially poignant because it was almost always a supposedly states’ rights loving Republican who voted to keep the federal agents busy busting citizens in the various states. (plus 17 cowardly Democrats…like Waxman)
If they were nice: I said, ‘On behalf of law enforcement please thank the Congressman for his vote to respect the voters who believe the police should not arrest patients who use marijuana. Most of us did not become an officer to chase a green plant, God’s medicine. The vote is deeply appreciated.’
1558 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 08 this week
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 56 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 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
* 78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. 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 June 3rd, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of May 30, 2014
Hell Froze Over: At zero dark 30 (0030 hrs) on Friday, the House voted 219 to 189 to deny the DEA money to conduct drug raids against medical marijuana patients or facilities in the 22 states which have legalized God’s medicine (28 if one includes CBD meds). This amendment has been tried since about 2003 never receiving more than 167 votes.
MPP’s ace lobbyist Dan Riffle is still pouring over the spreadsheets to determine how, what, where this unexpected victory occurred and most importantly WHY. His analysis to you after I receive it.
You, the members of COP, can certainly take a bow and some real credit. My 1550 presentations with COP combined with another 1500 with LEAP means a lot of exposure and reminders on this issue.
On Wednesday and Thursday I did honest-to-goodness lobbying for the first time ever, promoting the Rohrabacher/Farr Amendment which was coming up for a vote by going door to door. When the dust settled some 35 or so Members switched their NO votes in 2012 to YES in 2014. Only 5 switched the wrong way…
Breaking Rocks in the Hot Sun — One story: I met with the chief of staff of an extreme state R office last year. This chief is a former prosecutor and my presentation was more like a cross-examination (good news/bad news – it lasted 30 minutes).. On Thursday he gave me 3 minutes to make my pitch. Result, his boss the Member who voted NO in 2012, voted with us this time, helping us reach the magic number of 218…there are another dozen plus stories where that came from…so I am certain we can take credit for a couple of the switches.
Thank you for the support to pay for the copy paper, the train & Metro tickets and all the other items I need to spread the anti-prohibition, 10th Amendment/States Rights message. All of you should celebrate with a glass of wine, or whatever. This week was historic.
1550 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 15 this week
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 56 brief chats with Members of Congress.. this week
- 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 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
78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. 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 June 2nd, 2014 by hiwayhowie
COP on the Hill
Stories from the week of May 23, 2014
Energizer Bunny: Stopping by an R office from Virginia, the Legislative Director said ‘glad to see you again’…we had an excellent chat. He asked how long I had been here (8 years). He said he started out at the same time (as a legislative correspondent, then aide and now Director). He remarked I was the most omnipresent guy in the House Buildings over the years. He looks up and there is the hat.
His boss, the Member, will never vote to repeal any prohibition but his LD is now firmly on our side. It was a solid, feel-good moment in my career.
Constituent power: Thanks to the persistence of COP member Linda Ronan of Alaska, I was able to have a 20 minute meeting with her Congressman Don Young. I thanked him for his endorsement of HR 1523to repeal federal, marijuana prohibition. He was a down-to-earth guy and gave me some solid ideas on how to help move the bill. Thanks Linda.
Generate a Headsnap: Republican members, especially on the Armed Service Committee, from time to time have military personnel as legislative aides. When the receptionist gave me the card of the new criminal justice aide, I read James Zumwalt. I asked her if this gentleman were any relation to a former admiral in the Navy; he is the grandson. Note: my dad was a career Marine and I have had a keen interest in military affairs all my life.
Future Members of Congress:
This week four candidates for House seats presented themselves at Grover’s brunch. Afterwards I had a brief chat with them all. This is the letter I send to all such folks (2-6 per week).
Morning ‘John,’
It was a pleasure to meet and chat with you at Grover’s this week. If I can ever be of service, please just ask.
I am a retired detective who since 2005 has represented in the halls of Congress law enforcement who are against prohibition. At the federal level I push the wise and simple concept of employing the 10th Amendment regarding drug policy, starting with marijuana. NOTE: the national NAACP endorsed this bill in October 2013. Pat Robertson declared his support for legal, taxed marijuana in 2012. Governor Perry of Texas declared his support for a 10th Amendment approach in January 2014. Remember, as a Congressman, all you have to do is ‘plead the 10th.’
The federal govt wastes 3 Billion a year on marijuana prohibition, a billion of which is borrowed from China.
Have a drug problem? See a doctor, not a judge.
Sincerely,
1535 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 07 this week
56 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 01 this week (long chat)
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 1 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 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
78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. 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 May 19th, 2014 by hiwayhowie
Stories from the week of May 16, 2014
Anatomy of a good day: Riding the escalator to catch the subway, the woman behind said, “Excuse me. I just started reading a book on marijuana policy and it starts with a guy riding his horse across America with a jacket just like yours. Would you know anything about him?”
“Guilty, ma’am. The book describes a bit of my 6 month ride.” Her eyes lit up and we had a nice chat till the train arrived.
Later: Grabbing my slice of pepperoni pizza at the Longworth café, the woman in charge of pizzas, a woman my age, out of the blue, thanked me for all my efforts, loves it when I wear the T-shirt ( I wasn’t) and knew I was making Washington, DC a better place for her to live.
I was truly humbled by her effusive praise and my feet did not touch the ground, as I walked to my table. Some people notice and appreciate; which is crucial as I enter my ninth year on the Hill.
Resistance approaches zero: As I met with staffers this week, going thru 54 doors to chat make presentations to 20 legislatives aides (good ratio, given the House was in recess), I realized on the train home that I had not encountered one pushback all week. Works for me.
I must emphasize that I am speaking of the aides, not the Members. The bill HR 1523 – to repeal federal marijuana prohibition – languishes at 28 supporters, 7 of whom are Republicans.
1528 Presentations to Congressional staffers.. 20 this week
- COP stats since inception: August 2009
- 81 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 1 this week
- 41 Radio Interviews.. 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
78 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $75,000).. this week
55 brief chats with Members of Congress.. 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
