COP on the Hill: Stories from the week of March 29, 2013

COP on the Hill

Stories from the week of March 29, 2013

Doin’  the work:  This was the first of two weeks of Easter recess.  Five days on the Hill and 29 presentations later I am pooped.   I could nearly feel the leather falling off my boots.   The lovefest  with our issue continues, though I can report hearing the first full-throated defense of marijuana prohibition of 2013 (out of 164 presentations this year).

Making an impression: Twice this week I gave my presentation in Spanish.  Good practice for me and certainly surprised others in the office (the aide and I spoke in the common area of one office with people coming and going).

I don’t communicate this to brag, rather to point out that our message and messenger being remembered is the ‘coin of the realm’ in Congress…with 25,000 full-time lobbyists and more than that citizen lobbyists coming in for a week at a time, being remembered is crucial.

Apropos, I made contact with one aide asking for the usual 15-20 minutes to introduce myself etc.  He gently reminded me that we had met 4 years ago, when he was an aide in the Senate.  THAT is what I am talking about.

Of note:  After Grover’s brunch this weekend I had a brief chat with Reince Priebus, the head of the National Republican Party.

For those who have contacted me this week and I have not responded, please don’t hate me.  I’ll catch up …someday.

COP stats since inception: August 2009

• 1160 Presentations to Congressional staffers..29 this week
• 33 Appearances on major TV networks..0this week(Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, Univision)
• 22 published interviews in major (daily)newspapers or magazine this week
• 54 interviews and reports in minor media = blogs, cable TV, weekly papers, etc.. 0 this week
• 71 published letters to the editor (value per MAPINC in free publicity: $70,000) =  this week
• 2 editorials in daily papers mentioning my efforts & in support of COP position
• 28 Radio Interviews..0 this week
• 34 brief chats with Members of Congress..0 this week
• 38 chats with other elected officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc.   1 this week
• 12 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 and want to be a part of the solution…  Go to:

• www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org and click on Donate/Join – by credit card or send a check to:
• Citizens Opposing Prohibition
• POB 543
• Buckeystown, MD 21717